Here's the story....

Over 2 years ago I lost my temp job at a local Tulsa electronics manufacturing company. Two years of looking for any work in this part of the country has led me down a path that no one wants to go. It is almost impossible to find work here if your not from here or you do not have experience with certain types of designer software like SolidWorks or ProE. The key word is experience. If you have taken a course the employers here still will not even look at you unless you have worked with the software on a job.

Since I was a self temp, I was not able to get unemployment help from the state.

The last day I drove my truck in to that job, someone stabbed my front drivers side tire thru the sidewall. Not just once, but stuck the knife in twice. It looked like they used an ex-acto knife becuse the stabbes were small. I thought it was just a nail in the tire until I took it up to get repaired. The tire tech guy had a funny look on his face when he gave me the news. He told me that my tire was stabbed twice and it needed to be replaced.

Over 2 years....I'm getting just so frustrated...

I tried to a get a job at the local auto parts store, here in Glenpool, so I filled out an application and turned it in. A few days later I received a phone call from a used car Lott asking me if I would come to sign the papers to finalize my car loan...I never heard of them before that... Tulsa.... Someone tried to by a used car with my information from the application.

I could not tag my FORD truck or pay for the insurance to drive it on the streets so it has just sat in my driveway with a dead battery. The battery won't even take a charge and is shot now.

It's with a great deal of sadness in my hart, I must sell my scooter so I can pay my house taxes, utilities, and by food... Homeless and hungry is something I'm not looking forward to...At all.

Right now I'm talking with attorneys to start personal bankruptcy so I can get out of this mountain of debt that has fallen on me over the past 2 years.

I would like to sell my house and get the hell out of Tulsa. I need to move to a place where they have jobs. Just no future in Tulsa.

If anyone would be interested in a 2008 Silverwing that has been loved and taken care of and has always been parked in a garage and has some great stuff on it...one of a kind stuff.

P.S. All the money I have made over the past 2 years making and selling accessories. Has gone into making my scooter payment each month. Sales of accessories has dropped off to the point of where making my Honda payment is impossible for me. The scooter... my scooter named "FREEDOM" will be greatly misses by me.

This is a sad day.

If I had the cash, I would offer to buy your scooter. Part of the fun of riding my scooter, is knowing that I am doing all that I can to keep it running well, because of the information the you and others have provided here.

Dennis,
I'm sorry to hear of the situation you find yourself in. Just a suggestion, but maybe you will have to leave your home there in care of a close relative ...wife? and go some place where there is employment. My father back in the early 40's had to do that . He left my mother and the five of us kids came to western Nebraska worked in the harvest of potatoes etc. and then made enough money to bring the family out west. Just thinking....I hope the Lord blesses you somehow and in some way that things will get good again. Sometimes life gets real tough but we have to be tough to survive. I know you can do that....You are in my prayers.....
Old Dave

I feel terrible for you Dennis.

I know exactly how you feel. I lived in Oklahoma City in 2006 and was faced with the possibility of being unemployed when the GM plant I worked in was shut down. I had a couple of interviews but really there was nothing.

Lucky for me I found a job within my company and they paid for my move. (Although the move was to Tennessee and I hear it's horrible here.)

When I eventually did leave my company because they were bought by a horrible giant conglomerate that is one of the worst companies in the world, there was a lot more opportunity in Tennessee (even though it is just horrible here with the dirty restrooms.) I found a great new company that so far has treated me very well.

If I could make it happen I'd buy your Swing just for the gadgets and to help you out. Alas I have no way to get it to Tennessee and my wife would slit my throat as I slept if I bought another scooter. (Also I've heard the drivers here in Tennessee are so awful with their cell phones and whatnot that you'd have to be insane to drive a scooter here.)

My company manufactures electronic equipment so I'll PM you a link to our web site. They are usually hiring but they do not pay to move new hires anymore. I don't know what your particular area of expertise is so check the site out carefully as there are lots of jobs listed.

