I must agree with Wreck Wreck. You have a far bigger customer problem than a machine problem.
Thanks. I won't have a problem getting it done, and again I learn another lesson.
Over the years I have always been easy, when it comes to helping people. And it almost always backfires. I have over the years got rid of all (almost all) of the so called pests that hose me time and time again, with the exception of the inlaws. But there is always a weak moment where I accept a so called small job as I like a challenge. In the end I will be proud of my work even if I just break even. But next time...
The guy has never been to my shop as I am just a hobbyist but I know him as a customer of my wife as she cuts his hair. Very nice older guy and retired parts man. Very easy going and easy to sit around and talk with as he is pretty handy and mechanical and has some skills and a small shop himself. He even said "whatever it costs is fine" but I am too easy and know that requires fair judgement on my part. After I accepted the job after looking at the parts he wanted made, even though they were more complex than a plain hinge, we sat around and chatted for a while. Then he mentioned he took a hub to a machine shop and needed a slot and two holes drilled and tapped for a collar type lock and the guy charged him $35. Then I explained to him (even though he is old enough to know this) that I hear the same thing all the time. People need to understand the machines cost money, the tooling costs money, the ordering of the steel and aluminum cost time and money, etc... That is when I knew I was going to be lucky to break even. Just like when I weld something for someone. They always like to say it only took 5 or 10 minutes.
I am the fairest(cheapest) guy on the planet and people would still try to get it for less. Must be the area I live in. I have a friend who works on airplanes and once a guy brought in a fuel tank that had a small split in the top less that an inch long. He fixed it and charged $225. I said WOW, I would have got $25 if I was lucky. All my fault as I used to work at auto dealerships growing up and although I made less than $10 and hour being ASE Certified Master in the field, I always felt sorry for the customer getting "ripped off" by the dealers high labor rate. I only sold the customer what was really necessary and not do the overkill to make my paycheck bigger by hosing them too. I am just too damn nice! I agree. Its like I admit I am the problem by falling into this trap time and time again, but have been really working on making it better. I knew a guy many years ago that was self employed and will never forget what he always said. "I'm expensive". And the people wanting home improvements knew up front and if they were ok with it, he did the work and did it well. If they didn't want to pay, he had no problem and was always busy.
Schemer, cute puppy. When I got Saddie it was too cold for her to be out for long, so I'd put her in my parka when snow blowing with the tractor. Now if it has an engine she has to be on it, rides the atv, snowmobile, boat, and the tractor, not easy to see with her on my lap.
Great dogs, she never lets me out of her sight.
Greg
They always like to say it only took 5 or 10 minutes.
Wish I had the energy these puppies have. I've had mix breed, border collie and a golden retriever, all great dogs but the next will be another GS.
Not uncommon for us to put over a hundred km on the sled or atv in a day. She'll ride till she gets cold then run for a ways to warm up.
She'll sit in the jeep with the top down when Im away from it, friends have tried and she won't get out for them if Im not around.
Greg
