I guess I'm trying to understand how it could COST money and not MAKE money.
The numbers don't lie.
I can guaranee you my shop has 30 guys on the range plan per year. That's $4,500 a year to replace cores.....run the lights....pay the help.
Have shoots only one night a week.....and charge an extra fee for these shoots.....and you HAVE to make money. You're spending $1K in replacement cores. If the guy makes $10/hr.....3 extra hours a week......throw in labor burden and let's say it costs you $50 a week extra in wages (TOPS!). That's $2K in extra wages.
So....you're now at $3,500 in expenses (with $4,500 tendered)....and you haven't even accounted for a single dollar in entry fees.
Nope....I'm calling lazy.
Open one up and let us know what you find out. Sure the numbers add up to make money, but is the amount of money you make worth hassle you go through? I mean, I could work at McDonalds at night after my regular full time job and make money......but is the $5.75 an hour worth the extra work? Call in lazy, buy my off time is worth more than $5.75/hour. Call it lazy, but my wife is worth more than $5.75/hour. Call in lazy, but my other hobbies are worth more than $5.75/hour.
So until one has ran this type of business for a minimum of 5 years to see what the actual income earned is in comparison to what it is worth, I don't think anyone can get off calling someone else lazy. For those who have an open shop, we will just call them a bigger money-w*ore...which is fine.