Customer working on cue...

Zims Rack

Zims Rack

Promoting the Cueing Arts
Silver Member
I was approached by one of my regular "repair" customers and "acquantance" for about 13 years.

He's been itching at ordering a custom cue from me, but it's his first custom cue that he has any say in the design. He asked me if I'd let him help build the cue and what I'd charge! He has no interest in learning how to build/repair cues, just to have a hand in building his.

This brought up something of interest to me...
how many (if any) have let their "invited" customer to help build their custom cue in your shop? Obviously there's a lot to be concerned about, safetly, liability, trade secrets, use of equipment and shop time, etc.

Does anyone do this?

Say the cue he/she designs retails at $500 and he/she wants to assist in building the cue. Would you charge much more for that cue or a little less, since they are helping out?

Lots of things to consider both pros/cons about this situation. I guess it would be a case by case issue.

I was thinking about putting together a "Customer Built" program with 2-4 different price options for the "invited" customer. Along with them assisting in building their cue, I would require them to do a few odd jobs (cutting rings, butt caps, joint collars, ferrules, etc) before actually starting on the cue. This would give me an opportunity to watch them doing simple tasks and still get some material cut at the same time.

Any thoughts, both pros/cons?
Zim
 
No thanks. if you would want to come watch or hang out... OK but keep the fingers off of the machinery. Too many possible problems associated with allowing a novice to run a michine$$$$. Not only their safety but the safety of your machinery. Not cheap to fix when things break. Just my opinion for what it is worth.
 
You have no insurance Zim.
It's not even a consideration.
When customers visit me, the machines are not even turned on.
 
Things that have been considered! What about some type of "accident" waiver, just a thought!

I've thought about the "watching" the cue being built also! Let them take notes or photos of the cue in the building process.

Thanks,
Zim
 
What about just letting them help out on the things that dont require the use of the machinery. If its a cue with veneers let them glue them up or let them prepair all the ring work. I know thats not much but it would be something that they did in there cue and could look at with much pride. Just a few ideas.
 
LosOsosCues said:
What about just letting them help out on the things that dont require the use of the machinery. If its a cue with veneers let them glue them up or let them prepair all the ring work. I know thats not much but it would be something that they did in there cue and could look at with much pride. Just a few ideas.
Click to expand...
That's hands on time on the "cue" and not the equipment... not a bad idea! They can hand pick their wood and materials, do the non-machinery work and I do the work that requires the use of equipment. They can hang out in the shop when I'll be working on their cue and they can take photos and notes of what's being done to their cue. I can take photos of them working on it as well.
 
That's how I got involved in the business but that's a different story. :)

He wants to be 'involved' , fine , let him sand or glue some stuff. No machines , no final product , nothing that effects the outome, cost or time frame in any way.

I don't think it should effect his price in either way.
 
That's how I got involved in the business but that's a different story. :)

He wants to be 'involved' , fine , let him sand or glue some stuff. No machines , no final product , nothing that effects the outome, cost or time frame in any way.

I don't think it should effect his price in either way.
 
Only my very closest & trusted friends & family can "help" me work. And I mean the very most trusted. Even then, I won't charge. They buy the materials & buy my dinner & beer. No business. No charge. Even then it's a risk.
 
If he is a friend, I like the idea of letting him do something fool proof like mentioned above. But that is about it. Anything beyond that is asking for trouble.
 
Unless you planned on discounting the cue I would not just because he wishes to have a hand in the build. If anything it will slow your build down a little or maybe a lot depending on how involved you let him be.
 
Like the signs in the auto repair centers say, $45 an hour to perform the work, $75 an hour if you want to watch and help.
 
RDCustomCues said:
Unless you planned on discounting the cue I would not just because he wishes to have a hand in the build. If anything it will slow your build down a little or maybe a lot depending on how involved you let him be.
Click to expand...
This is what I tried to explain to my customer! That even though he's putting time in on his cue, that still slows me down, ties up shop equipment and time that could be spent doing other things that will have a higher return on my investment (time/money). I normally give local league players 20% off, mainly because I'm getting a little back weekly in league fees or repairs!
 
I think what I'm going to do is, basically what I've been doing, but with some tweeking per suggestions in this thread!

Customer designs his cue, can come to the shop at designated times to help in the building process (no machinery involved), takes photos and notes (maybe for scrap book or something) and pays retail price, those that are in league will get 10% instead of 20%, to off set shop time/use.

You all are right, it's nice to let someone make a pass or two, cut in the v-groove or inlays, but it's not worth the possible negative outcomes (injuries, hospital bills, damage to equipment, etc).

If they don't like the idea of glueing or sanding things and taking photos and notes, they they can just wait to see the final product!

Thanks to all for you inquiries! I didn't intend for this issue to sit for days to get a lot of replies, I heard enough to confirm my initial thougts! This is all up in the air still, since I'll be moving this December to a smaller home and not sure if I'll even have a place to build cues... we'll see!
Zim
 
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Zims Rack said:
Things that have been considered! What about some type of "accident" waiver, just a thought!

I've thought about the "watching" the cue being built also! Let them take notes or photos of the cue in the building process.

Thanks,
Zim
Click to expand...

That might work in Yugoslavia or Liberia but not in the good ole U.S. of A.. In the U.S. you can not sign away your rights. If that were the case they would have 10 year olds working in textile mills again and you would have to sign a waiver to work anywhere before being hired.

Dick
 
Labor rates

This is a sign I saw in an small engine repair shop some years ago. :smile:

Labor rates:
Standard $25.00/Hr
If you watch $45.00/Hr
If you Help $65.00/Hr
If you worker on it first $100.00/Hr
 
Last Line

tsp&b said:
This is a sign I saw in an small engine repair shop some years ago. :smile:

Labor rates:
Standard $25.00/Hr
If you watch $45.00/Hr
If you Help $65.00/Hr
If you worker on it first $100.00/Hr
Click to expand...


I like the last line in this one.. Should go across the board... stripped threads bent gizyflinkers and missing doodads....:eek:
 
Most of the points have been touched on, but let me say one word...LAWSUIT!!!
You are charging a little bit for the material & a lot for machinery & YOUR KNOWLEDGE. What ever he does, the price should not change...JER
 
I had an "aquaintance" ask me to do some work for him last year, gave him my standard price and told him i have a helper i use. the guy asked me if he could be my helper, and id just pay him instead. What a mistake. The job would have normally taken us 12 hours, but with this guy it took 3 full days and most of what he did was watch. I let it slide that time, but will never do that again. even if its a one man job, do you really want the guy asking all kinds of questions about why you do certain things certain ways?
 
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