David,

I do like a challenge, and I still may take this on, but only after communicating what the potential issues may be with spacing on the last date on each glass. As you eluded to, it will also come at a very high price.

It looks like it could be repeat business until I am about 93 years old.

David,

That would be the best approach. I would certainly do my best to measure things out to where the spacing wouldn't be an issue, but I would also need to let him know what the plan would be. No font size changes once the plan is under way.

I wouldn't touch this job with a bargepole , your instincts are spot on , this is just trouble now and trouble ahead. I think anyone who does do it , at whatever price , will live to regret it.
At any rate , its totally rediculous , the guy is asking for a 50 year commitment from the engraver to do things identically.
I would just say no and send them to your opposition , let them be tied up for I dunno how long in discussion with this customer.

bobkat,

Now you're thinking outside the box. I'm still in it with the lid on tight. :S 

That would have been a nice alternative to propose, but I am glad it ended the way it did.

Thanks a bunch!

Boy, I can see why the first company referred him, and so on and so on.

I wonder if this guy is an engineer - I have one in my family and this whole scenerio sounds like something he would do. I believe others call it micro-managing!

Good call to refer it on to a big house. I like the gold fill as you go idea to.

With a client who has been so precise, you can only assume a lot of thought has gone in to his project and it really is a waste of time trying to talk them in to another way. Better to know if you can do it like they want it done, or refer them on.

You'll sleep better at night now, but won't you always wonder what the end result looks like?? I know I would - I think I would have asked for a digital photo when he gets the finished product back:) (if he ever ends up with a finished product).

Some ideas are just not meant to be reality.

Cindy M

I compare this to the other threads where there is a lack of communication with the customer regarding what's wanted/expected.

So both customers that know what they want and those who don't know are not desirable.

What's the ideal customer?

Hi Ken,

I think this thread is just another observation of the range of customer types that are out there when doing custom work....Yes having a customer that knows "exactly" what they want can be very difficult to satisfy....We have all experienced both ends of the spectrum, and both can be very difficult to work with....There are those that don't have the time to explain what they want and expect you to read their mind, as well as those that are so particular, that failure is almost guaranteed.

I personally prefer a customer that is somewhere in the middle, but am happy to have any customers in the range....and try to satisfy all of them. ;) 

(We work directly with many engineers, and they tend to be (as noted) very specific and particular. It's how they are used to thinking and working, and it's typicaly just their nature to be that way.

Brian G.

Tell them that the best way to get it exactly the way they want it is to supply a layout. Give them a list, a long list, of what type of files you can work from.

If they cannot supply you with that, they will know that it cannot be to their exact specs and they will be more understanding. If they cannot do it, and you produce a good product, you become a hero. I am an engineer and sort of understand the exactness, but also understand that not everything is practical.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Tips Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

I agree....we typicaly work with drawings and stated specs when dealing with engineers. Most have a very good understanding of physical limits. If there is a phisical limitation you just need to let them know in clear terms and they will typicaly adjust within the scope of those limits.

Brian

Hi all: You've certainly stimulated some thought. At first glance, I thought I had a way to do it, but then I realized that if the flute has a taper to it, and the taper is down to 1" diameter, you'd only be able to have the bottom of the tapered letters .125 wide in order to have equal space between the vertical text, and add to that, if it is a normal flute shape, you'd also have to taper the top letters narrower too, and you'd have a distortion that would be nearly impossible to maintain. I wouldn't touch this with my worst enemies ten foot pole. If we have a guessing contest as to the person's occupation, I'd guess Architect. I've found them consistantly the most demanding and difficult to satisfy.
Ward
Never to old to learn.

Ward,

The taper at the bottom would have been the challenge. Figuring the smallest diameter of glass as the basis for determining the number of lines you could achieve on one glass, I don't believe there is any way you could etch more than 9-10 dates on it. But of course, you have to take into account that the 1st, 5th and 10th may or may not be a larger font. Man, am I glad it worked out the way it did.