Hi folks,

As you'd expect, we get a few enquiries from potential customers who are looking to have one-off or small run items made for them. As a company (either Carbon Mods or Easy Composites) we don't offer a one-off service and so we turn this work down, even when customers have a realistic budget available for this kind of work. Given the talent and skill that is now on this forum, do people think it would be worthwhile having a 'skills marketplace' where potential customers (around the world) could post their project requests and then if anyone is interested in the work you could just PM eachother to discuss?

It's just an idea but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

All the best, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

not a bad idea

Hey Matt,

It's been a while since I got to talk to ya but I'm still here in Pittsburgh cranking away at this. Ended up getting married and putting a supercharger on the elise which consumed alot of time haha!

Anyhow I have now became comfortable enough with my skills that I would be willing to take on some one off projects. Thats kind of the way I plan to operate. I'd rather make 1 Incredibly nice quality "perfect piece" then 10 quickies. So with that in mind I think I could help alot of people out "Especially USA based"

I'd love to be making parts for cars' but I am open to other stuff

Actually it could be interesting for others on the forum as well, we can discuss a few projects here, maybe you could help me determine proper materials and such so others can gauge how its really done.

I would not want to make any parts bigger than a car hood or front end.

Still have not conquered making a 2 piece mold or part but that is coming soon, just don't wanna take my car apart mid summer!



If Brute Force Isn''''t working your not using enough...

A good idea Matt, until things go wrong and arguments start etc. 

Good Idea Matt,

I'm searching too a profesional to produce a little part's serie for my shop, as i don't get enought time and skills to do it myself!

This area could help people like me to find producer, and producer to find customers!

Seb.

Very impresive idea to encourage composites bussines on this forum,

Looking forward to your helpfull idea.

Good idea i think.

This forum has a good spread of knowledge and experience despite the fact it is relatively new and still has low numbers of members (but it is growing obviously just takes time).

Also it has a spread of people around europe, the uk and a few US members too.

Also with a larger company like EC/CM i imagine economy of scale makes some smaller one off projects unviable financially or likely to incur large costs. Whereas a smaller garage business or small business may be able to take it on better.

Obviously as a "marketplace" it needs to be well managed in the sense of liability terms. Ie it needs to be absolutely clear that all that is going on is that different businesses are providing "contacts" of people who may be able to do the work for them.  It needs to be such that no potential customer could be confused that there is any contract, implied or otherwise, between the "introducer" (be it EC or others) and the person who takes on the job.

But as long as its clearly explained then there should be no problems in that sense.

Perhaps within a "marketplace" section of the forum, there could be a "portfolio" area so that those who want to be considered openly for such jobs can have a thread showing their work off and what they do/offer.  A bit like the project showroom, but a thread per person/business so its easier for prospective customers to choose who they contact based on the information given. 

So maybe split a marketplace into a portfolio section, Help needed and a Services offered section (or some better catchier titles).

Maybe also consider a "For sale" and "wanted" section for forum members to sell things they make, supplies, equipment etc.

Sounds like a great idea! It could work well as long as it is done correctly and the person inquiring fully understands the skill level of who they are asking to do the work.

Dave.

hi matt, 

Sounds like a great idea. But as mentioned by others would require careful managing to avoid any potential problems between the customer and supplier.