Can Home Depot Shoppers REALLY Read a Tape Measure? $100 Challenge!

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  • Опубліковано 22 гру 2024
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 860

  • @scottwarren5305
    @scottwarren5305 Рік тому +346

    The issue was in your introduction at a hardware store "Hey man, wanna make $100?". Do this again but ask "Hey man, wanna WIN $100?". That way people don't think you're offering them a job to make $100.

    • @beetlejuice3x309
      @beetlejuice3x309 Рік тому +12

      This is a good point. Hopefully John will see this comment

    • @wrongtown
      @wrongtown Рік тому +13

      Yeah sounded like soliciting 🤭

    • @spiderwrangler4457
      @spiderwrangler4457 Рік тому +11

      Yeah, at least need to make it seem less likely to be a sex thing.
      Not being able to see his eyes behind sunglasses may contribute too.

    • @WTFisAuserFRCKINname
      @WTFisAuserFRCKINname Рік тому +10

      My comment to him was people are afraid of someone coming up behind them while John distracts them; so it coincides with this, in that it needs to seem more professional, like he needs a booth set up if possible.

    • @billsedutto8824
      @billsedutto8824 Рік тому +10

      Exactly. That and the people that come up to talk to you at the hardware stores usually want to give you a free roof/window/siding inspection or they want to sell you solar.

  • @tvngo85
    @tvngo85 Рік тому +291

    You should have gave the first guy Jorge $100 for pointing out and making you correct your mistakes

    • @leviwilder1205
      @leviwilder1205 Рік тому +11

      or like 50 bucks

    • @WTFisAuserFRCKINname
      @WTFisAuserFRCKINname Рік тому +7

      Speaking of pointing out mistakes…. “You should have GIVEN” is the correct terminology. Now I need my $100 since that’s ALSO your logic for someone else’s life.

    • @Eidolon1andOnly
      @Eidolon1andOnly Рік тому +1

      I'd say $20, at the very least.

    • @Eidolon1andOnly
      @Eidolon1andOnly Рік тому +9

      @@WTFisAuserFRCKINname Speaking of pointing out mistakes, you added an extra period to the elipses before your statement inside of quotation marks. You can pass that $100 over my way now please.

    • @allenriff9242
      @allenriff9242 Рік тому

      John can't read a tape measure either. LOL

  • @donaldpowell7762
    @donaldpowell7762 Рік тому +126

    Do it again, but bring a piece of wood for them to measure. Great video. I’m sure I would have failed under the pressure.

    • @alfonsoPina
      @alfonsoPina Рік тому +2

      oh that's a great idea. mark a piece of wood and tell them to measure and then WRITE out the measurement. but that gets even more pushback.

    • @kwilliams2239
      @kwilliams2239 Рік тому

      To what accuracy?

    • @donaldpowell7762
      @donaldpowell7762 Рік тому +1

      Whatever they decide. He asked for ideas, I gave one.

    • @tysonkoehn1
      @tysonkoehn1 Рік тому +7

      "hey man, want to measure my wood?" Nah that ain't going to go better than this one...

    • @immortal_hades5541
      @immortal_hades5541 Рік тому +2

      @@tysonkoehn1 honestly tho all the trades guys would probably get a kick out of that and may be more willing after having a laugh about it.

  • @jdprince785
    @jdprince785 Рік тому +48

    You should have them measure a piece of wood like a 2x4 that’s 17-5/8” instead of finding the mark with the black tape. That way there’s no confusion of did you want me to read the back or the front of the mark. I’m just spit ballin ideas.

    • @KainzMusic
      @KainzMusic Рік тому +7

      I'd suggest a few pieces at different lengths, so people can't tell their friends ahead of time to go do the tape measure challenge and give them the length.

  • @chadgarner230
    @chadgarner230 Рік тому +88

    I can see a couple of potential issues. One, when I go to home depot, I'm normally in the middle of a project and forgot something, so I just want to get what I forgot and get out. Second, every time I go to home depot, somebody stops me to try to get me to take a survey or try to sell me a kitchen or something stupid I don't need.

    • @itsm00t
      @itsm00t Рік тому +9

      But don’t you want solar panels on your roof? It won’t cost you a dime…..just 36 months of $899.98😂

    • @deaconblooze1
      @deaconblooze1 Рік тому +7

      I'm especially not interested when a large guy asks me "wanna make a hundred bucks?" while reaching in his pants.

    • @briancollins7296
      @briancollins7296 Рік тому

      and none of its gonna be square@@itsm00t

    • @bryan__m
      @bryan__m 8 місяців тому

      This was EXACTLY my thought. I absolutely hate going to HD on the weekend for just that reason.

