How much to pay for training

[stevesmith81]

I am new to this forum and don't have a lot of background in upholstery.

One of the services I would like to get into is repairing restaurant seating since I believe it wouldn't be all that difficult to learn.

Now for the question?   I have a person who will charge me $2000.00 to teach me all the in's and out's of restaurant seating repair.  I believe this person know's his stuff and runs a very successful business doing just seating repair.

Based on the experience of the folks on this group is $2000.00 worth it or is there a more cost effective way to get this type of training?

Thanks

Steve Smith

Reneww

[Darren Henry]

By seating repair are you talking about tearing them down and re-upholstering them or one of those leather/vinyl patch systems like fibrenew or SEM?

If it's the later, where will you stand buying supplies? If I remember right from last time this came up some companies will only sell to people who have completed their training course.

Tudor-ford (Steve) over in Nebraska would be really helpfull but I haven't seen him since I got back here and his email addy comes back as can't deliver.

Anybody got a better addy for steve?

[gene]

As has been mentioned many times by many people on many different threads on this forum, the best way to learn is to do.

If this guy has a successful business, why can't he hire you to work for him. You can learn by doing.

Also, if this guy has a successful business, how much time will be have to spend teaching?

For that much money, I would want to see a curriculum, a time table, objectives and goals, and specific ways of measuring my progress.

Just a thought.

Here's another thought: Go find a small restaurant that needs work on their seating. Tell them you are learning, and you will provide the vinyl and labor. It will cost them nothing. You buy $100.00 worth of vinyl, and fix the seats. You will have learned more than anyone could teach you, and, you have $1900.00 left over for valentines day.

Also, (yes, another thought), what makes you think repairing restaurant seating is not difficult to learn? If you know enough to know that for sure, you probably know enough to get started working. As has been mentioned many times by many people on many different threads on this forum...

Good luck. I always think it's great when young folks get into this business.

Gene

[sofadoc]

2 grand sounds like an awful lot to teach restaurant seating only. That kind of money would go a long way in learning ALL phases of upholstery. If you learn basic upholstery, then most restaurant seating will be self-explanatory. It has been my experience that if a restaurant has a big enough budget, they will "gut" the place, and buy all new seating. If they only want repair, they are notorioursly cheap. I really can't think of $2K'S worth of "ins and outs" to restaurant seating. Find a restaurant that is operating on a "shoestring budget". (they"re everywhere) You will learn a LOT more by doing, than by writing a big check. 

[mike802]

I agree that 2 grand is steep.  I some times run classes and only charge 300.00 bucks for a six week course.  The only string is, I have to get at least six students signed up and that is still less than this guy wants to charge you.  Six weeks has proven long enough for those who work at it to complete a wing, or club chair, once you have that down most restaurant boots are easy. Maybe I should consider raising my class prices?

[stevesmith81]

Thanks everyone for their input.  This forum has already saved me 2 grand.  I will figure out a different way to get ramped up on training.

Steve Smith
Reneww

[Darren Henry]

This forum has already saved me 2 grand.  I will figure out a different way to get ramped up on training.

Got your pass port in order? If you want to bring a couple of projcts up or orders for some custom built we can do something. I've got the cot you bring the beer. lol

[Toledo Mach. Sales]

Years ago I had a customer in her 80's that ran a school out of her shop,you worked w/o any pay but got to p/u the trade,sounds good right?? Well I later found out that she kept you on the teardown table ,sweeping floors&etc for a couple of yrs b4 you got to a machine.
She was pretty shrewd.
Bob

[jock36]

Toledo, sounds like an apprentice scheme she had up'n'running.........clever little old lady.

Chris

[Toledo Mach. Sales]

The funny thing is she always had 2 or more students all the time,"learning the trade"as she called it.
Bob