Let me try another approach.
I can see how I am coming off too cocky.
Just like you, I am a fan of these props and movies.
So much so, I have dedicated my life to it.
I closed my restaurant in Dallas and opened up my shop just so I could build
all of my dream cars and live out my fantasies of building and enjoying these props.
With all of that comes responsibilities.
As I got more and more commissions I had to expand and hire people to help.
I reached out for fans like me, not just laborers.
I have 2 full time employees and 4 part time.
I pay out over $5000 a month!
They depend on me to help them live and feed their families.
It's a lot of stress sometimes, but the pay off is that we get to build the coolest stuff in
the world and we also make other fans dreams come true.
There is nothing more awesome than the look on the customers face when they get that
prop or car, it gives you a real sense of pride.
That said, I respect the amount of work you put into your guns and I thought we could possibly work together.
I understand your concerns about me recasting your work, as I said, if I wanted to do that I could have.
I didn't and I won't, ever.
We all know the story about my studio shell, I don't want to rehash that crap again... but in short,
it doesn't have a direct owner and no one in particular is getting hurt by it.
We have done so much remodeling to it I really feel like I can call it my own.
For the sake of full disclosure, I will come clean on one thing I did recast.
I did recast my bumper, but only partially.
I cut it into 3 pieces and removed about an inch or more out of it, then I sanded down the edges
and shortened it so it would fit my shell properly.
By the time I was done with it, there was little of the original left. It was more of template than anything.
However, I got so much grief over it I swore I would never do that lazy route again.
We are working on building a new one of our own.
I have talked to some of the best builders in the business and they ALL admit to doing things like this.
So I am not alone....
Every single one of my other parts was hand made by me and I have the originals to prove it.
You and I know how much work it will be and how long it would take to have someone model me the guns.
I have detailed photos and measurements of the originals they could source from, but it would be expensive
and time consuming. It would be so much easier if I could call you up and order 10 or 20 of them.
It takes the work load off my guys and I get a quality product. Everyone wins!
It's not all about the money, no.
We all share a passion for this stuff, but isn't it great to make a living doing what you love?
Is that such a bad thing?
My eBay feedback proves that I build and deliver a quality product and for a great price.
That must account for something?
I know I have made some mistakes in the past, I have made some enemies and for the most part it
was all over ego and bravado.
I am in a different league now, setting up as a corporation and doing actual licensed deals, there
is serious money on the table.
Not to brag, but I took in almost $80,000 in the last two months for cars and props.
As for my TV show, my producer is busy with the "Honey Boo Boo" show and that put me on the back
burner. I can't go into details but I am going to be shooting some scenes for a major network in the next few weeks.
Trust me, you and everyone on the planet will see it when it airs and I am sure GBfans will be buzzing talking about it.
Anyway, I was just trying to honestly reach out to you and offer you a business opportunity.
If you don't want to do it, that's fine.
I will just have to build my own.
All I was saying is that if I DO have to build my own I will do it well and I will have to recoup my losses
and sell as many as I can to make up for it.
This will force me to flood the market with them which will affect your sales.
Anyway dude... sorry to bother you and everyone else.
I'm just a prop builder who is a fan of these movies who wants to make a living doing it
and take care of my guys at the same time.
Good luck in your endeavors.
- Videobob
