Re: Working for Cheap
Every single example you use is an example of a monopoly or limited monopoly.
Price is a direct function of supply and demand.
If you want prices to go up, you either create more demand or less supply.
To charge more for sound (assuming demand for live events is stable), you:
1) Via a union, artificially restrict access to the trade (supply down), increasing what suppliers can charge (demand up), or
2) Fix prices (requires participation by all or it doesn't work - and it's illegal), or
3) Find a way to sell yourself as being worth more
Number 3 is how I choose to do it. (It's a tough road to hoe, though!)
Steve...I'm assuming you were meant this post for me?
I don't understand how everything I've listed is a Monopoly?
How are all Real Estate agencies, Monopolies? How are all Dental Practices Monopolies? How are all Harley Dealerships Monopolies? How are Car Dealerships, Monopolies?
All of these Agencies, Dental Practices and Dealerships are/could be, independently owned. ''Mono'' means one, and ''Poly'' means many. But, in this case the word Monopoly (Mono-polein) in greek, ''polein'', means ''to sell''.
''Monopolies are characterized by the lack of economic competition to produce the goods or service, and, the lack of a viable substitute.''
Now..if Harley was the only Motorcycle Manufacturer in the World (or available in the Country) ...then, they could/would be seen as a Monopoly. Or, if the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. owned every one of it's dealerships and therefore, set all of the prices, it could be seen as Monopolistic.
The same for the Real Estate Agencies, Dental Clinics, etc... but, they are not all owned by one Company. And, there is other supposed, competition.
I like your answer # 3, which seems to be a proper and simple answer to what can be a complicated problem....
But, No offense, it can be a wasteful endeavor if you do not regulate your efforts.
Here's a story that I've told many times over the years....
For example: Mister ''A'' gets $400. to supply, set up and operate ''X'' system, and goes above and beyond what is detailed in the contract. (offering to help the lighting guy, backline guy because they're late to the gig) He might even ''save the show'' through extra back breaking work....finding that way to ''being worth more''.
Mister ''B'' offers the same ''X'' system and the same contract to the promoter, but, at $600. Of course, the promoter denied him the work based on his price.
Mister ''A'' feels all happy that he got the gig, until he realizes that his costs of Insurance, Taxes, Helper, Self, etc..(expenses) are covered, but, his profit is nonexistent. Not only that, but he worked his butt off.
Mister ''A'' is contacted again by the promoter (because he did such a great job). But now, because they're ''friends''...the promoter tells Mister ''A'' that he can't pay the same amount as the last gig... (only $350.)...but ''It's only a one time thing'', and that the next time, he'll ''make it up'' to him.
So, Mister ''A'' loads in and sets up his system...gets it sounding really good...and is relaxing... but then, the promoter comes to request that Mister ''A'' help the light guy and after that, help with backline. ''You've done such a great job last time, and, I realized I didn't need the other hands, so...I didn't call them.''
Now, Mister ''A'' is working for less, and consistently expected to produce more. Setting a bad precedent. Now, this Promoter will shop for other Sound Companies to provide the same ''X'' system, for a lower price and expect the same amount of work. (He's thinking, after all, Mister ''A'' went lower without any haggling).
Meanwhile...Mister ''B'' is holding his prices and making a profit on other gigs.
I'm sure everyone has either heard or experienced the same.
What it really boils down to...is what exactly do you expect from your time, investment, and efforts. If you want it to be a successful business, then, treat it like a business, if it's a hobby, then, when you're tired of the effort, you'll find something else to do.
Cheers,
Hammer
