Am I wrong to not give paint formula away for free?
 

Some time back I needed the formula for "Viper Green". My paint store didn't have it on file and couldn't get it from PPG's archive. I had to pay for several "test" pints in order to get the correct color. Keep in mind that just having the "test" color was only half the battle. I still had to spray samples which meant material costs and labor costs. The formula was discovered by trail and error but was fine in the end.
Fast forward a couple months.
A salesman from the paint store calls me and asks if I still have the formula. This is not a salesman I deal with, he covers a different area. I reply that I do have the formula. He asks if he can come over and copy it. I replied "NO" and explained that I paid to have the formula perfected and that if soemone is requesting that color specifically that they are most likely painting a Porsche and I didn't feel I was obligated to help someone who may be my competition.
I ended our conversation saying that he could copy the formula for $45.00, the cost of a pint of paint.
He feels as though I'm being an a$$
What do you think?

Re: Am I wrong to not give paint formula away for free?
 

Well, maybe not an ass, but you're not flowing with human kindness either.

Tell him you would be glad to give him the formula if he refunds the cost for all the paint that was not quite right.

No, you are not being unreasonable at all.

Re: Re: Am I wrong to not give paint formula away for free?
 

Your right in that regard. But when I walk into the paint store the only thing flowing is my cash.

IMO, you paid to get the color right, so you have ownership.
If he wants it, he has to pay to get it right just like you did.
clear as mother's milk.

From personal experience, I know that if the paint shop gets it wrong, it's tough titty. For example, I found that the PPG forumla for "VW Coral Red" is closer to "ameobic dysentery"

I'm sure some sort of a deal could be worked out, but you'd be a foo' to just give it away.

No doubt! My point is that this paint store doesn't give anything for free and this particular salesman has never done anything for me. I think he's either got a big pair of brass ones or thinks I'm stupid and don't realize the value of my own experience.

.............

Cue up the old west gunfight music and tell the tumbleweeds they're on in one...

If he wanted to ante up some of the test pint money then I say make a deal. Did they offer to refund you on the test pints that weren't the color you need? Nope. Hey this is strictly business.

Hey Kevin...I and a fellow enthusiast know the Sikkens formula for Irish green...he sent me a batch of sample sprays...Cindy & I compared all with the underneath of my car's hood...which hasn't seen a lot of sunlight since it was sprayed by the factory in '72. So tell me, since you are commercial enterprise, should I give you this info for free??? I'll give you a hint...the formula of today based on the door jam color code ain't it!

Think you did the right thing. Basically it was like " Hey if you want it right you gotta pay" Now they want what you paid for, to probably sell to someone else?? No deal.

I do think you're being pissy, but your job provides your livelihood, and I don't blame you one bit.

Kev;

Your time is money. I even worry about coming by and visiting, knowing you are stopping being productive. Is why I usually don't stay long. You don't get paid for being social or polite.

I suppose it was actually more than 30 minutes or you would have just called BASF to begin with? If you run the paint store and need a formula call the manufacturer...something perhaps you could have done the first time around and saved Kevin $45 if it was really as easy as a phone call. Moot point on your part.

I read that and thought the exact same thing! D'oh!!!!!!!!!

Crunch,

If this was for your car and you know Kevin, why didnt you spend the few minutes to walk down to his shop and talk with him personally? Had he known that it was for a Pelican or especially someone he does business with in the future bet he would have helped.

After all, he spent his time and money on this figuring this out. Walking down there and possibly taking a 12 pack of beer with you probably would have gotten it for free (or almost) and made a friend into a better friend.

Just my 2c worth.

This thread is confusing to me; it's like listening in on a phone conversation between 2 strangers. Who is Capt. Crunch? Another body shop owner? Paint store owner? Why did you have a salesman call Kevin and not reveal that the formula was for you, his helpful friend who has "sent helpers" to him? It was for your personal car? :confused:

Bizarre.

.............

Crunch,

Pick up the bloody phone and call Kevin. Tell him the situation and doubt that he would have said no, but having someone else contact him and not tell him who its for would merit a no in my book as well.

You might control the pricing structure for the parts purchased for his business, but he controls where he buys these parts. Stop acting like a jerk and realize that he can buy elsewhere.

The two of you need to go out for a beer at a tittie bar and stop fighting each other. As well if you really are a sales rep, start acting like one and work with your account.

Just my 2c worth but I was a very successful sales rep for many years and was very good at my job. Customers can vote with their feet and checkbook and do when the sales reps start feeling like their business is theirs without working the account.