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From: kameline
Date: 04-10-2006, 10:41 AM (1 of 17)
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I recently did some work on an army uniform replacing/adding patches, shortening sleeves, etc, and charged $10 per hour. By the time it was all said and done, it had taken me three hours, mostly because this individual was not very clear on what and how they wanted it done. When they heard about the cost of $30, they were not too happy and ended up causing me to reduce the price. His words were that he expected the cost to be $1-2 per patch! Am I being unreasonable? I only have a normal sewing machine that you have to jam the coat in under the needle which takes forever to move it around. Has anyone else had this experience? What do you think of my prices?
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41 
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From: kameline
Date: 04-10-2006, 10:45 AM (2 of 17)
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as another note, I shortened the lined sleeves 2", and it was a total of eight patches that I added... does $30 sound reasonable?
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: Melanie T
Date: 04-10-2006, 12:08 PM (3 of 17)
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$30 for 3 hrs was not unreasonable! You are a professional and your time is valuable. Would he bargin with the doctor or lawyer for services already rendered? Would they laugh at him if he tried? Make sure you are charging enough to 1) make a profit 2) not feel used. Make up a price list and post it for services rendered for alterations. Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 04-10-2006, 12:31 PM (4 of 17)
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I don't think you were unreasonable when you shortened the sleeves especially. Besides that--there are regulations about exactly where those patches have to be. I have sewn on some for my husband on his uniforms and as much as I love to sew, it's for the birds! Those patches are thick and to be honest, a pain in the butt! I don't mind paying someone else to do his b/c the people I use are the same one's who sew probably half the post's stuff and have the machines and the experience to make sure they are done right. I have questioned myself about paying someone to do those uniforms but they are difficult at times. I think you were TOTALLY reasonable. Believe me, the time it took you to do 8 patches is well worth and then some what you charged. Definately have a set price and don't let anybody make you come down!
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: kameline
Date: 04-10-2006, 02:51 PM (5 of 17)
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How I wish some of my customers would do some research to see what alteration costs are really like ! Then maybe they'd be less disagreeable! Oh well, I have tried and tried to make it very clear that it won't be cheap, especially such a big job... has anyone found any sure-fire methods to inform their customers of the cost for their alterations without scaring them away?
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: sandrasumner
Date: 04-10-2006, 05:03 PM (6 of 17)
| You were not unreasonable at all. Tell your customer to check out prices at the local laundry and then complain. Mostly just print out your prices and place them where they can be seen.If you do good work people wont mind paying your prices. |
User: sandrasumner
Member since: 12-22-2005 Total posts: 8 |
From: VenusElaine
Date: 04-10-2006, 08:07 PM (7 of 17)
Your prices were absolutely not out of line!  I charge $2.50 per patch to sew, an additional dollar if I have to remove a previous patch. Hemming lined sleeves is a minimum of $15.00. My concession to the  military (also police officers and firefighters) is that they get what they need, when they need it with no RUSH fee. I collect everything I can concerning regulations on proper placement, as many of my clients are Reserve, and have less idea of where the patches go than I do. Most of them ask for a price when they bring in their uniform, but if they do not, I tell them before they leave it. I also never reduce my price  because it is what my time, experience, and skill command. They may not return, but they can argue about the price all they want; they cannot argue about the work.VenusElaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-10-2006, 09:44 PM (8 of 17)
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You are not out of line...my husband is retired AF. I used to sew those stupid patches and name tapes on too...(man what a mess....hateful things those uniforms). After my machine died and I didn't have a new one, (yet) he had to get stuff done on his own...8 yrs ago it was $25 for name tapes and patches. (luckily his pants and shirts always fit.) Next time someone tells you it costs too much, tell them your time is as costly as theirs is. He was probably some joker who likes to argue about things and make a big deal out of nothing...(and get something for nothing...-some- military are like that). Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: swartzrn
Date: 04-10-2006, 09:55 PM (9 of 17)
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Luckily the Army has decided to go to a new uniform and is transitioning everyone over. The new uniforms have velcro everything--rank, unit patches, etc. I like them in that regard b/c theres not as much sewing required however you can only wash them in certain detergents and the velcro tends to roll upwards. Alot of people still have the BDU's though but I guess eventually everyone will have the new uniforms. I think, again, you were totally reasonable. I cannot remember what I pay exactly per patch but I know it's worth every penny to not have to remove/sew over again patches and more so than the patches, the sleeves were worth it! I wouldn't worry another second about it..I'm sorry you got treated disrespectfully. You have to charge what you feel is right. Just remember, not every customer in any line of work is going to be always agreeable and as hard as that is to swallow, it happens. Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436
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From: Carol in ME
Date: 04-10-2006, 10:56 PM (10 of 17)
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Some customers are "coupon clippers" and want everything for nothing. I stopped advertising in the local weekly paper as the majority of calls were people who wanted patches and badges sewn on for a dollar apiece. Or hems for 3-4 dollars. And the older fellow who wanted a zipper inserted on the inseam of a pair of jeans so he could wear them with his prosthetic leg. It sounded like an interesting project, but he wanted to pay 4 or 5 dollars for it. Sometimes I don't come up with a price right off the bat. I tell the prospective customer I'll give him or her a call with an estimate. Ten dollars an hour is dirt cheap. I bet your soldier earned that much mowing lawns when he was a teenager. |
User: Carol in ME
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 105 |
From: kameline
Date: 04-11-2006, 03:58 PM (11 of 17)
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wow, you all are so encouraging! I am definitely not going to back down on my prices again... have any of you made special allowances for people who seem to honestly not have the money right then? I work with alot of college students, is it ok to give them a week or two to get the money?
