Ok guys i have a question a few people contacted me via face book asking me if i paint guns for other people, after seeing my gray and copper 2240 i posted on FB they liked what i did and want there's done, not the same color as mine but two colors just like mine was done and some also wanted a trigger job also. My question is what the heck do i charge someone to do this i have no idea. ??? I do stuff like this with you guys but will swap guns or parts and even work i don't know these people so im kinda lost or should i just forget it.
Mike
I'm not sure about pricing on something like this and the only thing I can offer is that don't let it consume you and don't let this part of your hobby take the fun out of what you are now doing. It is easy for a sort of hobby like this to get out of control. Joshua Austin was a prime example of letting it get the best of him. Hopefully you are well grounded enough that it won't happen.
Carl
Quote from: quickster47 on May 04, 2013, 03:35:54 AM
I'm not sure about pricing on something like this and the only thing I can offer is that don't let it consume you and don't let this part of your hobby take the fun out of what you are now doing. It is easy for a sort of hobby like this to get out of control. Joshua Austin was a prime example of letting it get the best of him. Hopefully you are well grounded enough that it won't happen.
Carl
No way would i even get close to take on the work he did remember i'm retired and like that that way it would be more of a money earning hobby.
Cost plus labor.
Figure how much time it takes to complete a specific project and put a price on your time. Include prep work, priming, and sanding/polishing, baking, etc.
Figure the cost of the materials including paint, tax, transportation costs, etc.
So, if you figure a job will take three hours to complete you know your labor cost. Add in materials and send the estimate. I think it reasonable to pad the estimate 5%-10% for unexpected situations that may arise.
OR you could just say no and give all the business to BigErn.
Quote from: quickster47 on May 04, 2013, 03:35:54 AM
Joshua Austin was a prime example of letting it get the best of him.
Carl
what happened to Josh, anyway?
Charge whatever you want, Mike. 8)
IMHO what ever you charge you need to make sure that they ship it to you with a tracking number and send it back with tracking and insurance. It could save you some headache if something happens to it in transit. Because you are dealing with a part that belongs to them. Who is responsible for what when something goes missing can be a hassle and needs to be discussed before hand. Just something to think about.
Bite your tongue. No one knows. He is MIA leaving lots of folks stiffed.
Quote from: airguns100 on May 04, 2013, 03:43:59 AM
what happened to Josh, anyway?
josh let his work consume him and he eventually lost his mind and was absorbed into a alternate dimention.
just kidding, no one knows where he is. and a lot of people left shafted.
I would just test the market Mike, paint another one purely for sale reasons. (Or sell one of yours) Let the market dictate what it is worth, if no real money in it then just keep it anyway.
I don't like being entrusted with customising other peoples guns myself and would rather just take theirs in px against one of mine.
When I get bored of them and sell custom jobs, if they are going to an enthusiast it means more to me for it to go to a good home than make a quick buck.
As far as pricing it and managing the customer, I think Larry and Gary gave some solid advice :-*
Carl also hit on a reality of making money with a hobby. I have seen it before, where you start to get more and more people asking... and pretty soon before you know it you have a month's worth of work. Then it sneaks up into two. At that point you want to keep people happy, maintain your reputation, but might be getting slightly bored of it and wanting to be spending some of your time doing other things that make you happy in life. Take one on at a time, might be a good policy.
Quote from: breakfastchef on May 04, 2013, 03:47:43 AM
Bite your tongue. No one knows. He is MIA leaving lots of folks stiffed.
Who did he stiff?
Quote from: airguns100 on May 04, 2013, 05:15:56 PM
Who did he stiff?
Me, mr007, several folks on the GTA, A. Burciaga...
Quote from: breakfastchef on May 04, 2013, 03:43:07 AM
Cost plus labor.
Figure how much time it takes to complete a specific project and put a price on your time. Include prep work, priming, and sanding/polishing, baking, etc.
Figure the cost of the materials including paint, tax, transportation costs, etc.
