Repairs, to do or not to do. A sideline.

[Mandie]

I have recently been bogged down with repairs and it has got me thinking about how best to price.
Its always the same story, bit of grotty tigertail, pile of beads badly in need of a wash, all screwed up in an envelope. You can put money on the fact that half a dozen will be missing and that the owner just loves this piece of jewellery, its her most favourite but she can't quite remember how it looked originally.
I am always at a loss as how to price, do I have a set rate, for time taken and materials used, on how complicated the job is, often finding that while she might want her beloved jewels repaired good as new she doesn't want to pay for it.

Help!

Mandie

[Jo]

Hi Mandie

I get asked all the time to do repairs - sometimes on my own work which after hard wearing something like a jump ring has come undone or it has been tugged and horrrors of horrors a crimp has given up (my worse nightmare!!) . I give out a "Care of jewellery" leaflet with all my sales and on it I give a 3 month guarentee (so free repairs up and covering this time )- after that I offer repair at a small price. Now back to your original question (hahah) I keep meaning to do a sliding scale of repair such as -
Restringing £3
New componants £2+ (depending on what has broken, need to be added)
Redesign £5+

If these peices are printed out when you are asked you can hand the leaflet when asked - hopefully making it easier to charge at the end!

Only a rough guide but that way you cover your bases - repairing or restringing for me isn't using my creative juices - I don't mind doing it for friends or family if I'm not busy but at the same time as a business now I have to do things/create pieces that will bring in pennies (cents)

Does that help

[Desert Designs]

Mandie, I think Jo has an excellent way of dealing with repairs. A leaflet or card with repair prices listed ( think of as many repairs as you can!). This should stop customers from thinking that you will do the work for free. It is so hard to imagine what some customers will ask you to do for them. I made a pair of earrings for a friend. She broke the sterling ear hook by trying to bend it where the jump ring was attached, and I had to get another ear hook. She also broke a bracelet that was on elastic cord that she especially wanted. No more gifts for her. We must let our customers know our time is valuable- I do like the three month free repair idea.

[Mandie]

I agree, some excellent ideas, I shall be working on my sliding scale this weekend!
Sometimes I don't mind doing repairs and I'm building a good reputation but its not what I'm about and it takes time from designing.
I don't mind doing bits for family and friends but its amazing how favours I end up doing for "old aunty Joan" who's a friend of a cousin of some dark and distant relative that I've never met. You want to see some of the dreadful things I've had to repair and usually as old as the ark!

[Mandie]

Hey Jo, some brilliant ideas here! I also give a "Care Leaflet" at point of sale, usually as I get cheesed off telling folks that while strong and durable, Tigertail wont stand up to continual soaking in the bath and like all metals, Sterling Silver will dull if neck and wrist is liberally sprayed with perfume and creams. I am always happy to repair/alter my own work but have found that not all jewellery artists are so considerate.
As you say, I'm beginning to spend more time repairing than actually designing and while I appreciate that I have a good reputation building, this is not what I'm about.
I am going to start work on my sliding scale this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your help Jo!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linda Goudelock]

I'm not going to be much help. the only one I've repaired jewelry for is my MIL. can't really charge her as she gives me jewelry!
I would think a set price just for labor. You need to be paid for your time. then, if you have to buy anything for the repair, the client be charged for that also. something easy to repair would be less than a complicated item

Linda

[MarieCristine]

Most of the time I turn repairs down. I make exceptions for friends and customers, but then I usually do it more as a favore then a way to make money.Most of the time I turn repairs down. I make exceptions for friends and customers, but then I usually do it more as a favor then a way to make money. I don’t enjoy it, and it’s too hard to price properly and if pieces are missing or you don’t know what kind of materials or solders were used it can really cause problems.

[Mandie]

I do try to turn some down but then they look at me like puss in Shrek with big pleading eyes and I feel sorry for the poor broken piece of jewellery. I have a today been strong and said "no" to a lady with the dirtiest beads you've ever seen and horror of horrors, each bead knotted (which I detest, it's not my thing), it would have taken hours so pointed her in the direction of a pearl stringer I know!