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Honestly I'm not complaining, or Bragging for that matter, but we have been swamped here. It's the busiest I've been in years, and no sign of it slowing down, trying to avoid as much OT as we can.
I have to say that the guys are doing the best they can as well.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Yeah Neil, seems to be a lot of construction going on out your way! That's a good sign!! Things are busy here as well, I mean, a slow period can show up any time I guess, but we're keeping busy. Just been asked to price up some new equipment actually. I like hearing that. Hope it keeps up!
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Business is great here; I'm working my tail off.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Last month was pretty good, this one is easily the worst I've seen in twenty years. Last year was terrible. It's not just the sign/striping industry either. I've got friends in other trades/businesses and most of them are hurting too. I spend most of my time out beating the bushes trying to stir up work. I sometimes think I would have better luck selling snowmobiles around here
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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You know we have been extremely busy too but the problem is a lot of them aren’t paying their bills on time.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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Here in southern California, the overpriced real estate has put complete stop on the economy. This is the worse I've seen in 30 years. Last week I only billed 5 or 6 hours. The phone has completely stopped ringing. It's not just me, most everyone I talk to (small business people) are saying the same thing. But on a brighter note, I now have a real clean shop. I even mopped the floors!
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Did cold calls yeasterday, haven't done those in many years. I think the problem is geographical and goes hand in hand with the construction & real estate trade. It's no secret that Michigan is #1 in all the wrong categories: forclosures, unemployment, bankruptsys, etc.
Some say the pending election is already weighing in because people are waiting to see the result. I'm not sure, either way, just gotta keep moving forward.
Better days ahead
[ June 17, 2008, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3486 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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This is the time to build as I've been doing since last September. Workers have been laid off and they need the work, I've been rebuilding this home since I acquired it, from roofing to sub floors and buying building materials that are now at an all time low and can finally afford to do the things that are needed. If business is slow than you must find time to do those projects that have been sitting on the sidelines. I actually found another engine and trans reasonably priced for my Plymouth since the another engine takes 114 octane and although its not going to shake the ground it will cruise nicely.
I've become addicted to Craigslist and have been buying things that can be sold on ebay and also work for my advantage, last night I bought a maple Captains bed frame for 50 bucks and the person delivered it this morning and now my mattress has a place to dwell and my body doesn't have to hurt so much getting up in the morning. It's time to recycle, rebuild and re-live otherwise you'll eat more, spend more and complain more
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
quote:Originally posted by John Arnott: Here in southern California, the overpriced real estate has put complete stop on the economy. This is the worse I've seen in 30 years. Last week I only billed 5 or 6 hours. The phone has completely stopped ringing. It's not just me, most everyone I talk to (small business people) are saying the same thing. But on a brighter note, I now have a real clean shop. I even mopped the floors!
It's the same story here across the Colorado River from you, since oddly enough, the economy in SoCal is a big driver of the economy in my area.
I think I may have cut about 10ft of vinyl so far this month. Luckily I've got photography business. I also have a buddy with a motorcycle related business and motorcycles are HOT right now with the gas prices. I've been helping him make parts and socking that money away to put into building some electric bikes and motorcycles to sell in the area.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I just got of the phone with our suppliers and it seems I'm a little busier than most shops here, so that feels good to a certain extent. But the Offshore oil Production is whats driving our economy here. You know for decades the economy here ion Newfoundland sucked big time, it still is hard in the outports, but in St. John's the economy is booming, I hope it continues like the exoerts say it's going to, It would be nice to make some real money for a change, maybe I'll be able to pay off the Visa!
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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I have been steadily working since January of '07, which was real unusual but very welcome. This spring has been slightly slower than other years but I still have work coming in, thank God. I have seen a few long-time clients drift towards cheap/ugly coro replacements done elsewhere. I have been doing more logo design and business cards, which is a welcome change. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I've been working my tail off, but I honestly think it's mostly because I'm reconnecting with the folks in my hometown. Some of them haven't heard from me in 30+ years. It's sort of strange being back here. I swore I'd never set foot back here again, lol. It's amazing how many of my old friends and acquaintances are now in positions of power here...school board, local gov., frat. org., etc.
-------------------- Terry Baird Baird Signs 3484 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Posts: 790 | From: Canandaigua, New York | Registered: Dec 2002
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After a really slow October-December 2007, I have been busy since Jan 2, 2008 and getting busier. i will be moving out of my basement into a 1800 sq ft office/showroom/shop in the next month and talking to two people to help me.
