So I've learned my lesson...

8

82firebird

Now I need some advice, professional experiences, or words of wisdom lol … something! I was NOT planning on asking anyone, especially here, for such a silly little issue I’m having but I can’t take it any longer. And since I’m sure many of you have had a similar situation a long time ago, (maybe not?) maybe you can help. So here goes it…

I painted a good friends motorcycle for “free.” He wanted a paint job, I told him I’d do it since I want to start painting motorcycles and since he is a big name around town, heads poker runs, runs a weekly classic car and vintage bike show I thought it’d be a good opportunity to do something to have my name on. So about a month ago the bike was finished. Custom 3 color paint job, all SPI epoxy and finished with UC. 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500. For FREE. Did I mention it was free???

So last Wednesday I get a message from him – he wrecked it. Yes he’s fine, but the bike – not so much. OF COUUURSE, “Lauren can you fix it?” No, sorry can’t be fixed. So he buys a new tank and tells my hub to have me do a “one color, cheap, quick paint job.” AKA, he wants another free job. K so I won’t go any further… I’m sure you can sense my frustration - my lack of experience on where to draw the line – or if I’m to charge him how do I know what to charge him? Tell him to take a hike? I’d be happy to fix it for him if it was worth my while. He doesn’t understand the cost of materials let alone how much work it really is to turn out something that looks good, and I’m not going to do a quick paint job and have my name on it. I guess in a way I’m almost…like…insulted? Not sure if that’s the right word but I’m confused on what to do and what to tell him.

Before:

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After:

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Lauren
 
We all have been there, like fixing a friends car and they keep the insurance check and then Bitch when you want cost of materials?

Or three different cases found out I had this week off and of course they have paint work they want done, after all these years, I finally said, NO and NO in the future as I'm too busy and been trying to get to my car for last year.

You did not wreck the bike and you paid dearly to do the first tank as a learning experience. Tell him $500 or take it elsewhere for a 1000.

Me saying no this last month has really made me feel good and wish I had done it 30 years ago.
 
tell the sob to go multiply himself . you should not have done it free the first time . i get so pissed off over this crap i cant stand it. i can assure you no one within a 100 miles of here would dare to ask me to do a freebe. my best friends pay retail. if i so choose to do something for free it will be my idea . i help a lot but i'm not giving away my living.
let me guess , you've gotten 0 work out of his job.
 
I think the guy needs to pay. Give him the 500 buck price and paint it one color. And he must agree to let you put your name on it in small script. example: paint by 82firebird.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask/expect to be paid for your materials and time no matter who it is. Don't even flinch when you lay out terms. Might wanna get it in writing.
 
let me guess , you've gotten 0 work out of his job
BY Shine.
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You are so right, over the years can't tell you how many guys would do a job for cost hoping to make a name for himself and NEVER have I heard one say, he got work because of it.

If you do get a call it will be from the guys friend, that wants a 69 hemi restored for $2000 and then get all bent out of shape because you wanted a cheap $40 an hour.

A good friend of mine about 15 years ago opened a shop, just him and his wife, this guy was good and he had a bunch of small jobs he was doing but really wanted to get into the restro area.
So this guy comes in with a 69 chevelle, just wants a paint Job and only has 2500 to spend.
He strips the car and finds the front frame is rusted, the guy does not have the money, so the shop owner calls in a favor from a junk yard cuts the front half off and welds on to the car he is doing for no charge and then does a fantastic paint job, I saw it and it should have been a $20,000 bill with frame.
The guy did not like the job but could not point out anything that was wrong and wanted the car without paying, no go, so he paid the $2500 and then sued in small claims court and got his $2500 back.
Personally I'd have spent $20,000 to have some one rough him up real good but my friend is a nicer guy.
 
you try that shit with me it will be a while before your back on solid food. yes i know ole shine is an asshole and full of himself . but let me tell you this. since my late 20's i have had the attitude that i dont need you, you need me. i know what kind of work i do and i know what it is worth. do not and have not done crash work or cheap work. i have turned down hundreds of jobs because i could read the guy like a book . they usually show up here last after being screwed by several other shops. i'm not interested. they have already blown the budget and are mad as hell even before i start. i would rather do 4 jobs a year for good money than work my ass off on 10 for the same . have pride in yourself and your work. pass on the bullshit and wait for the good job where you both are happy. all my customers have at least a 20 year history with me.
 
Wow, thanks for the responses and words guys. I too think $500 is very fair, thank you. I will give him that price and he’ll probably Napa rattle can it himself. That is fine with me I have enough of my own projects to keep me entertained. It’s funny, although we’ve only done a handful of very small projects I wouldn’t even know where to begin with not following the perfect paint job. I used to joke with Rusty and say, “don’t make Eleanor so nice then I won’t want to drive her.” He always comes back with the same, “I don’t know how else to do it.” So true!!

