I won't even comment on your workmanship as I do not know you, or your work to assume anything. But I can say those prices are ridiculously low, you making $140 for on a recover doesn't truly make sense. That would mean on a good day say you have 3 recovers you only make $420 and probably drive a great deal to make that. Is everyone in your area that inexpensive? I would get out of this trade if that was the money.
Yeah, I can see how making 400 bucks in a day must really suck for you...?!?!?
I live and work in the Kansas City Metro Area. Prices here are lower for EVERYTHING, than they are in most major metropolitan areas, especially those on the east or west coast. The metro area isn't as big as most, so most of my work is within 30 miles.
My overhead is extremely low. My "shop" is my garage. So my only expenses are materials, gasoline, insurance, my cell phone, and helpers when I do moves. Perhaps some of you have a large nut. I don't.
As some of you have stated, craigslist is full of lowballers. What their situation is, I don't know. I know that the economy is screwed right now and people have families to feed, so I don't disparage anyone's honest efforts to make money to put food on the table. If my prices were any higher, I'd lose a lot of my business.
I find it curious for someone to say that if they could only make $420 per day they'd get out of the trade... And do what, go back to your career as a neurosurgeon? If I could get three recovers a day, five days a week and make $420 each day... that's about 8k per month after expenses... close to 100k per year... so I ask, what's so freakin' bad about that???
Perhaps your comments are in frustration to those undercutting YOUR prices in YOUR area. But that's not me. You may think I'm some lowballing hack with a couple dozen tables under my belt, but I've been working on pool tables off and on since the mid-80's. Finding ways to do things better, meeting the customers expectations, and doing it cheaper is capitalism at it's finest. Those that offer bargain prices, but give substandard work will always fall to the wayside, especially in the craigslist arena where they seem to operate. One crappy job and I've seen their customers go so far as to list their telephone numbers, names, and license plate numbers of their vehicles. I don't worry about them as much as many of you do. My business will outlast them because I give great service at a good price. And I'll also outlast the guys who seem to think they have to have a 35k truck, quarter page yellow page ads, Snap-On tools and a new duo-fast stapler every month (like RKC, I shop at Harbor Freight).
Sorry about the rant... but I started this thread to get a little feedback on a website. No offense to anyone, (and no hard feelings) but when I want a lecture on how to run my business, I'll freakin' ask for it.
