Good Morning Friends,

 As if I am not busy enough I had a couple in my shop yesterday talking about some base cabinets and book cases to be installed on each side of their fireplace and when they left we had agreed on building them for an agreeable price. I showed them prices from another competitor and they were pleased with the price I gave them which is 2/3 the other competitor's price.

I will make up a set of drawings today as I watch the NASCAR race and they will give them a good idea of what they will look like when finished.

I still have some four jobs on the floor at this time of which I will do some PIP (pictures in progress) to show you folks as I go along.

With the economy being what it is I am blessed to be as busy as I am and I am not complaining about the work.

Ralph

Ralph, with your prices, I am not surprised your busy, I know you are very fair with your pricing, and I am sure besides your quality of work, the pricing is very attractive as well. Keep up the great work buddy!

Hi John,

I believe in being fair with people and by doing so keeps them coming back. Just like a repair and or refinish job I charge $1.00 a minute while I am actually doing manual labor on the piece for I don't charge while the chemical is working nor do I charge while the glue is drying and I never charge for the finishing of a piece.

When I reach a point in the process where I ask my self, "would I pay more than what is already being charged?" If the answer is no I quit keeping time. This also brings clients back and I still am happy with what I make on the job.

Don't get me wrong for I like money as well as the next guy but, if I get an uneasy feeling asking folks for more than I feel the job is worth I justy don't do it.

Thanks for your comments,

Ralph

The American Woodworker said:

Ralph, with your prices, I am not surprised your busy, I know you are very fair with your pricing, and I am sure besides your quality of work, the pricing is very attractive as well. Keep up the great work buddy!

It's good to have work. It's not good to have too much work. I hope you're not selling yourself short.

The old saying goes:

"If you're not getting much work you prices are to high. If you have too much work your prices are too low."

Rich

Good Evening Fellows,

The way I look at the situation is as follows; As long as I am making an honest dollar and enough to cover my over head and a good profit as well as to be able to pay a helper now and then I am pleased as punch and believe it or not that is the reason I am as busy as I am. I love every minute of it and I thank the good Lord for keeping me in good health so I can continue working in my shop, teaching and now soon to be on you tube by mid December baring any complications.

It gives me so much pleasure when a client comes into my shop and sees their piece for the first time after completion and the fact that they can't resist touching the finish. I will be posting a few pieces of my work that I brand, autograph and date each and every piece that leaves my shop so 100 years from now people will say, "I wonder what this fellow was like, to make furniture like this?"

Ralph

Time to put that helper to work assembling cabinets!!!~