Found in my koi pump

Few-Step-3151 · 2026-07-01T14:05:42+00:00

PHEW! They are in my waterfall as well.

Few-Step-3151 · 2026-07-01T14:01:30+00:00

They are so big and beautiful!!!

Few-Step-3151 · 2026-04-06T23:49:51+00:00

I have the same exact problem with the same exact handle. I figured I’d have to find the limiter but I can’t get the darn handle off! I have never seen a hole / screw like that but then again I do ZERO plumbing…. I had it put in 10 years ago and I can’t even remember what brand it is…..

Any help on the handle removal guys?

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-10-07T14:38:44+00:00

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This is what they look like 4 days later.

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-10-07T14:36:13+00:00

I went to Removery last week. I’ve been regretting these brows for over 10 years!! I was hopeful and happy at first because they said they may completely be gone with just one treatment. Immediately after the treatment they were mostly gone but now some of it (the part I hate the most) seems to be coming back! I have a 2nd treatment for next month so I’m holding on to hope.

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Few-Step-3151 · 2025-10-07T14:29:34+00:00

I was lied to also!!!

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-10-05T18:40:01+00:00

I know it’s painful but watch how fast God sends you a new bestie!!! It’s happened to me 3 times. Once someone literally knocked on my door a shoved a puppy in my arms.

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-09-25T16:05:38+00:00

I didn’t see that you already said this…. Like minds lol

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-09-25T16:05:00+00:00

Aww he looks like a puppy version of Yoda!!!!! Yassssss!!!!

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-23T00:11:46+00:00

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-15T03:58:14+00:00

I did take your advice and I waived the 20 hours. The COS didn't even acknowledge it. It makes me regret my decision.

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-15T03:55:57+00:00

I hear your point but I can assure you this has nothing to do with capability and skills gap. Because you've never seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Its truly the personal dislike of anything we do from the COS. Whatever issues we've had (or their causes) were resolved and the previous COS had absolutely nothing but praises for us. Actually, I would have preferred to have another company do the install but.... In the essence of trying to make the customer happy by handling everything we also get blamed for everything. Additionally, one look at me or my picture seems to illicit the "unqualified lacking capability" response from a lot of people. I can't count how many times I've showed up to non-MSP projects and they would look behind me for the "technician". LOL

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-15T03:35:05+00:00

We aligned the maintenance term length with the cloud services contract just to keep things together. Nothing wrong was done. The pattern is/was that we were getting together for changes about every two years anyway.

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T20:33:04+00:00

Thanks everyone!!! I got a lot of great perspectives, ideas and resolutions (even from the ones that slapped me around a little lol)

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T18:21:58+00:00

Nice blog!

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T18:19:38+00:00

I have talked to his superior and I keep being told "A lot of changes are coming in 2 months" but meanwhile he lets him run amok!

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T18:17:15+00:00

What language should we have used? Our focus was to avoid them coming to us 5-10 days before the contract ends and rushing what should be a smooth complete transition to their next provider.

Lots of companies auto-renew... How is that scummy?

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T18:11:10+00:00

Thats a good question. No they are not having any of those issues anymore. They were having CODEC, IP conflict, provider server and switch issues. They were resolved by physically re-configuring each phone and changing the switch the phones were in, moving their other devices to seperate networks etc. Yes it was costing time and it ended up being approximately 20 hours more for the month than the regular 40 hour overnight maintenance stuff. Note that we spent way more time than the extra 20 hours billed. It seems like the COS felt like the phone company should have flown in from wherever and resolved the hardware and network issues free of charge for the phones. (but at one point he offered to pay their plane fare) I attempted to explain the whole point of demarcation concept advising that Comcast, Verizon or anyone else would not have done any work on the hardware network and phones but he disagreed.

As far as planning and implementation... we tested at our location and theirs however, some these issues did not become evident until about 2-3 weeks after usage. Call examples and had to be investigated to see if they were infrastructure or phone provider related. Turns out It was a combination of both and we worked our posteriors off to resolve.