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: Carol in ME
Date: 04-11-2006, 09:36 PM (12 of 17)
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Ohhhh,geeee...Once the item is out of your possession it's kind of hard to get paid for it. I don't know what it is college students are haviing altered. Not to be too much of a cynic, but...they probably have money for beer. Maybe not. Maybe I'm just getting old. A couple of summers ago I did a project, a big one, for an aquaintance/friend. It provided a wealth of experience. First time making lined, interlined drapes, first time for a bounced check, first time I held back finished goods for final payment. You know, I might not have except for the bounced check. And the bouncing COST ME $20, too, not just the check-writer. I told DH I felt bad about those drapes folded neatly in the closet: but not as bad as I'd feel if they were hanging in her living room, with me sittin' in mine, wondering if I'd ever see my money. I did another project for them this past fall, and let them take the items w/out full payment, and they did pay relatively soon, but I still think it could have been handled better. I think next time, I'll send them a bill for every $200 or so, just so it doesn't get to be overwhelming. If you're just doing small projects, you're probably okay, if they owe you a balance, you can just refuse any more work. |
User: Carol in ME
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 105 |
From: blanken6
Date: 04-12-2006, 02:37 AM (13 of 17)
We are in the military and have both had our patches put on and now I do them for the guys. $5 each is what we were charged and $5 each is what I charge for just the patches. As often as we get transfered.....it's a good thing I sew! lol Don't let them get you down, people who don't sew don't understand what it takes to get those darn patches on. It was putting a patch on that I sewed my finger!!! So, you charged just right and next time...be confident and don't lower your prices. 
Proverbs 31:10-31
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User: blanken6
Member since: 08-11-2004 Total posts: 41 
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From: Sancin
Date: 04-12-2006, 05:28 AM (14 of 17)
I am a Canadian and know next to nothing about our military much less uniforms in our or US military, but as I can't believe that any agency that spends so much money, have so many rules and regulations about their uniforms would even consider letting anyone but someone in their own gency to do alterations and applications. While I am happy for those of you who sew and the money you work for, I believe that the military should not only be paying for the job, but having someone in the military do everything in relation to uniforms. Do people have to pay for their uniforms?  When I began nursing, back in the dark ages, hospitals laundered all uniforms, but as uniforms became less uniform and the laundry methods changed this practice stopped. And frankly cotton uniforms are much easier to care for than heavy military uniforms. However, there has been discussion in nursing for many years that work clothing should be tax deductable as it is a requirement for employment. But it is interesting that the higher ups (perspective) one is in a hospital supposed heirarchy have lab coats and scrubs provided and laundered. In this case it is probably infection control issue, but still is a control issue. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: kameline
Date: 04-12-2006, 10:07 AM (15 of 17)
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yes, they are responsible to have their uniforms altered, dry cleaned, etc. I really wish that they did have someone else to do the work since it is so hard to do... but I do get paid for it. Really, this is the first time that I have run across someone needing so much done to their uniform. He said he expected it to be $10-15 (I have no idea who quoted him that!!!!!!!!!!) so to him $30 was unbelievable. I can tell this is a hot topic... pushes alot of people's buttons
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: kameline
Date: 04-12-2006, 10:11 AM (16 of 17)
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[QUOTE=Carol in ME] I don't know what it is college students are haviing altered. Not to be too much of a cynic, but...they probably have money for beer. Maybe not. [END QUOTE] Actually, I attend a Bible college, and do work for alot of my classmates. Because most of their money qoes to tuition, some of them don't have much for needs... you'd be surprised, this time of year, I am doing alot of Bride'smaid's gowns for all the summer weddings coming up. It really is good business up here, just sometimes, I find someone who doesn't want to pay for the work I do. Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: Pudge99
Date: 04-12-2006, 04:55 PM (17 of 17)
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Sancin, In answer to your question. Yes and no. My husband does have to buy his own uniforms but he also gets a clothing allowance added to his paycheck. Not sure if what he gets actually covers the whole cost of the uniforms or not. kameline, I agree with the others. If anything you under charged. I sew patches on for my husband and I think for all the hassle that goes into getting them straight, $5 per patch is reasonable. Not sure if anyone else suggested this but why not shop around and see what other places charge and then be like the grocery stores. Make up a sign comparing your price to the competitors. If you do this make sure that you check their prices often and include a "price as of date" on your sign. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
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