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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I fixed a prop for a good friend. It took 45 minutes. When I handed it to him, he said "Thanks".
He didn't offer to buy lunch - he assumed that it looked easy so it shouldn't cost anything. So I waited a day and called to make sure it worked and said... " You know our motto ... We guareentee our work, even if you don't pay for it." Yes....... We guarantee our work... even if you don't pay for it.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
CJRichard Special user Massachusetts 542 Posts |
I think the "good friend" part is the thing that makes this fall into a gray zone for me. I have a good friend who does carptentry and various odd jobs. When he installed our new back door, we paid him. (And paid him again when we had a break-in and the new back door had to be replaced.) When he helped me move our old kitchen range out of the house, he hauled the stove to the scrap yard and kept the cash he got for it.
But when I was having trouble removing a large old tree-like shrub from the back yard, he stopped by one day with his chain saw and cut the trunk for me. No charge. That was just because he's a good friend, even though it's also part of what he does for a living. Your prop repair depends on how good a "good friend" it was. And if the person does or does not also pay for stuff from you at other times.
"You know some of you are laughin', but there's people here tryin' to learn. . ." -Pop Haydn
"I know of no other art that proclaims itself 'easy to do.'" -Master Payne Ezekiel the Green |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I've done many free favors for many people, of varying degrees of "close friendship". I have also charged many people varying degrees of fees, usually based upon cost of materials, and MAYBE for time, depending on how long it might take. In all cases however, if I did think payment was in order, it was discussed before I did the work... maybe not exact amounts, but at least a mention that there would be a charge. If I don't specify up front and they don't later offer, I keep my mouth shut. I do however, have a reasonable memory.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I believe you should have handed it to him with an invoice. If one does not desire to verbally ask for payment, then at least let them know there was some cost involved.
But if a person is asked, "Can you fix this?", he says, "Sure." Takes it and starts to fix it. What does a person think. In America, we usually see a price tag, and that is the second thing we usually look for if the item warrants a more in-depth look. When people take their cars in for repair, in almost all cases, people get an estimate, or the business calls before starting work. Jay, I think you slipped up this time. As is said many times, craftsman are not usually good businessmen. That is why craftsman are in the shop area, and are usually happy there, and the office has business minded individuals. Although, I am sure your "friend" was hoping you would not say anything. |
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Artistic people walk a fine line between commerce and creativity, and unfortunately - because they usually enjoy what they do...advantageous folks key into that, and feel that free work is just more fun for them!
As a graphic designer, I have family and friends frequently approaching me with "exciting projects" that I would enjoy doing for them because they're "simple," and what does it matter since I love what I do. Yes, I do love what I do...but it has a value.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Maybe I should have posted this in the Joke section because "We guarantee our work... even if you don't pay for it" is a joke.
The first clue should have been "I fixed a prop for a good friend" - Right there you-all should have said "Wait a minute... jay has a friend?" The truth is, I never undercharge individuals... Everyone is undercharged equally.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
You just passed your qualification test.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Anverdi-museum Inner circle 1193 Posts |
Whew! I get faced with this all the time from family and friends...first of all family expects free magic shows.....friends ( Magicians ) expect free or large discount on my magic effects I build or hand me something to fix with no intention of paying.
Not trying to make a plug here...why not? Recently I had a very cool book published commemorating my thirty years in magic...it has been selling like crazy but close friends ask 'where is my copy'??? http://www.freewebs.com/caputobooks/order.html Chuck Caputo |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Jay, you got me again! When am I gonna learn?
:)
Mister Mystery
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thegreatnippulini Inner circle of Hell because I've made 2582 Posts |
And no one noticed his egg-greed-gee-us spelling error.....
Where is Dave?
The Great Nippulini: body piercer, Guinness World Record holder, blacksmith and man with The World's Strongest Nipples! Does the WORLD care? We shall see...
http://www.greatnippulini.com |
Matt Adams Special user Harvest, AL 827 Posts |
After going through the process to build some stuff myself, I can't understand why anyone would be a "shop guy" except for the love of it. No way do they get paid much for all the time that goes into their work. Wow...new appreciation for those guys for sure.
Website: www.MattAdamsMinistries.com
Instagram: @mattadamsministries Facebook: www.facebook.com/mattadamsministries |
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