All Narfed Up photography and words by Bryan Villarin

Business

AT&T broadband price increase?

In Business, DSL, Money on 11 March 2010 tagged AT&T, DSL, Internet, Service with 6 comments

I read my AT&T bill for the February 2010 and got freaked out:

PRICE CHANGE NOTICE

Attention AT&T High Speed Internet Members: Starting with your March 2010 bill, the monthly rate for your AT&T High Speed Internet Express, Pro or Elite plan will increase $3 (or $3.01) per month. For details and rate information for your specific plan, please go to http://support.att.com/dslupdate or call 1.866.417.6819.

(My emphasis added in bold.)

I have the Pro service for $30/month. So, twelve months from when it starts increasing, it’ll be $66?!

The text is unbelievable. Someone please clarify.

Related: FCC Commissioner Calls For Examination Of Broadband Price Hikes (MediaPost, March 10, 2010)

The end of my car issues

In Business, Car, Life on 4 March 2010 tagged car alarm, maintenance, Toyota Corolla with no comments

About two weeks ago, after my oxygen sensors and spark plugs were replaced, I got my transmission fluid flushed for $130. I’ve definitely noticed an increase in gas mileage. Huzzah!

The last problem with my car: the door ajar light.

I asked the person who installed my aftermarket car alarm to look at it, but he basically ignored me — for several years.

I drove more often a few years ago, so my battery probably didn’t get drained like it did recently because it was always getting charged while driving around.

After getting my third battery (DieHard Gold) had to be replaced within three months of buying it, I was fed up.

Two days ago, I took my car to a local shop (Pro Tint) in Temple City. Their diagnostic service was $25. After waiting three hours, I was told the alarm “brain” circuitry was causing the problem. I was charged $10 more since the removal service was $35. He handed me the “brain” and I went on my way.

I hope that’s the last of my car issues.

Lessons learned:

• When you get a new/used car, find the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and stick to it. (For my 2003 Toyota Corolla S, I should replace the engine oil/filter every 5,000-7,000 miles and automatic transmission fluid flushed every 30,000 miles.)
• If you think you’ll need immediate support with a product or service, choose a company/person who dedicates their time for that.

Separating photo blog

In Business, Photography on 2 March 2010 with no comments

A few friends suggested that I separate photography-related posts from All Narfed Up onto their own site.

The only way to see my freshest photos are from Flickr. I don’t upload to my Zenfolio account regularly unless a photo is pretty epic or it’s for a customer.

I need to change that. All Narfed Up is a melting pot of randomness.

My business cards point to Bryan Villarin.com, which has been a hub to find all my sites. But, I’ve been neglecting the blog section (bad from a business standpoint).

Not anymore. I’m going to use Bryan Villarin.com as my dedicated photography blog while All Narfed Up is for everything else.

While I won’t be transferring any content, I’ll probably link to older photography-related posts at All Narfed Up.

See you over there!

Bryan Villarin | Subscribe via RSS

The check engine light leaves me

In Business, Car on 17 February 2010 tagged Arcadia, car mechanic, Corolla, maintenance, Stop Brake Shops, Toyota with no comments

The check engine light¹ has been pestering my 2003 Toyota Corolla S since May 2009 around 96,000 miles². Over 11,000 miles later, I was able to get the oxygen sensors replaced by my mechanic.

I also had my spark plugs replaced.

• Replace Iridium Spark Plugs (TOY 90080-91180) — $17.95 x 4
• Replace Upstream Oxygen Sensor (DEN 234-4800) — $169.95
• Replace Downstream Oxygen Sensor (DEN 234-4233) — $189.95
• Labor: 1 hour for spark plugs, 2 hours for oxygen sensors — $150
• Tax — $42.09
• Total — $623.79

I’m also overdue for changing my transmission fluid³.

I’m not sure about the price of the parts. The other night, my uncle (former mechanic) told me it should only cost a couple hundred dollars for the oxygen sensors. After looking at these numbers, I figure that being charged labor rate of $50/hr makes up for it. Or does it?

After searching for those parts online, here’s the bad news:

Denso 234-4800 Oxygen Sensor

Denso, Automotive, $70.81

Denso 234-4233 Oxygen Sensor

Denso, Automotive, $87.58

I couldn’t find the spark plugs part number.

I’ve been going to this shop for almost ten years, so I didn’t question the quote for the parts. They’ve been really nice, but what’s with that price discrepancy?

If my schedule on Thursday allows it, I plan to visit the parts department at Longo Toyota to ask for the pricing on these parts. If the Amazon prices are close, I’ll reluctantly talk to my mechanic.

At the bottom of the invoice/receipt, it says:

We want you to be completely satisfied with every job we do. That’s why we back up all work with a 100% satisfaction policy. If for any reason you are not satisfied, give us a call and we will personally take care of any problems you have.

