pea
ArboristSite Operative
You mean gouge them now or gouge them later.
Hardest part of my job
- Thread starter Fish
- Start date
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pea,
The customers attitude can go a long way in how they will be treated. Nobody minds gouging an a$$hole. If you can't find good service ANYWHERE, for ANYTHING, maybe it's your own fault.
The customers attitude can go a long way in how they will be treated. Nobody minds gouging an a$$hole. If you can't find good service ANYWHERE, for ANYTHING, maybe it's your own fault.
treeclimber165
Member A.K.A Skwerl
I take offense to this comment, especially since you wrote it in response to Tony's post. We all know there are guys out there who have no morals and will take advantage of an unsuspecting customer, but I'd bet my truck that Tony isn't one of them. Pea, what do you consider 'gouging'? Is charging somewhare between cost and list price for parts 'gouging'? Is charging an hourly rate that will cover a decent working man's wages plus shop overhead 'gouging'? Or do you want an experienced mechanic to work for $10 per hour and give you the parts for half price?
Fish
Tree Freak
Yeah, selling parts is always difficult when people know what
the cost from the distributer is and your markup. Anything
over the dealers cost is considered "gouging". If I sell
a spark plug for $1.89, which I paid $1.00 for. The customers say
hey, I can buy that same plug at Walmart for $1.39!!
I say, well go to Walmart! And take your equipment there
to be fixed too!
If you can go online and find a better price then go!
It is funny how the mower/chainsaw guy charges $40 bucks to
work on a saw for an hour is gouging, but if someone worked
on a car or boat motor an hour, there would be another digit on the price tag, and the customer is happy.
This economy is capitalistic, which is kind of Darwinistic, so
in the end the Walmart's and Lowes will be the only ones left,
and bottom feeders like me will just lurk under the rocks,
gouging any poor customers that are foolish enough to try to
get their saw fixed.
I am just razzing you a little Pea, with a name like Pea, you
have to be tough, so I know you can endure it.
Is Canada capitalistic? Lutheren?
the cost from the distributer is and your markup. Anything
over the dealers cost is considered "gouging". If I sell
a spark plug for $1.89, which I paid $1.00 for. The customers say
hey, I can buy that same plug at Walmart for $1.39!!
I say, well go to Walmart! And take your equipment there
to be fixed too!
If you can go online and find a better price then go!
It is funny how the mower/chainsaw guy charges $40 bucks to
work on a saw for an hour is gouging, but if someone worked
on a car or boat motor an hour, there would be another digit on the price tag, and the customer is happy.
This economy is capitalistic, which is kind of Darwinistic, so
in the end the Walmart's and Lowes will be the only ones left,
and bottom feeders like me will just lurk under the rocks,
gouging any poor customers that are foolish enough to try to
get their saw fixed.
I am just razzing you a little Pea, with a name like Pea, you
have to be tough, so I know you can endure it.
Is Canada capitalistic? Lutheren?
fun_chopper
ArboristSite Operative
Thats why I do what I do..
I feel your pain brothers, I used to build engines, anywhere from race cars, to the ol' grocery getter. People would bring in a Geo metro that was driven 150 mi without oil and water, and want it fixed, People are stubborn, and refuse to accept the fact that something is dead, and just to press on! Now my customer is the enemy at the other end of an airborne (AC-130 Gunship) 105mm howitzer, and now I get no complaints from people!!-Matt
I feel your pain brothers, I used to build engines, anywhere from race cars, to the ol' grocery getter. People would bring in a Geo metro that was driven 150 mi without oil and water, and want it fixed, People are stubborn, and refuse to accept the fact that something is dead, and just to press on! Now my customer is the enemy at the other end of an airborne (AC-130 Gunship) 105mm howitzer, and now I get no complaints from people!!-Matt
Right on Darin, sounds like you were successful in business. We found that taking a deposit for estimates and repair, reduces the junk pile out back that customers don't pick up or pay for, and the mechanic gets paid for his work. Jon
pea
ArboristSite Operative
fish,
I don't know I have never been to Canada. I don't mind you razzing me.
I don't know I have never been to Canada. I don't mind you razzing me.
pea
ArboristSite Operative
WRW,
If you feel no guilt then I guess your treating people ok. Its your business.
If you feel no guilt then I guess your treating people ok. Its your business.
eyolf
Addicted to ArboristSite
Electronics repair shops charge a "bench" fee most of the time, and I know at least one "fixit" shop that does, too. Why not at an OPE shop.
