Bruce Shiverdecker
08-07-2006, 5:26 PM
Yep! Every once in a while, I get a challange (even in the FLAT world) that I can't pass up..................... Especially when there is a (in my opinion) substantial monitary gain!
Two weeks ago at the Saturday morning market, a gentleman came to me and asked if I'd be interested in making him some new handles for a knife he had. I looked at the knife and had to admit...................The handles were UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYY! Black plastic and NO class. The knife was held together with Star head screws, so I knew I'd be able to get it apart with little or no problems. I said yes and here's the result.
Normally I wouldn't talk pricing, but it helps the story. The deal originated at $20.00 (estimated 1 hrs work)................Escallated to $30.00 when he saw Cocobolo, and liked it. It took a piece 3/8" X 1" X 7-1/2". I requested a down payment of $10.00, as I didn't think the knife was worth much! (found out later, the knife was worth about $150.00) When he came back, I used it as an excuse to talk with some folks who had just come into my stall.
I always talk to people when they come it. This time it went something like this: I said, "Good morning". One of the women said, "Good morning, how are you?" To which I replied, "Just great! I'm doing something I love to do (Turning), getting to talk to nice people, Have wonderful weather (about 75 and a slight breeze) (About this time the knife owner came in), and I now have a chance to hopefully make someone VERY happy!" I handed him the old handles and made some joke about "Dirt UGLY", then showed him his knife. He and they were impressed. So much so, that when he paid me the balance, I noticed an extra $5.00. I tried to hand it back, thinking it was a mistake, stating that he had already paid $10.00, to which he said "Keep it," thanks for doing such a great job!
Sometimes, things can really lift a day. It wasn't the $5.00 itself, but what prompted the act, that made my day! I was floating all day!
Ain't life GRAND!:D :cool: :D
Bruce;)
Two weeks ago at the Saturday morning market, a gentleman came to me and asked if I'd be interested in making him some new handles for a knife he had. I looked at the knife and had to admit...................The handles were UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYY! Black plastic and NO class. The knife was held together with Star head screws, so I knew I'd be able to get it apart with little or no problems. I said yes and here's the result.
Normally I wouldn't talk pricing, but it helps the story. The deal originated at $20.00 (estimated 1 hrs work)................Escallated to $30.00 when he saw Cocobolo, and liked it. It took a piece 3/8" X 1" X 7-1/2". I requested a down payment of $10.00, as I didn't think the knife was worth much! (found out later, the knife was worth about $150.00) When he came back, I used it as an excuse to talk with some folks who had just come into my stall.
I always talk to people when they come it. This time it went something like this: I said, "Good morning". One of the women said, "Good morning, how are you?" To which I replied, "Just great! I'm doing something I love to do (Turning), getting to talk to nice people, Have wonderful weather (about 75 and a slight breeze) (About this time the knife owner came in), and I now have a chance to hopefully make someone VERY happy!" I handed him the old handles and made some joke about "Dirt UGLY", then showed him his knife. He and they were impressed. So much so, that when he paid me the balance, I noticed an extra $5.00. I tried to hand it back, thinking it was a mistake, stating that he had already paid $10.00, to which he said "Keep it," thanks for doing such a great job!
Sometimes, things can really lift a day. It wasn't the $5.00 itself, but what prompted the act, that made my day! I was floating all day!
Ain't life GRAND!:D :cool: :D
Bruce;)