  • @bluedogg227
    @bluedogg227 Рік тому +10

    It was your approach. Sadly, society today has most everyone (at least a little) paranoid of being scammed or pressured into something. As I remember it, it seems the one (and only) timeshare pressure session I was conned into began with someone saying, "Hey, wanna make a hundred bucks?"

  • @WvlfDarkfire
    @WvlfDarkfire Рік тому +100

    John has me in my garage practicing reading a tape measure everytime im about to go to Lowe's

    • @alfonsoPina
      @alfonsoPina Рік тому +3

      ROFL. I don't even live in the same state but I thought the same thing.

    • @DylonWilson
      @DylonWilson Рік тому

      same

    • @lorddiethorn
      @lorddiethorn Рік тому

      I forget that people who don’t know Malecki personally call by his first name

  • @tylerthehiker
    @tylerthehiker Рік тому +20

    Maybe lead with: “hey! Can you read a tape measure?”
    That should hook their attention, and I think you’ll have an overall positive response to that question rather than offering money up front. Since people tend to be more skeptical when it comes to free money, leading with the topic at hand may be what piques interest.
    Since you initiated a conversation with a question, and that question likely yields a positive response, their “yes” is sort of a universal license to proceed with your pitch.
    “My name’s John Malecki, I have a UA-cam channel where we build all sorts of really cool stuff, but we’re out here today trying to see how many Americans can read a tape measure, and for anyone who can read it correctly within 5 seconds, we’re giving them $100! Do you have 5 more seconds?”
    Of course most people have 5 more seconds.
    I hope this helps.

    • @jayedwin98020
      @jayedwin98020 Рік тому +1

      @tylervanmeter2851
      Maybe a bit long-winded, but your suggestion is right on,

  • @WTFisAuserFRCKINname
    @WTFisAuserFRCKINname Рік тому +42

    Nah dude. The thing is everything is so sketchy today. You have someone saying you can get $100 and then they worry someone will come up behind them because they’re distracted. The best way to do this is to ask the company if you can set up a booth so they know it’s real, or get a giant poster board instead of small print like you had. It might seem like big print but look how far away they were and it was constantly juggling up and down when you were walking.

  • @s_gwalls6106
    @s_gwalls6106 Рік тому +161

    In New Zealand we have Metric tapes, you just read the number and that's the measurement. Millimeters just count from 1 to 8000 on most metric tape measures. There are no fractions it's so simple 😅 So 17 5/8 would just be read as 447mm.

    • @drimer01
      @drimer01 Рік тому +31

      Bro everyone worldwide uses Metric just the US , Liberia, and Myanmar doesn't, yes it is way easier and precise, but i wouldn't make for a good video.😂

    • @Wondermigis
      @Wondermigis Рік тому +12

      metric system truly op

    • @SRG-Learn-Makers
      @SRG-Learn-Makers Рік тому +7

      I've seen that in the commonwealth people uses millimeters all around, is 44.7 centimeters. At least that is what makes sense to me. Main measurement is 44 and 7 millimeters for precision. I've seen some millimeters tapes and it's awful , all those unnecessary zeroes. Metronomy is a mess. Anyways, imperial is bullshit. I would like to know some tricks only applicable to imperial, in the meanwhile I'm happy with metric.

    • @HenkBentlage30051974
      @HenkBentlage30051974 Рік тому +3

      They would need the first 5 seconds to realize it is not their normal tape measure, so John would not give out any prize money if he used the metric tape measure. Would be fun to watch 😉

    • @WTFisAuserFRCKINname
      @WTFisAuserFRCKINname Рік тому +7

      No one cares if you’re 8,000 millimeters short or not. 5’6” is still going to seem taller no matter the measurement. And no I didn’t do the calculations to see the difference, because milli-anything is whack.

  • @AimeeAimee444
    @AimeeAimee444 Рік тому +27

    I appreciate your idea of this simple test.
    At 19, I felt like a complete knucklehead not reading a measuring tape correctly.
    It’s one of the most important tools and prior I would just mark the tape with a pencil.
    It’s embarrassing when you’re asked to do a task you were taught in grade school and answer incorrectly.
    Hopefully this upload will inspire people to just refresh themselves.
    😊✌🏼👍🏼

  • @Eidolon1andOnly
    @Eidolon1andOnly Рік тому +66

    Should have gave Jorge $20 for pointing out that your mark was confusing.

