Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[JamesV6CDX]

liability insurance sounds like a goer to me...

[humbucker]

absolutely fair enough. you're providing an expert service at a cost way lower than most workshops. you don't see w.i.m offering free geometry overhauls for all members 'in the spirit of the forum' cos no one would expect 'em to. how is this any different?

if you're up front about it and expect your time and travel to be compensated then members have a clear choice and know in advance what the costs are going to be. if another member says they'll do it for free then that's their choice. it should not be an expectation.

[SP_3.2]

Hi James

I think you do a great job and have heard very good things about your work + you are a gent and very helpful you helped me and Kevin at the cambelt meet with the coolant change a few months or so back.  

I would be more that happy to pay and may be calling on your sevices soon. I feel 100% happer with the car in your hands than a Stealer  or someone that has no care for my car.

I think you do a great job

Steve  

[humbucker]

...it would be like me breaking omegas and sending out parts for free fella!!! just doesnt sound right does it!

...ummm now you mention it....  

[Grumpy]

Of course you should charge for doing actual work on a car
for someone you don't know.

Otherwise, any Tom Dick or Harry could join the forum just
to get their cars fixed for free.

The forum exists to share views, opinions and knowledge
for Omega ethusiasts, not as a free car fixing service for
tightwad strangers.

When you're fixing a car for a friend or someone you know,
the normal rules for friendship apply. Mates Rates, beer tokens,
or payment in kind such as old fashioned Bartering. You fix his
car, he fixes your plumbing/ computer etc.. whatever the skill
set of the friend.
It's always been so.

But expecting someone you've never met to come and fix your
car for free is greedy cloud cuckoo land.

As other folks have said, just make sure you've got the insurance
and tax angles covered.

[Markie]

tuppence worth.....

Similar to all those mentioned above, i see no reason why you should not be charging. Simple as.

In fact it was only on Saturday that i was recommending you to a fellow forum member for work as and when needed  

[Gaffers]

Anyone who thinks that you charging what is effectively 'mates rates' for a job done better than most pros would do is surely in the wrong forum.

I know you are between jobs right now and need to support yourself so I do not feel it wrong at all.

In fact if you ever feel like coming to Germany I need to replace a gearbox, wishbones and drop links.....  interested?

Free board and airfare as standard of course along with as much German beer as you can drink  

[JamesV6CDX]

Anyone who thinks that you charging what is effectively 'mates rates' for a job done better than most pros would do is surely in the wrong forum.

I know you are between jobs right now and need to support yourself so I do not feel it wrong at all.

In fact if you ever feel like coming to Germany I need to replace a gearbox, wishbones and drop links.....  interested?

Free board and airfare as standard of course along with as much German beer as you can drink  

Yep, I would definately be game for that (seriously)...

I'll need to dust off the passport, though

At the moment, my employer is keeping me on as a contractor, so I'm OK short term

[bob.dent]

you can get personal public liabilty insurance james not very expensive and covers you for 1 millon pounds !!!!

I'm not sure even Bob Dent's mig is worth that much

Not sure what it would be worth now with current fuel prices and planned road tax increases driving the price of big cars down.

Anyway, just got to say that James did my cambelt/tensioners for me last year while I was in Barnstaple and did an excellent job which I was more than happy to pay his reasonable fee. I would never expect such work to be done for nothing, nor should anyone else unless there are circumstances to justify it. Free work done at meets and cambelt parties is down to the cameraderie and interests of the forum and is a bit of an exception.

However, it would probably be a wise move to get liability insurance for peace of mind if nothing else.

[platty]

James, I used to do mobile mechanic-ing as a student for a couple of years (perhaps should've been doing my dissertation looking back ) and I had to stop due to the whole liability issue as the work became more involved (brakes etc. - you are wise to stay away).

All I have heard on OOF is good words about your workmanship, and I think it is an excellent idea. As mentioned already though, nothing is "free" someone always foots the bill; be it time, money, whatever... there is always a small cost for the person offering the help.

I think you will probably find that you will establish flat rates for certain common jobs within time, and then carry out other jobs on a quotation basis.

I think as a mobile "Omega Expert" you would be a great asset to many members within this forum.  

[TheBoy]

Hmmm, can see both sides here.

Personally, I see no issue.  I offer low cost services here, though not seeking to make any profit (LOL, to break even would be nice ). Others are here as businesses to make a living - WIM and Dave DND are 2 that spring to mind. Others are making 'pocket money' by doing a bit of buying/stripping/selling.  Thats fine, and with few exceptions, is an added benefit to OOF. As would your stuff be.


The flip side, obviously if everyone started charging garage rates to do jobs, then that 'spirit' of the forum would be lost. Its amazing that anonymous strangers here are so willing to put themselves out and help each other for free - possibly one of the key ingredients that makes OOF what it is.


Insurance is an absolute must, esp if you are charging. And this is where I think your overheads may rocket, so you'll need to consider your rates.  Additionally, I think the demand will be strong, so you need to consider family etc.

[JamesV6CDX]

Hmmm, can see both sides here.

Personally, I see no issue.  I offer low cost services here, though not seeking to make any profit (LOL, to break even would be nice ). Others are here as businesses to make a living - WIM and Dave DND are 2 that spring to mind. Others are making 'pocket money' by doing a bit of buying/stripping/selling.  Thats fine, and with few exceptions, is an added benefit to OOF. As would your stuff be.


The flip side, obviously if everyone started charging garage rates to do jobs, then that 'spirit' of the forum would be lost. Its amazing that anonymous strangers here are so willing to put themselves out and help each other for free - possibly one of the key ingredients that makes OOF what it is.


Insurance is an absolute must, esp if you are charging. And this is where I think your overheads may rocket, so you'll need to consider your rates.  Additionally, I think the demand will be strong, so you need to consider family etc.

