Now the guy calls back...wants to get the sign ON CORO.... HAHAHAHAHA! Serves me right, huh! I just can't win!
I told him it would STILL be expensive, but did not give any figures. The original Lexan behemouth factored in at $800....I'm thinkin maybe $500-$600 cuz it is a load of typin, weedin, etc.
Of course he wants to change what I already typed in 2 months ago....also says he wants to replace this corosign in 4-6 months.
I have not been to the mall where this restaurant is but I'm thinking he's been using handmade cardboard jobbies.
Got a call from his chef, this guy is buying the other guy's biz & he wants to change all the signs I did for the first guy 2 years ago....arghhh.
What would YOU say to this guy? Thanks & Love....Jill
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Kinko's can't do it cheaper, huh? Go figure....
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
Hey Jilly, Price it fair, GET A DEPOSIT, do the job, take the money and run (Edmonton comes to mind!). G'luck. Mr. Peanut
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
As the song says...
Go On take the money and run..
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
"Show me the MONEY!!!.....FIRST!!!"
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
quote: So I figured that $600 sounds fair.This sign has everything but the kitchen sink on it. I'd really like to charge $700, but I don't know if I can get away with it.
It's another year, prices have gone up, charge for work like you would have wanted in the first place, adjust material costs to coro and do what Mr. Peanut says.
My business resolution for 2005 is to charge what it's worth without worrying about the customer going somewhere else. If they do, too bad.
Good luck!
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
Yay, Lotti! MUR
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
Jill,
This guy, wants something for nothing! Plain & simple...
Stick to your guns and don't allow him to wear you down.
Another note, this is also the type of customer who will suddenly change course in mid stream, have you wasting time and material, expecting you to EAT your profit...
BEWARE!
Cher.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I would DEFINATELY get a deposit, & do it! Money is money, honey!
What Cheryl suggested makes sense, it might not hurt to get him to sign the layout info so you can charge him easily if he changes his mind on anything.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
....Quoted him $500 so far. More changes = More $$. I don't think he's gonna get the big sign. At the moment I am getting a fax from him for about 4 smaller "specials" signs... Gonna quote on them too. He's calling back tonight so we'll see what he goes for. But I'm not touching my keyboard or lifting a finger on this sign till I get a BIG deposit! Cher, you're right....this guy changes his sign copy more than he does underwear. Love....Jill
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
..AND, if he balks, fudges, fidgets, lies and side-steps, or gives you anymore grief, don't forget to say:
"Well. This IS the price, and I require half down as well. I'm sure you can find it somewhere else for less, and someone who has time to keep makin' all these changes, and for the amount of money you arewilling to spend, I hope you do...but I have other jobs to do and if I keep spendin' any more time with you now I will have to add more...."
Do these people ever realize that the amount of time they spend bein' picky and price huntin' is time THEY could be workin' makin' money at their business??
I tell them so too.
"Neither one of us is makin' any money standin' here hashin' this out over & over thinkin' you're 'tryin' to save a few bucks. YOU'RE wastin' YOUR OWN time and money dear customer, not to mention MINE.
Time is money. Always has been...always will be.
Posted by Dave Cox (Member # 3517) on :
installed Sintra menu boards today for $1250... the guy took the cheapest option... go figure, i'll post pics later
Posted by Jean-Claude Theriault (Member # 966) on :
I ran off about 4' of 15" vinyl for a seasonal take out with menu additions and new prices all done in 1/2 inch text. The customer was going to install them himself.
A few months later I dropped by his place for a meal of fried clams and wondered how he'd gotten all the letters out of alignment since they were premasked for him. The guy had taken tweezers and lifted each individual character off the premask cause he didn't think they'd show through the tape once stuck on his menu board.
He had thrown out the R-T-A instructions I'd given him when he picked up his stuff!
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Jean-Claude: Priceless!
Jill, I wouldn't give him much of a price cut. The majority of price is labor and typing weeding & applying all that tiny text isn't going to take any less just because he goes with a cheaper substrate. His flip-flopping is using your time. Time costs money. Walk to the front of your counter.... look at the upper right (or upper center, can't remember where it is). See the sign about consulting fees for customers taking more than X time? Next time he calls, grab your wig & put June on the phone. Let June explain that the shop gets paid for their time!
I was talking with a couple other business owners the other day (not in the industry). They both commented how this week they need to sit down & figure out their new rates since everything has gone up.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Yeah me too Kissy. My mouth keeps telling people 2002 prices! Maybe it is a good idea to employ June as my salesperson! Love....Jill
Posted by Glen Perye Jr (Member # 159) on :
See if when he calls back he asks if you would what to eat the price of the signs and changes when needed. Told a foriegner that called about, painting a new name on the wall of the gas an go(coney/chilly dog joint) he just bought. He asked me if I would trade the sign for eats at his joint. Told him I didn't think I would live long enough to collect the total price if I ate at his place. And I don't give discounts. lol Charge him, charge him Charge 2005 prices
[ January 12, 2005, 05:09 PM: Message edited by: Glen Perye Jr ]
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Jill, you mean the June that wields a cleaver? Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
No, THIS June. She of the Kansas City Teat. Posted by E. Balch (Member # 3545) on :
Why not just have the menu board inkjet printed and laminated? Isn't that the cheap and easy approach?
Or am I missing something obvious?
ernie
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Update: Delivered the guys 4 "specials" signs yesterday. His wife loved em and happily wrote a check. Was not too shocked when I saw his "menu sign". He had obviously gone to Kinkos (spot-on Cam!) and had large PAPER sheets printed with the menu & stuck them to the back of the clear thin plastic that was originally used to frame the former Chinese restaurant menu sign. These were mounted into the lit sign frame. Nice touch. Love....Jill
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