Would someone please tell me when this is suppost to start? Keep hearing a bunch about this elusive time of year, starting to wonder if it's 1 of those seasons we don't have around here (like summer).
Got a bunch of stuff I need to do...stuff around the shop, my real sign, glue chipped pieces that are chipped but nothing else, need to feed my obsession with genealogy, not to mention all the toys, er tools that need experimented with and freaking customers keep calling wanting signs!!!!
That damn global warming must have eliminated slow season around here.
Oh well things could be worse. OP could post another pict of him in a speedo. Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
no slo season here either so far....signs was supposed to slo down so i could do the flame thing..it didn't, and now.....now I am the one armed signman for the rest of the winter....somebody has a sense of humor--that's all I can say.
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Must be a regional thing. I live an hour from you and I'm deader than a doornail....been so since August. I've been averaging 1 job every 10 days-2 weeks. Slowest year in 20 years. Love.....Jill
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
Glue chipped signs eh. Cool! How about posting them when they're done. I'd love to see how they turn out.
Stevo
Posted by Jason Davie (Member # 2172) on :
Jill same thing here
Jason D
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
it isn't exactly warm around here but the phone keeps ringing and the jobs keep getting done.
It IS a strange late fall this year as far as work is concerned, been busier this fall than ever before.
In fact the whole year has been turned around from what is usual. Spring and summer are usually real busy but weren't. September 1 started the busy season for me and it is still busy.
I LIKE it!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Slow? HAH! Busiernhell....and I am semi retired!
[ December 01, 2005, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
This is the first time since we opened in 2001 that Oct.-Jan. hasn't been dead. We've been slammed. I'm pooped! Not complaining though. Helps with the bills ya know! Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
My business has been dead for about 2 months, but all of a sudden, I got busy. Just got done cutting a bunch of vinyl...yee-ha!
I things things slow for us for a reason, at least for me, that is, I needed it.
Jilly, after seeing your work, I KNOW you will pick up again! There is no one in my part of the country, 2 hours away from you, that can paint like you!
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Been slow here all Fall.
Guess being a no-talent sign hack all these years is finally coming home to roost.
Took the public long enough to wise up.
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Busier than normal during this time of the year. Not complaining though, Christmas gifts seem to get more expensive every year. I remember the days when they used to be happy with a barbie doll ....
Posted by Dale Kerr (Member # 4661) on :
first fall for me, and if this is any indication of the future I am real pleased. I have done zero advertising, and am busier than ever expected, No idea why but knock on wood (currently pounding head) something is working.
Dale
Posted by Dale Kerr (Member # 4661) on :
And yes Stevo, I hope for a slow period so I can finish my own darn sign.... Arrrggghhh! Dale
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
Despite the fact that I took off last week to go on a cruise, I haven't been able to spend a lot of time on here because of having to do so much darn work. I'm not complaining tho; it sure beats the alternative.
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
It's still busy here too. But between x-mas & New years I sometimes hit the phone on the desk to make sure it's still working!
The only really slow winter we had in 15 years was directly after 911. Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
Busy as I wanna be - 'cept I could use a coupla "Gravy Jobs" about now - I know Santa would appreciate it! Don't know what it is but it seems every year bout this time when starting to think bout buying for Christmas I git a couple of "Gravy Jobs" - Last year it was a nice Railroad account -most money I ever made legally in one night-new Honda XR80 wound up under the tree for oldest daughter - year before last it was the job for a Union out of New York - I was skepitcal 'bout gittin paid for that one but they came thru just like Santa - they had to give me cash instead of a check; they apoligized & all was forgiven. Sometimes I'd rather have a check just to establish a paper trail. Michael - twixt Christmas & New Years I AVOID the phone! That's Family time. . . .
Posted by Chuck Churchill (Member # 68) on :
Note to Dave Grundy and other Ontario shops..look at the headlines on todays newspaper! We have just repoted the lowest unemployment level in 30 years. That means all the manufactureres, trucking companies, retailers, construction companies and service businesses are busy. When your business is growing you buy signs! Every signshop in Southern Ontario should have more work than they can handle. I know we do. Guess I better go hire an employee!