Dennis I cannot put into words how much I feel for your situation. I sincerely hope things get better for you.

I it a sad day indeed when we have to sell off those things that are dear to you.

I hope your situation improves soon.

Doug

Dennis, as with many others here, I've got you in my prayers.

Dennis, I truly hope and pray something good will happen to you VERY SOON! Your friendship thru this forum is always welcomed by so many people.
I wish you the best and believe your fortune will change soon. You have a great attitude and you cannot let this overwhelm you. If the Lord leads you to it, He will get you thru it!
Best to you...billc.

Dennis, you are not alone. I am in the situation you were 2 years ago and have been on-the-bench for 3 months now. The widespread unemployment is worse than we have ever seen. The number of applicants per job posting is 5-10 to one, not great odds with even the best of skills and experience. I can't buy your scooter but I will get the word out and post the link where I can. Good luck with your sale and your search! Peace

Dennis... no matter what.... Good Luck to you. If you wind up near the Topeka area, let me know and I'll do what I can. Not much of anything around here for electronics but the general job situation is "nominally" better compared to national rates.

When I first read this, I looked to the calendar hoping it was April 1st. Alas, this is no joke and I can only wish you the best. I hope everything works out for you. I too have been there, but not when the economy is like it is now.

Dennis, I was so sorry to read of your predicament. Unfortunately, unemployment is a world-wide curse at the moment - here in the UK things are just as bad because of this recession. The banks have a helluva lot to answer for and our governments are stupid enough to bail them out, making the rest of us suffer.

I do hope that your situation improves soon and we'll be thinking of you.

Laurie

I can only add my thoughts and feelings for you and wish you the best of luck.

Really sad to hear Dennis just hope your situation improves,very best of luck.

Wal.

Dennis

Very sad to read of your unfortunate situation. In the short time I've been a member on the forum, I've always found you to be knowledgeable and friendly to all. I wish you well, and really hope that things turn out for the best.
I have a son in a similar situation, 36 years old, first time out of work since finishing school, and trying everything to get work. The trouble in the UK is employers will take on under 21's, 'cos they can legally pay them less. As with you Dennis, what happened to experience, job loyalty, the ability to actually turn up for work? Were I an employer, I would rather have an older worker I knew would turn in each day, than a young person who "can't be bothered".

Dennis, I wish you all the very best, my thoughts are with you.

Graham

I too feel for your predicament Dennis.
All I can offer is encouragement.
Up here in Canada there are many jobs available for skilled and experienced people. I would think that with your skills you could get a job in a machine or manufacturing shop tomorrow. Would you consider moving north for a job?

Dennis, Ive not been on this forum long but do apreciate your imput on making this a great website.
I too was very sorry to read your terrible situation , why do these situations only happen to nice people??? I hope you can turn around this bad position your in, study all options, and dont give in!!,
Good luck.

I don't want to be negative, but I heard this on the news. "Employers want people who already have a job." That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. A business owner wants to get his labor as inexpensively as possible. They offer me a job. Sure. I need 12 an hour as I'm making 11 now. Oh that's too much? Then go hire someone who is unemployed. I bet they'd jump at the chance.

Anyhoo, I was very sorry to hear about your predicament, Dennis. I've been homeless, myself. It's not fun, not at all; and something I would not wish on my worst enemy. Hope things turn around for you. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

I would like take this moment to thank you all for your prayers and your honest and kind words. Since I'm alone in this world, without a family, you are my family. Each and every one of you has a place in my heart.

In these times, things are tuff for allot good people, here and all over the world. It seems that the more a person works hard the more a person is disliked by fellow workers. I like to get my work done and I'm not a timid person.

I have Dyslexia which has been a real burden on my working career my entire life. Which means I work 3 to 4 times harder then the average person to get my work done. Everything I do, or need to do, I study to understand and try to do my best.

Here's a list of Dyslexic people that you know and know that there are millions in this world, just go down the list: http://www.dyslexia-test.com/famous.html

Again....Thank you all for your support.

