Long story
I bought some bolts from Fastenal along with some socket rails. Instead of socket rails, they sent a chain hoist thing. I told them, they apologized, refunded the socket rail cost. I asked how to return the chain hoist thing and they said keep it.
Turns out it's a fall arrestor. It's quite pricey. How do I sell something like this? I don't want it but I'll take the windfall.
They're cool pieces of tech. Some can be used for self-belay devices for indoor/outdoor climbing walls, so that might be an audience to market to.
eBay?
I would research a good price and fleabay it.
I was thinking something like you fell and the coffee table arrested it. Was expecting pictures of a busted up coffee table.
Like this one?
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1037315
They really don't want a $200 item back? Huh.
I would put it on ebay as a BIN, because CL or FBMP would just suck to deal with.
Holy cow. All I can figure is they don't want it back for liability reasons - once it's left their inventory they can't guarantee it hasn't been used and abused.
tuna55 (Forum Supporter) said:Better than that,
this:
the liability is exactly the issue. We use those at work. They get replaced every few years wether they get used or not. Once you fall and it locks, you can supposedly use it again, but most places toss them.
mad_machine (Forum Supporter) said:the liability is exactly the issue. We use those at work. They get replaced every few years wether they get used or not. Once you fall and it locks, you can supposedly use it again, but most places toss them.
I've actually been in one before, climbing on a turbine. it caught me about an inch off the ground when I was trying to come down off of a ladder and it was hilarious for everyone. I don't believe they threw it away though. I don't know how to sell this thing because it's expensive.
well, I know at work, if you fall, it's 30 feet of free air between you and the stage. That kind of stop is what I am talking about, the one that keeps you from going splat.
In reply to tuna55 (Forum Supporter) :
So it's funding the next GRM challenge entry, eh?
Here's one on eBay: DBI Fall Arrestor
Undercut that guy and get yours up there.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:Here's one on eBay: DBI Fall Arrestor
Undercut that guy and get yours up there.
Or he can bring it to the Challenge and we can all take turns jumping from the top of the grandstands.
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
Pete, you're the smallest. I'm pretty sure you will get to try it first!
unfortunately they do not work like that. They lock up tight if the cable unreels too fast. It's not something you want to experience, I have to go through the training every two years.
Honestly I would start with calling your local Volunteer Fire Department, community college, safety training school or similar that you could look to donate it. They should be able to provide you with documentation that allows you to add the donation to your taxes. Many many people skimp on safety equipment because it is expensive. If you could take your unexpected fortune and use it to benefit a non-profit that could really make life safer for their workers while not spending $2800 it would be great.
Well don't know if you might be interested, but here goes.
I have been on the board of our Habitat for Humanity for many years and have helped with home construction as well. The regulations we have to deal with now require us to have and use fall arrestors.
We are a 503c non-profit and if you donated it to us, you could claim the retail value as a tax deduction and we would (of course) be very grateful.
Our chapter has no paid staff and build all of our homes out of pocket. Partner famlies pay no interest on their mortgage and only the actual costs to close their loan. When this COVID-19 stuff is done, we will be starting construction on our sixth home.
Just an idea...
In reply to CJ (He's Just an FS) :
Hi CJ:
Its great to hear of someone involved in HfH. I spent a decade of my life volunteering full time with the International headquarters, and am still very connected to many affiliates and International.
Im responding since you are a board member, and may need this information at some time.
OSHA regulations to not apply to volunteers unless they are compensated in some manner that would make them employees. Here's a letter showing OSHA's ruling on the subject:
OSHA does not apply to volunteers
Of course fall arrestors and other safety devices are a great idea, and I am glad to see an affiliate making wise choices about things like this. But don't let anyone pressure you as a board member to force regulations that do not apply to your efforts. Check with your legal counsel and know the rules.
Keep up the good work!
In reply to CJ (He's Just an FS) :
One other note...
That particular fall arrestor appears to be designed to hang from structure above. It may have limited applications for residential work.
The 75 lb work load limit has me confused...
I forwarded the info to my safety manager. I will let you know.
SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:The 75 lb work load limit has me confused...
I forwarded the info to my safety manager. I will let you know.
Looks like it is actually 310lbs https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-DBI-SALA-Ultra-Lok-Self-Retracting-Lifeline-Cable-3504550/?N=5002385+3291829528&rt=rud
Safety devices like that often have detailed prescribed maintenance procedures. That one has software onboard that tracks inspections, controls inventory and manages information.
It's possible the serial number has been decommissioned by the manufacturer, and will not be able to get ongoing certifications. We have a lot of equipment that falls into that category.
It may be worth looking into. It could make it less useable in a commercial or industrial setting.
I think the donation path is a really interesting option.
Is the tax benefit used to lower your taxable income or does it come off the bottom line? The format means you only will get the percent of the retail cost of the item based on your tax bracket. The latter is much better as you get the full value against your tax to be paid or increases your refund.
Don't get me wrong. Donating it is a great thing but you will only realize somewhere in the $250 - $800. The lower your tax bracket the less you will actually see back to you in the form of actual cash value when "taking it off your taxes" as a donation.
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