[retromike7]

I have a little shop in my garage and I have a "friend" who only shows up when his bike is broken. He has broken two axles and I have replaced his rear detailer twice. He thinks because he has a hop in his rear wheel, it caused his rear hub to explode. I don't know what to do. He has given me a grand total of twenty dollars for my work. I checked with the my l.b.s. and they would have charged him over two hundred and fifty just for the labor.

next time he calls should I just let it ring?

mike

[Spokesman]

Originally Posted by retromike7

I have a little shop in my garage and I have a "friend" who only shows up when his bike is broken. He has broken two axles and I have replaced his rear detailer twice. He thinks because he has a hop in his rear wheel, it caused his rear hub to explode. I don't know what to do. He has given me a grand total of twenty dollars for my work. I checked with the my l.b.s. and they would have charged him over two hundred and fifty just for the labor.

next time he calls should I just let it ring?

mike

As he's not a friend as such, let the phone ring or present him with a bill, a hefty one, next time he shows up. Giving you $20 for hours of work is being a cheapskate, to put it mildly.

[Skidmark]

I'm going with honesty. In my life I find that my first reaction is such situations is to avoid confrontation to maintain friendship. That just makes for hard feelings and lost friendship. Just be up front with your thoughts and feelinings on the situation.

[Spokesman]

Originally Posted by Skidmark

I'm going with honesty. In my life I find that my first reaction is such situations is to avoid confrontation to maintain friendship.

I'm with you on this one, but as the person in question is not a real friend, hence the quotation marks, I'd still say that OP should present his "friend" with a bill after the next repair session and see what happens.

[Industry_Hack]

Is your "shop" a business, or do you just happen to have the tools, and like to tinker?

[funetical]

I say charge him what it's worth. That's a tough spot to be in. Are you guys hanging out, drinking, shooting the bull when he comes over?

[Industry_Hack]

Neighbors (and those pesky LDS missionaries) bring bikes by all the time. I just fix them and send them on their way. If they need parts, I let them know. If it's under $5, I usually just cover it.

If you're running a business, post your shop rates, and give folks an estimate in advance.

[funetical]

How often are they coming by your place Brian? Things add up. Next thing you know you are the LBS and people are calling asking about your hours.

[Industry_Hack]

From once a week to once a month. I have a large supply of spares that I'll never use.

[retromike7]

I ounce had a retail shop and then I got hurt riding to work.(broken back, head injury,broken hip and busted all my teeth, ouch) but I kept all of my tools and slowly relearned how to build wheels and do repairs. I am not as fast as I used to be but I do quality work. Instead of doing five tune-up a day I can only do one or two . I still have accounts with a few of my local suppliers. I have used my little shop to supplement my social security but lately instead of making money I have been loosing it.

I have a full set of tools and a Nortack frame jig, plus I have both a gas and TIG welder.(that's what I got when I cashed in my IRA)