more. I work with one store and they were trying to pull a power trip on me. They told me how they are my boss, and they tell me how to do my job. Many stores are only about profits. Hank Boyle, Boyle Tile, Waunakee, Wis. – Darin, the reality is a lot of guys aren’t cut out to run their own business. I question myself daily as to whether I am. You can’t say there’s good money in it because you own a successful business. Would your life be that great if you had all the trade skills you do but not the business sense? Left to work for what people are willing to pay you hourly as an employee? Probably not. Unless you’re in the union, but like you say, that’s tough to get into – they pay great but I’ve also heard you work like a machine for it. Darin Shocker, Dutchess County Tile, Hopewell Junction, N.Y. – Hank Boyle: 100%. I’ve always said the only way to do well in this business is to either go in business for yourself or work for the union. It is really tough any other way. Sometimes I forget how truly blessed I really am. Thank you for the reality check. P.S. I’ve worked many years in the union in NYC and yes, you really need to produce a lot of quality work every day or you will be laid off. The pay is great, but it is far from easy. Adam Copher, Adam Copher’s Custom Tile, San Luis Obispo, Calif. – Darin Shocker, are these journeyman wages? Darin Shocker, Dutchess County Tile, Hopewell Junction, N.Y. – Adam Copher, for a NYC journey- man (full mechanic), the pay rate is just under $60 per hour plus benefits. Adam Copher, Adam Copher’s Custom Tile, San Luis Obispo, Calif. – In my part of the coun- try the median home price is $530,000, and you would be hard pressed to find a two-bedroom apartment under $1,400 per month. From what I have seen, a skilled, productive setter who can run a job with little oversight and owns most of his own tools makes between $25-30 per hour. I would like to see these wages come up, because those wages are barely any better than they were 10 years ago. Soon minimum wage will be $15 per hour, so you’re going to need to pay a helper at least $17- 18 if you want to keep them. Steve Brace, SB Flooring, Machesny Park, Ill. – I’m not envi- ous; I just see where the money is. Salesmen in my area usually mark HOT TOPICS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 72 TileLetter | October 2017