I agree totally! I guess you would call me a "professional". I run a repair shop, commercial store front, overhead, etc. I just recently raised my "shop out" rate. On single level playfields (a la Firepower, Eight Ball, Meteor, etc.) I raised from $100 to $150. On "modern" machines with multi-levels, ramps, toys, etc.....I raised from $200 to $300. At these prices, I still feel I'm not making enough money.....though, I'd also feel "wrong" charging someone more. I call them a labor of love. I strip the playfield bare (including the pain in the butt stuff like pop bumpers, dropping all targets and switches from the bottom, etc.). The playfield gets a good cleaning & waxing.....then everything else gets cleaned/waxed/polished/etc. Anything broken gets replaced, bulbs/rubbers replaced, and anything worn out (like a flipper plunger/link) gets replaced. The cabinet gets cleaned inside and out (head and body)....and all external metal gets polished (legs, rails, lockbar, etc.). I do not charge for parts unless it's expensive stuff (like new ramps, plastics, etc.). I'm very anal, to the point of insanity. I can easily blow 25 plus hours on a machine like Star Trek The Next Generation.....and $25 to $75 on nickel & dime parts. I feel, for the amount of work I do, and the final result.....at $300, the customer is getting a steal. I do understand $300 is a lot of money to some people.....and no two poeple are alike. Price and different options are gone over with the customer before any work is started. I can (and do) less expensive "shop outs" if the customer wants. Althought I hate doing "half-ass" jobs......if that's what the customer wants, that's what they get
.Edward