    • @kikixchannel
      @kikixchannel Рік тому +2

      I'm not sure I understand where the confusion comes from. If you put on a tape to mark a...tape...you're always going to put the tape on the further part to have the first line mark the measure. ALWAYS. Whether you are right-handed or left-handed, whether you use metrics or inches. It is a human habit to mark the 'outside' of a dimension if it is possible.
      Marking it with an arrow would only serve to remove pointless excuses.

    • @Eidolon1andOnly
      @Eidolon1andOnly Рік тому

      @@kikixchannel You're saying the outside edge, yet in the video it was the inside edge of the tape. So you're proving my point that it was confusing.

    • @kikixchannel
      @kikixchannel Рік тому +1

      @@Eidolon1andOnly Eh...No...You are proving that you are confusing yourself.
      You measure something from the tip of the tape to some point on the tape. The INSIDE of the measure is the black tapes edge closer to the edge of the measuring tape, so the OUTSIDE of the dimension is clearly the first line of the tape. How is that so hard to understand is beyond me, but apparently you don't even know what 'inside' and 'outside' means.
      Outside of the DIMENSION, not outside of the MARKING.
      Basically, think about it like this. If you want to cut a square in glass and you use tape to mark it, will your tape stay on the square you cut out, or on the larger pane? I'm almost certain it will be on the remaining pane with the square being tape-free. This is the exact same concept, except there are only two ends (since it's one-dimensional measurement) and one end is already cut off (the end of the tape).

    • @Eidolon1andOnly
      @Eidolon1andOnly Рік тому

      @@kikixchannel Also, in your example of cutting glass, I'd have the tape stuck to the square, not the remaining pane. This would not only protect the edge of the square I'm cutting from chipping, but if the cut wasn't exactly right, and cut larger than it should have been, I can always remove the excess material (can't add material to a cut) and it would also help protect the glass I'm intending to use from any scratches if the the glass cutter were to wander off the straight edge. That's a pretty bad example to use.

    • @kikixchannel
      @kikixchannel Рік тому

      @@Eidolon1andOnly You can just use an example of drawing a square with a ruler if you wish. In the first place, I used this example only because when cutting with a saw the tape would get in the way so it would be done one by one, while in glass it's being cut from above, without taking into consideration the glasses physical characteristics, just like I never mentioned which part of the glass you actually care about (for all you know, the glass square is just garbage).
      If I'd play with more specialized tools (like jigsaw), then with how you seem to try and grab into the smallest bits you could also argue plenty like...'but I don't have a jigsaw, so I would cut it with a normal saw' and what not.
      You also didn't respond to anything beyond that example whose only purpose was to help visualize the process, huh. I wonder why...

  • @taliamon
    @taliamon Рік тому +31

    Set up a kiosk next time. Looks more official.
    Keep like 40 or 50 tape measures and have a demo poster set up. That will keep it random (and prevent people from cheating), allow people to "play with friends" and it keeps you shaded.

    • @TheAleQc
      @TheAleQc Рік тому +2

      What does he look like?! A man who can spare $100 for a kiosk?!

    • @detran09
      @detran09 Рік тому

      had the same thoughts

  • @Nilumbra
    @Nilumbra Рік тому +19

    I would love to see you do this again, maybe with a booth and more official looking signage next time. Should lower people's guards, at least some of them lol.

    • @bobby-c7731
      @bobby-c7731 Рік тому +1

      Yeah. He did look like a homeless guy.
      And “would you like to make $100?”, sounds like he was looking to hook up. lol.

    • @jayedwin98020
      @jayedwin98020 Рік тому

      @Nilumbra: You make a very good point!

  • @RyTrapp0
    @RyTrapp0 Рік тому +6

    One suggestion, before you hand the contestants the tape measure, maybe pull the tape out facing away from them/towards you so they can't see the numbers but they can see where the mark is(mark it front & back). I think part of the problem is people having no idea where the mark is going to be so they're initially wasting time hunting with their eyes for the mark instead of focusing on reading the mark. If they have an idea where they need to look to find the mark, I think you'll see more people bring it in within the 5 seconds.

    • @will4383
      @will4383 Рік тому +2

      I think its not just looking for the mark but also having to process what part of the mark to use from only verbal directions. And if you don't want to show the mark(even from the back) for some reason make an earlier mark at like 6in with a colored tape where you can show what you want but not give away where the black mark is.

    • @will4383
      @will4383 Рік тому +1

      Guess that will teach me to get annoyed with a video and comment before finishing, just got to the lowes part.

    • @RyTrapp0
      @RyTrapp0 Рік тому

      @@will4383 lol, happens to the best of us

  • @ianthomas3653
    @ianthomas3653 Рік тому +3

    My father taught me to read a tape/ ruler as a kid (5-6 years old), and it baffles me that there are adults that cannot never mind people at a home depot to lowes.

