Have You Ever Just Wanted To Smack Somebody Until The 'Light' Came On?...

So, at 7:00AM, The owner said he 'Smelled Smoke' and wanted someone to have a look, he's about 2 miles down the road...

We have a 'Handy Man/Jack Of All Trades' type in the area, and I just want to smack this guy sometimes...

Not the first time I've had to clean up after him,
This morning, an AC Earth Ground in RED insulated wire, poked into the ground about 2" and NOT STRIPPED, still insulated.
No ground rod of any kind.

Old farm house, the owner had this guy replace 60A Glass Fuse block with 200A service panel...
Outdoors with a indoor rated panel, cheapest panel I've ever seen, hometime or something like that...
Looks like a 100A from utility pole, connected to 8Ga wire into the house from the meter housing.
You just know it's going to be a fun day .

He's got the entire house wired on 4 breakers, like the old block had 4 glass fuses...
Duplicated what he saw on a 60A glass fuse block in a 200A panel.

What a CLUSTER-(Self Censored), I'm surprised the place didn't burn down, it was trying to...
Wire clipped off (Pig Tail) with water dripping INTO it, and still hot, burned about 3" of insulation away INSIDE the house, where the 'Burning' smell was coming from...

Red insulated 16Ga automotive wire for a 'Ground',

Copper Romex 14Ga pig tails from breaker to house service lines, all but about 3 still exposed, I guess he ran out of wire nuts,
AND IT'S BEEN RAINING/SNOWING IN IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK.

I could only DISCONNECT what was Hot & smoking/sizzling, tell the guy to shut everything but the fridge off and call an electrician before the place burned down.
I'll help when it's something fairly simple, but I'm not going to rewire someone's house on a 'Favor'...

The owner was upset with ME for saying everything was crap and the house was going to burn down, even through he called me about a 'Smoke Smell'...
Complained he paid this guy $1,200 for basically nothing, and somehow it was MY FAULT.

Maybe I should be slapping the snot out of TWO people, come to think of it...

Wow... just, wow...

I'm having second thoughts about buying this solar company bankruptcy and parting it out here...
I'm retired, sorting the stuff and taking it to UPS isn't a big deal, but I'm not sure I want to deal with people that don't know what NOS (New Old Stock) is, even though it's brand name new in the box with manufacturer's warranty...

I don't want to get stuck with 48,000 questions when people can't click on the data sheet link or try and return something to me when I'm not a dealer, no matter how cheap it is.
John Q. Public is a hemorrhoid when you are blowing out NOS/New Surplus... No idea what they are doing and it's always YOUR fault they can't be bothered to read the instructions!

When you buy NOS for 1/2 or more off retail, you are on your own for install, and the 'Advanced Class' is open to everyone...
The guys that can use this stuff for something other than a yard ornament will get lost in the background noise...

I watched the roofing crew putting shingles on a rental house, the guy probably shot 100 nails at a cat in the yard/driveway,
NOTHING kills a tire faster than a roofing nail...
My dad lived next door, and I told the owner of the company I had it on video, so every flat tire was on him.
Different guys on the job next day and he had them sweeping the driveway/yard with a magnet.

Dad had 3 flat tires in 5 weeks, the guy never complained, paid for all the patches...
And had them sweep the yard again with a bigger magnet.

I have no problem throwing out beer & steaks when someone comes to help, but the beer stays off the job site until AFTERWARDS.
I leaned that the hard way...

Well JH, All I can say is breath, stay calm, be happy it wasn't your home or right next door (close enough to burn you down too). Now you also know if that neighbour who asked a favour calls you again, your busy washing the Cat or Dog or clipping your toe nails....

Rule of 3 applied. Everyone get's 3 chances but never a 4th.
Immediate bypass on Rule of 3, someone lies /cheats or steals from you. Automatic 4, never again.
Anyone abuses your good nature or willingness to help them (especially if it's a favour) automagic 4.
We all actually use Rule of 3 subconsciously ! It's imbedded into our daily lives... sign everything in triplicate, 3 strikes your out, 3rd times a charm. Now jus use it consciously and be aware of it... helps one stay sane.

Even my Children understood rule of 3 ! I would call them to diner, once, twice but NEVER a third time because they were coming. I never had to raise my voice or anything EVER... my EX on the hand would yell, scream & chihuahua at them till the cows came home and even then they'd still ignore her. Then they started doing it to her... hahaha.... Karma !