So, if you figure a job will take three hours to complete you know your labor cost. Add in materials and send the estimate. I think it reasonable to pad the estimate 5%-10% for unexpected situations that may arise.
OR you could just say no and give all the business to BigErn.
Using this formula a painted tube from me would cost ..... oh say 150 bucks plus shipping! My free time is expensive! :D
But, if you are doing one for Arkmaker, then about 20 bucks sounds fair :-*
Mike, it is tough for sure trying to figure out a price for your work. I've only lost money in this hobby. I don't know how Mellon ever makes a penny with his prices. I would double and triple some of his part prices if it were me. Just saying, time is what always seems to be overlooked in this cottage industry.
Quote from: breakfastchef on May 04, 2013, 05:41:05 PM
Me, mr007, several folks on the GTA, A. Burciaga...
I think he went "into" the closet ???
what did you loose, breakfastchef?
Quote from: jSan22 on May 04, 2013, 08:54:04 PM
what did you loose, breakfastchef?
A Crosman 600 I traded for a set of custom grips. I have neither.
owww....... tell ya what. I happen to live in Akron. if I get a chance, I'll stop by the address and see if his house is still there.
Set the price high, better to have a few happy customers than many angry ones. Just remember though, if you let your hobby become your business....you'll need a new hobby.
Quote from: breakfastchef on May 04, 2013, 05:41:05 PM
Me, mr007, several folks on the GTA, A. Burciaga...
what was it for? I remember he was building stocks and grips the last i heard.
Quote from: airguns100 on May 05, 2013, 02:56:40 AM
what was it for? I remember he was building stocks and grips the last i heard.
JA was attempt a set of grips for me made from this: http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?21836-Home-grown-quot-micarta-quot-%28picture-intensive%29 (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?21836-Home-grown-quot-micarta-quot-%28picture-intensive%29)
I bought Denim and the supplies and made him two blanks to work with. Along with that I also sent a new 1701 grip frame to fit the finished grips to and my great set of Keith Grips to assure right and left thickness and contours.I received an e-mail that all arrived and he would start on them pretty soon. That is the last contact I have had from him, a little over a year ago. With postage, insurance, materials, and parts, I lost around 175.00
woah, I could never imagine being screwed out that much.
Quote from: jSan22 on May 05, 2013, 04:03:14 AM
woah, I could never imagine being screwed out that much.
The XWIFE screwed me much more than that :D
Quote from: mr007s on May 05, 2013, 04:15:35 AM
The XWIFE screwed me much more than that :D
I hoped this one has a double meaning lol!
That's just horrible mr007s. Sorry to hear that happened to you.
Stay on topic!
If you want more info on JA, do a search.
A lot of good advice :-* But don't forget possible liability issues :o When making mods, especially trigger adjustments, even though you've tested it safe before shipping, there could be mishandling or not following safety procedures by the owner that could cause injury. With the number of ambulance chasers out there a lawsuit could arise.
Good point. If you paint the tubes and barrels, have them shipped to you disassembled and return them that way, They can reassemble at home.
If you were in a full blown business, an insurance policy is cheap enough. I would not do repairs without being an authorized service center by one or more of the major players. Just me though. A bit more of an expense for sure, but once set up, all that is needed is to start building a good reputation.
Quote from: mr007s on May 05, 2013, 03:54:28 AM
JA was attempt a set of grips for me made from this: http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?21836-Home-grown-quot-micarta-quot-%28picture-intensive%29 (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?21836-Home-grown-quot-micarta-quot-%28picture-intensive%29)
I bought Denim and the supplies and made him two blanks to work with. Along with that I also sent a new 1701 grip frame to fit the finished grips to and my great set of Keith Grips to assure right and left thickness and contours.I received an e-mail that all arrived and he would start on them pretty soon. That is the last contact I have had from him, a little over a year ago. With postage, insurance, materials, and parts, I lost around 175.00
If you used paypal, you can file fraud and they'll hook you up with a refund. I'v had similar things happen too.
Quote from: arkmaker on May 05, 2013, 01:02:13 PM
Stay on topic!
If you want more info on JA, do a search.
;D