  • @motherjesse
    @motherjesse Рік тому +6

    ‘Hello, I’m former NFL offensive lineman for the Steelers, John Malecki, I’ve got a UA-cam channel and today we’re asking if Home Depot customers can read a tape measure. If you can, you’ll win $100’ Bang. Everyone stops, you’re out a ton of money lol

  • @craigsmith9379
    @craigsmith9379 Рік тому +53

    Do it again but this time using a metric system tape 😂

    • @drewmcculloch2926
      @drewmcculloch2926 Рік тому +9

      cant mess up a metric tape.
      proof the imperial system is simply too difficult for the average human. Fractions such as 5/8, 10/16. 5 foot 5 and a 1/4.
      448 mm +/- 0.33mm.
      448 all day.

    • @TheWebstaff
      @TheWebstaff Рік тому +1

      John won't do it..
      Merica!! Hell yeah.

    • @michaelwillson6847
      @michaelwillson6847 Рік тому +1

      I've never understood why people use imperial system as people say u can't mess up mm but 17/64ths or 15/32nds a mean come on who hell can read that. Or even figure that out. 😬👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @jeffsorrows
      @jeffsorrows Рік тому +1

      ​@TheWebstaff i mean we got to the moon using metric calculations! Just the instruments the astronauts read were "translated" in to freedom units so they'd understand the distances better!

  • @forgotmylogininfo
    @forgotmylogininfo Рік тому +18

    My son first learned about fractions when he dumped my socket set & I made him put them all back in the correct place. then after he realized it wasn't just punishment but that he had learned something he started asking more questions & I gave him an extra tape measure I had & he was going around the house measuring everything

  • @jaybrown7177
    @jaybrown7177 Рік тому +2

    I teach 8th grade math and reading a tape measure is a skill that I go over towards the end of the school year. It is just a basic life skill for any homeowner or someone who wants to hang a picture. Great video.

    • @YTPartyTonight
      @YTPartyTonight Рік тому

      Wow, that late? I must be a nerd. By 11th grade, back in the mid-'80s, I had an easy summer job working as a draftsman in a metal machine shop. I wasn't measuring with a tape measure; it was a steel ruler and calipers. They found me through a teacher of mine at school.

  • @mutualexcrement
    @mutualexcrement Рік тому +5

    Awesome idea! Was hoping to see my old man hahaha IMO I'd take off the sunglasses when it's not a friend or fan. People find ya more approachable when they can see your eyes. Thanks for the entertainment!

  • @ife702
    @ife702 Рік тому

    Your segway into the betterhelp ad was the better help I needed this morning LOL Genius!

  • @devinedorn7064
    @devinedorn7064 Рік тому

    Good for UA-cam, promoting actually useful and responsible Services in there adds like better health.

  • @Seq1992
    @Seq1992 Рік тому +3

    This is mindblowing for me. Give a child a metric unit tape measure, it will read it with, no issues, in less than 2 seconds.

    • @hnorrstrom
      @hnorrstrom 11 місяців тому

      Yes, kids learn that in school most 12 year olds here in sweden have no problem measuring or convert between all different units.

  • @AndrewDeLong
    @AndrewDeLong Рік тому +2

    I use a Crescent Lufkin tape measure that goes down to 1/32 measurements. After using that, I can't go back to the more blunt 1/8 and 1/16 tape measures.

  • @bazilwreckerloughead
    @bazilwreckerloughead Рік тому +4

    I think it might be a little intimidating having a big gut walking up to you in a parking lot asking you if you want to make $100, I know I'd be thinking; "What kind of kinky shit is this fresh hell?!"

  • @chelsaecox9459
    @chelsaecox9459 Рік тому +1

    Drove by your shop off the turnpike today on my way to Indiana. Had to tell myself it’s weird to stop at a youtuber’s shop just to say thanks for the great content.

  • @teresalynnturner781
    @teresalynnturner781 Рік тому

    Was flipping through my tv and came to "This Old House" , which I love to watch....and there you were! 😮 I did not know you were on that show.i was so excited! I been following you for a while now on UA-cam!

  • @DeerHoagie
    @DeerHoagie Рік тому

    Massive missed opportunity to hit up the Lowe’s/Home Depot combo in Butler. Massive turf wars up there.
    Huge fan of the show. I’m a local. Appreciate the content. Keep on keeping on!

  • @saltymedic3713
    @saltymedic3713 Рік тому +22

    I'm gen X, and I was raised on the mantra "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Since I follow you, I probably would have tried. But someone I didn't recognize as being legit? Hard pass.

