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Internet abounds with opportunities to find specialists who will help
one customize their motorcycle. It allows prospective
buyers to research products and services, to compare prices and
quality, and to get additional ideas for
customization. The downside is that one might not
always get what they think they paid for when buying goods or services
on the Internet, so the buyer should always beware. Research the
business, speak to the owner, and get referrals or ask other users
their opinion. One can read customer feedback on
e-bay, and have some level of protection by using E-bay and
PayPal combined. A reputable company offering a service might
ask the customer to sign a contract, which should be looked over
carefully before signing and agreeing to the terms.
I recently stumbled
across The Kustom Paint Shop,
an e-bay store, and Thompson Graphix, the brick and mortar site
located in Roseau, Minnesota, both owned and operated by Todd
Thompson. I did the research and hired him to
complete a custom paint job on my motorcycle tins. The result
was so impressive that I wanted to share it with everyone, and I asked
our editor to feature Todd on the cover of White Line Magazine.
Todd's success is a result of his quality work, fair pricing and good
old American values. His work is award winning, professional and
affordable, and he has a turn around time of just 2-4 weeks from your
scheduled start date. This year he is working on a new line of
paint jobs that will fall under $1,000 for 2009. After reading
this interview, please visit his web site www.thekustompaintshop.com
and if you're in the market for custom paint, I hope you will consider
his talent and skills. I feel confident in recommending Todd to
anyone who wants a quality paint scheme at a fair price.
 THE
INTERVIEW:
Mary:
How did you get started in the paint business? Do you paint
anything else besides bikes?
Todd:
I first owned a sign shop, then once I ran out of signs to do, started
in the custom painting, it took off, I sold my sign equipment, and
here I am. Yes I paint some full size vehicles, snowmobile
hoods, helmets.
Mary:
Have you always lived and worked in Minnesota?
Todd:
I have lived in Minnesota since I was 11, lived in Fargo, ND before
that. My Dad’s side of the family is from up here.
Went into the Navy after high school, spent time on the West
Coast. Met my wife in the service, she’s a Georgia gal,
even spent a year in Georgia. Decided we wanted to raise the kids in a
smaller town, so we moved back up north. Funny, because now we
keep thinking about moving south after the kids are off into college.
Mary:
Have you always been an artist, and do you do any other kind of
artwork such as painting, drawing, etc?
Todd:
I’ve always been artistic, but have not always had jobs that deal
with my artistic abilities. I don’t have time anymore, but I used to
do oil painting, acrylic painting, drawings, carvings.
Mary:
How long have you been in business?
Todd:
Thompson Graphix was started in 1999, but the motorcycle painting has
been since 2004.
Mary:
How long have you been on e-bay?
Todd:
Since 2004, when I went to custom painting bikes, I started using
E-bay as a selling tool right away, at that time there was only about
3 painters on e-bay including myself.
(cont.)
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