David,
What you say is true, that if one didn't think it was worth spending that much on getting a frame repainted, then they aren't going to reverse their opinion when they learn it is more work than what they imagined. My offer to explain what was involved in doing a top quality more-than-one-color repaint was in response to the implication that $500 to $600 was price gauging. I thought it might be possible that knowing what is needed in equipment, time and materials or particularly by comparing compensation to other occupations, that cost might seem fair even if one didn't choose to spend for it.
Doug Fattic Niles, Michigan USA
On 4/18/07 5:15 PM, "David Toppin" <dave@pelletizer.com> wrote:
> Doug,
>
> "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still"
>
> I don¹t think the people who think 500 for a paint job is too much will e
ver
> spend it for that quality of a job. So I don't think you telling them al
l
> that goes into it will make one iota of difference!
>
>
> David Toppin
> dave@pelletizer.com
> http://www.pelletizer.com <------ see our complete, searchable inventory.
>
>
> The Pelletizer Group, Inc.
> 4 LaChance Street
> Gardner, MA 01440-2476
>
> (978) 669-0060
> (978) 669-0061 fax
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Doug Fattic
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:23 AM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: re: [CR] Respray costs.
>
> I've been following this thread with interest since repainting bicycles i
s
> my day job. It has several subcategories including are prices unfairly
> high, the cultural differences between the US and UK of who rides
> lightweight bicycles, the need for through preparation to get a good job
and
> the differences in quality between American and British paint work.
>
> There is no doubt in my mind that if a business major studied what was
> needed to enter the trade, how much training and skill was required, how
> much equipment had to be bought, how long a job takes and the cost of
> materials, he would find that the compensation would be less than about a
ny
> other job. Somebody in the auto body repair business, for example, will
> make vastly more money doing similar kind of work.
>
> At the NAHBS, I was talking to a young British builder by the name of Rob
in
> Mather. The thing that most impressed him was how much better American
> paint jobs were than British ones. Of course I made it a point to show h
im
> which ones I did. He wasn't critical of the work in his home country and
> thought some did nice work but, in his opinion, it did not compare with w
hat
> he saw at the show. He was wanting to know my opinion of why this was so
.
> I believe that there is a very high standard of work that is expected her
e
> and most customers don't feel like they are getting screwed if the pay 5
or
> 6 hundred dollars for a paint job.
>
> I don't know that it is necessary to describe in detail all the steps tha
t
> lead to a beautiful job but, if some remain convinced American pricing is
n't
> fair, it might be worth the effort.
>
> Doug Fattic
> Niles, Michigan USA