    • @williamfotiou7577
      @williamfotiou7577 Рік тому +1

      Same here. That’s the gen x mindset!

    • @AimeeAimee444
      @AimeeAimee444 Рік тому +4

      Yeah, he’s also in the Pittsburgh area so we’re accustomed to just saying “No” before hearing anything.

    • @michaelvonneupert
      @michaelvonneupert Рік тому

      I probably would have walked back to my truck one aisle over to make sure I didn't have to tell him "no" again.

    • @Tlavite
      @Tlavite Рік тому +1

      that's just called living in fear.

    • @saltymedic3713
      @saltymedic3713 Рік тому +6

      ​@Tlavite it's called not being a fool

  • @chrism5581
    @chrism5581 Рік тому +6

    I think this answers the metric vs. Imperial argument 😂

  • @thepagan5432
    @thepagan5432 Рік тому +3

    I can read both Imperial and Metric, however 3 years ago I bought a 1 metre steel rule and between 430mm - 440mm there were only 9mm and not 10mm. When I found it I did laugh as I thought if you can't trust a steel rule then it's crazy. Good post and easy money 💰👍

  • @karmicxkoala
    @karmicxkoala Рік тому +2

    "Wanna make $100" at a hardware store sounds like you want to hire them for day labor. "Wanna win $100" makes it sound like it's gonna be more fun and take less time

  • @nathanpforr
    @nathanpforr Рік тому

    the editing and cut aways on this channel always make me crack up! keep up the good work

  • @penguins78729
    @penguins78729 Рік тому

    I think you guys should do a test of the different areas around the Pittsburgh area. You mentioned cranberry at one point but I would interested to see the difference at Monroeville, Greensburg etc etc

  • @trevonjugmohan2377
    @trevonjugmohan2377 Рік тому

    You were at your local Home Depot and Lowe's, you have 874000+ subscribers, not one person recognized you. Are most of you subscribers out of state? lol. But I might have failed the challenge myself, so big ups, and it takes a lot of metal to just walk up to strangers and get them to be on a UA-cam vid, even for money, so good job Malecki!

  • @subn0rma1
    @subn0rma1 Рік тому +4

    To anyone who feels embarrassed in this video, I didn't even remember that the inches were split up by eighths. I would have to count how many lines were there before I'd have known. I don't do woodworking, I just like to watch it on youtube 😅

  • @williamdowling7718
    @williamdowling7718 Рік тому

    One of my favorite stories my dad (lifelong construction adjacent dude) told me a million times was when he was on a site working, and there was a carpemter and an apprentice finishing up the final touches of the framing job.
    The carpenter told the apprentice to go measure a certain spot, probably for a block between studs or something. So the aprentice walked over, pulled out his tape, and then yelled, "15 and uh..... 3 lines"
    The carpenter was not pleased.

    • @skilledrex294
      @skilledrex294 Рік тому +1

      I did that exact thing at age 18. I knew nothing about fractions. Now, after 25 years in the industry it’s a second language to me. I often remember that moment when I told my boss that!

  • @neesch
    @neesch Рік тому +1

    just some thoughts, it would be better if you maybe stayed in one place, near the entrance to catch people as they are going in, have a nicer sign, easy to read and stationary, not held in your hands. you can still walk around, buy guide people pack to your table. Definitely good job on clarifying the mark with an arrow, those first guys were absolutely correct. Showing the example first is very smart. $100 might have been to high to be believable, maybe have two marks and $50 each?
    and thank you for sharing about BetterHelp, we all need help sometimes.

  • @jack1235ify
    @jack1235ify Рік тому +4

    Watching this has made me aggressively want to reteach myself how to read a tape measure. Thanks man. Lol

  • @herschelgross5187
    @herschelgross5187 Рік тому

    I work in a production company building walls you would be amazed on how many people actually can't read a tape correctly... wish I was in one of those parking lots... would have had a new tool for free...lol love your videos... FYI peeps most tapes unless stated otherwise on the tape are 16ths of an inch meaning each line is 1/16 worst comes to worst count the lines and do your fraction conversion for even number lines.... 8/16 is 1/2

  • @harrison0550
    @harrison0550 Рік тому

    A couple of them were subscribers who got it wrong. Eeeek. Maybe a quick tape reading lesson for your viewers before the next try. We take for granted that we learned this at a young age but both my nephews helped me build a deck over the summer and every measurement was 10 inches and 5 of those little marks. Hahahaha. I had to stop and have a tape ready class before we moved on. Teach them folks my man. You got the platform for it.

