Turning work away

[G0rdyb1ker]

Hi all

Do any of you turn jobs away because you dont like the artwork that the customer wants!!

I just turned down a guy who wants a Simpsons theme on his bike and not a simple one either. Apart from the fact that I dont like the simpsons I think it'll look crap on a Harley. If I dont like the job I aint gonna do it to the best of my ability.

Any way the guy thinks I'm mad for turning his money away.. any of you guys share the same view

 

[ezrider]

i guess it depends on how bad i need the money /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

 

[rex]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gifAin't that the truth.I can't brush so I don't have the prob as bad.If it's something like they want an el cheapo job I won't do it because I don't want my name anywhere near it when people ask who did such a bad job.I have to redo my buddy's bike because the crap primer we used at the shop shrunk up and ruined the job.It's killing me he won't quit riding it and I cringe every time I see it and keep telling him either I didn't do it or tell them we are fixing it when he gets time.

 

[G0rdyb1ker]

geez I need the money but I'd like to keep the jobs rolling in /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif
Luckily the guy hasnt found a paint shop that will do the job for him, so its not just me. I think he is going to have the designs done at a sign writers instead.

 

[Bornhard]

hmmmm...needing $$$ makes you do things you would rather not do. I just wanted to add to this thread by saying that I've turned some jobs away for different reasons. If I have a guy come in the shop that is reaking in arrogance and a huge ego, I basically give him short replies to his questions and tell him that I'm so busy that it will take 6 months for me to get to his project. It works for me. Though I had to flat out tell a guy that I didn't want to even deal with him during the time it took me to paint his bike. Sometimes you can never please people like that and they will end up being more trouble than the job's worth. The will want their money back or for you to repaint & repaint. I did a set that got a lot of positive attention from anybody who saw it in my shop, but the client sat there for 2 hours bitching about the whole job & he even approved the design and colors on the concept before the painting begun. He bitched about it so much that he wasn't willing to pay the rest of the bill until I totally repainted it. Lucky I knew a guy with a sand blaster and we had it back to bare metal in 10 minutes!!! The deposite for the job covered the materials and some of my time at least.

Now on the other hand I get some nice person in the shop, but they want something that I would be totally miserable painting I raise up the price. If the subject matter is totally ridiculous, then my price for the job will be too.
If they really want the work, then you get paid for your misery, but most of the time they go to that artist down the road that you can't stand and aggravate him. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif
Disclaimer: I get along with all other airbrush artist & do not send any unwanted work to them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sunglass.gif

Well that's not the political way to handle things, but just what I do. A majority of the time I get some cool & understanding people in my shop with a need for a cool paintjob.

 

[rex]

The saying still stands,you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.When it gets to the 'alls' you either put them in their place and tell them take it to 'that' guy and it's double when you come back bitching or we'll sit down and figure it out and this is the price(of course you know he's a dick so you price accordingly-unfortunately).When he comes back bitching there's documentation he got what he wanted.There's a dick in every crowd that will push you to the edge,that's why I've never stepped in the office.I have no prob setting someone back in their place when they told me 'this' and expect 'that' when it's done.Show them the original agreement and remind them of the conversation,if they refute it (lie) I just tell them the way it is.Most will concede but the ones that press it I just tell them they owe me materials and take it,but I'll also let them know everyone around will know the hastle you gave me before you show up at their shop to redo it,you got what you wanted but wanted 1/2 of it for free.I understand quality at a good price but the light company doesn't cut me a break if I spend so much money a month.From what I've experienced it's the blue collar man that will pay the price for what he wants and appreciates a deal,it's those friggin yuppies that expect you to give them freebies and perfection for nothing.Sorry for the rant guys.

 

[Bornhard]

Hey I just wanted to add. That guy in my above post that agreed on the design renderings and bitched his ass off about the final work, even though over a dozen other bikers saw it and really liked the quality of work and design. Well anyway, this guy shows up in a old, banged up pick-up truck wanting a $400 dollar paintjob on some new sheet metal for an old Harley and I told him there's no way. He hagled with me some & I budged a little, but limit the amount of design work he wanted done. The funny thing is when he came to pick up his parts, he showed up in a new Lexus sedan. Sort of proves what Rex said above.

 

[rex]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif I like the new byline,good rub.

 

[Grape Ape]

I hear that a lot too. Luckily for me, most of the people I deal with aren't the yuppie type, and are looking for quality work at a decent price. As with most customers.
I do turn away work if the subject matter is vulgar or against my beliefs. I want to stick to my morals, and not paint something that I disagree with. Even if I need the money, because I know it will turn out best in the long run.

Dean