So, a month ago I was 'unemployed', and not really looking (pension and Soc Security already coming in...). Now, I'm employed P/T as a supermarket checker, and it also appears I might be hooking up with a big auto recycler as a local 'buyer' for them at the salvage auctions in this area - Monday / Tuesday only thing. Sounds like some fun.......
KK, I think this is awesome!!. Nothing better than to get out of the house more often . You mite remember 3'ish years back I took early retirement, was fun, got the bills paid every month, had a lot more free time, and yet something was missing. Got hired light duty no physical work but with strong back smart as post labor to move a sheet metal shop, hired for 3 month....... Gawd it's been a year and half now But this is your thread, not high jacking it, I'm happy for you!
The job at the salvage yard sounds like fun...I enjoy shopping especially when it's someone elses money. It's good to keep busy. Remember people are a bit like cars...you rest you rust.
Wow Marshall, I didn't even know you had retired. Sounds like you didn't stay that way for long. Good luck on your new adventure.
I was (sort of) pushed into semi-retirement in 2008, at the age of 56 when I was laid off after being with the company 23 years (long story). Was unable to find an insurance claims job anywhere in So Cal - companies just weren't hiring. We were going to retire in Oregon anyway, so we just decided to pull roots and move up here early. Soon after getting here, I opened my own independent appraisal business, but couldn't find enough clients to keep me busy enough to make a go of it. Shut it down in 2013. Been twiddling my thumbs since then.
I had a thought, but it died of loneliness--as an insurance claims appraiser, can those appraisal skills be applied in other ways? The thought I had was appraisals for insurance coverage on vehicles and equipment that have to have special coverage (hot rod/show cars, farm/construction/long haul equipment)? And I would hope my idea could go even farther.
I have enough experience to do something like that. Problem is - not enough work to make money at it. When I was doing damage appraisals, I had to contract with 3 different independent appraisal bureaus, just to get the possibility of a few assignments per week. Most appraisers working in a big metropolitan area can handle 4-5 inspections per day, with maybe total driving of 100-150 miles. I was getting maybe 1 per day average and driving an average of 100 miles round-trip on each assignment. And my assignments were so infrequent, I could rarely double-up and do two inspections on one trip to an area. Larger insurance companies in town would have their own staff appraisers. It's guys like me who they would hire to do the outlying stuff, like driving 120 miles one-way to Bend, OR in the middle of winter. Totalled my Focus wagon on one such excursion. The appraisal bureaus pay you for 'mileage', which barely covers fuel, maintenance and wear and tear. They don't compensate you for the time it takes to get to the inspection sight. I would typically be billing $70 for the inspection itself (add a bit more if it was a total loss), plus around $80 for the mileage. So it takes you 2+ hours to get there, about 1/2 hr for the inspection, another 2+ hours back, another 1/2 hour for the write-up, and you get $150.00..... I'm pretty sure the work demand for vehicle inspections prior to an insurance contract would be very low. Most companies these days are cutting costs, so they just have you send in some digital images.
Wow, that really sucks. But I was talking about doing appraisals for issuing insurance--or is that already part of that job description?
Almost my story. I was a staff appraiser for over 30 years with 2 companies. After that I also tried being an independent but it was long hours for little pay. I went to work for a body shop dealing with appraisers. With all of your contacts you would be more of an asset as a counter person. You cab give accurate description of damages to parts, take pictures of parts being asked for etc. You could also follow disaster claims. Good luck with whatever you do. Mike
I retired 23 years ago because the company decided they didn't need to own a truck fleet anymore. Lucky I had the years and age to barely qualify for retirement. We immediately moved to Florida and enjoyed many things. Then we got old and just moved back to Illinois where we sit and rust away. Looking forward to watching the snow and ice again. Wal-Mart no longer has greeters and I had enough bagging groceries in high school.
