Would you ask your friend to pay for your servicing?

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog
Now it s tricky.

Some pals know I can do the repairs and cleanings, and I never asked anything in return because won't guarantee any success or failure.

It was started with simple tasks, like simple cleaning, some faulty cameras and give it a try. But now I am looking at my table and there are already 12 cameras and lenses waiting for me. I have done 17 projects last month successfully and returned to the original owners. I don't know how many I did in last year but I am sure it would not be less than 50.

For some of the projects I have to buy parts from internet for replacement as well. I have never asked them to pay, but I have told them what I did. And in return they have given me for some other camera collection or gears.

I don't want to "start charging them" , and getting into a " commerical camera repairmen".

Do you guys have this problem?Should I ask them to pay?
 

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,763
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
Yes, it's tricky, but at the volume you have been doing, I would say you are already "in the business".

Do you feel you are being compensated adequately for your time and effort?
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog
So
Kino said:
Yes, it's tricky, but at the volume you have been doing, I would say you are already "in the business".

Do you feel you are being compensated adequately for your time and effort?
Click to expand...

Somehow I have thought whether it was because I have returned a working gear to them, and then they just want to return me a favor from giving me another one. But this ...is going like a snowball and getting into today.

I also have been asked whether I agree them to sell the camera I have repaired. It was strange until I now aware it could be having another meanings...
 

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,763
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
That sounds like they are using your service to sell cameras.

If they are making a profit, you should too.

I would put up some specific boundaries real soon; like only repair for free if they intend to use it personally. If they are going to resell, then they need to pay.

There is an old saying; "No customer is more demanding as one who gets a service for free..."
 

BrianShaw

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
16,533
Location
La-la-land
Format
Multi Format
Don’t forget that if you charge (“in the business “) you are also responsible for errors, omissions, loss, warranty, business licenses, tax, insurance, and probably other related things.
 

AnselMortensen

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 9, 2020
Messages
2,474
Location
SFBayArea
Format
Traditional
Are these friends who just show up with broken cameras?...or are they friends who pick up the tab at the pub, or go with you to a concert/event/whatever?
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog
BrianShaw said:
Don’t forget that if you charge (“in the business “) you are also responsible for errors, omissions, loss, warranty, business licenses, tax, insurance, and probably other related things.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I don't want to.
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog
AnselMortensen said:
Are these friends who just show up with broken cameras?...or are they friends who pick up the tab at the pub, or go with you to a concert/event/whatever?
Click to expand...

They are my real friends who knows since school days. We met in the school's photography team for more than 30 years already.

Originally the repairing works are just hobbies, like projects we worked together. Then everyone has their own life and I am the last who could do.
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog

I believe it has been under the table for some years and we just never bought it up to the light.
In fact I agree we can't keep all gears

I don't have any warranty in success ( in fact there are some I can't fix and returned) , so they won't say anything bad towards me, and I don't want they begin to.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,791
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
You can pick and choose what you want to do, under what conditions, and when. When I prefer not to handle or help someone, I simply say, "I'd like to, but I'm just too busy".
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog
xkaes said:
You can pick and choose what you want to do, under what conditions, and when. When I prefer not to handle or help someone, I simply say, "I'd like to, but I'm just too busy".
Click to expand...

Tried, it only helps a very short while
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,885
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
Sounds to me as if you are dealing with a very complex social reality for you and your friends. 'Specialized' knowledge in a group is great- lawyer, car mechanic, nurse, etc., we all help each other out with what we know that most people don't know. Sounds as if your enjoyment of helping out friends is starting to get a little old. And tied to this might be that you feel as if you are not getting help in a comparable fashion from 'the group' or whatever. If you were perfectly comfortable with the arrangements you wouldn't be here asking about it.

So what has changed in the last year or two? why are they approaching you so often? Do you think the repair work has become all they see you for? Or maybe coming to you for repair keeps something that they want in their life going, but are finding it harder and harder to do? They have other demands but don't want to let go of the life that started 30 years ago and this is how it works for them? But then it doesn't work that way for you?

Well, anyway, I have a sense that this is more about aging, changes, long term friendships, etc., than it is about business. What kind of 'payment' have you been getting up to now?

Put simply for me, I would do repair work without charge for a good friend who would never ask me to do it for free
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,372
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
I think that you should be compensated in some form for your time and work. You will have to have a conversation with your friends to see how people feel and what can be worked out for mutual satisfaction.
 

mshchem

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
14,667
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format
Be honest and ask if they expect you to continue to do this for free? Don't hide your feelings. Maybe they could buy a nice meal sometime??
 

