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Tree Handler
See Workers Page For Minimum Requirements & Hours of Work
Before A Car Enters The Lot
- Stand where you can be seen (not inside Saw Shed)
- Waive the car toward open parking with Shopping List & saw in-hand
The following in blue italics is not a list of “suggestions”,instead, it is exactly what each of us says, based on over 50 years of learning how to do it.
When A Car Enters The Lot
-
- Take a saw and Shopping List to the car - not wait for them to come to you!
- Showing the Shopping List to the driver of the car (not giving it to them);
"Welcome to Patchen California, you have been here before haven't you?"
- - not, "have you been here before"? (if they have, disappoints them & you look silly)
- Pointing to the front of the Shopping List;
"This Shopping List contains lots of information,"
"Please keep it handy - you will need it to check out with the cashier."
- Record Make, and Color of the car on their Shopping List
"I need to write your car description on it so we can help you better."
"You can sign up for our newsletter here and get discount coupons."
"If you want your tree delivered you can add your address here."
"This is my name and I am here to help you in any way I can."
- Pointing to both Barn and Cashier Shed;
"You can pay for everything at the barn - the cashier can also help you."
- Opening the Shopping List and pointing to Red, Yellow, and Green spots;
"All trees will have a color spot indicating the price and where to cut"
"These are the tree types available,
"They are priced by the tree, not by the foot, no matter their size."
"These are the Red Spot choices and their cost, regardless of size."
"These are the Yellow Spot choices and their cost, regardless of size."
"These are the Green Spot choices and their cost, regardless of size,
again, trees are all priced by the tree, no matter what size they are."
- Still holding and pointing to the Shopping List
"Only the Blue Spot trees are priced per foot, unlike the others."
"Trees with no color spot are not for sale." (pointing to price summary)
"Cutting those makes them very expensive as you can see".
"Cutting on the spot ensures the stump's life to produce more trees".
- Pointing to the Barn
"Tabletop trees and small Living Trees are at the barn".
"There are wreaths and FREE hot cider there also".
- Handing Shopping List to the customer;
"This is for you to keep track of your purchases - please keep it handy"
" It will become your receipt, so please don't lose it."
- Pointing to the Stand Shed
"If you need a stand, you can get one here, guaranteed forever"
- Pointing to Bailer
"We can also bail your tree and help you tie it on your car".
"Every tree gets a Fresh-Patch so there is no need to recut it at home."
"You should put it into water as soon as you can with Fresh-Patch still on."
- Handing saw to an ADULT. No kids with saws and NO CHAINSAWS
"Please be careful; these saws are very sharp"
"Also notice that, unlike some saws, these cut on the back-stroke".
"If you need help, just yell my name; I will be watching for you".
WHEN A TREE COMES DOWN THE HILL
- Get Every Saw! Fold it and throw it in the saw box (not on the table or ground).
- Grab the tree and put it on the table (do not ask, just do it!)
- If going on top of the car (not in a truck or pickup)
"I can also bail it for you at no cost."
- Bailing & Fresh-Patch
- Put the tree in the bailer (easier & safer to hold for sawing).
- Do not tie a knot in the netting (wastes netting & gets in chain saws).
- While still in the bailer;
- Re-cut the stump to remove mud and damage - Don't ask; just do it.
- Explain while applying a Fresh-Patch;
"This Fresh-Patch was invented by this farm’s owner".
"It keeps the tree fresh until you get home.”
"It also means you don’t need to recut the stump when you get home.”
"For added freshness, leave it on when you put the stand on."
- Remove the tree from the bailer.
- Offer everyone a tree stand.
"A good water stand keeps it fresh longer."
"Ours hold plenty of water, which is essential"
"They are guaranteed forever"
- Demonstrate how to install it, but don't do it for them.
- Offer Tarps and Blankets to protect car tops.
- Holding Tree-Freshness pack (Bio-Bag & Crystal-Fresh)
"This biodegradable tree bag protects carpet & makes tree removal easy"
"The Crystal-Fresh uses ice cubes instead of water and prevents spilling"
"It is also biodegradable"
"This is NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR WATER; it just prevents spilling."
"I can put this on your Brochure and you can take it with you."
- Tie-Down
... Carry the tree to the car and tie it on top (instructions by Salvador)
... We tie Red, Yellow or Green trees with twine
... Blue trees require a Cargo Strap (available for sale)
... The customer can tie Blue trees with twine but we do not do it
... Mark everyone's Shopping List - tree color, stand, etc.
"You will need this Shopping List to check out with the Cashier."
"It can also become your receipt."
"You can also purchase items from the barn and check out there."
"Merry Christmas; we hope to see you again next year".
WHEN BUSINESS IS SLOW
- Odd Jobs Posted in Saw Shed
- Unbailing & Standing Up Precut Trees (see Jim or Salvador)
- Watering Precut Trees
- Helping in Gift Shop (see Kelley or Amy)
- Collecting & Prepping Boughs For Wreaths (see Kelley or Amy)
- Pulling weeds
- Picking up trash
- Stacking wood (see Jim or Salvador)
- Other easy & unstimulating jobs (see Jim or Salvador)
- Good time to learn new stuff
- Questions about trees or business, go to Jim (bonus!).
- Questions about wreaths, table-tops, and gift items go to Kelley or Amy
- Questions about Cashier or working hours go to Jim or Kelley
- Things, not on the DO list.
- Congregating in the Saw Shed
- Hanging out in the Gift Shop or with the Cashier
- Phone Obsessions
