Author Topic: dumb question from Alabama  (Read 1021 times)

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Offline dannyupsolate

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2015, 12:33:29 pm »
thanks for all the help. i think i got it all straight now. i hate to give up my riding mower repair but i hurt myself every time i remove and replace a deck maybe the two cycles will be a little lighter.

Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2015, 12:36:20 pm »
Remember if you are doing tax and not under table allow that like a regular shop too.

Yep I wont do folks mowers. I hate working on my own 4 riders and 3 push mowers.  I can be picky. ;)

Offline RoyM

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2015, 12:44:38 pm »
I think the name brand shops are $65-$75 and more a hour. I realize they have overhead etc.

I have  been charging $20 a hour. Because I do it as a side hobby and dont count on it. Now if I was having to depend on it for a living I would be closer to $40 a hour.  Owning my own place etc with not having pay going out.

Only part that gets me a little in the pocket is fronting all the cash to buy the stuff for the rebuilds etc. I havent figured out how to better do that. But cant see folks paying anything before the items is ready to go.
I would charge enough up front to cover the cost of parts so you are not out of pocket if the customer doesn't come back. Otherwise you are stuck with bills and a bunch of junk trimmers. I am looking at doing something like that when I retire this spring but will be picky about what I take in. No point trying to make a buck on entry level trimmers when the Great Orange Menace sells new gas Homelites for $79.95
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Offline dannyupsolate

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2015, 04:49:24 pm »
yes at least when a customer refuses to come pick up a chainsaw you get a chainsaw and i like chainsaws .if they dont pick up a weedeater you just got more ugly junk in the way

Offline Nathaniel Vansickle

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2015, 05:43:15 pm »
i work on anything and often times my labor charge varies by what im working on. $100 trimmer or saw and as long as its jsut a carb rebuild and fuel lines i charge $20 labor plus parts. i only use OEM parts so carb kit, fuel line, filter, plug, air filter will run $15-20. total with tax is usually just under $50. It is cheating myself on the labor but I figure its a way to convert customers to Echo or Dolmar since they rarely see one of those in the pile of trimmers to be picked up from service and there are always 10-20 weedeater brand in that pile.

Name brand saws/trimmers  the labor is 1/2hr at normal shop rate.
I have found that around me somewhere between $40 and $50 is the max that most people are willing to put into a cheap trimmer and that 75% of people that bring them in would rather buy a new $79 trimmer every year than spend $160 on one that will last 5 years or more.
5105H and 6400H in stock

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Offline dannyupsolate

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2015, 09:35:32 pm »
This is why forums like this are so important. you would never get a local dealer to break it down straight like that. thanks van sickle

Offline Giles

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2015, 11:16:39 am »
Looks like we have a few things in common LOL. I am in Alabama also and share the problem of having to give up some of the things I used to do.
I have worked on small engines for over fifty years and spinal problems, along with other problems, has forced me to "lighten up" at 69 years of age!
I work on chainsaws, trimmers and blowers as a longtime hobby, but the extra money is a blessing.
I only  buy to repair or keep in my collection, the higher end tools.
Cheaper tools are just that--made cheap. Parts sometimes cost more then the tool is worth or what people are willing to pay.
A close friend was given a Homelite chainsaw and wanted me to check it out. I cleaned the carburetor and it started on the second pull. I then discovered it was not oiling and the sprocket was a different size then the sprocket nose bar. I discovered this when I attempted to install the chain.
I told him the oil pump would need replacement and saw had to be nearly completely torn down to access.
With cost of pump and another sprocket or bar with my minimal labor, repair cost would be more then the cost of a new saw.

Offline dannyupsolate

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #17 on: February 21, 2015, 12:24:24 pm »
i have to learn to look jobs over better before i start.  know when one is a loser before stubborn sets in and i won't quit. sometimes i get more about overcoming the challenge and forget about the dollars.

Offline RoyM

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #18 on: February 21, 2015, 12:29:14 pm »
 ;D That is funny but it is easy to do.
Old age and treachery always overcome youth and enthusiasm

Offline 660magnum

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Re: dumb question from Alabama
« Reply #19 on: February 21, 2015, 01:23:28 pm »
Looks like we have a few things in common LOL. I am in Alabama also and share the problem of having to give up some of the things I used to do.
I have worked on small engines for over fifty years and spinal problems, along with other problems, has forced me to "lighten up" at 69 years of age!
I work on chainsaws, trimmers and blowers as a longtime hobby, but the extra money is a blessing.
I only  buy to repair or keep in my collection, the higher end tools.
Cheaper tools are just that--made cheap. Parts sometimes cost more then the tool is worth or what people are willing to pay.
A close friend was given a Homelite chainsaw and wanted me to check it out. I cleaned the carburetor and it started on the second pull. I then discovered it was not oiling and the sprocket was a different size then the sprocket nose bar. I discovered this when I attempted to install the chain.
I told him the oil pump would need replacement and saw had to be nearly completely torn down to access.
With cost of pump and another sprocket or bar with my minimal labor, repair cost would be more then the cost of a new saw.

And you both live in the same geographical metro area too . . .  (same city)
We should share what we know... someone may learn...
That knowledge can live after us... and that "Pays It Forward".
Be all that you can be . . .

 

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