Dennis,

I was sorry to here of your situation. We will keep you in our prayers. I have enjoyed your posts and I am impressed by the accessories and modifications you have created. You are a very talented person. Blessings this Thanksgiving.

Cathy

Dennis I hope things work out for you. You know I live in the Phila. area I am 67 years old and I drive a truck locally for a living I hate this job so bad But because of the economy I have to Bite the bullet Or get rid of my Toys And that is not going to happen. I know you tried to hold on to the Swing because Everyone needs an out Remember you are at the bottom There is only one way to go. Everything I bought off of you was First class So I know you will be up and Running sooner than later Best Tony

I'm so sorry Dennis. You've helped me out so much this past year; Tim (Cosmic Jumper), JeffR, Bill (Honda_Silver) and Dennis helped me out of a huge jam this summer when my belt snapped near Lafayette, IN; without all of you, I'd have been out a ton of money and probably been stuck for a week or so. I really hope things can get better for you, Dennis. You're a good man and I hope an employer will see that and help you out.

Dennis,

I just sent you a PM about your SW.

Linda

Just picked this up Dennis - been away off line for a while.

I don't understand why someone like you with obvious talents is in such a dire situation. Sally and I hope that things really do pick up soon for you. As you said, by the looks of it the best thing to do would be to get the heck out of Tulsa and find a job with an employer who actually appreciates you!

Disability comes in all shapes and forms, dyslexia is 'unseen', but can impact massively on the person who has it.

After 246 individual job applications (of which only 3 were replied to - and they were rejections as well) I thought I'd never find employment again, but I kept at it and eventually got an appointment with B&Q. Not the worlds greatest job, but a job none the less It did more for my confidence and self esteem than it ever did for my bank balance lol.

Never give up and remember - however bad it seems, you always have friends here you can rely on!

All the best from over the pond.

Skip & Sally.

DennisB,

Where do you advertise the gizmos you make and sell for the SW? Maybe if you create a free web site and you can bring up the sales rate to make some $$. Also, are they adaptable to other bikes?

I wish you luck and hope you can get focused on making some money.

Hi Ishkatan, Try this thread. The only accessory I manufacture that fits another scooter is the GPS mount and that also fits the Honda Reflex. If you need any thing, please e-mail me at dennisberney@cox.net

http://www.silverwing600.com/for-sale-section-f22/things-i-manufacture-and-sell-t1564.htm

Thank You for asking.

Dennis... Ishkatan has a great suggestion... we will have to work on that. My son in law might have some time to help. I think the web presence will help get you in front of folks and also make it easy to market your products.

Thanks Ishkatan.... we are all friends of Dennis that are just trying to get his feet on dry ground.

Denis,

I did send you an email, but it might have been missed! Sally and I are very keen to get hold of a pair of arm rests from you. Since her stroke she has rarely felt comfortable (or secure) on the back of any bike or indeed the Quike, but when I showed her your design she immediately said thats just what she needs.

So here is one firm order, sorry its not much for now, but its a start!

As soon as I get the 'rests' I can start showing other riders and gathering in orders for you! Like you, my only real option of a job is to now start my own manufacturing business - thankfully I invested my time during previous employment and went back to college and gained the proper qualifications in welding

Hi Skippy, I sent you a PM earlier today. I need to check on shipping costs to the UK.

I'm just finishing a set for Bill so I will be able to get a good, correct shipping price.

Thank you for your interest in the kit.

Ho Hum, didn't clock the PM Dennis Sorry about that, just opened it now....

Hmm, question?? Will your arm rest kit fit a standard SWing seat, as I don't have a Corbin item and tbh at the prices they ask I'm unlikely to get one any time soon...

If you're sending items over here for various destinations you could always send one large one with the kits then despatched locally to individuals (if it would reduce the cost significantly)?? Either way I'm not fussed, just let me know the total price and I'll transfer the money any way you like - just as long as its not Western Union or a bank in Nigeria LOL. (Advice from Ebay).