I am writing this response to all those have been discussing topics I put in my post after the NAHBS. Again I apologize for multiple posting, but there have been so many posts and private emails from people on the CR, iBbob,Touring,and Frambuilders lists that I thought I would send it to them all. Im also sorry that I have not been able to reply to all the private emails that offered advice, and support.
I feel that there is one major subject that has been neglected in all the conversations. I know that I have been called a whiner, a complainer, and tiring. Im OK with that. But really Im concerned about the direction the small framebuilding community is going.
I read all about the concerns with the judging of the show I really had no problem with the awards it was a vote of the people, and more important awards do not pay the bills.
As I mentioned before, I handed out an anonymous questionnaire to the small builders at the show. I received 17 back from the builders, and the results were quite alarming.
Here are some of the results.
Not one builder was satisfied with the money they made.
All but 2 builders did not know what their overhead was, and the 2 who answered did not really know what overhead was. Being the son of an accountant I do know my overhead.
Not one builder could retire on their current income if necessary - this is particularly alarming because I will turn 58 in 3 months.
Less than ½ said they had small savings or small 401k plans
The total years building of the 17 responses was 224 years (wow) or 13.18 average
I spoke to many builders at the show (not everyone) and only one said that they made $35,000 building fulltime. Most were in the under $20,000 range which is where I fall. What was most alarming was that the one builder who is most often held up as successful, was also in the under $20,000 club.
Many have said that small framebuilders are not affected by what I call Marketers (people who design frames and have them built overseas, mostly Japan and Taiwan). My business which is 95% TIGed touring frames and equipment, has definitely been hurt by them.
It used to be that lugged frames could easily command $1500 to $2000. Now with Japanese and Taiwan frames going for $800 to $1400 the expected price for a lugged frame has been driven down to that level in the mind for the consumer.
I have spoken to several potential customers who read about my
misfortune
(snipped). They were quite sympathetic, but they hoped that I would NOT
raise my prices. While I welcome advice I would really like to hear
from
builders who make more than the magical $35,000 a year call me
greedy. A
friend with over 27 years building says he doesnt need to be rich,
but he
would like to make a Living Wage (see
http://www.epinet.org/
And what never ceases to amaze me is that every day I read about more new builders joining the community I hope the new crew builds an Old Framebuilders Home Im almost ready.
In closing I think there is something fundamentally wrong with a community where virtually no one building frames makes even a Living Wage
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles
http://www.bgcycles.com http://www.bgcycles.com/
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles