Has there been any thought of having the family pick up at an area close for the makers? Not to be rude, but I have completed 4 chairs so far and when delivered, none of the locations even knew what was going on. It took explaining and then looking up names for them to even let me leave the chairs. If that’s the case, then I would think it could be dropped off at any therapy center for pick up and closer for the makers would probably get more builds done. I have passed on several bc I also work full time and don’t have the time available to deliver hours drive away. The last 2, I took the day off from work and spent 5 hours driving just to deliver. I would think the family would drive at least halfway for a free chair or make it an option for those who are willing. Just a thought.
And a good thought. First thank you very much for being part of this project. To all of you reading this Thank you too. As someone who works many volunteer positions and gives of his time, I know the sacrifices made to fabricate these wonderful devices and then deliver them. I also know the struggles at finding and then keeping people who are willing to volunteer not only their time but also their money. I hope this can be worked into the system.
I have delivered 3 so far, my first one was the same experiance you had @Kimberly3d. It took 20 min for them to figure out who it was for. Then they moved it and when the family went to pick it up they had a hard time finding it. Thankfully they did in the end. If we are going to drive hundreds of miles to deliver these, the least the family can do is make sure that the people where we are dropping off knows its coming. My 2nd delivery was the only one local to me and they knew exactly what was going on as soon as we walked in the door. The third the mom met me in front of the school which was even better, plus everyone at the school was already expecting us. That was SO much better. My 4th that I am working on now offered to have a friend that is local to me pick it up and bring it to them, but I told them that wasn’t needed since I grabbed 2 chairs in the same general area to make the drive worth it more. Thankfully with my job I get 2 weeks off and have the time available to make the deliveries. For you I wonder if delivering straight to the family would be better so it could be done outside of normal business hours and they can take the chairs to the clinic when they are open to be fitted correctly. I will say I am nervous about being able to line these 2 deliveries up timing wise. But I have faith that it will work out ok.
You certainly can ask the families to see if they are able to meet at a location more convenient to you. I understand the frustration. Thank you for being such a valuable member of this community.
Something to remember - these families have a lot going on. They are put through the ringer everyday JUST trying to care for their kids. Things get forgotten - like calling the clinics to tell them the chair is going to be dropped off. Once again I am sorry for the frustration, and we are open to any ideas for a better system.
I did the same with the last 2, made the deliveries on the same day. The current 5th one. The family contacted me and said they had a family member who lived in the next town over from me that is willing to meet me, which is 7 miles away, that’s going to be great! I can do it on my way home from work because I drive through that town coming home.
The original delivery location was going to be in St Louis which is only about an hour from me but this is going to be much easier.
I’m working on collecting data and best options before making a full post, but you can sometimes ship parts to the family. I will make a full post once I have everything figured out
My previous build was 200+ miles away. As soon as I claimed it, I immediately asked the family if they would be comfortable assembling the chair themselves if I print and ship it to them partially assembled with printed instructions. They immediately agreed! I assembled the wheels and sides and shipped them in 2 boxes; it would probably fit in 1, but wheels had artwork on them, which I was scared of damaging. Total cost was ~$70 (I have business discounts on shipping, will elaborate more in the full post). It is a lot, but it is not that much more than a tank of gas.
I am currently working on another one that’s 250 miles away; they were waiting for 48 days–they were happy to accept shipping option. I think it is definitely worth asking.
That’s less than half of what I spent Monday delivering 2 chairs. That is a real good option. I was thinking about how to ship it all put together, but if you can ship just parts thats perfect!
That would open up to claiming builds even farther away. And there are some in areas with no makers anywhere close to them.
I have good discounts through my shopify store. but for those that don’t, Pirate ship has good rates as well usually.
That’s great! I use Shippo
I was already thinking about having a shipping option would be great. I see some on the map that are kind of far from any current makers. Even just a recommended boxes and part assembly with instructions for final.
I understand that isn’t the idea of the program with having local makers but it might be needed or a better option for some kids.
I also agree with the delivery part being hard. My first was delivered to a hospital that maybe one person in the whole giant complex knew what was supposed to be delivered that day. It took me an hour walking around talking to people to find the right place. Will definitely try to work with families on alternative drop offs if a hospital is selected again.