Clean Up in Corvallis

 Our school district has gone to a 4 day school week this year -  which means Fridays off! Today, our plan was to meet up with the Bucks crew as they prepped toilets for the OSU game tomorrow.  We arrived in town a little early and spotted Benny Beaver walking down the street.

 

Clean and freshly stocked with TP, thanks to Milah

 

 

 

Go BEAVERS!

Introducing the QUACK SHACK!

I grew up a proud Beaver Fan. Still am.

HOWEVER, Buck's is in Duck Country. Thus, our new toilet - the QUACK SHACK. We want to make an Oregon State toilet as well but will see how these go first. Gladly accepting ideas - hint hint.

I love the design, but it feels like I've sold my soul. Go BEAVERS!

Jamboree Madness

The Oregon Jamboree (a country music festival) is this weekend and we have around 400 pieces at the event and scattered throughout 20 campground areas. We have been servicing the venue after the crowds leave in the evening - finishing around 2:30 in the morning. Hannes and Milah have been helping with this service - they are a huge help and seem to love it.

"Mean Uncle Scott" as Hannes used to call him - showing Hannes how to service the sinks.

Cousin togetherness - hey we'll take what we can get!

The crew in action. Sten and Scott pump. The rest of us fill in as door holders, tp, IHS, soap, and paper towel refillers - wipers and swipers as well.

After we finish servicing the event toilets, we have been making a trip to Eugene to empty the trucks. By the time we get back to town, Scott gets 1-2 hrs of sleep before beginning to pump all the campsites. It's a crazy schedule - good thing it's only 3 days!

Fleet Decor

Everyone loves before and after photos - even if it's on a poop truck! Please excuse the order of these pics - they are after, before, after

We recently purchased 2 used trucks from Florida. We had to cover the previous owner's graphics, so we decided to make a "splash" while we were at it.

It's so different - it's going to take some getting used to - but we like it. It's definitely eye-catching.

Wave, holler and honk when you pass us!

Buck's on the Move . . .

The Trials are over and we feel like we should get a gold medal for our efforts! Tonight they are busy pumping and transporting toilets back to the yard. This is our professional pumping and TP restocking crew. These units will be detailed and head out to different events Monday and Tuesday.

Then we call in the brutes - the toilet movers. The trailer hauls 18 toilets, so these boys aren't gonna be done til 3 or 4 in the morning. Good thing they slept most of the day.

New Door Stickers

It's not ideal to be installing stickers at the event, but that was our only option yesterday. We had overnight guests at our house and they were roped in as free labor (let this be a warning).

Tracktown USA. Yeah, there's gonna be cheering for those that are jumping high, running fast and throwing far- but the crowds are gonna be gathered near the portable toilets in awe of our new stickers!

Ahhh, summer vacation - what fun!

Before - no stickers.

While we were dragging our stuff from one batch of toilets to the next, Susie and Sten flew by on a golf cart. Must think they were VIP's or something.

Sherman was even "in" on the fun. Doesn't he look like he's having a blast?

After! Looking fabulous.

The Loo Redo

Many years ago - the toilet salesmen called Scott and mentioned that they'd mistakenly ran a "batch" of white toilets. After some consideration we decided to buy a few and target them for use at weddings - we called them "White Houses".

The White Houses were in deperate need of a scrubbing and a remodel . . .

We had a sticker designed to cover the door and they turned out amazing!

The toilets are rented in pairs. All have a "no touch" style tank and are equipped with a sink - one has a urinal and one does not.

Detail on the graphics - we used different words for "toilet" - I LOVE EM! You understand now - it's easy to be passionate about toilets!

A family that bills together . . .

For the first few months we are checking each bill before it's sent. This is our stuffing, sealing & stamp crew. They refer to themselves as indentured servants. If you could only hear the complaining and whining coming from the males in the bunch - notice the looks of agony on their pitiful faces. I think they were suffering from sleep deprivation, paper cuts and an overwhelming dislike for the billing procedure. The females loved the task and can't wait til next month - must have something to do with that Mars/Venus thing.

Coming Soon to a field near you!

Milah is the proud owner of a new cutter (yes, Milah financed the purchase). Sten spotted it sitting next to an outbuilding, obviously neglected. After some inquiring, he found the owners who explained what they believed was wrong - he spied the solution right away, but kept it to himself and worked an awesome deal.

Sten was just a baby when we bought Buck's before. One of his first words was "Bucks". Here he is driving a truck that is just one year younger than him. A strange and unexpected turn of events -

Curb Appeal

The outside of our building was dismal.  The business does not have much "walk in" traffic, but you can see the building from a heavily traveled road nearby.  Pressure washing made a huge difference, painting, and then signage completed it.  An awning over the window and doors would look awesome - but that's down the road (way down the road).  See that tall rectangular wooden structure on the right - I'm thinking that would be perfect as a giant portable toilet.  Hmmm, that would be fun . . .
 

