Full Version: Just curious
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1]
28 Mar 2005
To: ALL
How many DO NOT do or accept Wine Glasses etc because of the compound curves?
Were I to get this job again, I would charge 4 or 5 times PER GLASS what I charged......
Oh yes...ignorance is blissss...and the cause of much frustration.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2]
28 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 28 Mar 2005
Chuck,
I would refuse to do some glasses with compound curves if the image they wanted would not work on the glass. I would suggest an image change that would work on the glass or offer a glass that would work with their image. If option one or two doesn't work, I would respectfully declare the job not possible.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
28 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 28 Mar 2005
Chuck,
If you'd asked who used to do sandblasting, then discovered that few wanted to pay what the purveyor felt was a reasonable price, based on the risky and labor intensive nature of the process; then found a company who had far more experience, and priced their work, leaving plenty of room for the ex-purveyor to profit, with no risk and no labor, I would have had an answer for you :-)
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4]
28 Mar 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 28 Mar 2005
Hmmmmmm I wonder who that purveyor could be?
Your point is taken David, the challenge is being out in the middle of the Pacific ( As nice as it is) makes farming such things out, impracticle for freight reasons.
Also, Hawaii is a small place and it would not take much for the "provider" to the "purveyor" to, as we say in the islands, "cockroach" the job.
I think the lesson here is multiple.
1. Learn Learn Learn
2.Price you work for what YOU are worth. If someone doesn't want to pay it, then don't do the work
3. Carry a line of glasses that you are willing to work with and offer those.
4. Spend copious amounts of time on Engraving Etc learning and making friends....
These are just to name a few.
As Rodney Gold would say, "ya gotta pay your school fees"
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#5]
28 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 28 Mar 2005
Chuck,
Not trying to discourage you. Now that we've met in person, I know that's impossible.
You're very ambitious. Very much a people person and not content to put out a product of borderline quality.
Trust me -- Not every businessperson has those traits -- you'll do fine.
I must agree with all for points of your lesson plan. :-)
All the best,
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#6]
28 Mar 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#5] 28 Mar 2005
David,
YOU are not discouraging me. I discourage myself.
Thank you for your kind words. They mean alot.
EDITED: 28 Mar 2005 by C_BURKE
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#7]
29 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 29 Mar 2005
We always require the customer to provide a sample of the glass (or other items) before accepting the job. With the glass in hand, it is fairly easy to determine whether you will have trouble doing the job and then you can turn it down or price it accordingly.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8]
29 Mar 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#7] 29 Mar 2005
Pete,
You are right. I DID have the glass in hand, BUT since it was my FIRST job, I simply could not bring myself to turn it down however the school fees are paid, and the NEXT time, I will be able to price accordingly and then make a decision.
The good news is that I am close to perfecting a process that will ultimately be WAY easier.... I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for your help, interest and input. As a newbie, I appreciate it very much.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#9]
29 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8] 29 Mar 2005
From: precisionlaser [#10]
29 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8] 29 Mar 2005
Chuck,
Don't feel bad. You know the old adage about the "sausage factory"? The one where the pig goes in and sausage comes out, but you don't want to know what happens in the middle? I've taken on jobs that ultimately turned out fine, but where, as the English would say politely, I made a "hash of it" in the middle. Most of my clients never knew (or were too polite to acknowledge that they knew) the panic and chaos of the middle part. I lost money on each of those jobs, no doubt, but they were "school fees" as Rodney calls them. I gained experience that's paid off time and again.
Another of my favorite sayings that applies to this is "bite off more than you can chew...and then chew it, darn it!" (PG version). I don't know how else you learn except by taking risks, although it does contribute to a lighter shade (and sometimes less) of hair!
Mark
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11]
29 Mar 2005
To: precisionlaser [#10] 29 Mar 2005
Mark,
Thank you for your encouragement......one problem though.
We met in Vegas. You saw my hair. If I lose much more hair, I'm going to look like Joe Hayes. ( Insert laugh here)
From: precisionlaser [#12]
29 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11] 29 Mar 2005
Now, I met Joe and Toni, and while Toni was clearly the "looker" of the two, Joe was (and I presume still is...) very distinguished looking! ;-))
Mark
From: JHayes55 [#13]
30 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11] 30 Mar 2005
From: JHayes55 [#14]
30 Mar 2005
To: precisionlaser [#12] 31 Mar 2005
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15]
30 Mar 2005
To: JHayes55 [#13] 31 Mar 2005
Now did I say anything disparaging? I mean all I said was that I would look like you :) (Insert laugh here)
From: JHayes55 [#16]
31 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15] 31 Mar 2005
All I can say is that when it come out just accept it and for goodness
sake never start that comb-over style.
Nothing worse than a man with 14" hair all from one side just above the
ear combed from side to side - or back to front. Geesh!!
:)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#17]
31 Mar 2005
To: JHayes55 [#16] 1 Apr 2005
As long as you have some left in the front, a ponytail covers a lot and is not as obvious. (Snicker, snicker.)
From: JHayes55 [#18]
1 Apr 2005
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#17] 1 Apr 2005
Harvey
So true. If that is the case then Lazerdud need to get started very fast.
Ok Chuck - time is wasteing - get those 2 or 3 up front to work on that
pony tail.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#19]
1 Apr 2005
To: JHayes55 [#18] 2 Apr 2005
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#20]
2 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#19] 2 Apr 2005
Chuck,
Ever get the laser resist and how did it work?
Dave
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