  • @kristenm9698
    @kristenm9698 Рік тому +3

    Can I read a measuring tape? Yes. Could I do it in a parking lot with a camera on me in 5 seconds ?No. Also, I tend to default to No when people approach me in parking lots. There are so many scammers out there and you keep hearing stories of people trying to distract you to grab wallet/purse etc.

  • @SchysCraftCo.
    @SchysCraftCo. Рік тому

    Can’t wait to see more updates an projects and many more videos soon my friends. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Fab On. Weld On. Stay Squirrely. Keep Making.

  • @jarrodblackwell
    @jarrodblackwell Рік тому

    As an experiment, you should try the "Change my Mind" table setup and make people come up to you. It might legitimize the look of the operation because, lets face it, if someone approaches you in the parking lot, chances are you're not reading their sign. People are too on edge to take their eyes off of the actual "threat" to look at a sign. It sucks, but that's where we are as a society. Plus, it would make you seem smaller for anyone that would feel intimidated by your large stature.

  • @dcelectric6689
    @dcelectric6689 Рік тому +4

    My apprentice would say 17” and 2 lines past the half mark. 😂

  • @Dont_Poke_The_Bear
    @Dont_Poke_The_Bear Рік тому

    Let's be honest here, the majority of people cannot read a tape measure, and most or those that can get close will measure to the nearest 1/4" and trim stuff down a little at a time when it is too big. It's a problem many have been talking about for year, John just brought it to the realm of public conversation.

  • @ddelv1601
    @ddelv1601 Рік тому

    The last time most of us looked at fractions was in 4th grade, and the once a year we pull out a tape measure.
    I switched to a metric tape, it's so much easier.

  • @spin4224
    @spin4224 Рік тому

    Born yinnzer here, but in Florida since 8. This was a cool idea I thought too. And over the years I've run across more than one person not able to read the tape. Unfortunately these times have a lot of folks on edge and suspicion at first reactions. Maybe especially in parking lots at box stores. I say try again. Toss ACE in. Don't y'all have Menards up there too? Then tallie up the individual stores.

    • @joeshmoe8912
      @joeshmoe8912 Рік тому +1

      No, we do not have Menards here. I live about 20 minutes away from his shop, and there are none around. I sure wish we did though.

  • @TheIvyPoison16
    @TheIvyPoison16 10 місяців тому

    Please make a video on how to read tools! Your humor would be the best!

  • @AaronPetrosky412
    @AaronPetrosky412 Рік тому

    I am curious to see if you would get a different response on McKnight or in Monroeville vs Cranberry.

  • @scottdavis9442
    @scottdavis9442 Рік тому

    I had a employee who couldn’t read a tape. I cut out a 16” piece of sheet metal, marked it every Inch and wrote 1/16, 1/8”, 3/16”…etc and made him carry it around all day.

  • @roosinclair2394
    @roosinclair2394 Рік тому

    Harbor freight too, maybe menards if there is one near you.

  • @Dippedinsilver1974
    @Dippedinsilver1974 Рік тому

    I’m convinced it was the pressure of the time constraints and being on video. It’s very difficult to do anything under pressure like that.

  • @topherken
    @topherken Рік тому

    You should test who knows more about basic home improvement projects, Home Depot or Lowes employees?

  • @tjrou2005
    @tjrou2005 Рік тому +8

    As my wife would say 17 and like 8 little notches haha

    • @Lennart_Jensen
      @Lennart_Jensen Рік тому

      Like 17.8 inches. The 17 5/8 is strange way to count.

  • @eschybach
    @eschybach Рік тому

    Measuring something seems like it would be a lot easier than looking at a measurement and having half the area you're trying to read blacked out with tape. As a plumber, I read quarter and eighth measurements all day but that's when I'm comparing it to pipe sitting behind the tape, not in front of it.

  • @Ratheon1075
    @Ratheon1075 Рік тому

    I am often approached in Lowes/Home depot parking lots by people begging or telling me some kind of story about how their girl left them and they have no gas or place to stay blah, blah, blah. I can totally understand why most people didn't even bother to hear you out.

  • @kwalyea79
    @kwalyea79 Рік тому

    You should try it here in Utah. You would be really surprised on how many can't read one. I've had to teach more than one at every place that I've worked at here

  • @mcseforsale
    @mcseforsale Рік тому +1

    I'd be curious what would happen if you went to a wholesale shop where contractors go.

  • @YTPartyTonight
    @YTPartyTonight Рік тому

    I'd have them measure a provided scrap portion of plywood or a cut-off piece of 2" x 4".

