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Why support the craftsman when you can do it yourself?
Eric Ness • November 19, 2020
...hhhmmmmmm... too good not to share!
This story is too good not to share!
I answered him: $ 350
He said: Why so expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: $70-$80maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"
- For $80 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For $70 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $270, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want to make one.
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools and supplies: stamps, swivel knife, a piece of granite for your work station, dyes, finishes, etc...
- But I don't have all these items and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another $100 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'll be waiting for you to start doing this work
- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday and give up my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is that?"
- Supplies, tax, shipping costs, creating the art, bureaucratics, insurance, fuel to get to me, etc.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- I'll get you all the material you need. Just be here around 6 am so you can avoid any traffic jams.
- At 6??? AM?? Nope! Too early for me! I'm used to getting up later.
...
- You know, I've been thinking. Y 'all better get just do the job. I'd rather pay you the $350. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can disparage another person's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.
I am sharing this story to support my fellow craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
...and for all my customers that help keep this small business alive, thank you!
~Eric
Hello my friends welcome to my new Blog! I just wanted to keep you posted on what's happening here in Ericland. Now that my health is back I have been plugging away at multiple projects. One of them being this new website. Looking pretty awesome if I say so myself. lol! However, making sure my fonts are legible, all the buttons working and getting the E-commerce page to work right has been my challenge. Also I have been tackling all those custom orders in-between getting holiday inventory together. This leaves me with very little time left in my day. I'm not complaining, I'm practically leaping in gratitude! This also means picking up my phone has become more difficult. lol! I so prefer face to face contact, shaking hands or giving big fat hugs! Yeah, I'm a little old fashioned that way. Anyways........I'm glad you are hear reading this little note. Oh and I'm sure I will incorporating some Ericisms here because well, that's me so please stay tuned.