Decisions (Attn. Shop owners/workers)

[Draginutz]

Ok this might get long I apologize in advance. I am looking for some career help. Any shop/business owners/works please chime in.

I am always looking for a new/better job opportunity for myself. I currently make ok money (I am salary with some paid time off and no benefits) doing Vinyl Graphics on mostly Fleet/Commercial vehicles. Business for my shop owner is good, we are super busy. However I think I am pretty much stuck where I am there. Meaning I am topped out on pay and there are no positions open above me. Anyway I have had two other job offers from Restoration/Hot Rod shops in my area (one 40 mins away, one an hour away). I would be doing mostly body/sheet metal work but have experience in most automotive systems and would lend a hand were needed.

The first that's closest wants to hire me for $1 more an hour than I am making now. It would be a 30 day trial and then after that we would talk and see if its working and if I am worth more than he will adjust accordingly. I would be hourly 8-5 M-F with 1 hour lunch and no benefits for the first year. Pay is based on time punched in/out on each car worked on. Then after a year paid time off. I also need to provide all my own tools.

The other one I have pretty much decided that an hour each way is not going to work for me. But here are the details on this one. I would start at $2 less an hour than what I am at now. It would be under the table pay (shady). No benefits. He provides all tools/materials. After 30-40 days I get reassessed and pay get adjusted accordingly. He would also teach/improve skill as needed and where needed.

Both owners seem down to earth and are back logged over a year. Both are shops detached from their houses in the country. One in north Denver the other is southeast of Denver. Both shops have good reputations but are small 1 or 2 man operations (currently). I am nervous about leaving my current, stable (ok paying), job of 2 years to go to such small isolated shops. Should I keep looking or should I pull the trigger and see I if I sink or swim? Also note that I am married and own a condo. My wife will be changing jobs on January 25 2010 and we use her benefits which will be descent for now. I have found in the past that most restoration/ hot rod shops around here don't offer much in the way of benefits/extras besides a paycheck. Is this pretty common or is it just these small shops? Any help or ideas on what to do would be great. Feel free to post comment or questions. I need to let both shops know soon what I decide and if I decide that I can't do it now, how do I not burn that bridge so that maybe later down the road when they are looking again and I want the job they still consider me again?

A third option out of left field is that another sign company in town is building and building to expand their business to do vehicle graphics. I have spoken very briefly with the owner and she was kicking around the idea of finding a manager to run this new shop. She also mentioned sending said manager to art school and really investing in them to be the future of the company. However ground hasn't even been broken on said building so it is a far and distant option

Thanks
Pete