Anyone shoots inventory (insurance) videos? at DVinfo.net

Stylianos Moschapidakis · September 2nd, 2005, 06:41 PM

I'm interested in exploring this part of the video business. So, I'd very much appreciate any links, advice and knowledge you can share. Thank you.

Ken Hendrickson · September 3rd, 2005, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stylianos Moschapidakis

I'm interested in exploring this part of the video business. So, I'd very much appreciate any links, advice and knowledge you can share. Thank you.

I'm interested in this as well, I just don't know what to charge.

Bob Costa · September 3rd, 2005, 05:59 PM

I think it is a tough way to make a living unless you can do cheap and dirty. Anyone with a videocam can do one of these adequately, and it requires no production or editing skill. I think at $50 a pop (not per hour) someone would say yes, and $100 a pop a few would say yes, at $200 a pop they can just buy a camera and do their own and still have a camera when it is done. Plus you have the issue of them showing a stranger thru their home, showing them every valuable and piece of jewelry. Seems like an ideal setup for a lter robbery. Any common sense at all says you don't hire someone unless they are bionded and have impeccable references. Even then it could be risky.
I know an insurance agent who had his wife do them, and she charged $50 each. But she had no marketing expense, was not insured, and it was mostly a courtesy for his insurance customers only. Maybe if you have a DVD camera, you can charge more for current technology, but the disks cost more money too. 3 disks @ $7 each means $21 to $24 per hour just for the disks. SO with these kind of economics, how do you afford marketing, gas, bonding/insurance, and all the other business expenses?

September 2nd, 2005, 06:41 PM	#1
Stylianos Moschapidakis Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cambridge, MA/Crete, Greece Posts: 189	Anyone shoots inventory (insurance) videos? I'm interested in exploring this part of the video business. So, I'd very much appreciate any links, advice and knowledge you can share. Thank you. __________________ Stelios G.M. Last edited by Stylianos Moschapidakis; September 3rd, 2005 at 05:25 AM.

September 3rd, 2005, 05:59 PM	#3
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	I think it is a tough way to make a living unless you can do cheap and dirty. Anyone with a videocam can do one of these adequately, and it requires no production or editing skill. I think at $50 a pop (not per hour) someone would say yes, and $100 a pop a few would say yes, at $200 a pop they can just buy a camera and do their own and still have a camera when it is done. Plus you have the issue of them showing a stranger thru their home, showing them every valuable and piece of jewelry. Seems like an ideal setup for a lter robbery. Any common sense at all says you don't hire someone unless they are bionded and have impeccable references. Even then it could be risky. I know an insurance agent who had his wife do them, and she charged $50 each. But she had no marketing expense, was not insured, and it was mostly a courtesy for his insurance customers only. Maybe if you have a DVD camera, you can charge more for current technology, but the disks cost more money too. 3 disks @ $7 each means $21 to $24 per hour just for the disks. SO with these kind of economics, how do you afford marketing, gas, bonding/insurance, and all the other business expenses? __________________ You are either growing or dying.