Taking care of your gunsmith

[Cimarron2011]

OK...so here I am...about to take delivery on my first custom rifle. I actually pick the rifle up on the 6th of April (assuming that it's back from Ceracoat). So far everything has gone very smoothly. He takes my calls and answers my emails. He generally treats me in a respectful way, and he has answers for even my dumbest questions.

So here's a dumb question for the Forum: Should I tip my gunsmith? If so, how much?

BTW - I want to hear from some of the gunsmiths as well. Don't feel like there is any conflict of interest, just keep it real

 

[ar15topgun]

He would probably be most thankful if you pay your bill when you pick up the rifle and if his work is everything that you expected give him praise and recommendations to prospective customers. If there are problems try to work them out privately first.

 

[Preacher]

It's a nice thought, and I'm sure he would appreciate it, but it is not usually done, or expected of any one to tip them for a well done job they enjoy doing.....
Letting every one know he did you a great job should be payment enough....

 

[ryanjay11]

Repeat customers are the best sign of a job well done.

 

[johned]

He might well not like that. He isn't a waiter where you tip for superior service. Few people that "hire" a Gunsmith are qualified to evaluate their craftsmanship and skill beyond "it seems to work well or is now accurate" or "it looks good to my brick layers eyes". You have a generous heart and the sentiment is admirable but many I know would think you felt that they didn't charge enuff and you know where that will lead.

One of my Smiths is a diabetic and only has one vice....he drinks one beer after work every day he works. He likes the spendy custom brewed dark beers. On my last visit I spent an hour with him and he slugged my bore and measured 6 bullets and cart.s and discussed my rifle and my problems at length. Professional stuff in the least. He stopped me from writing a check for his min shop charge that is a bargain and clearly posted. I returned a couple days later and delivered him a Guinness Dark Stout six pack. He smiled broadly and I now feel better.

My other Smith only charges me half the time and when he does charge it seems to me to be 50% of the going rate at the most. I even get to use his private range to test fire every rifle he finishes work on regardless of the nature of the work. He doesn't drink beer but he gets a 5th of Crown Royal on Xmass.

I wouldn't even dream of giving a craftsman "money" as a tip.

IMHO,

John

 

[Cimarron2011]

Thanks Guys. The advice is much appreciated. In light of the last post, I should probably used the word bonus rather than tip, but....

If the gun is as good as my experience, he will get a great deal of praise on this forum and out at my range. I first heard about him at the range, so he is fairly well known there, but additional word of mouth can't hurt. I am already planning to take him another project. I have a little Remington that needs some work.

 

[Nodak7mm]

I am on board with Ryan and Preacher Man, that is repeat work sent their way. If your really happy, brag the guy up and send work his way.

Rod

 

[Joe C]

If it's o.k. with ya'll, being a custom gunsmith, I'll reply to this as well...

Most of us are a funny lot, and I can say that because I know a lot of other custom smiths. The really good ones, as you might imagine, take a LOT of pride in our work. And typically we charge for it also. Now we may have a few friends that we do cut rates or favors for from time to time but that, as a general rule, is an exception and often desired to be kept quiet because we can't have everyone out there thinking we are such nice guys! HA!

Over the years I have received a number of very nice things from my client friends. Most of them know that I enjoy a nice smoke out of my tobacco pipes. And every once in a while, an appreciating customer will send me a tin or two of my favorite Peterson's University Flake. It is always a surprise, and never expected but certainly enjoyed. There have been clients that have given me boxes of cigars, beer, bourbon, nice pipes, t-shirts, hats, and other gifts of appreciation. I even had a guy at Camp Perry insist that I take some money for fixing his doubling pistol before he would leave the trailer, and he just wouldn't take no for an answer. What I've come to realize for myself, and I'm not speaking for other smiths here mind you, is that some people just really want you to know how much they appreciate what you did for them, and their way of showing that appreciation is by giving you something they think you will enjoy...and that's cool...not expected, but cool.

All that being said, the best praise someone like myself gets, in my opinion, is hearing about how good your gun shoots from others. It is always a thrill to get a call or e-mail telling me that so and so won this match or that match with one of my guns. Or that they had the time of their lives shooting a buddies gun that was built here. And that is how guys like me stay in business. Treat folks right, communicate, give more than is asked, and people come back time and again, and they send their friends.

So, do you have to take your smith something he may like for a job well done? No. Should you? Not necessarily. But if you do choose to do it, make it something that when he looks at it or enjoys it, reminds him of how much you appreciated what he did and how much he enjoyed doing it for you. Case in point, hanging on my wall in the shop above my bench is a matted framed picture sent to me of a gun I built for a gentleman that carries the gun everyday on duty somewhere...he sent me that picture...and it reminds me to say a prayer for him each day...things like that...well, they are worth far more than money. And that's my two cents from the point of view of a custom smith.

 

[Cigarcop]

I keep my Smith smoking Fine Cigars

 

[Larryh128]

Well said Joe.

 

[Jim See]

Well said Joe.

+1

I have had customers give me a variety of gifts, small or large they are all appreciated. I don't expect them and they are rare, but I do remember when a customer does give me a gift, and yes he does get preferential treatment down the road. One because I tend to treat people the way they treat me, and two it shows a personal connection that we share.

