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
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Kinko's can't do it cheaper, huh? Go figure....
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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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.
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.
-------------------- Co-Host: SANDCASTLE Panel Jam 'a Dixie Letterhead Reunion' Fort Myers, Florida
Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on mIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida 239-574-4713 VSignsNgraphics@aol.com Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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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.
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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....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
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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..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.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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installed Sintra menu boards today for $1250... the guy took the cheapest option... go figure, i'll post pics later
-------------------- -------------------- Dave Cox C2 Media Services (Formerly That Sign Guy) dave@c2mediaservices.com -------------------- Full Color Printing Posts: 295 | From: Sacramento CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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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!
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.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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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
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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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 ]
-------------------- PTSideshow, been there, probally done that. Wizard Works Show Supply Magic Props FX Signage Banners Ect. Posts: 120 | From: Mount Clemens,MI,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Jill, you mean the June that wields a cleaver?
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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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
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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