Wondering if I could get some advice from all the GI's. I became aware of this problem about a year ago. Since then I have written, for all practical purposes, a book with all kinds of information including catalog addresses and item reference numbers. It was written as a guide for my church, but they have announced that they do not think that Y2K is serious and do not want to look silly after 2000. (Thank you for the concern but we can get along just fine without nuts like you) I have, however, been helping about a dozen friends with food calculations, water needs, and getting them information about where to get supplies several have taken my advice. Most I talk to want to do something but are so busy working 80 hours a week they don't have time to research. I've been running ragged helping people myself. A relative recommended that I sell this as a service to people, charging maybe $50-$75 per consult, which would entail finding out how long the person wants to prepare for, the budget, and then getting the materials together that would enable them to essentially go shopping without agonizing over the purchases. One good point she brought up is that people don't think something is valuable unless they have to pay for it (I'm in communist held Massachusetts, hence that philosophy). I am thinking about putting an ad in the paper, however I also do not want to become a target once things go downhill. I say this because I spent many hours helping 2 families make up requirements, but when it came down to making purchases they accused me of being a survivalist nutcase, and if it gets this bad isn't hoarding illegal anyway and you probably have guns too, right? I checked into getting a PO box, however this information is public if one is dealing with the public in a business, and in any event I don't really want to be secretive, just discreet. Is this a reason for concern, or should I toss the entire consulting idea out the window?

-- Jim (sorg11@aol.com), March 20, 1999

Answers

Toss it! This is a no win situation. By all means, GIVE the information to people that really want it, but at this late date there is not alot of time to consult. Watchout for the lawyers!

-- SCOTTY (BLehman202@aol.com), March 20, 1999.

I won't mind looking silly next year. I would mind looking dead.

Just my opinion, I don't see anything wrong with charging to cover your expenses. If you explain that it's costing you money for a PO box, ads, gas etc. to go visit them, I think they'll understand. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 20, 1999.

'evenin' Sysman :-)

Jim,
IMHO, consulting in this field (short lived field)will not have a good name, with the exception of a very few, such as the esteemed and respected Mr. Yourdon and others we recognize.

Quick as you can say y2k, there have been "consulting firms" spring up all over putting on seminars.....not to inform on a "both sides of y2k" presentation, but on a "let's scare 'em and sell'em a generator" presentation. Needless to say, this doesn't look very good.

The only way these seminars get hundreds of people in the door is to advertise in the newspapers and on tv spots in the seminar local area. Got thousands of dollars for all that advertising? Those groups do. Charging $25.00 per head makes a nice bankroll on 300-400 folks, not to mention the $1250.00 generators they sell for $3999.00 (also applies to all other industries - guns, shelter, gardening, food, etc). These seminars sell stuff at astronomical retail mark-up. Needless to say....this looks ugly. It also hurts the people who are doing the right things for the right reasons. You should be compensated for your hard work and time. Those Bozos make it nearly impossible for you to do so.

I've been trying to give away the info for free by doing county wide talks (I'm right outside of "SiliconValleyClone Raleigh, NC) and do what I can publicly, in the community. There aren't many takers. Granted, it's a tough room....talking with residents who more than likely knows 10 people that work at the Research Triangle Park (RTP). Most folks that do get it already, have done or are doing their own research and ordering.

Too, consulting in this direction is putting your judgement on the line concerning what a family would need. Big responsibility there. I wouldn't really want to be in that position. If you happen to miss something, like little Johnny needs a certain medical shot once a month, but you didn't catch it on the "absolute need" list, would it be your fault it wasn't prepared for, or would it be the parents (who hired you to plan everything they would need to survive). That kind of responsibility would be worth a lot more than $75.00.

I know you're on the right track -- wanting to help. You're knowledge IS worth a lot! The mentality running in the sector of people that DGIY(yet) would probably prevent this from being a profitable venture.

Regards, Mr. K ****wishing that this, and a lot of other things were different than they are***

-- Mr. Kennedy (up@night.here), March 20, 1999.

'evenin' Mr. K. ;)

I don't think our friend Jim is one of those that is selling a $1300.00 Generac 6500 for $3995.00. I think he is just trying to spread the word, and it is costing him money, and who knows how much time and effort. Maybe try the "tip cup" idea? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 21, 1999.

Yep, Sysman may have the same feeling I do. I think you are looking at doing the right things.

You know Sysman, the tip cup might work....if you add a little dancing monkey on a chain wearing a t-shirt with "Future Congressman" on it.

Mr. K
****who LOVES that mental image****(G)

-- Mr. K (good@heart.com), March 21, 1999.

I think we have enough of those already Mr. K. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 21, 1999.

Fuggedaboudit! Anyone you convert to a GI tomorrow will be competing with you in 3 months, 6 months for beans, lamp oil, food barrels, LAND, etc. Not all of us GIs are prepared now, but are plugging along. The more GIs, the more competition for scarce resources, like generators and wood stoves. Something you may want to get next month may be bid out of your affordability range, if not available at any price, by those you proseletyze tomorrow.

NOT EVERYONE IS DESERVING OF HELP

Everyone has had the same chance as you to hear about Y2K, get informed, and take it seriously. If they haven't, f*** 'em.

-- A (A@AisA.com), March 21, 1999.