I’m not sure if this falls under that statement. I’m satisfied with the work so far, but not the price of the parts. Sure, I agreed with the stated prices beforehand. Wouldn’t you?

What would you do?

*****

Update 2010-02-18 — Ryan Duff convinced me that this is, essentially, normal. Next time, I’ll buy the parts online and bring it myself.

How to establish your reason behind saying “no”

In Business, Photography on 6 February 2010 tagged Cost of Doing Business, free, haggling, negotiation with 5 comments

I’m worth more than a disposable, temporary employee. But, I need to do the work behind the scenes to prove it.

I wrote the following with photography in mind, but you could adapt it to any business.

*****

Yesterday, someone¹ wanted to know how much I’d charge to cover an event. I scribbled down some non-reimbursable expenses, crunched the simple numbers and replied.

“Um, can you give us a discount?” (paraphrased)

I immediately remembered this going around the internet:

Thanks to Nick Campbell from greyscalegorilla for the image

Problem: I’m terrible at negotiating.

I grit my teeth, convinced that I could use the experience. I reluctantly replied with a discounted offer. Gah!

I’m still waiting for a reply as they think about it.

What’s your full price?

Several months ago, Mike Kang told me I needed to write my business plan.²

Problem: I’m lacking a business plan!

Here are some obvious aspects of photography:

• creative fee and time
• initial equipment costs (camera, lenses, strobes, computer, software)
• camera maintenance
• upgrades (camera body, camera lenses, camera strobes, computer, hard drive storage, flash memory, software)
• transportation (time, fuel, car maintenance, savings for future car purchase)
• learning
• websites (domain name purchasing/renewal, website hosting, image hosting services)

I can’t break down these numbers for you. They’re different for each person. I would’ve kept going, but there’s a lot.

If you don’t know your Cost of Doing Business (CoDB), you will never be able to state a confident quote/estimate.

(Are you a photographer? Read through the licensing guide that ASMP has compiled. It’s ridiculously informative.)

Problem: I haven’t even read the Licensing Guide.

I need to read and execute its advice. Hush.

You’ll be paid when you’re legit

After a five months with my first DSLR camera, someone paid me³ to photograph an event. Oh, it was the first event I covered.

A year later, that customer returned. (They’re awesome!)

In contrast, I’m “negotiating” with a someone that’s probably conditioned with this mindset. I actually shot an event for them before, pro bono. They loved my photos, “especially the black and white ones.” They know I’m good. Yet now, they’re still trying to lowball.

I’m not sure if they’re aware of it, but they’re indirectly saying “free or forget it.” If I accept, I’m working at a loss.

You’re probably wasting your time. Don’t burn the bridges. Be gracious and decline.

How should I charge when I’m new?

This topic is always being discussed. I’m going to link to several extraordinary articles and you’re going to read them:

• Four Reasons to Consider Working for Free — David Hobby
• Part 1: Professional Photographers vs. “Hobby” Status (i.e. Working for Free) — John Harrington
• Part 2: Working for Free: Interns and Apprentices — John Harrington
• Part 3: Working For Free: Commentary and Responses to Selected Comments — John Harrington
• How to do it without ruining it for others — John Harrington
• Free as in “Me” — 43 Folders (Merlin Mann)

You didn’t skim. I know you didn’t. You need this to work too much to skim.

Oh, did you see that video embedded in the three-part series of John Harrington’s posts? I’m not linking to the video. Read through his posts and find it. Watch it several times. I want to see that “Aha!” moment.

Who do you think you are?

A burgeoning professional photographer.⁴

I’m not a grouch or cocky. I’m just trying to do more than survive, and I need every dollar I charge.

If I just wanted to get by, why do all this?

The point

• Take free projects/assignments on your own terms.
• Don’t give out arbitrary numbers. Determine your full price.
• Don’t be the cheap/free photographer. Be the awesome photographer, but not because you’re cheap/free.
• Don’t be a starving artist.

Resources

• Small Business Planner (U.S. Small Business Administration)
• How to price your work (Greyscalegorilla)
• Business Resources (ASMP)

Notes about this post

• I wrote this in about 5.5 hours.
• I almost stopped at 300 words, but ended up with about 650 words (not including the links to the articles and resources).
• I reinstalled the FD Word Statistics [WordPress] Plugin to visually motivate myself to write more clearly.
• Skeptical comments will remain untouched, while cynical comments will be tagged appropriately — but not deleted — so you know which ones to skip. (“As opposed to a cynic, a skeptic is doubtful but still open-minded and logical enough to consider new input.” Steve Pavlina)
• Don’t verbally abuse each other. Treat others as you would treat yourself.