Driving me crazy

[iflyatiger]

Driving me crazy- --Solved

Hello all..

I don't post much at all but always read the forums and appreciate everyone's knowledge.

This is driving me nuts as well as now a few friends.. Google search was no help.

Question..

In the past I am sure that I have seen a sign hanging in a shop, maybe auto repair or maybe plumbing supply that says something to the effect of.

"You are not paying me for the (quick fix) you are paying me for knowing what to fix.."

For instance you fix something quickly that the customer complains that it only took you 5 minutes but the charge is still $X.00 or like an hour minimum.

** I am looking for the correct and exact quote. Hope someone knows..?

Thanks in advance for any help. I am confident you guys will come through..

 

[Playwme]

It means " don't tell me the dodgy cheap fix you want. I'll fix it the way I fix these things cause that's what I do for a living"

It's amazing how many customers start the conversation with " I used to be a mechanic" or "my brother is a mechanic" and then proceed to tell you their diagnosis and how they'd fix it, if they had the time.

 

[iflyatiger]

Thanks for your reply.. Sorry I wasn't more clear..

I am looking for the exact quote not the meaning of the quote..

Thanks again..

It means " don't tell me the dodgy cheap fix you want. I'll fix it the way I fix these things cause that's what I do for a living"

 

[driftpin]

There is an apocryphal story about a 'famous electrical genius' (FEG) being called-in to fix the non-functional huge generator of another inventor/business operator (IBO). The FEG had originally-designed the generator. The FEG took a look at the generator, sat down, and after using a pad of paper and a pencil, and doing some calculations, directed the maintenance crew where to find the burned wiring in-need of repair by marking a chalk box on the side of the generator case. They opened it up, found the wires needing repair, and fixed it, restoring it to functionality.

When asked for the bill, the FEG presented a request for $10,000. The IBO insisted that he 'never paid an un-itemized invoice,' and refused to pay.

The FEG took a couple of minutes to scribble on the paper, and handed it to the IBO. It said:

• one pencil-five cents
• one pad of paper-ten cents
• one piece of chalk-two cents
• knowing where to mark the area needing rewiring-$9,999.83

The IBO paid the bill.

Not exactly what you're talking-about, but similar. It's just a story.

http://ccs.dogpile.com/ClickHandler...8BC3B828A8EA631FA052111D1&ap=8&cop=main-title

 

[iflyatiger]

Good story, thanks..

And I think you might have helped get me closer..?

" blank blank blank = ? , knowing what to fix = pricless "

or

" 5 minute fix = $5.00 , Knowing what to fix = $90.00 "

Something close to this.

Thanks again !

There is an apocryphal story about a 'famous electrical genius' (FEG) being called-in to fix the non-functional huge generator of another inventor/business operator (IBO). The FEG had originally-designed the generator. The FEG took a look at the generator, sat down, and after using a pad of paper and a pencil, and doing some calculations, directed the maintenance crew where to find the burned wiring in-need of repair by marking a chalk box on the side of the generator case. They opened it up, found the wires needing repair, and fixed it, restoring it to functionality.

When asked for the bill, the FEG presented a request for $10,000. The IBO insisted that he 'never paid an un-itemized invoice,' and refused to pay.

The FEG took a couple of minutes to scribble on the paper, and handed it to the IBO. It said:

• one pencil-five cents
• one pad of paper-ten cents
• one piece of chalk-two cents
• knowing where to mark the area needing rewiring-$9,999.83

The IBO paid the bill.

Not exactly what you're talking-about, but similar. It's just a story.

http://ccs.dogpile.com/ClickHandler...8BC3B828A8EA631FA052111D1&ap=8&cop=main-title

 

[iflyatiger]

Thanks for the lead..

Found this. Very close but not exactly what I am thinking of.

"Marking dynamos for repair $10,000.00-2 hours labor $10.00; knowing where to mark $9,990.00."

by.. Charles Proteus Steinmetz

Interesting connection to this forum and the people that visit it.. Famous guy..

Charles Proteus Steinmetz (April 9, 1865 – October 26, 1923; birth-name: Karl August Rudolph Steinmetz) was a Prussian-born American mathematician and electrical engineer and professor at Union College. He fostered the development of alternating current that made possible the expansion of the electric power industry in the United States, formulating mathematical theories for engineers.

 

[MO-Iron]

Off topic:
Is the tiger you fly built by Grummen?

 

[Backyard Imports]

I always say "you are not only paying for my time but for my knowledge as well".

 

[iflyatiger]

Thanks again Driftpin your story really help put this together..

My scenario..
Charged a customer a $100 to fix something. It only took me 15 minutes based on my skillful troubleshooting. The customer complained about the bill claiming "but it only took me 15 minutes". I wanted this quote to counter the complaint.

For instance.

Camera repair total $100

1. Changing camera setting :15 minutes $25
2. Knowing what setting to change $75


I still think I have seen a more generic quote right along these lines hanging somewhere..