"if you want more than a couple of minutes of my time, you gotta pay for it".
There is a mimeographed sheet hanging behind the counter at a local agricultural equipment dealer that kind of sums it all up on parts prices. I don't think I remember it word for word, but it adds up all the various costs of making a $50 item something like:
mfg cost: $16
warehouse costs (wages and bennies, overhead, and taxes for 1 year storage): $13
Profit for Dist/mfgr $3
Shipping: $5
(Dealer Cost $37)
Dealer cost to maintain parts inventory as a service to customer: $9
Profit: $4. (about 9%)
"if you want more than a couple of minutes of my time, you gotta pay for it".
There is a mimeographed sheet hanging behind the counter at a local agricultural equipment dealer that kind of sums it all up on parts prices. I don't think I remember it word for word, but it adds up all the various costs of making a $50 item something like:
mfg cost: $16
warehouse costs (wages and bennies, overhead, and taxes for 1 year storage): $13
Profit for Dist/mfgr $3
Shipping: $5
(Dealer Cost $37)
Dealer cost to maintain parts inventory as a service to customer: $9
Profit: $4. (about 9%)
pea
ArboristSite Operative
eyolf,
Just gouge the costomer for it. Then put on an extra $5.00 charge and call it a gouging charge.
Just gouge the costomer for it. Then put on an extra $5.00 charge and call it a gouging charge.
lutherans
Did you have a bad experience with a Lutheran as a child?
Did you have a bad experience with a Lutheran as a child?
pea
ArboristSite Operative
You must be trying to supplement your income with comedy. I would think there would be more money in gouging.
tony marks
Addicted to ArboristSite
no pea ,i didnt mean gouge. if a customer thinks im charging to much ,ill be glad to show them where the cost was incurred. in fact if they want too they can work with me . step for step.
i bet if one ever did they wouldnt say a --- thing about what i charge.
i took a little offence at that myself.
but then i dont know u ,and i am pretty sure u would be on my dont answer his calls ,list. no offence intended now ,just the truth.
i bet if one ever did they wouldnt say a --- thing about what i charge.
i took a little offence at that myself.
but then i dont know u ,and i am pretty sure u would be on my dont answer his calls ,list. no offence intended now ,just the truth.
Fish
Tree Freak
I don't know where the Canada rambling came from, my mind
was fogged from cheap beer and other diversions.
Lutherens are alot like Catholics, but don't have any fun. I
married a Italian Catholic girl, but she turned protestant, so
now she is against all of my bad habits. When we got married
and I said "I do", she replied, "Not any more".
And yes, I was abused as a child, but it was all self inflicted.
Just to set the record straight, if a repair shop charges you
anything for labor, or charges you any markup over the part's
cost, then they are gouging? How do you expect them to
feed their families? Do you want them to pay the state sales
tax for you as well?Or is it that since it is a saw or lawnmower
the repair person should only make minumum wage? What
kind of business are you in? Work for the state government?
was fogged from cheap beer and other diversions.
Lutherens are alot like Catholics, but don't have any fun. I
married a Italian Catholic girl, but she turned protestant, so
now she is against all of my bad habits. When we got married
and I said "I do", she replied, "Not any more".
And yes, I was abused as a child, but it was all self inflicted.
Just to set the record straight, if a repair shop charges you
anything for labor, or charges you any markup over the part's
cost, then they are gouging? How do you expect them to
feed their families? Do you want them to pay the state sales
tax for you as well?Or is it that since it is a saw or lawnmower
the repair person should only make minumum wage? What
kind of business are you in? Work for the state government?
Are there Lutherans in Kentucky? I thought everyone was Baptist. I have a bus driver here telling my kids they can't read Harry Potter. 
I'm amazed at what people will say online...hopefully they wouldn't go into someone's shop and accuse them of GOUGING (unless, of course, it was warranted.) Why would you say that here? I had to look it up to see if it still meant what I thought it did......yup: "gouge: to cheat, as to charge exorbitant prices." :angry2:
Che
I'm amazed at what people will say online...hopefully they wouldn't go into someone's shop and accuse them of GOUGING (unless, of course, it was warranted.) Why would you say that here? I had to look it up to see if it still meant what I thought it did......yup: "gouge: to cheat, as to charge exorbitant prices." :angry2:
Che
Fish
Tree Freak
Hey, nice smileys!
treeclimber165
Member A.K.A Skwerl
Fish, are you flirting? And it's not polite to stare. Her eyes are about 18" above where you are looking.