Good post there Jaime...

Just to clarify a couple of points though.

You say you can see both sides. My proposal is to (naturally) get stuck in for free at the cambelt parties as we all do, and also any local members who want to look at a little problem etc are welcome to pop over at no cost. The (reasonable) charge (not garage rates) is applied when I have to travel somewhere and do a job that would otherwise cost a fortune at a dealer.

Therefore, I think this is a pretty good balance between having to charge something, AND contributing (as I always have) to the spirit of the forum, would you agree?


Admin Edit: Last paragraph removed

[Dazzler]

Hmmm, can see both sides here.

Personally, I see no issue.  I offer low cost services here, though not seeking to make any profit (LOL, to break even would be nice ). Others are here as businesses to make a living - WIM and Dave DND are 2 that spring to mind. Others are making 'pocket money' by doing a bit of buying/stripping/selling.  Thats fine, and with few exceptions, is an added benefit to OOF. As would your stuff be.


The flip side, obviously if everyone started charging garage rates to do jobs, then that 'spirit' of the forum would be lost. Its amazing that anonymous strangers here are so willing to put themselves out and help each other for free - possibly one of the key ingredients that makes OOF what it is.


Insurance is an absolute must, esp if you are charging. And this is where I think your overheads may rocket, so you'll need to consider your rates.  Additionally, I think the demand will be strong, so you need to consider family etc.

Good post there Jaime...

Just to clarify a couple of points though.

You say you can see both sides. My proposal is to (naturally) get stuck in for free at the cambelt parties as we all do, and also any local members who want to look at a little problem etc are welcome to pop over at no cost. The (reasonable) charge (not garage rates) is applied when I have to travel somewhere and do a job that would otherwise cost a fortune at a dealer.

Therefore, I think this is a pretty good balance between having to charge something, AND contributing (as I always have) to the spirit of the forum, would you agree?

Can't say much fairer than that James

[TheBoy]

Hmmm, can see both sides here.

Personally, I see no issue.  I offer low cost services here, though not seeking to make any profit (LOL, to break even would be nice ). Others are here as businesses to make a living - WIM and Dave DND are 2 that spring to mind. Others are making 'pocket money' by doing a bit of buying/stripping/selling.  Thats fine, and with few exceptions, is an added benefit to OOF. As would your stuff be.


The flip side, obviously if everyone started charging garage rates to do jobs, then that 'spirit' of the forum would be lost. Its amazing that anonymous strangers here are so willing to put themselves out and help each other for free - possibly one of the key ingredients that makes OOF what it is.


Insurance is an absolute must, esp if you are charging. And this is where I think your overheads may rocket, so you'll need to consider your rates.  Additionally, I think the demand will be strong, so you need to consider family etc.

Good post there Jaime...

Just to clarify a couple of points though.

You say you can see both sides. My proposal is to (naturally) get stuck in for free at the cambelt parties as we all do, and also any local members who want to look at a little problem etc are welcome to pop over at no cost. The (reasonable) charge (not garage rates) is applied when I have to travel somewhere and do a job that would otherwise cost a fortune at a dealer.

Therefore, I think this is a pretty good balance between having to charge something, AND contributing (as I always have) to the spirit of the forum, would you agree?


Admin Edit: Last paragraph removed

Sorry, just removed last para - I'm sure you can see why, if not, PM me, or even call (old fashioned technology )


As said, I have no issue with it, I think it will add benefit to other members.  Don't get yourself in same state as last time - that is NOT beneficial to anyone , and remember to leave plenty of time for family/friends


What I would hate to see is everyone using OOF purely as a business enabler - thats not what we're about.

[JamesV6CDX]

Hmmm, can see both sides here.

Personally, I see no issue.  I offer low cost services here, though not seeking to make any profit (LOL, to break even would be nice ). Others are here as businesses to make a living - WIM and Dave DND are 2 that spring to mind. Others are making 'pocket money' by doing a bit of buying/stripping/selling.  Thats fine, and with few exceptions, is an added benefit to OOF. As would your stuff be.


The flip side, obviously if everyone started charging garage rates to do jobs, then that 'spirit' of the forum would be lost. Its amazing that anonymous strangers here are so willing to put themselves out and help each other for free - possibly one of the key ingredients that makes OOF what it is.


Insurance is an absolute must, esp if you are charging. And this is where I think your overheads may rocket, so you'll need to consider your rates.  Additionally, I think the demand will be strong, so you need to consider family etc.

Good post there Jaime...

Just to clarify a couple of points though.

You say you can see both sides. My proposal is to (naturally) get stuck in for free at the cambelt parties as we all do, and also any local members who want to look at a little problem etc are welcome to pop over at no cost. The (reasonable) charge (not garage rates) is applied when I have to travel somewhere and do a job that would otherwise cost a fortune at a dealer.

Therefore, I think this is a pretty good balance between having to charge something, AND contributing (as I always have) to the spirit of the forum, would you agree?


Admin Edit: Last paragraph removed

Sorry, just removed last para - I'm sure you can see why, if not, PM me, or even call (old fashioned technology )


As said, I have no issue with it, I think it will add benefit to other members.  Don't get yourself in same state as last time - that is NOT beneficial to anyone , and remember to leave plenty of time for family/friends


What I would hate to see is everyone using OOF purely as a business enabler - thats not what we're about.

Yep, having read a second time I was going to amend it myself, you beat me to it

I am pretty sure that nobody is using the site JUST to generate business are they?

Many of the people who do offer services or goods, are for the most regular posters and help out people in the threads, (I know I do) which I think is fair enough.

Oh, and I would happily give you a call, if I hadn't lost your numbers