I can understand Rich Schaffer's frustration with the discrepancy
of restoration cost vs. market value.  As a restorer I must point
out that we work long hours doing this work and most of us earn every
cent we charge, and in _many_ cases, a good deal beyond what we charge.
Would anyone want us to cut corners or "economize" on the quality of
our labor in order to keep the cost below a certain point?  I don't
think so.  Certainly not my customers.

Taking the example of the neighbor's cedar chest: the work done
required a certain number of hours to complete satisfactorily.
No restorer can justly be expected to "adjust" his or her charges
according to the "value" of an item.  We can only do our best work,
and charge accordingly.  It is the customer's responsibility to
make the choices of whether to invest beyond a certain value point.
It is not at all unusual for the cost of quality restoration work
to exceed market value.

If the neighbor wanted cheap and below market value refinishing work,
he ought to have grabbed his own belt sander and done it himself.
I am sure he would have been delighted with the results, knowing he
saved money.

Reg Smith - Sublime Harmony Music Box Restorations
Gainesville, Georgia, USA