Custom lettering used to be off the charts expensive.  But these signs were reasonable.  The lettering on the door was only 10$!  Can't even get letters at the hardware store for that price.

Mr. Hollywood in Action

Here's the clip that aired last night which featured Buck's as one of the dirtiest jobs in Lane County.

Mr. Hollywood

Scott was interviewed today for a segment of a show featuring dirty jobs.  I think this line of work definitely qualifies.  Icky poo!  Apparently the interviewer braved the scenario and cleaned a toilet herself - barely escaping throwing up.  Guess it airs next Monday -

This video illustrates Scott's ferocity when working on a project.  Often times we will simply stand in amazement and watch him (just like Sten does in this clip).  He can get more done in a day than most and we have been guilty of snickering at his cartoon-like intensity.  Work is play to him; especially if it involves "working" in a shop.   That familiar phrase - "going at it like your killing snakes" - comes to mind.  Scott's philosophy - it ain't hung up - you just need to pull harder! Looks like I better fire up the sewing machine and patch those coveralls - oopsie.

Mr. Weld-er

Warning!  Don't stare at this picture too long, it may burn your eyes:)

Dirty, sweaty and greasy - surrounded by power tools.  A perfect day. 

Shop Rules:  If sumpthin moves and it ain't s'post to - use duct tape.  If sumpin is s'posta move and it don't, use WD40

Busy @ Bucks

OUR TEAM! 

 We have 2 weeks under our belt and it's beginning to feel like "home"- maybe it's cuz we've been nearly living there.  We are in a cramming mode right now - learning new computer and phone systems, people, prices, vendors, events . . . I'm looking forward to it becoming a tad mundane - but I think that's a long ways off. 

Oh yeah - those mismatched door stickers are a priority.  Any ideas?  Milah came up with a winning slogan that I think we will use in marketing - "It's always Buck's Season" 

We determined that we couldn't work in the existing conditions as they were too filthy and bleak, so we've been busy updating the place as well . . .

The Main office.  Chose gray and a funky green color. Would never choose these colors at home, but thought it would be fun to do something way different.  Lively, clean and friendly

The small office.  Carpet was installed in the 70s and rarely, if ever cleaned.  We ripped out the nasty stuff, painted the floor and grabbed a remnant.  Clean and fresh.

The laundry is continual - washing rags.  Cleaned/organized and painted- makes a HUGE difference. An unbelievable transformation

Shop - painted.  Continuing to organize and clean.

Bathroom - nasty icky walls painted and cleaned.  I wasn't picky about the colors - just went to the Lowes mistint section and grabbed a gallon for 5$ and a quart for 2.50.  Lowes is a few blocks away (oh yeah baby)!

Lots of Loos

So, here’s a bit of scoop . . . You may find it long and uninteresting, but it is a milestone at this house.

As you know, back in November, we received news that our shop was selling, and we would be “kicked out” in March. It was devastating news and we were, quite honestly, miffed about the situation. Door (slammed) Closed. That very afternoon, a visitor presented an unexpected opportunity. Hmmmm, door (slightly) open.

There are copious details that I'm sure you don't want to hear —but as of yesterday - we are now the owners of Buck’s Sanitary Service in Eugene Oregon. Whoo Hoo! Pew Wee! The sense of déjà vu is legitimate as we owned this business (with 2 other parties) from 1995-1999. In ’99, we sold to Waste Connections, but it simply doesn’t fit with their core assets as they do garbage, not toilets. We are excited to tackle this opportunity as it was a grand passion of ours. (portable toilets + passion = yeah, we’re weird)

We were certain that Advanced Waste Automation (AWA) would fit perfectly with this new arrangement. However, the company that we had the dealership with—purchased a much larger truck manufacturer that has an established dealership in Oregon. As of now, the decision is that all the business will be handled by the older company, leaving AWA with nothing. Now that’s a punch in the gut! Scott loves this niche and has loyal and satisfied (downright thrilled) customers (who are screaming mad about the new arrangement). We started AWA, knowing that customer service was going to make the difference. We knew it wasn’t going to be a “get rich quick” scheme. The dedication and patience was beginning to pay off and Scott’s knowledge and tenacity were slowly changing the market in our region. We are certainly not ready to “throw in the towel”, but for now, it is a waiting game.

For awhile, blog posts may be infrequent and highlight portable toilets. Of course, while I’m learning new software programs and answering phones, I’ll be dreaming about painting the office. My focus will be marketing which is right up my creative alley. As we introduce the new logo— we welcome you to “Scratch and Sniff”—just kidding:)