It was New Year’s Eve. I was looking forward to an easy day. And I was looking forward to a nice New Year’s Evening Feast.
I received a text from a previous client. I need a board up.
I could not answer right away because I was driving on the freeway. I was going to call him once I was off the freeway.
5 minutes later, my phone rang. I was not off the freeway yet.
I need a board up—I texted you.
There goes my easy day, I thought to myself.
I asked, “What happened?” I had a break-in at my store. They broke my front door. I asked my client to send me a pic.
As I saw the picture, I was shaking my head.
The robbers had broken his front glass door. The whole storefront is made up of glass panels and two doors.
This was not going to be an easy fix.
I let my client know that I was on my way to see what was going to be needed.
He was relieved. He knew that I could do the job and that I had his best interest at heart.
Once I got there, he told me he wanted me to build an access door.
He needed a way to lock up the store at closing, and it needed to be secure.
I responded, “It is going to be expensive.
I explained to him that it was going to be expensive because his store front is made up of glass panels and two doors. Building an access door would require extensive work and materials to ensure security.
The cost would be $2,000.00
My client hesitated for a moment, considering the cost. But he understood the importance of having a secure store and agreed to proceed with the access door.
Looking for a better solution for my client’s problem, I asked him if he could use the other door. He had some shelving in front of it. I suggested to him that we move the shelving. Make that 2nd door his main door. And if I just board up the broken door opening, it would only cost him a few hundred bucks compared to the $2,000.
The guy was shortly relieved.
We moved the shelving that was in front of the door.
He tried all his keys, but none of the keys worked on the lock of the door.
Store owner looked stressed again.
I said, “Let me call a friend of mine who is a locksmith.”
I’ll see if he can come by and rekey the lock for you. It will be a much cheaper solution than building a whole new access door. And I will board up the broken glass door.
I called my friend. I told him the situation. He responded, “Eddie, it’s New Year’s Eve. I am looking forward to a nice and easy day. And I have a few things to do at my house. My grandkids are coming over.
My friend was just kidding around. He is the same as I am. When someone needs our help, we are there to serve our clients.
Brad said, “I am 20 minutes away.
Brad showed up. He installed a new cylinder.
The store owner was going through a roller coaster of emotions, worried about his store. Whether it would be secure when he leaves the store locked up and un attended.
I boarded up the opening. I used the bolt board method. The bolt board method is when a sheet of plywood is placed on the exterior of the opening and 2x4s are used on the inside. Carriage bolts are installed from the exterior, through the opening, and fastened with the 2x4s.
Once the boarding up was complete, I reassured the store owner that his store was now secure. He thanked both me and Brad for our quick response and efficient work.
Once the boarding up was complete, I reassured the store owner that his store was now secure. He thanked both me and Brad for our quick response and efficient work.
He paid me for my services. As he was paying me, he handed me a $2 dollar bill. He told me it was his good luck bill and he insisted on giving it to me. I did not want to take his $2 good luck bill.
It was very touching for me. I looked in his eyes. And I knew it came from his heart. He was very grateful for me and Brad. We did the best possible job for him.I do not think anyone else would have had the expertise to do the job or that had a friend who was a locksmith that would have worked on New Year’s Eve.
This is how $2 bill, Emergency Board Up, and New Year’s Eve comes together.
I was grateful for his gesture and accepted the $2 bill.
I had helped a client in need and provided a secure solution for his store. The $2 bill he gave me served as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation. It reminded me of the unique and unexpected connections that can be made in my line of work. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to serving my clients and going above and beyond to meet their needs. As I reflected on the events of the day, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in my chosen profession. The satisfaction I derived from helping others is what drives me to continue doing what I do, even on days that don’t go as planned.
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