who does electric rr stuff that has a quick turn around time. M y last install was sent in in dec and will get mailed back in april. He is too busy for me.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Well, he's not too busy for you, he's busy period. If he was too busy for you he wouldn't do it at all. There aren't a ton of guys doing that stuff. I do em, and several others in the forum do em. Right now my turn around times are about 5 to 6 weeks but I also have a full time job, a part time job and several side jobs. Your current guy is probably in a similar situation, you can't do it for a living and you can't charge what you need to make it worth while. It takes twice as long as you can charge for. If you want I can do it and turn it around in one or two evenings as my work load is light right now but do understand, the good ones are worth waiting for as they'll do a good job and charge you a fair price.
GGG did a great job and fast turn around on my steamer.
I do them, but my turn-around is something like Matt's. There are simply too many demand on my time with shop repairs, product support, and the upgrades. I think George (GGG) is probably the fastest turn-around time right now, he seems to crank them out pretty quickly. If you're in a hurry, I think that's your best bet.
This is kind of an interesting subject. A one man private repair business where just repairs and upgrades are done is somewhat of a labor of love. It's just doesn't seem likely that it could sustain a family income. I guess some dealers can support a full time repair position?
Probably the reasons are low volume of very complex products.
cjack posted:A one man private repair business where just repairs and upgrades are done is somewhat of a labor of love. It's just doesn't seem likely that it could sustain a family income.
It's my retirement hobby. 
GUNRUNNERJOHN is the best. He does a "FANTASTIC" Job on Engine upgrades. He has done TWO for me and they have turned out GREAT!!! He uses "ERR" Sound Systems (by Lionel) and they have the best Sound Qualities, I think.
Fred (FREDSTRAINS)
Fredstrains posted:GUNRUNNERJOHN is the best. He does a "FANTASTIC" Job on Engine upgrades. He has done TWO for me and they have turned out GREAT!!! He uses "ERR" Sound Systems (by Lionel) and they have the best Sound Qualities, I think.
Fred (FREDSTRAINS)
If you want Quality, you have to be little Patient, I always say!!!!
Fred
I think you will enjoy your hobby much more if you learn to do these things yourself. It adds tremendous satisfaction once done.
Rod Miller
Fredstrains posted:GUNRUNNERJOHN is the best. He does a "FANTASTIC" Job on Engine upgrades. He has done TWO for me and they have turned out GREAT!!! He uses "ERR" Sound Systems (by Lionel) and they have the best Sound Qualities, I think.
Fred (FREDSTRAINS)
No he is not! Who else have you used to do upgrades for the comparison
G
GGG posted:Fredstrains posted:GUNRUNNERJOHN is the best. He does a "FANTASTIC" Job on Engine upgrades. He has done TWO for me and they have turned out GREAT!!! He uses "ERR" Sound Systems (by Lionel) and they have the best Sound Qualities, I think.
Fred (FREDSTRAINS)
No he is not! Who else have you used to do upgrades for the comparison
Come on George, you don't have a basis for comparison either. How many upgrades have I done for you? 
I might be the best, and then I might not.
cjack posted:This is kind of an interesting subject. A one man private repair business where just repairs and upgrades are done is somewhat of a labor of love. It's just doesn't seem likely that it could sustain a family income. I guess some dealers can support a full time repair position?
Probably the reasons are low volume of very complex products.
I think you would be surprised at the volume of upgrades and repairs request. Won't become a millionaire, but there work out there. G
There is more business than I can handle, I can tell you that! Lots of folks that want repairs and upgrades.
cjack posted:This is kind of an interesting subject. A one man private repair business where just repairs and upgrades are done is somewhat of a labor of love. It's just doesn't seem likely that it could sustain a family income. I guess some dealers can support a full time repair position?
Probably the reasons are low volume of very complex products.
I looked at the complexity of the work, what features people wanted (all of them), what people wanted to pay (very little), how quickly they wanted it done (immediately) and decided to only do upgrades for myself. So far I am happy with that choice, but I am not a fast worker either.
The folks who do not understand how to do the work are usually the ones that trivialize the effort required.
Roy, I confess that I'm rethinking doing upgrades for other folks. I probably have 15-20 projects of my own that are languishing, I'd like to get to them. I'd probably keep doing my little development projects as I get a kick out of those. There's only so many hours in the day...
gunrunnerjohn posted:GGG posted:Fredstrains posted:GUNRUNNERJOHN is the best. He does a "FANTASTIC" Job on Engine upgrades. He has done TWO for me and they have turned out GREAT!!! He uses "ERR" Sound Systems (by Lionel) and they have the best Sound Qualities, I think.
Fred (FREDSTRAINS)
No he is not! Who else have you used to do upgrades for the comparison
Come on George, you don't have a basis for comparison either. How many upgrades have I done for you?
I might be the best, and then I might not.
That as my point exactly, and of course it was tongue in cheek! G
gunrunnerjohn posted:Roy, I confess that I'm rethinking doing upgrades for other folks. I probably have 15-20 projects of my own that are languishing, I'd like to get to them. I'd probably keep doing my little development projects as I get a kick out of those. There's only so many hours in the day...
I think train repair and upgrades are electro-mechanical talent and knowledge and almost most of all, it's an Art. How can you fairly compensate for that ability? So it becomes a labor of love and competes with other loves.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Roy, I confess that I'm rethinking doing upgrades for other folks. I probably have 15-20 projects of my own that are languishing, I'd like to get to them. I'd probably keep doing my little development projects as I get a kick out of those. There's only so many hours in the day...
You need an apprentice.
Chuck, it's crowding out some other loves, that's the problem! An apprentice would be nice, but that's a pretty tough requirement.
