Just an example:
Unlike your area, we have 12 known plating shops and 19 machine shops that are equipped to do the plating work. All of these shops are able to do zinc plating. People that come to me for zinc plating stuff have tried these places at one point or another, what gets them with me is personolized approach of my MUCH smaller operation. I charge $75-$100 CAD ($50-65 US) per hour for prep and plating, some clients wait around for their stuff some drop off. What gets most people is seeing other already finished parts in my garage, in some cases I have "before" pictures for parts that came out especially nice. What people like is personal attention that they and their parts get, at this point there is never an argument over the charge. If some wonder, I tell them that everything from glass beads to anodes to myself experience wear and tear and that must be compensated. I can only recall one guy who took a week to come up with the money, he didn't expect the price so high, but when he saw the parts - smiles and no sign of regret. To make long story short - be nice and reasonable, you will succeed.
Andrew -
aermakov@rogers.com