Jivin Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 So yeah, its quite obvious from a business perspective that the guitar shop would take a slice, and their overhead costs would probably be a factor in deciding on the size of that slice, however these guys decide the price for the work on the spot there without consultation with the repairman. yeah.in that case what they are doing is called "subbing out " the work(subcontracting) what they do in that case is they charge exactly the same as if they had an in house tech,but then they get this other guy to do it for as little as possible.i think this,although it is very common,is not really a good ,honest way to do business. a good,honest way would be to tell the customer "i am sorry,we don't do that kind of work here.but here is the phone # and address of a guy who does" in this case you are paying for overhead costs that have very little to do with the repair of your guitar ← Precisely what I meant, I am glad you read what I said as I intended it to be read That is all I was driving at with my posts, that some places are horrible like that. - Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Precisely what I meant, I am glad you read what I said as I intended it to be read smile.gif That is all I was driving at with my posts, that some places are horrible like that. - Dan I understand this point, since I have been in it a few times. But, there is also the fact that even if you go to a luthier, that have his own shop like Jeremy, Myka, and Perry, that the price will be the same or very close to. When you subcontract somebody to do a work for you, say Guitar Center calls me (saying I'm a local luthier, which I'm not) to contract my services for their guitar repairs, the price given to guitar center will be less than if the person works directly into my shop, be cause GC will bring me a bigger volume of work than I could get on my own, (like free advertizement). So when GC adds their cut it will be about the same price. For instance the $100 installation charge for the EMGs. I will charge $100 at my shop, but since GC can send me X amount of guitars to have this done weekly, I would charge them $75, then they add 20-25 as their cut. Customer pays the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivin Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Good points. I didn't mean to come across like I do not understand the principle of subcontracting though, I understand it perfectly. My point was that in the case of my local shop, when you bring in a job for them, the staff member you have the pleasure of dealing with basically just takes a quick (read: clumsy) look at the job and then goes "ohhh yeaaahh.. i reckon maybe... 150 bucks?" then they give you this look as if "will he fall for it?". Its ridiculous. They quote prices off the top of their head and the only thing they take into consideration is the customer, and how gullable they are. All they seem to know is the rough price that their repairman will charge, and above that the sky is the limit. Since these experiences I have tried to teach myself how to do the simpler repairs.. but now I actually deal directly with Warren (the guy who is subcontracted by the guitar shop), who is a great bloke and is very honest and up-front... so I dont question his quotes. - Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 ok, for those that dont/cant/refuse to understand, here is why we charge what we do: Overheads. Rent costs money. so does insurance for all the nice guitars sitting around the workshop, filled with wood and wood dusty which is a "fire hazard", and public liabilty incase a pickup install "electrocutes" someone. Then there is advertising, yellowpages ads, specialist tools, power, water, bills, postage, freight, having to stock hundreds of parts so a repair can be done "instantly", bla bla bla. Why is my time, as one of only a few people in a specialist trade, not worth the same (fug it, MORE!) than a dumb arsed mechanic (no offense) who dropped out of school? I still had to do "an apprenticeship" with ZERO pay, while i learnt the trade of luthiery. Why do i have to offer a discount because its easy?? Its still taking up the same time as a complex job, the rates the same damnit. Same as replacing ten washers is the same as unblocking one drain for a plumber. Ever had your car serviced?? Last time was $220 for two hours for me. Oil change, plugs, thats pretty much it, and a "safety check" which im sure wasnt done. $40 per hour, your joking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 A guy just around the corner from my office uses this rate sheet. He's reasonable, does good work, and is busier than he ever imagined he'd be. What he charges for this work might be more or less than others, but it works for him. If I can't (or won't) do it myself, I'll pay the best to get the best. If the quality of the work is worth $100, then that's what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivin Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 ok, for those that dont/cant/refuse to understand, here is why we charge what we do: Overheads. Rent costs money. so does insurance for all the nice guitars sitting around the workshop, filled with wood and wood dusty which is a "fire hazard", and public liabilty incase a pickup install "electrocutes" someone. Then there is advertising, yellowpages ads, specialist tools, power, water, bills, postage, freight, having to stock hundreds of parts so a repair can be done "instantly", bla bla bla. Why is my time, as one of only a few people in a specialist trade, not worth the same (fug it, MORE!) than a dumb arsed mechanic (no offense) who dropped out of school? I still had to do "an apprenticeship" with ZERO pay, while i learnt the trade of luthiery. Why do i have to offer a discount because its easy?? Its still taking up the same time as a complex job, the rates the same damnit. Same as replacing ten washers is the same as unblocking one drain for a plumber. Ever had your car serviced?? Last time was $220 for two hours for me. Oil change, plugs, thats pretty much it, and a "safety check" which im sure wasnt done. $40 per hour, your joking... ← I hope you realise that I for one (along with many others here), understand your situation and that of your fellow luthiers why you charge what you do. My comments were related specifically to my experience with that particular shop, and I will defend those comments to the death if need be, becuase that shop is the spawn of the devil - Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibreakemineedtobuildem Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Isn't the whole thing about,should he pay 100 bucks for it when we know that you can do it easily,and save your money to pick up another EMG if you want.Not that some shop has to charge for their service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Isn't the whole thing about,should he pay 100 bucks for it when we know that you can do it easily,and save your money to pick up another EMG if you want.Not that some shop has to charge for their service. ← no...the question was "is $100 a fair price for complete emg install?" the answer is yes,it is fair.even if some guy is foolishly undercutting prices in order to steal away business,it is still a fair price where i live. and i disagree that he can "easily do it himself"...if he could,he would not have asked the question.propersoldering is not something EVERYONE can do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 no...the question was "is $100 a fair price for complete emg install?" And the anweser is diffrent for everyone. If your like me and you have excellent soldering and electronics skills than no it's not worth it. But if you just have average soldering skills or none at all than yes just about any amount of money is worth it, Because you either pay or don't play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 And the anweser is diffrent for everyone. no...the answer is "yes it is a fair price for the work and the skill involved" good god the density is overwhelming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivin Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 I hope you realise that I for one (along with many others here), understand your situation and that of your fellow luthiers why you charge what you do. My comments were related specifically to my experience with that particular shop, and I will defend those comments to the death if need be, becuase that shop is the spawn of the devil - Dan ← Maybe its time to reveal the camo weapon of mass destruction on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibreakemineedtobuildem Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 This whole site is about doing your own guitar work.He shouldn't waste his money.He should use some tuts to do it himself. I don't think it's a good price at all.Half of the part total is going to be the installation fee? 2 Emgs around 180 or 190?Then install for 100? I guess it's what $1OO is to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivin Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 I hope you realise that I for one (along with many others here), understand your situation and that of your fellow luthiers why you charge what you do. My comments were related specifically to my experience with that particular shop, and I will defend those comments to the death if need be, becuase that shop is the spawn of the devil - Dan ← Maybe its time to reveal the camo weapon of mass destruction on them? ← Oh yes! THE TIME OF RECKONING IS NIGH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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