Big B
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2009
- Location
- Michigan, USA
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Minimum charge.
- Thread starter peninsula
- Start date
- Replies 33
- Views 6,319
Amature or Prostock class ?
Minimum charge around here is a variable thing.
But yeah steadily reducing the amount of walk ins.
Insurance work - depends on how much the particular insurer tries to interrogate me wrt the components of quote (hours, parts etc...)
Even have been cutting back on the calls I'm taking, amazing how much time can be wasted on the phone. My regulars, suppliers etc... are programmed in and understand I'm flat out will get back to them without too much delay. Many have passed comment that there arent many places doing what I do within cooee, so am able to be fairly choosy in what I take on.
But yeah steadily reducing the amount of walk ins.
Insurance work - depends on how much the particular insurer tries to interrogate me wrt the components of quote (hours, parts etc...)
Even have been cutting back on the calls I'm taking, amazing how much time can be wasted on the phone. My regulars, suppliers etc... are programmed in and understand I'm flat out will get back to them without too much delay. Many have passed comment that there arent many places doing what I do within cooee, so am able to be fairly choosy in what I take on.
o1bigtenor
Plastic
- Joined
- May 8, 2017
Found that the little jobs could really be leadins to serious work.
Have done a lot of 5 minute (and sometimes less) and told them that we were into Icecaps(pucinos - - - summer - - - coffee in winter) and donuts.
Official paperwork means that the job needs to be worth the time to fill out the paperwork.
for Icecaps and donuts - - - - the little jobs were enjoyable.
(sometimes doing a little job that was easy (needs experience - - - grin) lead to a lot of serious work - - - occasionally $10ks worth)
Have done a lot of 5 minute (and sometimes less) and told them that we were into Icecaps(pucinos - - - summer - - - coffee in winter) and donuts.
Official paperwork means that the job needs to be worth the time to fill out the paperwork.
for Icecaps and donuts - - - - the little jobs were enjoyable.
(sometimes doing a little job that was easy (needs experience - - - grin) lead to a lot of serious work - - - occasionally $10ks worth)
vmipacman
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2014
- Location
- Virginia, USA
I have been following the OPs question and the responses.
Had a part yesterday that was 850 in material and only a few hrs of labor. Is it worth considering a minimum charge based on material cost? I’d want 1xmaterial cost if I could get it minimum.
On the other hand, laser shops and waterjet regularly have this problem. Wonder how they do minimums?
Had a part yesterday that was 850 in material and only a few hrs of labor. Is it worth considering a minimum charge based on material cost? I’d want 1xmaterial cost if I could get it minimum.
On the other hand, laser shops and waterjet regularly have this problem. Wonder how they do minimums?
john.k
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2012
- Location
- Brisbane Qld Australia
When I worked for the sandblasters ,the two bosses would break their necks getting out to the gate for a cash job.
Plane Parts
Aluminum
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2019
4 hours minimum. Even for a 5 minute job. 1 hour to visit and look at the job. One hour to set up. One hour to make the part. One hour to clean up.
In otherword, as many here said, I don't do walk-in anymore. Of course if it is a good friend or customer I usually do walkins for free.
In otherword, as many here said, I don't do walk-in anymore. Of course if it is a good friend or customer I usually do walkins for free.
DouglasJRizzo
Titanium
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2011
- Location
- Ramsey, NJ.
Mine is $75.
When the shop was open, I did a lot of small jobs for no charge, considered it the best advertising. Often it resulted in a considerable job later. Also, do not forget the cost of the clerical work to put a job on the books, invoice it, cash the check, account for it, etc, etc.
trevj
Titanium
- Joined
- May 17, 2005
- Location
- Interior British Columbia
I think it heavily relies on your location and business core model.
A guy running production with machines spewing out parts day in and day out, has different needs that a guy in a small market area, and clientele.
And you never really know, who is going to provide the reference for a really good, future customer. Might be that Granny with a problem you solved. If it fits in your world! Providing, of course, that you have, or make, time for her.
I have been quoted prices on jobs that were pretty absurd, and I would have had a far higher opinion of those folks had they just outright said that they don't do that, or don't want to. From there, I actively steered people away from those shops.
For my doings, if someone had something that was interesting, as well as a quick, easy fix, they usually left happy and not too light of wallet or otherwise (see reference to a tray of cookies/donuts etc. above!).
A guy running production with machines spewing out parts day in and day out, has different needs that a guy in a small market area, and clientele.
And you never really know, who is going to provide the reference for a really good, future customer. Might be that Granny with a problem you solved. If it fits in your world! Providing, of course, that you have, or make, time for her.
I have been quoted prices on jobs that were pretty absurd, and I would have had a far higher opinion of those folks had they just outright said that they don't do that, or don't want to. From there, I actively steered people away from those shops.
For my doings, if someone had something that was interesting, as well as a quick, easy fix, they usually left happy and not too light of wallet or otherwise (see reference to a tray of cookies/donuts etc. above!).
steve-l
Titanium
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Location
- Geilenkirchen, Germany
That's all I do is walk-ins, but then I don't make money or pay taxes either. I do however, get a lot of Pistachios! My shop is for me and my convenience. I'm the number one customer.
john.k
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2012
- Location
- Brisbane Qld Australia
I did a lot of freebies and good deeds...nevr got one in return......only time came close was one of the mechanics used to do the yearly Transport Dept inspection on my 4 ton truck.....he used to charge top whack ,and pretend he was doing me a big favour passing it....There was nothing wrong with it.,just he was convenient....he got greedy and sold a book of signed inspection forms to a used truck yard,and ended in the slammer.
triumph406
Titanium
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2008
- Location
- ca
I do some small stuff for my neighbours friends, typically I don't charge, we trade work so not a big deal.
During the peak of the pandemic when I was wiping my arse with Ace Hardware toilet paper (single ply harsh on the equipment), I did a small 30 minute job for one of the neighbours friends, day later he dropped off a large bag of bulk Costco toilet paper 9soft two ply, gentle), the relief I felt the first time I used it compared to the ACE stuff was palpable. He's always welcome back anytime.
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I don't do walkins for people I don't know, I keep the front door locked, and a 36" fan in the walkway when the roll up door is up to discourage entry.
During the peak of the pandemic when I was wiping my arse with Ace Hardware toilet paper (single ply harsh on the equipment), I did a small 30 minute job for one of the neighbours friends, day later he dropped off a large bag of bulk Costco toilet paper 9soft two ply, gentle), the relief I felt the first time I used it compared to the ACE stuff was palpable. He's always welcome back anytime.
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I don't do walkins for people I don't know, I keep the front door locked, and a 36" fan in the walkway when the roll up door is up to discourage entry.
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