No, no jobs have come about from it, especially when he only had the bike together for less than 2 weeks before wrecking it. He did say a few people asked who painted it and when they mentioned my name they knew who I was because everyone in town knows my father in law and his salvage yard. Which is a good thing. I do love painting as hobby - If something ever came out of it then, great – I would be ecstatic (Sure beats my desk job! But at least it pays lol) If nothing comes of it, that’s fine too. Just no more free jobs, period.

I did tell him that I knew a guy up the street (who is a total hack job) and he’ll do it for $300. He said no I want you to do it. Yeah I’m sure you do!! Bondoskimmer – Aaron had a tiny “Paint by La” stencil made up, I was going to mix some SPI Red base in with some PPG white to make pink, but I was so darn tired from looking at the bike I backed out. If we do end up re-doing it we will spray it on there.
 
I have always operated under the assumption that you can operate only two ways....Independent and exclusive (get paid for your work like the ownerof the job does at his work) or cheap and dirty. The quality of the job is usually judged by what was paid for it....doesn't mean expensive turns out great, but cheap is cheap, no matter what...you only have so many jobs in you...get paid like everyone else does, or go sit in the sun with a long neck....there's no inbetween
 
let me give you a little tip. being in the custom van industry for years i learned to cover my ass. i have a voice activated recorder that is always in my pocket when talking with a customer. they are cheap and can stop some clown in his tracks when they know you have it on tape.
 
I actually have started telling people, "if I don't value my time, no one will." You should hear the protests that come after I say that, that of course they value my time... so the natural question becomes, why would they dare ask for free work? Makes 'em think.
 
i know how that feels too.i just went thu the samething with a bike fix it for free.then he want to lay it down tell him to pay up
 
shine;21941 said:
let me give you a little tip. being in the custom van industry for years i learned to cover my ass. i have a voice activated recorder that is always in my pocket when talking with a customer. they are cheap and can stop some clown in his tracks when they know you have it on tape.
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You and my father in law would get along! He loves his recorder.


See I knew there was a reason why I posted this - awesome, awesome, THANKS everyone. Maybe the forum should have a "counseling" section ha! ;)

We let him know last night the price and I already feel better about everything. We'll see what happens. All excellent remarks, thanks again. I think Crashtech nailed it "if I don't value my time, no one will." Amen.
 
82firebird;21954 said:
You and my father in law would get along! He loves his recorder.


See I knew there was a reason why I posted this - awesome, awesome, THANKS everyone. Maybe the forum should have a "counseling" section ha! ;)

We let him know last night the price and I already feel better about everything. We'll see what happens. All excellent remarks, thanks again. I think Crashtech nailed it "if I don't value my time, no one will." Amen.
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And people always amaze me with the value of time thing...they need to eat, why would they think you don't??? Somehow they think you would rather labor on their stuff for cheap or free instead of something you want to do???? Don't do it, ever, you'll get nothin
 
Very good advice guys, from what i've seen over the years, usually the ones that you try to help out and do a little more for are the ones that bit you in the butt, and end up complaining, not sure if they think that since being a little generous, that a complaint will get them more or what. Never did understand it.
 
crashtech;21944 said:
I actually have started telling people, "if I don't value my time, no one will." You should hear the protests that come after I say that, that of course they value my time... so the natural question becomes, why would they dare ask for free work? Makes 'em think.
Click to expand...

Good saying!
 
Thanks. It's a good thing to tell yourself when starting out in business, and it doesn't hurt to remind certain customers of it either. The good ones never need to be told.
 
Thought maybe you all would like an update on the status of this. We were informed last night that the owner is having the tank repaired at a very reputable painter in the area. Maybe I was wrong to say the tank couldn’t be fixed?? – Who knows, but we weren’t going to be the ones to try. Apparently he’s going to fix the dent and then spray wimbeldon white on the sides since there is no way in heck he’d be able to match the orange. On a positive note supposedly the painter said the paint job was too nice to paint entirely over, so at least he’s trying to do something to keep the checkers. On a negative note, he’ll have to wet sand the UC to do the repair and then spray whatever clear he uses over it. Wahhhh. I could be super, super nice and lend him some UC but… I’m not sharing!! We know the painter very well and will let him know where to buy the best clear out there if he wants to match that shine. It kind of sucks to have someone else’s hands on it but I guess that’s the name of the game. As long as he doesn’t put his initials or name on it, no beef here.
 
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