I have done a 1/2 dozen signs for this new business in my small city and they wanted me to shoot 'em a price for a double sided post and panel sign.
Immediately, I think...
(2) 4 x 8 x 1/2 MDO
dk. Blue enamel for MDO, (2)4 x 6 posts, (6)2 x 4 cross supports.
primer
Winter digging in frozen ground (this is Canada, eh? It's -4f today by the way)
My "killer" layout and such and come up with the price of about $1200 INSTALLED.
Is that High?? Got a hold of her 2 days later when she tells me that my ONLY competitor quoted her $550. $550????????
5 days later, I see a sign that is Blue, no 2 x 4 cross support, 4 x 4 posts (not 4 x 6) (unpainted, unprimed) with one post in an existing hole (how deep???) and the other post is on a SKID.
I imagine it is probably calendered vinyl too considering the price.
Still, with the price and cutting all those corners, I can't see how he can charge so little. Is he low-balling?
How do I tell the customer that I was quoting an entirely different sign (alike but different because of all the added measures).
I am not one of those people that will do a sign without primed and painted posts-NO BARE WOOD. I don't want other cheapos to ask where they got their(cheapo) sign and have my co. name pop up. I want poeple to ask where they got their AWESOME sign and have my co. name come up. How do I continue my bus. without diminishing myself to doing crappy, cheap, cutting corners types of signage?????
It sounds to me like your head's on straight and you lost out to a lowball competitor. It happens. They'll be gone in time. Stick to your guns, and keep selling a good product for a fair price.
-------------------- Best Regards, Mark Smith EstiMate Sign Pricing Software It's Not Luck. It's EstiMate.™ http://www.EstiMateSoftware.com 1-888-304-3300 Posts: 724 | From: Asheville, NC, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I never question the price from another sign shop, they certainly know what their work is worth. I think one has to be a little pro-active and educate the customer up front so they know what you will provide. This helps to get them to ask the right questions of the other guy. To keep you from questioning your pricing, get a copy of Signwriters Prcing Guide, Estimate or QuikPrice.
On another note, Judi just finished the figures for 2002 and our raw shop overhead costs have risen 16% over the last year.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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Do you have a portfolio of your work? Is your potential customer aware of the differnce between a sign and a GOOD sign?
Perhaps this is an opportunity for you. Take a picture or two of the sign this weekend. Then a month from now. Then 2 or 3 months from now---kind of like a time lapse photography. In the meantime, do an excellent rendering of what you wanted to do for the customer, from layout, to quality of build, to qualtiy of materials. There's still lots of weather left in Alta. before the spring, so we'll see what happens----it may be face down one morning after a good stiff wind.
It may be too late for this job, but if you have something like this for the 'next one' maybe you'll win that one.
Educate your customer. Be consultative. Explain the differences. Have a basic alternative and a good, strong alternative. Maybe you can't win the price battle, but maybe you don't want to either. Strive to win the QUALITY battle.
Did you give your customer a written quote. If so, did it state "Quoted using quality/premimum vinyls", etc etc? If your customer is going to 'shop' give them more info to shop with---teach them something while they're in your shop.
Thinks of Glenn's points about 3-tier pricing and go from there.
posted
I don't think it's high at all, especially considering the posts, supports, and installation. My 4X8's start a $400.00 without posts and installation.
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Good! I'm not crazy....well, maybe a little.
I actually did give them a lower price comparison but, it was still higher (around $950). I could go even lower but, morally, I can't because I can't give 'em CRAP.
I made the assumption that I GOT the job and shooted them my REASONABLE price without going into all the bells and whistles going along witht the job (assuming that they knew by now what kind of product I deliver). I've learned....still new at this BOSS/ OWNER thing.
posted
Keep your prices where you need to make a living...not friends..there are always idiots out there who don't have a clue as to what a sign costs versus what they should charge. It is a good idea to seperate the cost of installation from the cost of the sign. I always like to break it down so it makes sense to the customer. The best thing you can do is keep an eye on it and as soon as it starts to fall apart...drop by for a visit...crappy work speaks for itself..
posted
My last employer had a small sign on the wall in the waiting room, placed so that it could not be missed.
"The sweet taste of a low price wears off well before the long lasting bitterness of low quality sets in !"
I don't think he originated this but it could not be said more poignantly.
If this makes any difference.
When I read the specs, I thought..more along the lines of...
1 sheet d/s mdo prepainted w/ 2 4x4 routed/grooved treated pine posts painted. The vinyl type would be respective to how long the sign needs to be there.
I think it's silly to use cast vinyl on something thats gonna' get chunked in 6 months.
I would put the posts 36" in the ground variable depending on soil type sign, height, longevity.
I have never even heard of a post on a skid. On stands or on a wide base but never a skid, that must be some kinda' Canadian thing. (J/K)
Steve
-------------------- Steve Aycock Designs 3489 Oswald St. Johns Island, SC zaor@warpdriveonline.com Posts: 124 | From: Charleston, SC | Registered: Feb 2003
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