  • @Bri-tg6xr
    @Bri-tg6xr Рік тому

    Holy cow, I went to Slippery Rock HS. I self-taught myself how to read one so that's part of the problem. No one really teaches it even when I took shop, I do not recall being taught how to read one. Heck, my first real use of one was trying to do a DIY alignment on my Jeep when I was 17. That was just counting the lines on the tape, not even knowing the fractions LOL

  • @spamslamwich1776
    @spamslamwich1776 Рік тому

    Try the Home Depot on the Eastern Panhandle of West VA

  • @detran09
    @detran09 Рік тому +4

    There's too many scammers out there for people to take you legitimately. I think if you worked with the store to set up a booth people would've been less suspicious

  • @justinbanks2380
    @justinbanks2380 10 місяців тому

    The clips you use in between. William DeFoe and the guy fishing 😂😂

  • @chitchatwchuck
    @chitchatwchuck Рік тому

    Like the video. Surprised at how many would not try. I have never seen a video of yours, but you've got a like and a sub. Thanks!

  • @kylewelch4264
    @kylewelch4264 Рік тому +1

    PLEASE do this at a college. Preferably in front of an engineering or architectural school

  • @chrissetter
    @chrissetter Рік тому

    There’s been a lot of scammers lately in HD parking lots. The best thing to do is not engage. I don’t blame people for being skeptical at all.

  • @jonduncan8010
    @jonduncan8010 Рік тому +1

    I’ve been in construction for almost 10 years, and my betters would quiz me on my tape skills all the time when I first started as an apprentice. And I think (with some degree allowed for error) that most contractors will go to Lowe’s, and Home Depot is more for the diy/ weekend warrior crowd.

  • @robert.brokaw3829
    @robert.brokaw3829 Рік тому

    Bring back the building trades in High School. With what you showed the trades are in trouble for the near future. Stay safe.

  • @R1j0hn
    @R1j0hn Рік тому

    @ 12:00 ---------> That man had me in stitches...! "Seven twelfths" !

  • @timsawyer9231
    @timsawyer9231 Рік тому

    10/16ths haha What a guy.
    Based on how well these guys are doing that know and/or follow you, I'm starting to think you should put out a video on how to read tape! haha

  • @Jeremy_Adams
    @Jeremy_Adams Рік тому +1

    I would be afraid to fail on camera, that’s my guess as to why so many people said no.

  • @DIYwithUncleCy
    @DIYwithUncleCy Рік тому

    I saw a UA-cam short where the Guy was trying to get people to pull Exactly 12 inches of tape from a tape measure. A different take but worth investigating. He did however go to Job sites and test actual carpenters and carpenter apprentices. Would Love to see how you fare with this challenge. Long time subscriber, keep up the great work. Uncle Cy out.

  • @SecurityClearancePodcast
    @SecurityClearancePodcast Рік тому

    It’s how you’re approached them, almost everyone asking something has a gimmick, so they are thinking it’s a scam or a time suck.

  • @andrewjennings5002
    @andrewjennings5002 Рік тому

    Try metric system. Give them a little warning though. 652mm

  • @johnn2557
    @johnn2557 Рік тому +1

    As a mechanical contractor I do something like this with every new hire and it amazes me that they can not read a tape/ ruler!
    I leaned to read a ruler in 3rd grade and it seems that they just don’t teach this anymore!

  • @KyleHarrisonRedacted
    @KyleHarrisonRedacted Рік тому

    On top of what everyone else has said (the introduction, the approach, the sunglasses, etc) what also work’s, unfortunate to say, is having a woman either alongside you or taking the lead on approach. Guaranteed 80%+ more response with that factor alone
    Once saw a Safeway with two booths on opposite ends selling veterans support packages. One was headed by a pretty attractive looking and confident dude, and the other was headed by an attractive woman. I’ll let you take a guess as to which booth had the line up.

  • @BZ1340
    @BZ1340 Рік тому

    LOL. When I do tile work and cutting trims. I always tape the mark for reference
    so I cut the back side of the tape I marked on the material . Never the front

  • @andrewduncan6587
    @andrewduncan6587 Рік тому +1

    Would you accept 17 and 10 in this situation? Used to taking in 16ths on jobsites

  • @Wondermigis
    @Wondermigis Рік тому

    part issue was how you were introducing the challenge. "you wanna make a 100$?" = you want extra work? "you wanna try a quick challenge to try and WIN a 100$?" = no work, no risk, im in.
    Also part issue is just the world these days with the "influencer" vibes going on, people getting roasted and publicly humiliated on social media, they dont want that heat brother.
    I do encourage you to try again, just think more about how you gonna present yourself, how you gonna articulate the challenge itself. the example tape-measurer was a good thing, it really helped people know what theyre looking for.

