Charles; I've heard of Mario's work when searching for renovations for my bikes before they come to the U.S. Work in the U.K. is substantially less, but then you deal with shipping costs, but since I purchase most Hetchins from the UK, I have the work done in the U.K. My 38 Anglo Continental had chrome work done on the front fork, plus rear stays, with a two colour scheme with full boxlining and transfer application at a total cost of under $600. For the same work over here, it would have been atleast $1000 or more. Not sure why the difference in costs, but labor in the UK may be substantially less, shops may not have to deal with as much government regulation etc, and other factors.
As for Mario Vaz, I've heard varying reports from excellent work to fair at best, but everyones expectations can be differ. My understanding is that his work is very inexpensive. Mario may work at very low overhead but make it up in large volume. Even though his prices are very low, if he owns his building or his rent is cheap, and other overhead is very low, he may be perfectly content to charge his current rates.
As for rates charges in the U.S., each shops overhead costs differ, with location and other factors affecting overhead costs. In general I've found the prices in CA much higher than shops in the Midwest, but I'm also assuming that operating in CA is probably much more than in Ohio with rent most likely the biggest factor, but labor is probably higher on the Coast than most midwest areas.
Peter Naiman Glendale, WI
"c. andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com> wrote: Doug S. wrote, in part:
The re spray was done by Mario Vaz of London. It was a perfect job and a credit to Mario and his craft. The cost to me for all work was under £100-000 GBP.
This goes to prove to all those who do not believe such work it can be done
at a reasonable cost and not the high prices charged by others!
Doug Smith North Dorset UK
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I have to disagree here. I'm betting that Mr. Vaz just isn't charging enough. It happens. Note that he's also an almost purely local artisan and, I've been told (because I wanted to try to get him to do a job for me), he doesn't use e-mail much, if at all.
I'd guess Mr. Vaz doesn't make nearly as much as he should for his work. So, you're simply lucky, Doug, that he charges so little for what he does. I imagine he has a long wait-list? If not, then you're doubly lucky.
I've known a few very talented craftspeople over the years who charged too little for what they did. They eventually started charging more, a lot more, as costs squeezed down on them. Oddly, I'd guess that if Vaz charged closer to the going-rate, he'd probably get MORE work. A paint-job that cheap suggests a less-than-ideal job, even if that is not, in fact, the case.
Anyone have pictures of a Vaz paint-job they could post on wooljersey? I'd like to see his work.
Charles Andrews
Los Angeles