 

[dirtworks5]

Joe C,
I am hoping that one day I will be able to send you my Colt 1911. I have respect for a man in business that takes enough pride in his work as you do. I have reviewed your work and it looks as you excel in what you do. The idea of enjoying it is even better. I look forward to the day that we can do business.
Regards,
Vern

 

[TheSnake]

This is a good thread and I enjoyed reading the replies. I was a mechanic in my younger years and the customer I remember most was one that stopped by every so often to say hello even when his car didn't need repairs. He would also bring fruit sometimes and I remember his name 25 years later. I did get cash tips from some but I dont recall their names.

 

[bozo699]

Well I have to put my two cents worth in,... My Smith is a very close friend of mine and also my shooting partner and he doesn't charge me near enough nor near often enough and he always has us ready for the first match of the year, this year like always were ready, He built me a bat 3 lug 6brx and a Lawton 7500 and I just this second got off the phone with him and ask him for a bill and his answer was as usual we will worry about it later?? Last year I paid him a little but he wouldn't take any more so my son and I bought him a 12-42 NSX and the look on his face alone was worth every penny, this year I am going to buy him a new JJ front rest and rear bag, I don't see anything wrong with saying thanks buy giving them a nice gift they can use. Now if he charged full price I might buy him a bottle of premium booze or something but that is not the case for me so I will keep giving my smith nice gifts as long as he makes me nice rifles.
Wayne.

P.S I don't think my smith ever frequents this site but if he happens to see this,...
Thank you for all you do for us Paul
Your friend Wayne.

 

[Cimarron2011]

If it's o.k. with ya'll, being a custom gunsmith, I'll reply to this as well...

Most of us are a funny lot, and I can say that because I know a lot of other custom smiths. The really good ones, as you might imagine, take a LOT of pride in our work. And typically we charge for it also. Now we may have a few friends that we do cut rates or favors for from time to time but that, as a general rule, is an exception and often desired to be kept quiet because we can't have everyone out there thinking we are such nice guys! HA!

Over the years I have received a number of very nice things from my client friends. Most of them know that I enjoy a nice smoke out of my tobacco pipes. And every once in a while, an appreciating customer will send me a tin or two of my favorite Peterson's University Flake. It is always a surprise, and never expected but certainly enjoyed. There have been clients that have given me boxes of cigars, beer, bourbon, nice pipes, t-shirts, hats, and other gifts of appreciation. I even had a guy at Camp Perry insist that I take some money for fixing his doubling pistol before he would leave the trailer, and he just wouldn't take no for an answer. What I've come to realize for myself, and I'm not speaking for other smiths here mind you, is that some people just really want you to know how much they appreciate what you did for them, and their way of showing that appreciation is by giving you something they think you will enjoy...and that's cool...not expected, but cool.

All that being said, the best praise someone like myself gets, in my opinion, is hearing about how good your gun shoots from others. It is always a thrill to get a call or e-mail telling me that so and so won this match or that match with one of my guns. Or that they had the time of their lives shooting a buddies gun that was built here. And that is how guys like me stay in business. Treat folks right, communicate, give more than is asked, and people come back time and again, and they send their friends.

So, do you have to take your smith something he may like for a job well done? No. Should you? Not necessarily. But if you do choose to do it, make it something that when he looks at it or enjoys it, reminds him of how much you appreciated what he did and how much he enjoyed doing it for you. Case in point, hanging on my wall in the shop above my bench is a matted framed picture sent to me of a gun I built for a gentleman that carries the gun everyday on duty somewhere...he sent me that picture...and it reminds me to say a prayer for him each day...things like that...well, they are worth far more than money. And that's my two cents from the point of view of a custom smith.

Many thanks Joe. I really appreciate this. It sounds like you and my smith are cut from the same cloth. It is really apparent that he loves what he does. He converted his entire garage into a shop, and he had a great time showing me around. The funny thing was, I handed him my Remy 700 SA and a David Tubb bolt, and he could not not put it down. He was talking with me about the build, but he tinkered with that bolt the entire time I was there. Initially, the bolt wouldn't run fully into the action...by the time I left, he had it running and locking up..not to his liking of course.

Thanks again for your comments.

 

[40X Guy]

Both of my smiths I use locally are customers of mine in my auto repair shop and I make sure they are happy as i am always happy with their work and if there is a problem the problem is always fixed cheerfully and that includes me. Also make sure you let them know how your new rifle shoots, I emails pics of the targets I shoot, then I see them up on the wall in the shop after they print them out. They want to know the results of their labor of love!

Frank

 

[serial # 001]

OK...so here I am...about to take delivery on my first custom rifle. I actually pick the rifle up on the 6th of April (assuming that it's back from Ceracoat). So far everything has gone very smoothly. He takes my calls and answers my emails. He generally treats me in a respectful way, and he has answers for even my dumbest questions.

So here's a dumb question for the Forum: Should I tip my gunsmith? If so, how much?

BTW - I want to hear from some of the gunsmiths as well. Don't feel like there is any conflict of interest, just keep it real

One of the guys I use is a cantakerous man. He is offended at offering a tip. One morning I stopped off at the doughnut store. There was my fun smith. I asked him if he came in very often. He does. When I'm in town occatonally I go by McDonald's and get two apple pies for a buck. I use the excuse I don't want two so thought I would share the other with him. He seems to like the idea so I do it two or three times a year.

 

[4xforfun]

The smiths I talk to and work with....."Nothin better than seeing shooters win with their equipment". That is all the "tip" they want.

 

[benjamin199]

After winning big matches I have brought my smith a bottle of good whisky.

 

[boogershooter]

Sometimes in our busy lives, what we do for a release or hobby becomes very important to us. So I also feel compelled to do something for the guy who puts his craft in your hands for those few precious hours when we get to escape reality, and enjoy ourselves.