  • @nikjazbec7239
    @nikjazbec7239 Рік тому

    I'm amazed how many people said no to reading the tape... If it would be me I'll be right there even if I fail :) Nice video idea John!

  • @jimrosson6702
    @jimrosson6702 Рік тому

    Great video John funny to watch people under pressure

  • @bunnieleigh
    @bunnieleigh Рік тому

    Maybe try to contact Home Depot, Lowes, etc. and see if you can set up a table outside. A lot of people have trust issues and a big random guy walking up to them in the middle of a parking lot may feel intimidating.

  • @sketch2002
    @sketch2002 Рік тому +1

    I think the part where you were just wandering around asking people if they wanted to make a hundred bucks creeped them out. If you could setup a stand that said what you were doing on it, then just let them come to you, I bet you'd get more people to try. Secondly, since some of them said your mark was a bit confusing, maybe just bring a board to have them measure. Or a cube all three lengths different so you can have a couple people come up at the same time and both do a different side for you.

  • @jastrapper190
    @jastrapper190 Рік тому +1

    Saw you on Angry Cop. Subscribed!! Great content!! My man!! 😂😂

  • @matthewnelson5293
    @matthewnelson5293 Рік тому +1

    I can read a tape measure, but I'd mess it up under the time crunch. Especially being on camera

  • @nickylongshanks
    @nickylongshanks Рік тому

    My guess is that some of the people you asked thought you may be trying to hire them for a $100 job, or be entered in a giveaway for $100 after providing their info to you for solar or some other solicitor like that. There's so much of that nowadays. I've been solicited by all kinds of industries in a Home Depot that definitely aren't there under the approval of Home Depot.

  • @cbrettsimpson0813
    @cbrettsimpson0813 Рік тому

    1) emphasize at the outset its WIN not MAKE
    2) clarify its a contest to see if people can read it under 5 seconds and that the measurement itself isn't any kind of gimmick
    3) cut the first 30" off another tape, replicate the mark at exactly 23 1/2" and tape the example to your little sign
    4) tell em ahead of time they win $20 if they can read it right but in 5-10 seconds

  • @brucem1553
    @brucem1553 Рік тому

    Love your videos love the content. The challenge between the different Shoppers at different stores would be interesting. However at the end the comment who is smarter is not the correct comment in my opinion it should be who is more skilled

  • @DinoJagger
    @DinoJagger 6 місяців тому

    John: "We're losing daylight!"
    Sun: "It's literally noon."

  • @darkchild.666
    @darkchild.666 Рік тому

    Loved this video @john_malecki
    So I work at a company of about 150 people and I have occasionally (out of the goodness of my heart) gone around and trained our employees how to read a tape, mainly because of quality issues. It always amazes me how many can't do it and don't want to admit it and yes some get offended and won't even try lol

  • @nylonstringninja
    @nylonstringninja 5 місяців тому

    You should get an engineering/tally tape that is marked out in 1/10ths and 1/100ths of a foot instead of inches and see what they do LOL. Pretty interesting to see people try to just read a tap though; I just look at the tape measure I don't have to even think. I've worn out a lot of them over the last 25 years though.

  • @charger7022
    @charger7022 Рік тому

    I challenge to to get out a little further from Pittsburgh. Either north or out near state college I bet you will have a completely different response from the people.

  • @iexcav8534
    @iexcav8534 Рік тому

    Any lowes /home Depot i go to the parking lot is full 24/7 .

  • @HyperWolf
    @HyperWolf Рік тому

    I’ve got dyscalculia, I might have said no out of being sure I’d struggle too much with the lines lol. They just blend together.

  • @chrismicklich7831
    @chrismicklich7831 Рік тому

    It speaks to the lack of trust even in broad daylight in a public place for how many people just don't want to engage.

  • @dp01
    @dp01 Рік тому

    I will start reading tape measures now before I go to HD or Lowes

  • @MtlCstr
    @MtlCstr Рік тому

    I'd kill to have a Home Depot close by, and here's John with more than one, rubbing it in my face.

  • @Icantball67
    @Icantball67 Рік тому

    A few factors. 1- yes you learned that showing them an example helps them understand . You weren’t showing yourself show/explain it near the end again so we don’t know if you kept doing it. 2-guarantee that some of the folks don’t want to be embarrassed in anyway if they get it wrong. 3- you can also blame some of if not all of your straight up no’s to all the people out their pushing sales on people and using gimmicks to draw people in. If they don’t see a gimmick they don’t feel obligated to listen to a presentation after.