Custom

[hvacman250]

I'm curious to hear some input from customers and other machinists.

How long is too long to have a project/ano work?

When I started anodizing 2 years ago, I strived to keep turnaround at 7-10 days (days, not "business" days) As my company grew, I went to 10-14"business days". Lately, Im so swamped I find myself stressed out trying to keep that deadline. What goes thru the customers mind when your marker/project is in the shop?

I am married with 3 kids and work a FULL time HVAC job, which gets pretty busy in the hot/cold months.

Starting this week, I have been telling everybody 3 weeks. Today I stopped taking jobs until Im 100% caught up and all jobs have shipped.

So...am I killing myself for no reason? Are people OK with having their gun off at ano for a month? I hate to stop taking work, but I hate to work 8-10 hrs a day in the HVAC field, then 5-6 hrs at home, every single night. Family time is important.

[nunrleft]

For me, as long as I received the finished project in the time frame quoted, I wouldn't have a problem. So, if you tell me I will have it in 7 days, then it should be 7 days. If you tell me 4 weeks, then it should be 4 weeks.

[Brick]

A month give or take a week would be right around what I would expect. Any less impresses me, any more and I'm a little annoyed. I would say that a month give or take a week depending on the job/how busy you are would be jsut dandy.

[pizzaluvr]

I would normally expect 2-3 weeks minimum, but wouldn't be surprised if it took 1 1/2 months or so. Of course.. That's longer than it sounds like.

[Al Ray]

Well Johny#5,

Id say however long the customer is willing to wait, provided turn around time is made known to them, and that you keep them updated. Just dont burry yourself in too much work and get burnt out.

[Ir0nExpress]

As long as you give a timeframe and meet it within a week assuming everything goes well and the person is kept informed, I find one month acceptable in terms of ano.

[Eli]

I think people are also willing to wait a little longer for quality annodizing. I've seen a lot of crappy jobs out there, but the good ones always grab my attention. While I have never seen your work in person, the pics speak for themselves.

Don't sweat it!

[JeramieJ]

For custom work, I expect to have to wait a bit. I have never requested anno, but I have many customs. As was stated, for quality, I expect a wait.

Maybe keeping a running list somewhere, so they know how many are in front of them. Can't expect it in 14 days if your project number 25, from someone providing the service as a part time job.

Keep up the good work, but Family is first. Also stating that Family and Day Job comes first helps.

[xkpxfatassxx]

I think around a month is fine, over 2 months may be long for me unless it's something highly exotic.

[skipjack289]

I would not sweat it.

Anyone who deals with you or any small operation should know that they are getting custom work done. And to me, the word custom involves TIME getting the job done. As long as you and the customer agree upon a time frame for compleation, wheither it is a month or more or whatever, should be fine. And if West Coast Choppers goes byond their given timeframe, I'm sure noone would complain.

Look to Doc and Punisher as examples of how not to do things.
Big Matt posted up in his section that his shop will be closed for a period of time. You can do the same. And I think it is fine if you announce that you will not take work until the table is cleared. If someone cannot wait for an opening, it is their loss.

Family and your real job should be first. Don't let this anno thing overwhelm you.

And, when was the last time you played?