How do you say... NO!!

I can get interested in pretty much anything with the right price offered, so I don’t know.

Also, now that you have told a fib, it’s even harder to come back with “Sorry, I only do things to donate to charity”

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

I just tell them woodworking is something I do for fun, and I make things I like to make. I go on to explain that taking someone’s money to make what they want is a whole different ball game, and makes my fun more like work.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Charlie
Wow! That is how I feel exactly word to word. I have always thought this way deep down and you came up with what I was thinking. I guess woodworkers think alike.

-- Richard Boise, Idaho

have you try with a simpel NO!....lol
I´m not up in that league so I don´t no
but Charlies comment makes sence to say

Dennis

Maybe instead of money you could ask for some obscure, rare, ultra exotic stock in exchange for doing their project. I’m not talking about a blank from the keel of the Mayflower, more in line with 10bf of clear Madagascar Ebony. This way you’re not charging them money, you get stock to use in a future project and they can decide if they want to pay top dollar, wait for a bargain or don’t need the project done that much.

If I don’t want to do a project for someone I just quote them a price that’s out of their league!

-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com

I’m with Charlie and Richard. My answer on a whole lot of things is “I do these things for free because I find them fun. If I charged my usual hourly rate to do them, you couldn’t afford them. And I’d have to do them on a schedule and do them to someone else’s specs.”

If someone ever calls my bluff, well, I’m gonna rake in some decent dosh.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I just tell everyone that I will get to whatever project they want me to do for them when I’m done doing the projects I want to do for myself.
Then I show them the list. The “Master To Do List” that I have had for almost 14 years now. Then they leave me alone :)

-- You can get more with a kind word and a 2 by 4, than you can with just a kind word.

I have the same problem with a slightly different twist. I do a lot of work for my church and I am well known within the church by many of the older members. They will approach me with a request to do things in their home which are, essentially, handyman work. I do it if I know them to be rather poor, especially if it is an important project for health or safety reasons.

However, recently I got myself suckered into doing some cosmetic work inside a couple’s expensive RV. There was no health or safety issues and the people who own that RV clearly can afford to hire someone. I’ve got to learn to say “no” in situations like this.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

Well, you could always try to flip Murphy’s law around in your favor? Attempt to sell your work and then surely no one will be looking.

Jesse
So True! You hear about woodworkers trying to go into business, and trying to find customers that will pay. Maybe I should carry some cards of some of my fellow local woodworkers and steer them towards their direction.

-- Richard Boise, Idaho

I read here a long time ago and I use it all the time when I am asked to do some wood project for others, “I would be happy to show you how to do it, come to my shop and I will teach you” everyone so far has declined except for my sister and we had a blast working together. This only works with friends and family but anyone else (as long as your polite) really does not matter :)

You could also work out a deal with another lumberjock to do the project and get a commission :)

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

I just say “Naw, I don’t want to do that” .
Frankly, I’m rather fed up with charities.
They are becoming businesses and used by governments to offset their primary responsibilities or tax dodges for wealthy corporations.

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Just tell them the truth and they can’t find fault you for anything. It’s your business what you do with your leisure time.

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

I would just tell them that woodworking is a hobby and that you dont do work for hire.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN