Money to be made

[Crosshairs]

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

[quickster47 †]

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

[Crosshairs]

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.

[breakfastchef]

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.

[airguns100]

  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. 

[gdm620]

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.

[breakfastchef]

Bite your tongue. No one knows. He is MIA leaving lots of folks stiffed.

what happened to Josh, anyway?

[jSan22]

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.

[droid]

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.

[Brent]

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.

[airguns100]

Bite your tongue. No one knows. He is MIA leaving lots of folks stiffed.

Who did he stiff?

[breakfastchef]

Who did he stiff?

Me, mr007, several folks on the GTA, A. Burciaga...

[arkmaker †]

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! 
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.

[mr007s]

Me, mr007, several folks on the GTA, A. Burciaga...

I think he went "into" the closet

[jSan22]

what did you loose, breakfastchef?