I had to get the tapemeasure out to make sure...just as I thought, if that's true......
Fish, I didn't know you were a 'belly button' man!
Che
(I do like that last smiley....we call that 'the look' at my house....gets everyone back on track...quick. With an Italian wife, I'm sure you've seen it too, Fish.)
Fish, I didn't know you were a 'belly button' man!
Che
(I do like that last smiley....we call that 'the look' at my house....gets everyone back on track...quick. With an Italian wife, I'm sure you've seen it too, Fish.)
pea
ArboristSite Operative
fish and tony,
I'm just joking around. It was just when I read the post that said something like "pay me now or pay me later" I had to say something. It was just to fun to pass.
I really enjoy this site and learn a lot from it. I don't mean to make anyone mad at me. I'm just joking around.
I'm just joking around. It was just when I read the post that said something like "pay me now or pay me later" I had to say something. It was just to fun to pass.
I really enjoy this site and learn a lot from it. I don't mean to make anyone mad at me. I'm just joking around.
Fish
Tree Freak
I guessed you were, but I wanted to draw you out to make sure.
Believe it or not, most people assume I am out to screw them
based on their past experiences with the other local shops,
and some of them are serious gougers that do poor work to
boot. But what is more interesting is that they are still busy.
The trick to working on saws, is not working on junk that is
not worth touching, and the middle of the road cases are the
only ones that will likely burn you. Chainsaws and trimmers
can be a real pain to fix, since the first likely trouble spot is the
carb. Go through that, and if the unit does not still run right,
means there is an air leak, or the carb has a clog that cannot be
cleared up easily. Either way, this rules out any further action
costwise, and the customer will have a hard time payibg for
a carb rebuild that did not cure the problem. It is for this reason
I seldom put in a new carb kit, unless the diaphragms are real
stiff. I know this last statement will unleash rage from many here
but I do not want to lose the cost of a carb kit to boot. I usually
eat the labor, if the problem is not a carb cleanout{or fuel or
impulse line leak}, and give the saw back and tell them it is
not worth pursuing, unless it is a high dollar saw. I lose a lot of
money this way, but it doesn't piss em off and they keep
coming back. But if I fix the saw by blowing the junk out of a
carb, or replacing a fuel line, which is more than not, I charge them a decent wage, so it balances out a little. I also will
admit, if they are not standing there watching, and the problem
is only a plugged exhaust, I charge the $10 minumum and
sleep well at night, even if it is as simple as sticking a pencil
in the muffler tube to break out the wasp larvae. That is why
I tell them it may take a little time to figure out, so they might
go get a burger and come back in a 1/2 hour or so.
I love mud dobbers[wasps], they are my favorite.
Believe it or not, most people assume I am out to screw them
based on their past experiences with the other local shops,
and some of them are serious gougers that do poor work to
boot. But what is more interesting is that they are still busy.
The trick to working on saws, is not working on junk that is
not worth touching, and the middle of the road cases are the
only ones that will likely burn you. Chainsaws and trimmers
can be a real pain to fix, since the first likely trouble spot is the
carb. Go through that, and if the unit does not still run right,
means there is an air leak, or the carb has a clog that cannot be
cleared up easily. Either way, this rules out any further action
costwise, and the customer will have a hard time payibg for
a carb rebuild that did not cure the problem. It is for this reason
I seldom put in a new carb kit, unless the diaphragms are real
stiff. I know this last statement will unleash rage from many here
but I do not want to lose the cost of a carb kit to boot. I usually
eat the labor, if the problem is not a carb cleanout{or fuel or
impulse line leak}, and give the saw back and tell them it is
not worth pursuing, unless it is a high dollar saw. I lose a lot of
money this way, but it doesn't piss em off and they keep
coming back. But if I fix the saw by blowing the junk out of a
carb, or replacing a fuel line, which is more than not, I charge them a decent wage, so it balances out a little. I also will
admit, if they are not standing there watching, and the problem
is only a plugged exhaust, I charge the $10 minumum and
sleep well at night, even if it is as simple as sticking a pencil
in the muffler tube to break out the wasp larvae. That is why
I tell them it may take a little time to figure out, so they might
go get a burger and come back in a 1/2 hour or so.
I love mud dobbers[wasps], they are my favorite.
