reproduction cabinets, the future, and an appology.
First, i want to appologize to alot of you who PM'ed me, and i was either short, or didn't reply. The cabinet making is really taking a toll on me mentally and physically.
Alot of you know i was going to be having back surgery later this year. After the consultation with the back surgeon, it isn't happening. He told me it was a risky surgery, and a 30% i'd be permenantly crippled from it, and at best 50/50 i'd see any relief. My L4/5 disc is 80% gone, totally ruptured all the way around. I also have mild to moderate arthritis in about every joint, Sleep apnea, and stomach problems (seeing a doctor soon on this one)
My day usually starts after 3 - 4 hours of sleep, work for 2 hours, then i have to go sit down for an hour, work for 2 hours, go lay in bed for 2 hours, then go back to the garage for 2 hours, and i do this from 7 am till usually midnight every day. I take between 2 - 5 vicodins a day, they don't help much.
I always manage to get in 10 - 12 hours of work a day in between all the breaks i have to take, and lifting the finished cabinets off the table even with two people, is almost day - ending. I have the wife loading the cnc for me most days, especially if it's melamine.
I've also came to the conclusion (stubbornly) that i do not charge enough for my cabinets. I've had many klovers who buy from me on a regular basis even tell me i do not charge enough. Here's how things currently work:
I take an order for cabinets, figure out what i need for material, check my stock of leg levelers, plates, glue, staples, etc. then i order in material.
I start on the order, get half way through it, and run out of money. I take more orders, then repeat the above step. I finish the first order, start on the second, run out of money again, repeat the first step.
So what happens is, i have all the materials here to complete the work, my bills get caught up, and i fall further and further behind. Nov 1st, i had all my bills paid and a back log of 40 cabinets. I've been trying not to take any more orders. This vicious cycle has to stop. I've been selling off games, trying to keep the bills paid, and buy christmas for the family.
I swore when i was done with the orders, i was done. No more arcade cabinets. I've had several people i discussed this with tell me not to quit, but adjust the prices so you can get the work done, without falling behind, and keep the bills paid. I know it may make the prices out of some people's reach, but it is what it is. I need to raise prices about 100 - 300 each depending on the cabinet. I would be more in line with OU Flight's pricing. It's a necessity that has to happen if i am to continue.
I am also branching out into pinball cabinets. There's one guy i found out there who does it, and his start at 750.00 for a bare cab. Again, i appologize to anyone that felt i ignored you, i hope this explains some of it, as to why i'm just not jumping to take your order. A few of you, (repeat customers) i promised to do a few cabs for, and i'll honor the old price.
When i am caught up, i'll spend a day and figure out what i need to charge and come up with a new price list. If business slows way down, i'd at least get a chance to try out some other things on the cnc, and offer some new stuff. Thanks, i really do appreciate everyone who ordered from me, and i hope those of you still waiting on your cabinets understand. I am trying my damndest to get every single back order out by Jan 1st. thanks, Brett
First, i want to appologize to alot of you who PM'ed me, and i was either short, or didn't reply. The cabinet making is really taking a toll on me mentally and physically.
Alot of you know i was going to be having back surgery later this year. After the consultation with the back surgeon, it isn't happening. He told me it was a risky surgery, and a 30% i'd be permenantly crippled from it, and at best 50/50 i'd see any relief. My L4/5 disc is 80% gone, totally ruptured all the way around. I also have mild to moderate arthritis in about every joint, Sleep apnea, and stomach problems (seeing a doctor soon on this one)
My day usually starts after 3 - 4 hours of sleep, work for 2 hours, then i have to go sit down for an hour, work for 2 hours, go lay in bed for 2 hours, then go back to the garage for 2 hours, and i do this from 7 am till usually midnight every day. I take between 2 - 5 vicodins a day, they don't help much.
I always manage to get in 10 - 12 hours of work a day in between all the breaks i have to take, and lifting the finished cabinets off the table even with two people, is almost day - ending. I have the wife loading the cnc for me most days, especially if it's melamine.
I've also came to the conclusion (stubbornly) that i do not charge enough for my cabinets. I've had many klovers who buy from me on a regular basis even tell me i do not charge enough. Here's how things currently work:
I take an order for cabinets, figure out what i need for material, check my stock of leg levelers, plates, glue, staples, etc. then i order in material.
I start on the order, get half way through it, and run out of money. I take more orders, then repeat the above step. I finish the first order, start on the second, run out of money again, repeat the first step.
So what happens is, i have all the materials here to complete the work, my bills get caught up, and i fall further and further behind. Nov 1st, i had all my bills paid and a back log of 40 cabinets. I've been trying not to take any more orders. This vicious cycle has to stop. I've been selling off games, trying to keep the bills paid, and buy christmas for the family.
I swore when i was done with the orders, i was done. No more arcade cabinets. I've had several people i discussed this with tell me not to quit, but adjust the prices so you can get the work done, without falling behind, and keep the bills paid. I know it may make the prices out of some people's reach, but it is what it is. I need to raise prices about 100 - 300 each depending on the cabinet. I would be more in line with OU Flight's pricing. It's a necessity that has to happen if i am to continue.
I am also branching out into pinball cabinets. There's one guy i found out there who does it, and his start at 750.00 for a bare cab. Again, i appologize to anyone that felt i ignored you, i hope this explains some of it, as to why i'm just not jumping to take your order. A few of you, (repeat customers) i promised to do a few cabs for, and i'll honor the old price.
When i am caught up, i'll spend a day and figure out what i need to charge and come up with a new price list. If business slows way down, i'd at least get a chance to try out some other things on the cnc, and offer some new stuff. Thanks, i really do appreciate everyone who ordered from me, and i hope those of you still waiting on your cabinets understand. I am trying my damndest to get every single back order out by Jan 1st. thanks, Brett


