Ok, to put it in perspective, I didn't set out with the attitude, ok I need to get a return of 1500%. It's probably about 1300% factoring in my time for blasting, and epoxy priming, supplies, etc. But, I payed way under market value, and sold it for market value. The guy needed it for his HEMI roadrunner. He didn't like the trim holes, started to scoff a bit, I said well just weld them up, he said well I don't want to booger it up, I said ok, I'll weld them up for ya, no charge! That was the deal sealer!
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I don't think it's a dying hobby at all! What's killing some aspects of it is individuals with little to no skills or talent, who THINK they have skills and or talent and end up causing more damages to the vehicle (been there, done that 15 yrs ago), and then have to pay a boat load more money to fix the fook ups. Not ALL fall into this category, others that feel badly about this trade are ones who think they can get a car restored for 10K with a new paint job, and, a craftsmans labor and time isn't worth this or that. I see this in about 50% of all customers I deal with. I had a bloke come to me last month wanting a refund for me "overcharging him" on media blasting his Camaro back in 2010. I told him to jump off a bridge. He also did the same thing to a local shop that is building his car, but he wants a refund of 20K for them "overcharging him" on the build. Needless to say, I told that shop (when they called me asking WTF is wrong with this guy) to call him up, tell him his car is ready, sitting outside ready for him to pick up, all the parts etc, everything is out in the parking lot. And then tell him the last 60 days he's been fooking around with this foolishness he has a 65 dollar a day storage charge fees assessed. The customer figured out he still wanted his car to be completed. So...it's always a dance in this business. Just how many 69 Decklids are out there that are in excellent condition? Very very few, and even less that are willing to be parted with!