Hope the being busy keeps up.
-------------------- Bob Noyes Digital Graffiti 310 Main St NE Mapleton, MN 56065 Posts: 130 | From: Mapleton, MN | Registered: Nov 2007
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lots of cold calls right now. phone doesnt ring much. and all my bids keep getting underbid ..BY LARGER COMPANIES!! WTH!?
im not busting down any records but not starving either. i wish things would pick up. I do like this economy for one thing its clearing alot fo the "crap" out or business
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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I'm anchored off the coast of Alaska right now. It was busy when I left last week and by the look of my email, I'll be buried when I get back next week. Fun jobs too, dimensional stuff. I can't wait to get back and dive in.... yes, I'm a sick puppy.
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I had a very good winter and this spring some old quotes have come home to roost and my POP display payed off big time this spring at the nursery/farm market. I had a show last weekend, where I trippled what I did last year.....mostly high end stuff. (I just raised my prices too! ) Kutztown starts on the 28th thru the 4th weekend. I may raise prices again.
joe,
Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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Things here in the Bay Area seem pretty strong. We're often behind the swing of the economy though, so maybe we'll see a downturn in the 4th Quarter. Right now I've got more work than I can do, and I think that's the case for the other sign makers I know. (The digital folks are all competing on price, but those of use with brushes and carving tools are busy.)
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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If anyone checks out the "Our Latest" page on my website, there's only two things on it, both half a year ago. Been too busy busy and busy to post anything...
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Crazy busy...and not just on our normal vinyl work. I'm getting Gemini letter orders, bulk banner orders, and bulk 4x8 real estate work falling out of the sky right now. My little niche I found is working out damn good.
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I couldn't have moved the business home at a better time....unless it was a year earlier. Our town is getting really bad as far as business closing their doors. I went pass my old shop the other day and the Rent A Center that was my neighbor was gone. They have been in that building for over 15 years. Home foreclosures are rampant. Over 200 just in the zip code of 48446. Thats Lapeer and its the county seat but its just a small community.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I have been semi retired the last year, but my Nephew(who was about a third of my workforce had a stroke (37 years old) and will probably not return to work for a year or so. I hired a couple of guys to take his place, but had to get back in the saddle a bit myself too. It has been very busy!! Funny how it seems when times are bad, the sign business gets good. Bill
-------------------- Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud 10 year Supporter of the Letterheads Website www.artssigns.com "MrBill-" on the chat page MailTo:biggsbb@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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Fits and spurts. The first two months were the worst ever...goose eggs on the books. March through April saw the usual rush for race cars and truck lettering, May was steady, but this month's much busier.
This has never been a big market area and things have certainly slowed overall. I just have to keep reminding myself it's not anything I am doing right or wrong, just a struggling overall economy.
Easier said than done... Rapid
[ June 18, 2008, 10:50 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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FLORIDA is dying, economy here is bad, NO CONSTRUCTION, lot of shops going out of business. I moved alittle over a year ago, and chopped my rent in half. I could not have made it there another year. I have work but not like in the old days . And now one of the "competition' (Which I have NEVER considered competetion) must be having it BAD because they seem to be putting out FALSE BAD reveiws on ALL our local sign shops within a 30 mile radius, EXCEPT THEIRS!(yellowpages.com listings) can you believe THAT??? Times are tuff 'round here! Backstabbing & Bullcrap... But after 13 years, I'm still standing.
-------------------- Kelly Chatham Kelly's Signs Inc. 5723 Morse Av. Jax., FL, 32244 Posts: 68 | From: Jacksonville, Fl. | Registered: Apr 2005
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I hear this alot...."Bet y'all are real busy with all the election signs". Though we don't make election signs, we do setup the designs and email them to a wholesale printer. But we haven't done a single one of these this year.
Our vinyl sign sales have slowed to nearly zero. I think I sold about $600 worth this week and maybe $300 last week. I haven't lettered a truck in several weeks. But we've been doing a string of sandblasted redwood signs, a couple with gold leaf, and now working on a couple of nice HDU ones.
Is it just me or don't things always seem to slow down in an election year? And with the gas prices, everyone is feeling the crunch. But everytime when it gets slow and I get engrossed in a project like making some samples or other improvements to the shop, it gets busy again. Try it! And even if it is just a personal project, I think it helps when customers come in and see that you are busy. I think maybe it has a kind of "nest egg" effect. It will all pick up after awhile.
[ June 20, 2008, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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