Shop rate

[Bob]

There was some talk in another thread about cleaning saddles and charging 1.5 times the regular shop rate. I agree, thats great. Cause I hate cleaning other people's dirty stuff.

I thought it was a good idea to start a new discussion about this. I usually charge for repairs by the item, not a shop rate. For example

• Stirrup leathers with new buckles 250.00
  
• sheepskins with new string and concho's 300.00
  

So that way I can make some good money if I work hard. and the customer knows before they leave what it's gonna cost. However, for repairs that are not the "run of the mill" type repairs or custom stuff. I believe that you should charge for an hourly rate what you think is fair. Keeping in mind what you have invested. For example.

• Your experience/training
  
• your shop and location
  
• tools and equipment
  
• level of service/ how long will it take? Tomorrow/6weeks
  

There's just alot that comes into play, at least in my opinion. I try to be fair with people and charge whats reasonable. When someone comes in with a broken Mexican saddle and wants it rebuilt. I just say "NO" it's not worth it and I'm not doing it. Spending 600 dollars repairs on a 100 dollar saddle don't make sense.

The bottom line is. I try to earn 50 dollars per hour. Sometimes, I don't get it, sometimes I make better, it just depends.

I've learned on thing about a certain type people, and if you haven't met one, you will.

They'll come in and wanna know whats this cost right off, so you tell em. Then they want you to do it for half price. Mean while they just drove up in a 55,000 dollar truck outside.... and want you working for nothing. I stand my ground now....

It would be good to hear from others that make a full time living in the saddle & leather industry to speak up about their experiences, shop rates and what ever they'd like to share. Something that would help the rest of us.

[superchute]

well Bob here is a odd way to look at it. Years a go a friend of mine that shoes horse told me shoeing should cost 10 times what a hair cut in the place your at cost so if the hair cut is 9 buck we should pay around 90 for shoes on a horse. wiht using is I think most shop rates should be about 5 to 6 times the hair cut in the place you live. Now if your wife cuts your hair im not shere how much that cost with the hunny do list you know . lol

Russell

[AndyKnight]

5-6 times my hair cut cost would make my shop rate $55- 65 per hour. I would say that is about what I try and get . Not a very scientific way of coming up with it !!

My dentist' wife wanted me to make a set of saddlebags for her husband and trade against the dentist bill.

I told her that would work very well as my hourly rate would be about the same as her husbands.

For some reason that was the last I heard of it. I figuered he went to university for probably 8 years and practicing for 15. I have been practicing for 30 years....

My daughter just got called to the Bar this month.... her starting rate to practice law $200.00 per hour..

Have a great day!!

[OutBackP]

My dentist' wife wanted me to make a set of saddlebags for her husband and trade against the dentist bill.

I told her that would work very well as my hourly rate would be about the same as her husbands.

What a great idea, charge the customer what they get paid per hour. Just try to only work for lawyers.

[mulefool]

If all my customers were lawyers I think I'd be tearing my hair out. I had been charging $40.00 per hour shop rate. But I've been doing alot of re-evaluating of my prices lately, everything has gone up so much, I beleive I'll be raising it to $50.00. I also think it would be a good idea to have the shop rate posted in plain view. Do any of you have a minimum charge? I do think in even the smallest job you have about a quarter hour invested.