Haven't had a slow summer in years, and I've forgotten what it's like... man oh man... booooring.
Have fun.. Christian
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Well I'm Not in FL But its dead up here in Nebraska also. Last years drought killed us.. no ones buying new trucks this year so no new lettering now. Ohh Well lets me finish remodeling the house now that I have no excuses.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
boy ...i saw that header...and was gona read you the riot act..."callin us fla people...slow"!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahah when i lived in sarasota(19 years) june july and aug were ALL BAD!!!!!! seemed like all my clients went on vaction for 3 months. here in pensacola not as bad....more summer activity with car shows, boat shows, food gatherings...etc. and here worst months are jan feb.
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Things are pretty busy around here these days...I guess everything is up over last year as far as sales go. Like old Paint says, Jan & Feb are usually slow though................Hey OP.....nice to meet you at the Sandcastle meet ! Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
We've been slammed the last two weeks and I'm happier than a hog is "S". Before that we were dead for months. Hope it stays this way!!
Of course, three of the jobs are out-of-state sales so I guess Florida still sucks! I'm a native, I'm allowed to say that! Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Here's a question regarding "demographics" that may or may not be peculiar to the State of Florida. I don't know how accurate this "perception" may be, but don't a large number of people go to Florida to retire? I've even heard of the State being referred to as "God's Waiting Room" in a comedy skit. If this is true, then at that stage of life, how many are looking to start up new enterprises, or promote existing ones? Chances are they DID DO that sort of thing, back when they were ACTIVELY pursueing careers or operating businesses....but not now.
The point is that IF the state is largely populated by retirees, then that might explain why sign shops find things a tad difficult there, and why there are so fewer folks there who are potential sign consumers. It might be worth checking out how many "retirement homes or condominiums" that could become a good market for the sign shops in that area.Those places need signs too, and I'd guess that they would want to attract an "upscale type" of clientelle.
Posted by Mark Rogan (Member # 3678) on :
KEN!!! That gives me a GREAT idea!!! Vinyl headstones!!!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
lol
Posted by Fred Weiss (Member # 3662) on :
Actually all those retirees moved here and bought condos with lots of rules which need to be posted on signs.
Those that didn't buy condos bought homes and promptly started a flurry of rules like banning lettered vehicles which has caused a nice boom in magnetic signs and blank magnets to cover over lettering on vehicles.
Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :
Don't let Old Paint kid you, he is slow. I hear he converted a short bus he rode to special school in into a mobile sign shop.
I've been about middling slow. I've bid on a few decent jobs, waiting for approvals.
So you're a native too Amy. Not many of us around.
Ken, I assume by retire you mean people moving to Florida to tell the ones that belong here how wonderful it is up where they hauled a$$ from. People move here at all ages looking for sun and an easy life. They bring down the wages because they'll work for practically nothing to keep from having to go back where it's so fantastic.
The old folks aren't too bad except when driving. They may not have businesses here, but they do spend money and create jobs.
As far as doing work for the retirement homes, most of those are owned by national corporations and have their regular sign people.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
.....How 'bout customizin' wheelchairs, walkers an' canes? Cant'cha just see a wheelchair all dressed out in flames? Personalized panels with graphics could be attached to the fronts of walkers! The market awaits you! Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
I've never been to FL but do they have alot of golf carts there on the roads..We had Millions of Golf carts down in PHX/Suncity Maybee start advertising striping and graphics on them.. Sounds like a joke but they love that.
Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :
We stay pretty steady around here year round - Christmas slows off a little, but I don't mind.
As for all of the retirees, these people require services, and many are well enough off financially to go out eating and shopping. This in turn creates businesses and jobs that do need signage.
New subdivision entrances, doctors' offices, restaurants, plus the need for lawn service, plumbers, electricians and the like, all require signage. Also, with all of the new houses that are being built, we are seeing new building companies emerge which support the whole gamut of service oriented businesses; roofers, storm shutters, cleaning companies, drywall, and tile firms. These owners and employees of these companies then turn around and buy products and services for themselves. They are also the families with children who need day care, clothes, food and all that other stuff we all need to get by.
It's a good cycle. I think I'll stay
I hope that work picks up for all of you that are slow.
Good Luck!
Posted by Chris Lovelady (Member # 2540) on :
this have been slow here in Tallahassee.. i don't know why?..this is usualy our bussiest time. we have been getting little piddly jobs and a couple of returns on some truck lettering.
also we could use some rain ....wile im wineing!
being in a capital city tring to get on purchaseing list for city county and federal agencys. rattling the bushes. also calling customer list to check on old customers. hope it will pick up soon!
P.s. amy brown...looks like you need to pay your rent...miss seeing your cute mug!
chris
[ June 04, 2003, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: Chris Lovelady ]
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Not enough hours in a day for me here. I'm scrambling to keep up.
No complaints!
Hope things pick up for all of you too! I'm sure it will. Nettie
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