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Re: How much should I charge this guy?
>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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