[Jewelry making - Article 00192] - Re: [Orchid] To Charge or Not to Charge?

[Wayne Emery]

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Noel,

    Every time you interact with a customer you are training them, not
    unlike a child or a pet. If you train them that you will work for
    free, they will VERY quickly come to expect that. And that is what
    they will tell their friends. Good will does not pay the bills. 

    Many years ago, when I opened my first retail store, I decided that
    I would gladly re-finish any piece bought from me for free, for the
    life of the product (or me!). 

    As time went by, it occurred to me that I should have put a two-year
    limit on that offering. 

    One day, about seven years into this business, I had to spend almost
    an entire day polishing and cleaning just to honor my commitment. It
    happened right before Christmas, of course, when I did not have a
    second to spare. I changed the policy to the first year of
    ownership, and then a standard fee of $10 to clean and polish if NO
    repair was necessary. 

    Here's my present policy: 

    If they show up, bill them. 

    Every time I look at your lovely work, I am thinking your time
    should be worth around $125/hr. But, if you say it's worth nothing,
    well............. 

Wayne
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