Just wondering how you all go about pricing small stuff. I recently painted Checkered Clown Shoes ( checkers painted with a brush and airbrush) on a motor cycle helmet and windshield. With some very small lettering. Took 5 hours to complete. Because it was small, do I reduce my price??? Thanx CJ
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
CJ, I ask you, as I ask myself: How many years did it take to learn that trade? How much time and trial did it require to figure out which brushes and paint to use? How long did it take to acquire the reputation that it took to bring this customer to your door at the ease they came? How many folks, family, peaceful nights, customers did you have to put off to do this particular job and were you rushed? How much aggravation is this job costing you, and how many miles did those brushes come from? How much is this customer going to appreciate this and is this something that revs up your engine? Did we skip lunch or dinner or some night out of the shop for this? Are the kids wishing they could spend just a little one on one time with us? For all it's worth, my small two cents of thoughts may add up to a pretty hefty conclusion! (Hmmmm thought so!) your post sure got my blood going.
[ August 03, 2002, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
I increase my prices when stuff gets so small that it is a pain or very time consuming. I also explain why I increase the price. For example, on sandblasted signs I state that on very small letters or details there is a high chance of the resist coming off. Little things like that seem to make the customers understand where I'm coming from.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
CJ....you're pulling our leg? Right? Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Si?
Is that remark targeted at the topic or substance of the topic?...
I just had to!!! Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Hmm.. 5 hours of work.. that's a minimum of $300 right there. How small of a price were you thinking about?
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
When my shop was on the east coast, I did many motorcycles and helmets, charging more then most could believe and getting it. Depending on the amount of time and detail involved dominates the cost. My minimum price for any vehicle work, helmets included was and still is $200. More then one time, just outlining flames cost as much as $700 and never less then $300.
Dreams cost money!
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
I believe they were thinking of a small job when they dropped it off three weeks later than asked each year... a large sign with just a "few" changes this year on sponsors. (a small job, but hassle factor and interchanging all the names to fit in the places of the removed! Seven adds, seven removals, seven small hole signs...) adds up.
Posted by Ed Williams (Member # 846) on :
No Si, I wasn't pulling your leg. The clown shoes are only 3" high, and the checkers are 3/8" squares. Painted with a brush. He only wants to spend 100. I didn't know at the time how long it would take and now there done, do I take the hundred and chalk it up, do I demamnd more and if he won't pay, do I take it off and chalk that up??????????? Thanks for the in-put thou. CJ
See you all Mars???
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
I have learned to just say no. No cheap banners, no cheap temporary signs, no cheap anything. How could you ever take on any job without giving them a price first? I could just see you telling the judge about this one. Life's too short to fret over the small crap. Let it go! John
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
no one can tell you what to do, only give you specifics of what they would do. Never having been in a situation where one dictates what I will charge but if the price was spoken before the job, then the price is what it is. Its up to you to know what limitations you put as far as time into any project. This determines the amount of detail and price.
Take the hundred and chalk it up to experience. Vehicle art is worth more then coroplast signage!
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Ditto What Joey said,
the difference between the hundred and your actual cost is the price of that lesson learned.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I'm with Joey on this one too.
The price was set at the beginning so this one you have to chalk up to experience. Now you know you cannot provide that sort of detail with an hour and a half's worth of labor, and can charge accordingly on the next similar job. Just stand your ground when the next guy says "You want HOW MUCH!?!? You did Billy Bob's for $100!"
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Joey is right!....if you took it as a $100 job...thet's the price! The guy is getting a real bargain!
Remember...there is a reason that they put erasers on pencils! We all screw up on occasion! If the guy is real happy, he'll talk it up and you will get more of them...and NOW ya know how to charge for them! One of life's lessons! Posted by Gilead (Member # 158) on :
Whenever I make a mistake like that I tell the customer "ok it's a hundred for THIS one, but if your friends ask you what you paid for it you tell them $300 ok?"
Posted by david drane (Member # 507) on :
Getting back to the original question. It is the same how people ask for a price and after you have worked it out they say "Now how much will it be on Corflute" as if because the substrate is ½ price the end price will be too.
Posted by Ed Williams (Member # 846) on :
Thanx all for the in-put. I'll take the hundred with a smile. I'm a very part timer at this. Everything I do is different, and usually the first time, so pricing is the hardest thing for me. Thanx again
So, size doesn't matter, it's the time that you put in, that counts.
[ August 05, 2002, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: Ed Williams ]
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Hey CJ Size DOES matter, no matter what anybody else sez. Now, as for your question, I agree with Gilead. Love- Silly Jilly ps I hate clowns
Posted by faye welsh (Member # 2524) on :
size matters,cj, especially when you are talking about rocket ships to Mars.lol. (and a few other things)...sorry , i am jill's sis,what can i say??? see ya,sooon..fiddles
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)