Best "Graft" you have received from Contractor

[underground quester]

Was just wondering about the best thank you or the best gift anyone has received from a contractor. (Other than they went broke of course!!)

Last Friday I received a really nice FR coat with gortex lining and a pull over from one of my favorite contractors. He had forgotten to request a locate and was really in a pickle, so I went to work 2 hrs early and did him the favor. He of course had called first call and gotten a ticket number.

[TheCableVine]

I've gotten a hat. I just happened to be around when the contractor was passing them out.

[yahoo]

100 dollars for me........ and my co-worker ....at christmas time got a 50 dollar gift card for him and his wife and 5-25 dollar gift cards for each of his kids.........again this was doing favors for contractors when they were in dire need........

[Goldenboy]

I've gotten a few hats over the years. Plenty of soda and donuts from the project crews. Never any money or gift cards.

[beyond help]

never accept cash (don't play favorites), but have received hats and pens

[frostypeters]

I had a contractor offer me a "special" gift once. He said it was in his truck & I should go with him...

I'll never be the same again...

(think of my happy place, think of my happy place, think of my happy place!)

[underground quester]

Holy Smokes (so to speak). I guess going to his truck would have been the "acid test" of your will power!!

[RoadMap]

I bet you still walk funny don't you?

[underground quester]

I bet you still walk funny don't you?

Its the fumes you know...from that cheap mexican water based stuff we use...gotta have sumthin else in er I figure...

[TBONE]

I was given a fiberglass probe rod and a bottle of wiskey one year by one of my project supers

[underground quester]

Oh man TBONE, I am almost afraid to ask, and the fibreglass probe rod is used for?

Was it at least a GOOD bottle of whiskey?

Not that cheap Ten. sippin stuff!! JUST KIDDING,

[yahoo]

probing rod..................what do you do with that????????hahahhahahahj/j

[Wingfoot]

Oh man TBONE, I am almost afraid to ask, and the fiberglass probe rod is used for?

probing rod..................what do you do with that????????hahahhahahahj/j

Hey you 2 - Are you kidding? - Have you ever helped a contractor find that fiber, cable or pipe in tight or sloppy conditions? Probes really speed up the process. Every locator needs a T-Handle probe rod in their arsenal. I've had both the fiberglass and steel T-Handles. I prefer and now carry a steel probe. T-Bone's gift was much better than getting paid $20 for lunch for doing an excavator a favor.

[underground quester]

WHEW (wiping seat off my brow). When I drafted my initial reply, I thought TBONE was jerking my chain.

HOWEVER, I remembered overnight that the local gas utility uses probes when auditing our locates, so I realized I was wrong. I have never seen anyone else here use one. I am sure they do, I have just never seen it.

The gas utility uses a steel probe. I would guess the fibreglass rod would have to be used selectively to avoid damaging it (perhaps in really wet conditions, sandy soil, etc).

Have never personally used one though WING. I would have to check but I do not believe anyone in our company including auditors ever uses a probe.

Once again WING, thank you for your valued input.

[Ainsquest]

I have received a nice box of assorted Angus steaks a couple of times, along with some cash, free rounds of golf, access to fishing and/or hunting spots...
Those are tops for me over my 16 year locate career.