Website idea.

[qwertyjon]

Sorry its taken so long for me to put a reply on this, having Internet issues, it seems Sky have sorted it out at last.

It looks like there are mixed feelings on this so im going to give it a try. I am by no means a professional web developer so it may take time.

If the site takes a cut it will have some level of responsibility (whether it wants it or not) for ensuring the competence of it's registered "manufacturers", you'll need some serious commercial insurance in the event that a part sourced through the site fails and the customer sees it as a better bet to sue you than a hobbyist working out of a shed at a rented address.
A disclaimer will not stop someone taking out proceedings against you which could cost you your house before things get anywhere near a courtroom, a Limited Company is no longer good protection as direct action in person against directors and officers of a company is now commonplace,
JMTP,
- Nick

I hadnt thought of that, so I think I will go with a free listing service, and try to make it quite clear that the site has no affiliations with its users, and that its there purely to advertise jobs to a select group of subscribers.

With regard to driving prices down, from a manufacturers point of view it could make a machine busy and make a small profit, instead of one laying idle. I wouldn't recommend it as a businesses main way of getting jobs, but could be quite handy to fill in any empty gaps. From a customers point of view, they will get a selection of prices from varying machinists, they are under no obligation to accept the cheapest one, or indeed any at all. And only by reading the profiles and reviews will you know what to expect.

Keep the comments coming, its interesting and useful to hear impartial comments.

Regards.
Qwertyjon

[Jonathan]

And only by reading the profiles and reviews will you know what to expect.

You could help suppress the myth about quality always reflecting price by including a section specifically for people to upload portfolios of their work, including prices for each piece if they wish.

[qwertyjon]

You could help suppress the myth about quality always reflecting price by including a section specifically for people to upload portfolios of their work, including prices for each piece if they wish.

I like that idea. Thanks.