There had been rumors going around that a sign shop or two were about to go under.
The scuttlebutt was that one of the fanchise shop was in deep financial trouble.
Well, the Signs Now shop in our town is no more. Sorta.
They've dropped the franchise and changed the name to "Signs Wow!" While they changed fonts, they kept the same rounded triange and centered the text on top of it.
I was told by a client yesterday that the Signs Now home office wasn't too happy and threatened to file suit for various reasons.
This morning, a new sign went up with a whole new name and logo.
Thinking in terms of the economy and its effects, I wonder if more franchise shops are going to either fold or go independent in hopes of surviving.
Posted by Steve Nuttle (Member # 2645) on :
Very interesting Glenn. Inspite of all the discussion on this board I for one don't wish anyone failure in their business and livihood. But we can't all be sign people. LOL. I don't even consider my self a sign person. I love working in this biz and making signs but if it weren't for our owner and designer I'd be up the creek without a paddle. Business for us is great and we are getting ready to hire an other full time person. Before you know it spring will be here and we will get slammed. Thanks for the info and post take care.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Steve,
I don't wish ill on anyone either. That is why out of curtesy I did not provide the newest name in my post.
I'm like as you describe. I'm not much of a "signman" either, try as I might.
I am interested, though, in how such economic conditions are going to affect the sign industry. To me, the economy swings on a pendulum. I see business trends much the same way. For the past 10 years, it seemed that sign franchises were taking over. Now I'm having second thoughts.
Perhaps this the first signs of a trend in the industry or "market's" way of culling the herd.
Any thoughts?
Posted by Wilson Ardmore (Member # 3230) on :
There is only one consistant bear to hunt on the subject of what value a franchise style shop has. That is... a weakness in the pricing of their product. In my way of seeing how the parity of exsistance in all sign related businesses plays out, is by the cheapening of the price when it should never have to be. A simple way of looking at this is wether you consider yourself a professional or not. The fear of going under is driven by a lack of confidence across the board. In these times when you see inflation on the professional service level, as in medicine, law services, community services, utilities and on and on. Although our profession is not a need and more driven by the want, the cheapening has brought a lack of understanding of how important visual identification is at any level. So, I gues I personally can not shed a tear for what is only a fair business venture to begin with and my dream would be to see the real sign businesses make loads of dough that is deserved by respect from the rest of their professional communities.
Thas,it CrazyJack (usin' Ardmore's net line)
Posted by Wilson Ardmore (Member # 3230) on :
There is only one consistant bear to hunt on the subject of what value a franchise style shop has. That is... a weakness in the pricing of their product. In my way of seeing how the parity of exsistance in all sign related businesses plays out, is by the cheapening of the price when it should never have to be. A simple way of looking at this is wether you consider yourself a professional or not. The fear of going under is driven by a lack of confidence across the board. In these times when you see inflation on the professional service level, as in medicine, law services, community services, utilities and on and on. Although our profession is not a need and more driven by the want, the cheapening has brought a lack of understanding of how important visual identification is at any level. So, I gues I personally can not shed a tear for what is only a fair business venture to begin with and my dream would be to see the real sign businesses make loads of dough that is deserved by respect from the rest of their professional communities.
Thas,it CrazyJack (usin' Ardmore's net line)
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
I guage the economy this way(my economy) When EVERYONE else is doing bad. I am making "For SALE" signs. When they are doing good,I am making "For RENT" signs! Either way,I am STILL making signs!