Posted by Tony Lucero (Member # 1470) on :
Over the past several years, I've read replies on this subject and most of the time the same people are generally busy. We too are keeping busy, and each year shows growth in our gross sales. We are paying our bills, but we are not able to sock away anything in the bank. We keep spending on new equipment, tools, software,etc. and are now set up in a new building that went over budget from all the unanticipated extras (this seems to be typical) I feel the investment type purchases are pretty much done for awhile. We're looking forward to the new year to generate some true net profit. I always feel Jill's replies are very honest and I have been there and know the pain. I offer the following suggestions directly to her and others in similar situations of stale growth. One of the best profit margin types of work are truck and trailer lettering. If you like this type of work, you can generate leads by talking to truck and trailer dealerships. When they sell commercial vehicles, they can recommend you to the customers. Another way is to see if you can post a business card or flyer at plumbing and electrical supply stores and also landscape supply/ice melting salt distributors. These are spots where contractors visit on a regular basis and will see and respond to your ads. We also joined two trade/barter associations. We get good qualified referrals for work we would not normally get. We build up trade credits and then use them for eyeglasses, copy machines, transmission service, asphalt service, plumbing and heating, carpet, blinds, landscape, snowplowing, painting, applicance repair, gifts, etc, etc. These type of expenses used to come out of cash flow and often made us use credit cards to handle the unexpected expenses of life's nemesis "murphys law" If these jobs are "material intensive" we negotiate a cash/trade split, so we are not too far "out of pocket" The other critical element, is LOCATION. Once we made the commitment to our commercial location, we found that the majority of business comes to us without advertising. The extra sales from customers coming in because of our "TRUCK LETTERING" sign out front has more than paid for out monthly mortgage payment. Finally, we have been willing to work nights and weekends to accomodate our clients. Many companies cannot give up their trucks during the week to get them lettered, some other sign companies will not give up their off-time, so we get business this way. I know many Letterheads disagree with working 6 and sometimes 7 days a week...but we do what we have to do until we find that elusive "comfort zone" Hang in there Jill...better days are ahead.
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
I started working for a sign shop about 4 months ago. We have been busy busy ever since I started. I keep thinking we are getting caught up, and my boss shows me another stack of projects. I love it.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
KISSY CHECK YOUR EMAIL...these are much better than the SPEEDO ones.....hehehehehehehe
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Oh lord! KIssy, do not open that email! If OP considers it better than the speedo ones, you'll forever be scarred!
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i sent em to you to john hahahahahahahahahaahha
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Bizzy as usual here . . . as we say in the south; I'm runnin' 'wide open as a goober hull' . . .
Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
Sounds like the famous OP virus.
You better buy that RapidTac OP-AntiVirus. The OneShot OP-AntiVirus is weak anymore, kinda like their colors hehehe
Posted by Al Checca (Member # 2216) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kissymatina: Would someone please tell me when this is suppost to start? Keep hearing a bunch about this elusive time of year, starting to wonder if it's 1 of those seasons we don't have around here (like summer).
Got a bunch of stuff I need to do...stuff around the shop, my real sign, glue chipped pieces that are chipped but nothing else, need to feed my obsession with genealogy, not to mention all the toys, er tools that need experimented with and freaking customers keep calling wanting signs!!!!
That damn global warming must have eliminated slow season around here.
Oh well things could be worse. OP could post another pict of him in a speedo.
Hey Kissy, Around here,(my area and yours) I haven't seen it slow for about 8 or so years, Over 8 years ago it would "lighten" up so to speak but never slow. If your busy now then buckle up for spring. Things will be real good then. Posted by Al Checca (Member # 2216) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kissymatina: Would someone please tell me when this is suppost to start? Keep hearing a bunch about this elusive time of year, starting to wonder if it's 1 of those seasons we don't have around here (like summer).
Got a bunch of stuff I need to do...stuff around the shop, my real sign, glue chipped pieces that are chipped but nothing else, need to feed my obsession with genealogy, not to mention all the toys, er tools that need experimented with and freaking customers keep calling wanting signs!!!!
That damn global warming must have eliminated slow season around here.
Oh well things could be worse. OP could post another pict of him in a speedo.
Hey Kissy, Around here,(my area and yours) I haven't seen it slow for about 8 or so years, Over 8 years ago it would "lighten" up so to speak but never slow. If your busy now then buckle up for spring. Things will be real good then. Posted by Peter Manzolillo (Member # 1062) on :
When does it start? For me, it's January and February. Things start to pick up again around the second week of March.
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