Relative Something

With the day job claiming so much of my time and attention lately, it is only logical that it becomes more a part of what I write about here. Yesterday was exciting in a little different way than normal and is worthy the effort to describe. First, I need to set the scene with some backstory.

The company I am with evolved from a larger company over 9 years ago. At that time, some of the equipment from the previous business, like hand tools that crimp contacts onto wires, was acquired to use for the new company, so we started with already used equipment. One particular style of crimp tool is in demand so often that we eventually ended up with 4 of them to minimize waiting. These tools eventually break down. When I tried to order a replacement years ago, we learned that the original old favorite style had become obsolete and wasn’t available anymore. We received the new version.

The staff did not like the new one. People would wait for the favorite one instead of using the new one. Then another of the old favorites broke down. At the time, business was slowing dramatically, so there was little need for the extra tools. I held off buying another new version since it was unpopular anyway.

Now that we are busy again, there have been many requests for additional tools to meet the demand. I have looked on ebay for the old tool, but have never been there at the right time to get one. The last one there sold on November of 2009. I learned the other day how desperate my staff are getting when one of them reported that in the searches they do at night on the internet to find the tool they want, they found evidence that the obsolete tool is still available in the UK. They emailed the site to inquire and were asked to supply complete company information. That’s where I stepped in.

I wrote an ‘official’ request to a representative for the manufacturer in Europe for verification they actually had some of the obsolete tools to which my staff are so strongly attached. The first reply I received was a copy of my message being forwarded to a different department with a note saying my request was something another person should address. Then I received an email from a third person, located in the US, in Illinois, informing me that the obsolete tool is not available. Seems I have come full circle. I already knew it wasn’t available here. I just wanted to check if it was possibly still on hand somewhere in Europe.

Then I got a phone call from a representative of the manufacturer. They seemed a bit riled that I was seeking an obsolete tool. Later, I received another call, from a different person, who politely informed me that my request had gotten attention around the world and I could expect additional calls from others wanting to know why I was requesting obsolete tooling and probably another email with technical details clarifying the tool I should be ordering. The good news it that the newer version that we already have, that the staff don’t like to use, is now also obsolete and replaced by an even newer design. They want us to give that one a try.

It’s nice to see that I got some attention on this issue, but it’s a little embarrassing to be identified around the world as the guy trying to buy a tool that was declared obsolete over a decade ago.