Important ethical question

[kidquick]

Hello evrybody. Again, really enjoy this site. One of the reasons I started posting is I have a trying situation and was wondering if you guys could help or give me some insight. This might be a little long so bear with me.

A little about myself, I am 37 years old. I have been an artist as long as I could hold a pencil. I have almost 20 years in the autobody profession and have always done airbrush on the side here or there. A certain family member opened up his resto shop, and I airbrushed his Harley for him. Well about 4 years ago he talked me into coming and working with him and doing airbrush work and we had a good run for a while. Recently about 2 years ago the direction of the shop has changed and I am not doing the artwork I am supposed to be doing by this time. Nobody seems to care but me. It is not my shop, am I responsible to go out and get the work even though my rate does not change?

I have people saying they want me to airbrush/pinstripe but at there shop . I have no control over billing/ scheduling or anything like that. I just work there anymore. Very disappointing. At what point do I start taking on side work with-out offending someone or them saying I am taking business away from the shop even though there is no business coming in. I have nothing in writing just a handshake and empty promises. We have quite a few bike nites in my area and wanted to set up a pinstriping tent. Should I feel bad about doing that? I want it to be my deal, not the shop's

Help ME,
kidquick

[dawnsunshinein]

Family's are tough situations, never easy. Sounds like to me that you have to look out for numero uno, no one else will. Maybe just have a one on one chat with him and tell him what you are feeling. That you would really like to make it work out, but that if you have to do the selling and closing on deals that you will need more pay. Plain and simple. If they don't like that idea, then just start working on the side. Not much they can do about that if they are not interested in paying you for doing it. Just my 2 cents. Good luck in working it out. Family is important but so are you.

[outlaw24]

Dude I would talk to him about freelancing or something.I meen go where the work is if you have a couple shops that want you to work for them work for them all.I mean if one shop cant keep you busy maybe 2 or 3 will.

[Holeshotrob]

Even though it's family, you need to eat and have an outlet. I would talk to him, explain your thoughts and feelings, and if there is no headway made it's time to walk. No hard feelings, no drama; just head out to do what you need to do. Don't burn any bridges unless he starts the fire, if you get what I'm saying.

If you have other offers, like Outlaw said, freelancing might be a viable option. Just be upfront with EVERYTHING that you do so there is no misunderstanding.

Good luck! Hope this helps!

[kidd]

Dude I would talk to him about freelancing or something.I meen go where the work is if you have a couple shops that want you to work for them work for them all.I mean if one shop cant keep you busy maybe 2 or 3 will.


My thoughts exactly.

At the shop I work out of (not for) I run a paint biz and he runs a motorcycle parts & service biz I do work for other shops all the time.

[Craig Fraser]

Tell your relative/boss your idea for the pinstriping tent, and take control of your own part of the business. You might also want to look into modifying your pay schedule to accomodate individual commissions that you bring in to suppliment your salary. Do everything you can short of going to the other shops. If you get resistance, then go ahead and mention the other shops. You may have to eventually come to the reality that you will have to freelance if you want to continue in the kustom industry. Good luck.

Paint on

Fraser

[kidquick]

Thank you all for your help. It is so appreciated. I used to do the work at night and get a %. Everybody was supposed to help. The help dropped off and I was doing all the work for a small %. When brought it up nothing happened. Said it isn't worth it for me to do it at night, I will just do it during the day for regular rate(just to do what I really came to the shop to do) and it dropped right off. What is going on is they racing at a local asphalt track and the shop revolves around that. So I am in quite a pickle. But thank you all for the advice. Basically it comes down to communication, which I am afraid is not going to turn out good

[steve tuttle]

sounds to me like your a really nice person...and u dont want to step on toes...but went it comes down to it,u have to look after number one.do or die as i always say,goodluck

[Kirchoff]

As Craig mentioned, first do everything you can to make your present situation work. It's business, but for your own peace-of-mind, at least know that you went the xtra mile to make it happen. That way, if and when the time comes, you can walk away know full-well that you did everything in your power to make things right. Just be forthright and honest ......

[kidquick]

I really APPRECIATE evrybody helping me out. Craig, you are one of my top heros. If I could be a fraction of the painter you are and be successful I would be happy. . I have talked to him aalot of times and I get more. I get the classic " I'm the boss , people need to know who I am, all money goes through me". I have recieved parts at local motorcycle shops and they say if I want to come down that would be great , and I say I can't but come up to the shop , and tell him and you think he would do a follow up? If it doesn't walk through the door or call on the phone, there is no effort to get it, why should I? I just put a smile on and go to work. What else am I to do?

[Craig Fraser]

Give him every opportunity to work with you on these projects you are going to bring in. If he doesn't cooperate, then tell him you are going to work with these other paint companies. These are his two choices. If he causes issues, then continue, and increase your relationship with these other paint shops. Always giving him the opportunity to work with you. You do this until you need to leave. Then you leave, and give him the opportunity to hire you on a contract basis for the few jobs that are in the shop. You always give him the opportunity to work with you. You never dangle it in his face, or make him look bad. By taking, and keeping the higher ground, you will never have to explain, or rationalize your decisions to your relatives, they will already know.


Paint on

Fraser

[cbftoan]

Hi, I'm new to the site, in fact this is the first time I've posted anything. I can relate to what you are saying because I've had people take advantage of me in the past too. There is some really good advice posted here, and I encourage you to do what you know is right for you. Trust me, the people who take advantage of you will not be losing any sleep over it. Your job is to not let them take advantage. In situations like this, guilt really is a wasted emotion. I know you don't want to let anyone down or get into a family feud, but at the end of the day, life is short and you don't want to waste it being miserable. If you can't get satisfaction, then go for it, you'll feel great for doing it. It's your life, do what you want with it. Good luck.

[hick]

not much more can be said in advice, its all been pretty much said.....Yer gonna have to talk to him about the situation....These talks are the worst ones (probs with family and friends)....but alot of the times they turn out better than ya might think.....just stay focused on yer dreams and goals....and if they truly are concerned about your well being, they will understand!.....if they dont understand then yer gonna have to watch out for your own well being!.......

but you will feel better after you have talked to them and told them your opinion.....its a load off your back!

wish ya the best in this....hope it turns out for ya!

Todd