 

[iflyatiger]

I like this.. Will try to remember it.. Thanks !

I always say "you are not only paying for my time but for my knowledge as well".

 

[iflyatiger]

Yes.. Grumman Tiger

You know them?

Off topic:
Is the tiger you fly built by Grummen?

 

[MO-Iron]

Yep, Learned to fly with N4518Q in 1981. Put about 200 hour on it before I got to start flying the company bonanza. The tiger is still one of my favorites!

 

[iflyatiger]

Good to hear what you think about the Tiger.. I have about 1500 hours in it now. I always window shop other planes especially Bonanza's but always come back to appreciating all the good things about the Tiger and most important it's reasonable operating and maintenance costs..

Looks like that plane was up in the northeast in 2011, maybe still around..

Yep, Learned to fly with N4518Q in 1981. Put about 200 hour on it before I got to start flying the company bonanza. The tiger is still one of my favorites!

 

[jsaw]

You don't pay a guy for what he does, you pay for what he knows.

 

[PFSard]

iflyatiger : Steinmetz was funny. I saw that on PBS. IIRC, he was asked for an itemized receipt for getting a generator working properly. That was his response.

I know I've seen what you are really seeking, but I'm at a loss to remember where.

 

[padroo]

A lot of people claim to be professionals, charge professional prices but don't do professional work.

When I want something done if I can do it myself I do it. I don't like to argue or complain.

Very seldom do I have people come to my home to do work for me and that includes cars.

Sometimes doing things yourself doesn't save you any money.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

I always herd the story as a mechanic. Customer brings in a car that running rough and the mechanic walks over pops the hood, takes out a screw driver turns a screw on the carb. Motor smooths out and runs great. Mechanic says that will be $100. Customer says $100 to turn one screw? Mechanic says, well to turn one screw $5 knowing what screw to turn will cost you $100

 

[iflyatiger]

Thanks Iron-iceberg.. Your quote is probably as close to what I remember seeing..

Thanks again for everyone's help!

I always herd the story as a mechanic. Customer brings in a car that running rough and the mechanic walks over pops the hood, takes out a screw driver turns a screw on the carb. Motor smooths out and runs great. Mechanic says that will be $100. Customer says $100 to turn one screw? Mechanic says, well to turn one screw $5 knowing what screw to turn will cost you $100

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Thanks for the lead..

Found this. Very close but not exactly what I am thinking of.

"Marking dynamos for repair $10,000.00-2 hours labor $10.00; knowing where to mark $9,990.00."

by.. Charles Proteus Steinmetz

Interesting connection to this forum and the people that visit it.. Famous guy..

Charles Proteus Steinmetz (April 9, 1865 – October 26, 1923; birth-name: Karl August Rudolph Steinmetz) was a Prussian-born American mathematician and electrical engineer and professor at Union College. He fostered the development of alternating current that made possible the expansion of the electric power industry in the United States, formulating mathematical theories for engineers.

Isn't Steinmetz a member here?

Tommy

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

My dad was worked on large refrigeration units in hospitals and commercial buildings during his career. He always called this the $10.10 service call. Ten cents for the service call and $10 for know what to fix.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I write invoices like that all the time. And it will usually read something like:

Troubleshoot/diagnose inoperable lights: $75
Repair damaged wiring harness: $25.00

The last one like that was a bad ground on a 7-way trailer plug on a semi trailer. Happens all the time and I knew where to look because I work on their trailers all the time. If they had someone else look at it it would likely have taken twice as long and cost more so I have no guilt in charging what I do.

That being said, I don't know your quote but I like the garage signs that read:

Labor rates:

Hourly: $75.00
If you watch: $90.00
If you help: $100.00

 

[bwringer]

I can't find the exact quote you're thinking of either.

There's a very similar quote in the design field that applies to pretty much any professional field as well:

“If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design.”
–Ralf Speth

Similarly:
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."
-Red Adair

“An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them.”
― Werner Heisenberg



Only slightly related, but one of my favorites. Clients usually don't know what they need, and usually can't articulate what they want. This applies to pretty much any specialized field, from web design to auto mechanics:
“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
–Henry Ford

 

[zmotorsports]

I always herd the story as a mechanic. Customer brings in a car that running rough and the mechanic walks over pops the hood, takes out a screw driver turns a screw on the carb. Motor smooths out and runs great. Mechanic says that will be $100. Customer says $100 to turn one screw? Mechanic says, well to turn one screw $5 knowing what screw to turn will cost you $100

^^This is the closest I have heard so far. However, the one I remember was the story of the mechanic and the hammer. It is as follows:

The story of the old mechanic and his hammer

The owner of a finicky automobile was having trouble diagnosing the source of his engine’s ailment. The car just refused to start. He spent hours attempting to repair it himself, replacing parts to no avail.
old ball peen hammer
(photo credit)

Finally (probably due to his wife’s insistence), the man asked a respected, old mechanic to provide assistance.