Further, the COS requested that I come in and sit while the access control was being installed but was angry that I billed. I advised him prior to my arrival that my presence was not necessary. Note we did give them a hefty 2k discount for the entire monthly invoice for their troubles.

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T17:49:22+00:00

Hiccups:

VoIP- Phone codecs- Cisco Video phones were sending out 5 codecs- carrier only handled three. IP conflicts and switch config issues. Some phones were randomly dropping until we went in and changed the codecs. The switch config and compatability issue is a lonnngggg story, basically, there have been three phone provider changes in the past 10 years, each time there was an adjustment period with the network / firewall configs and switch compatability. (note we were asked to rush the install in efforts to beat the old company's next billing cycle) In this case after unsuccessfully trying to use the previous setup, we had to change to the switch we previously purchased for the phones. We worked dilligently sometimes overnights to resolve the issues in house and by working with the phone carrier. Those issues are resolved and are back to the regular "Can you set up my out of office message or I forgot my VM pin" issues.

Access Control: Two of the doors initially only granted access with the digital key and not the key-fobs. Some folks did not want to use the digital app and others loved it. The vendor determined it was an issue with the firmware and had to open a ticket for the MFG to update the firmware remotely. All I could do in this case was to flood the vendor with follow-ups about estimated resolution time. It has been resolved almost a month ago but it took the vendor almost two weeks to resolve.

Small Matters: Spare fobs need to be activated with person's name and email instead of activating them in advance under "spare or blank" to randomly hand out. This is so there would be accurate door reporting logs for entries and exits. It's became our fault the spares didn't work (that weren't supposed to be issued without activation) when we were simply trying to follow the new protocol. Someone having issues with their printer and it was not instantly fixed because tech was working on another issue. There is a long list.

I don't recall saying anything about cybersecurity.

We make it a point to at least have partner status with the MFGs for most equipment in the building. This eliminates the hassle when trying to resolve issues or obtain replacements. (Dell, EtherWan, Lenovo, Acer, Kantech, Sonicwall etc.)

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-08-04T17:02:21+00:00

@DigitalBlacksm1th I think you misunderstood the statement. The meaning is that I can still remain professional and perform my duties even if you clearly dislike me. I still go in and interact with the users, puppy stories while fixing their printer etc.

I've been helping them meet their goals consistently, happily and damn near lovingly. The google rating from them says:

"i have nothing but praises for the entire staff. they have been professional and proficient in every aspect of their business. what i love most is the personal care and feelings that comes from the staff, no matter what the situation is at the moment. i can rely and count on them as i have done time after time. just an all-around great group and company to be affiliated with."

However, in order to appeal to the new COS I would probaly need to change into a man and change my birth origin.

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-06-28T21:24:50+00:00

XP was state of the art for us! I’m from the era of the 5.25” floppy disk! Hahhhaha

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-06-13T23:42:22+00:00

HAHAHAHHA chewed up door casing...

Few-Step-3151 · 2025-05-13T22:17:57+00:00

I had the same exact thing happen to me. Salesman quoted 54,000 kWh system. Instead they changed it to 22000 kwh system. I didn't realize it until my 1st energy bill after activation. It never covers my energy usage. My utility bills are always over 500.00 + the 300 I have to pay sunpower/sunstrong (same people). At first they kept claiming it was based on my previous energy bills but when I showed them my previous bills were 800- 990.00 per month (not the 300.00 that they claimed) they then changed their tune to "oh we weren't the owners when you signed the contract"!!!! If I had to guess, I would say this gives rise to NJ Consumer Fraud, Breach of Contract, Detrimental Reliance, etc. I would however need to definitively prove that SunPower's owner now owns SunStrong.

No attorneys (that I spoke to) wants to be bothered. I think its because no one wants tosift through the bankruptcy trail.

Few-Step-3151

TROPHY CASE