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Re: How much should I charge this guy?
Tell him to get lost! (nicely of course). Tell him that the project is
outside the scope of your mission statement. (uh-huh) Send him to your
competitor.
My $.03 Jacob
On Tue, 30 Jan 1996, John Anderson wrote:
> >I have an interesting situation here. I've been approached by a local
> >independent installer (a drifter, more or less), who has sold a border tubing
> >job to a local club. This club has been a regular (and satisfied) customer of
> >mine for the last four years. The installer (let's call him Sleazo) has gone
> >out and purchased his own glass (EGL accuwall bromo blue), and electrodes
> >(EGL 8C) -- neither of which is the best choice for this job, although that
> >has little bearing on this situation. Sleazo wants me to bend the glass for
> >him, pronto. This is Monday night...he wants it up by the weekend, or by
> >Wednesday, if possible.
>
> These types wander into my shop every year or so. A recent _memorable_ one
> sold a channel letter job for too little (a "Larry Lowball" for sure) - and
> was trying to get get all the stuff (neon, metalwork, etc.. quick & cheap).
> He almost got into a fight with me over paying sales tax (I demanded,
> since he had no re-sale certificate). His check bounced, and I spent 2
> months collecting. Scumbag. Only Harry Hardball can have successful
> commerce with Larry Lowball. I'm not cynical, just my experience.
>
> I wouldn't like it if someone came to me with electrodes & glass. If you
> take the job at all, don't knock off a dime for supplied materials. The
> ONLY thing this would pursuade me to do is waive the "50% down" before
> commencing the job. Cash (as in green paper) on delivery.
>
> May sound harsh, but I know that type - and you little to gain/lots to
> lose. Even with supplied materials, you'll probably make about the same
> per hour as clear-red border units. In my experience, colored glass adds
> about 10% to my time. I'm being more careful, takes longer to heat, extra
> time to anneal, etc. Anyone else factor this in?
>
> My .02
>
> -John
>
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>
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