Opinions on value of this table

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I had a very large pine tree taken down at my grandparents house about three years ago. The pine was huge, a good forty feet tall and 2' diameter at the base. I cut a trunk section off and I have it to my step brother to make some piece of furniture for me. He delivered it to me today and it is gorgeous.

The problem I have is he refused to tell me how much I owe him; he said it was family. I respect that but no one works for free and he is not exactly a millionaire either.

So my question is, what do you think this table is worth? No I am not selling it, I just don't want to insult him with too low of a payment. I am very ignorant as to what this would sell for, so I need your opinions.

The top is the one section I gave him, the legs and storage area underneath are locust. This thing is stout, and heavy as hell, I am 300lbs and I can sit on it and it doesn't make a sound.

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There are guys down here that do something similar and I think they start at $200 and go up from there.

This one I have sells for about $350. It is a small bench.
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So I do alot of wood working and have done some small pieces like that, it's a pain and a big job. Part of the reason he did it was because he enjoys wood working. I don't think it was about the money, that said it was a big job and to show your appreciation for his art work I would slip him $300 when he is not around and when he ask you about the money tell him you know nothing about it...
 
Up here in the mountains I have a buddy the builds similar furniture out of local hardwoods and he said if he was to build that for some Floridiots it would be $600-$700. I'd say $300 would cover his time with the family discount. Very nice piece.
 
300, insult.

500-700. No less...
 
Here's my opinion on it.
Offer him $500 for his time, but if he really is skittish about it, let it go for now and don't keep offering cash.
I of course don't know teh guy, but maybe for him it really is about spending his time doing something very cool for family, and bringing cash into it cheapens that feeling for him, it may make him feel like he's "working for you". Again I don't know your relationship, but for many brothers/family/good friends, that bond is worth moee than the cash.
Instead, set that $$ aside and wait for the right opportunity for you to repay him in kind. Find something he needs or wants, maybe something he won't tell you but you could find out from somebody else, and get it for him.
That way it stays much more like brothers taking care of one another, and the "value" remains in the kinship and not trying to put a price on your time.

JMHO.
 
A young man that drove for us for a short time, made a few swings, similar to "RockCity's " bench, but a swing. Bottom plank, Back plank, 2 side armrest. It was cut from a Cedar. Boy needed the money, & he & the Boss was friends, so it was $350. It's Nice, but not professional. I thought it was a little expensive, but looks like he could get More! I had No idea!
 
priceless and very cool :smokin: .............lot's of time/ labor and one of a kind. Ratlab nailed the price or "payment"
 
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He is also building mantels out of various local hardwoods starting around $1500. He did one for a massive log home out of Walnut that was 10' long x 18" deep x 10" thick with a live edge for a little over $5000 a few weeks ago.
 
Give him a "good game", say thanks, and be ready to repay the favor when the opportunity strikes.
 
One dollar bob...

I completely agree with @RatLabGuy . I do tons of work for my brother (and parents) on his (their) vehicles. Even if I don't enjoy doing it or its an inconvenience, I do it because I love them and they are family. Doing it for money seems to "cheapen" the deed. I don't do it for or need their money. I don't know his financial situation, but if he needs something or wants for something, take this opportunity to just be family and return the kindness
 
Somebody does something for you that takes considerable time and doesn't want paid. What's it worth? Priceless! Your problem is payback , not money, but time , energy, maybe a tool or piece of equipment that makes his work easier or better
 
BigClay said:
The problem I have is he refused to tell me how much I owe him; he said it was family.
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Did you get the feeling some sort of payment would have been appreciated? Or was it clear he expected NO form of payment?
It's been my experience that when something is offered without expectation of pay, you offer to pay once. If the offer is rejected, you offer a second time, stating that you don't feel comfortable NOT paying for the item. If they refuse twice, it now becomes uncomfortable for the giver, and boarders on insulting.
When I offer something for free, it is a gift from me, and it makes me feel good to present that without strings. Sometimes, adding a payment devalues the "gift" aspect and takes some of the joy away from it for me (as the giver) especially if it's a skill I possess that others may not have.


BigClay said:
he is not exactly a millionaire either.
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It's been my experience that if the person is not particularly well off, it's even more of an insult to keep insisting on payment.

However.....down the road.....

moldman05 said:
maybe a tool or piece of equipment that makes his work easier or better
Click to expand...

This FTW
 
CasterTroy said:
Did you get the feeling some sort of payment would have been appreciated? Or was it clear he expected NO form of payment?
It's been my experience that when something is offered without expectation of pay, you offer to pay once. If the offer is rejected, you offer a second time, stating that you don't feel comfortable NOT paying for the item. If they refuse twice, it now becomes uncomfortable for the giver, and boarders on insulting.
When I offer something for free, it is a gift from me, and it makes me feel good to present that without strings. Sometimes, adding a payment devalues the "gift" aspect and takes some of the joy away from it for me (as the giver) especially if it's a skill I possess that others may not have.




It's been my experience that if the person is not particularly well off, it's even more of an insult to keep insisting on payment.

However.....down the road.....



This FTW
Click to expand...
exactly my point.

The bond between you is worth more than the cash value of the table.
 
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