The old mechanic spent a couple minutes studying the car’s engine. He produced a standard ball peen hammer from his toolbox, leaned under the hood and gave the starter a single, precise strike.

To the car owner’s amazement, this time when he turned the key in the ignition, the engine fired right up.

“That’ll be $100.” the old mechanic said.

“One hundred dollars?” The car owner gasped, “All you did was hit it with a hammer!”

“Correct. That’s $5 for my time, and $95 for knowing where to aim.”


Mike.

 

[Moose97]

My brother-in-law recently bought a new home. Kind of a "fixer-upper". Had some electrical problem. He and my father-in-law worked 3 or 4 days trying everything they could think of to no avail. I give them the name and number of a buddy who is an electrician and owns his own company.

They call him and he agrees to come give it a look. Tells them he charges a 2 hour minimum service call. They agree.

He shows up, spends 30 minutes, problem solved. Charges 2 hour service fee. They pay, he leaves.

That was 2 months ago.

They haven't stopped complaining about it yet. I tell them he did something in 30 minutes you two couldn't do in 4 days, charged you what he told you he would and he's the bad guy?

Find your own trades people from here on out.

 

[Backyard Imports]

The other thing that I say, that I ask people, is "if you are really good at your job do you get paid more money or less?" I will then, if needed, explain to them that I have 20+ years experience, $100k+ in tools, as well as 40+ hours a year in continuing education and expenses.

The fact remains that some people just don't understand and never will. I try to avoid these customers if possible because they are not usually worth the stress that they cause. There is another statement that "10% of customers cause 90% of the stress and problems". I try to avoid this 10% just to make my life easier. The other "good" customers make up for the lost revenue.

 

[woodturner9]

Re: Driving me crazy- --Solved

"You are not paying me for the (quick fix) you are paying me for knowing what to fix.."

Looks like all the stories about Tesla, Steinmetz, mechanics, etc. are "urban legend"
http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/where.asp

Looks like the earliest documented use was in the 1880's:
"In the 1880s, James MacNeill Whistler, as plaintiff in a libel action, was challenged, "For two days' labour, you ask two hundred guineas?" "No, I ask it for the experience of a lifetime."

That is probably not the one you are looking for, but is the actual quote.

 

[R6 Racer]

Not what your looking for but similar type of thing.

Things can be fixed, fast, right & cheap, pick any 2!

You can have it...
Fast & right but it won't be cheap
Right & cheap but it won't be fast
Cheap & fast but it won't be right

Saw this on a sign in a garage many years ago. Can't remember where, always liked it, seemed reasonable at the time. To me, it still does.

Steve

 

[elba]

My buddy has a repair shop and has a sign that says
" You pay me, I pay them, They pay you , We're all happy "

 

[VocaTexas]

From time to time I get hired to move portable buildings. I recently was asked what I would charge to move a building from one side of town to the other (about two miles) and roughly how long it would take to do the job. I quoted $400 and two hours. The guy made a comment about that being a bit high. I told him, if he wanted to buy a truck, tilt-bed trailer, winch, and the other equipment I carry, and then learn how to move the building without damaging anything, get after it. I moved the building the next week AND got paid $400.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I paid $200 to have a travel trailer moved 1 mile. Cheaper than buying or renting a 1 ton truck.

From time to time I get hired to move portable buildings. I recently was asked what I would charge to move a building from one side of town to the other (about two miles) and roughly how long it would take to do the job. I quoted $400 and two hours. The guy made a comment about that being a bit high. I told him, if he wanted to buy a truck, tilt-bed trailer, winch, and the other equipment I carry, and then learn how to move the building without damaging anything, get after it. I moved the building the next week AND got paid $400.

 

[rharman]

I write invoices like that all the time. And it will usually read something like:

Troubleshoot/diagnose inoperable lights: $75
Repair damaged wiring harness: $25.00

The last one like that was a bad ground on a 7-way trailer plug on a semi trailer. Happens all the time and I knew where to look because I work on their trailers all the time. If they had someone else look at it it would likely have taken twice as long and cost more so I have no guilt in charging what I do.

That being said, I don't know your quote but I like the garage signs that read:

Labor rates:

Hourly: $75.00
If you watch: $90.00
If you help: $100.00

You need to add the line:
If you worked on it before bringing it in: $150.00

 

[KenC]

When I was 16, went to work at a full service station(that tells you about how old I am!). Of course we did LOF, tire sales/install/repair and light mechanical. Boss had a sign in the service area:
We have no quarrel with those that work for less.
they know what they are worth.
Never had anyone complain about prices. Well, except for a few folks that complained about everything.

 

[onthefence777]

I know exactly the sign the you are talking about I believe, OP.

If I get out today I will stop in to my mechanic and snap a pic, or maybe he might be willing to e-mail it over.

 

[onthefence777]

“The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten”

That's actually the sign that I remembered my mechanic has.