Ivo Stunga

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
1,198
Location
Latvia
Format
35mm
I have another question: why would a friend leave a friend empty-handed systematically?
Maybe friend is someone who understands the struggle and wants to give (pay extra: like for your time + a meal here and there, because you're great and you're a friend), instead of take (for free)...
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog

I don't want to say I dislike my pals asking me, but it is getting a bit tired in this way. I spend most of my nights and holidays in this hobbit, even though sometimes they would join, it just making me feel a bit boring and locked at my table.

They actually have some gifts given to me or my family. The most luxury was a travel trip ticket which was "claimed from one's card earned miles and nearly expired" . It was a return favor from CLA a set of Nikon RF camera with 2 lenses that twas found as junk .
 
OP
OP

kl122002

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
391
Location
Hong Kong
Format
Analog
mshchem said:
Be honest and ask if they expect you to continue to do this for free? Don't hide your feelings. Maybe they could buy a nice meal sometime??
Click to expand...

They actually did bought me nice meals. Each time when they ask for dinner gathering instead of playing table top games I know it's about having another gears.
 

Hassasin

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2023
Messages
1,329
Location
Hassasstan
Format
Multi Format
It's nice to be. nice, until a hammer needs to come down.

From your description it does not sound you are referring to "friends" any more. Sorry to be this blunt, and of course I don't know how these conversations go when you end up taking on so many projects.

Unless you benefit from these relationships in some other way. I would never use a friend and not be understanding of time / expanses involved. If they refuse to take my money for any favours or help, I try to pay back in another way. Are you getting any of that?

At the same time you are now asking yourself whether to charge or not. This tells me the load of work is overwhelming your thought process, once you realised you spent all that time on it and have little to show for it. It's a feeling of being "used" that typically triggers this.

I would also not think much about seeing it as a "business" in case you charge anything for the work. No need to think about license, insurance etc. you can still be this nice guy who fixes things for friends, but on conditions and understanding none of the work is guaranteed to last, and at least all expanses have to be covered. If they snuff this, you will know where the relations stand.
 

Andreas Thaler

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 19, 2017
Messages
4,863
Location
Vienna/Austria
Format
35mm
For me, every repair project is a win because my goal is to learn. Fortunately, I don't have to make money from it. So I'm free and can choose what I do.

If I can help someone with a repair, that makes me even happier. However, the ratio has to be right. If I have the impression that someone wants to save money and that's why they come to me, I say no. I don't allow myself to be taken advantage of, especially not among friends.

I also pay close attention not to get involved in commercial work for which fees are due and general terms and conditions that regulate the contractual relationship with the customer. Apart from that, I cannot offer professional repairs and do not want to.

From all of this it follows that I remain independent, only work on my own devices and only do something for others in exceptional cases. But I have to be interested in the topic and I don't take any money for it.
 

Andreas Thaler

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 19, 2017
Messages
4,863
Location
Vienna/Austria
Format
35mm

A friend just sent me his Canon A-1 with drop damage and three lenses to take a look at what could be done. A workshop would not accept such a repair, which is a piece of handicraft work. Since I value clarity, I buy the things from him and look forward to another camera for my Canon A repair series this year
 

Andreas Thaler

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 19, 2017
Messages
4,863
Location
Vienna/Austria
Format
35mm
And one thing is clear to me too. Botched work is anti-social, especially if you don't depend on it. Anyone who earns money from repairs as an entrepreneur also bears the risk as well as costs and investments and has to pay taxes. Therefore he should also benefit from it.
 

Rrrgcy

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 10, 2016
Messages
211
Location
So FL
Format
Medium Format
You barter, but in a makes-sense manner: Just say to each in your most upfront way that should you be successful pulling off a repair (no matter how minimal or extensive) ask if they can give you “three-or-five-or-however many rolls of FILM“ they decide is fair, leave it up to them, better to state upfront you’re in need of film and ask for some rolls! You’ll see how much they value you. It’s a test, too and not at all offensive.

It forces them to look inward, to reconsider what they’re doing… and they wouldn’t hold this soft bargain against you.

This will force your friends to instantly appreciate your work and cause them to value it - it’s a pause to consider that you give them the gift of photography, they give you the gift of photography. It’s even.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…