On Aug 23, 8:54*am, "Keith Stelter"
wrote:
It makes no sense to actually "restore" most jukeboxes these days unless
they are one of the 3 or 4 remaining valuable models, or if the owner has
some emotional attachment to it.
Most of us here restore jukes because we like doing it, or we want to add
valuable jukes to our collection without paying retail for them.
I wouldn't say that it's "unfair" to charge the full amount required to
restore a juke. If you quote a guy $2,000.00 based on $10.00 per hour and
that's what you will really have into the job, that's fair. They can take it
or leave it. There is no reason to quote a lower "lump" price if you are
going to still have 200 hours into the restoration because then all you are
doing is being unfair to yourself and are working for nothing.
I haven't done any restorations for anyone else in about 10 years just for
that reason. I always end up with more time and parts in a job than I
originally estimate because I always want to tinker with it until I get it
ABSOLUTELY perfect, and parts that look ok when the juke is unrestored
suddenly look like crap when the rest of the juke is all prettied up and I
replace them at my own expense.
I'm much happier and the hobby is fun again now that I'm only working on my
own stuff.

"EmTee" wrote in message

...
On Aug 22, 7:53 pm, (Ken G.) wrote:

Instead of charging by the hour i look at the machine to be restored and
its value and condition . Then i quote a price or 2 prices for ex. 300$
to 500$ . I like to be fair and make sure the customer knows a close
aprox value of his machine . Then if he wants to spend more than that
its up to him .
Bad idea to quote 1000$ to fix up a 300$ machine and have the owner look
it up and get mad .

If you are really ``restoring`` older jukeboxes ``all the way`` and
right .. an hourly amount would add up to so much it would be
unreasonable or unfair .

Thanks for the info Ken, much appreciated, Mike.

Thanks Keith, you hit the nail on the head !