Full Version: Trophy cleaning
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
11 Mar 2007
To: RICK (THUMBSUP) [#1] 12 Mar 2007
Rick,
If it were just one trophy and just needed dusting off, I'd clean it up as part of the service, as long as there was new engraving being done.
If a person came in with a box of trophies and wanted them cleaned, I'd charge accordingly, even if new engraving was part of the job.
I learned the hard way, once, when a person brought a bunch of trophies for a dog show, which included tarnished silverplate bowls and trays.
The person asked if I could clean the silver. I said, "Yes, but I'll have to charge for that service."
Long story short, it was a much bigger job than I had imagined and even though I charged a pretty stiff fee, the customer and I had reached a conclusion:
I didn't want to clean the silver again and he didn't want to pay for the cleaning again. :S
EDITED: 11 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: JHayes55 [#3]
12 Mar 2007
To: RICK (THUMBSUP) [#1] 12 Mar 2007
Time is money - charge your shop rate for the cleaning - you could be doing something else that is profitable. Be up front with your customer as to the charge and let them decide if they want the service or prefer to do it themselves. These types of people many times will want to take advantage of your good nature. I got in one of these types of orders last week and the plaques they wanted refurbished were just when they were brand new - I check the name on the back then did a search to see if they were still in business - not surprisingly - they were no longer in business.
Wonder why?
I do not mind helping someone out and saving money for them but I also refuse to put out something that is less than a quality product. Redo sometimes cost more than what a new quality one would. I let the customer make the call.
From: Joe (SMITTY61) [#4]
12 Mar 2007
To: RICK (THUMBSUP) [#1] 12 Mar 2007