posted
I think I speak for about everyone here when I say, "Honestly suppliers, we, as shop owners, are getting tired of this ****."
I had a customer want some magnetics the other day. Blue lettering. I grabbed my Avery Sapphire Blue vinyl. I even checked the tag inside the roll to see it was the color I wanted, it was. I cut the vinyl, weeded and app taped everything, then went to assemble the mags. I put the outline for the lettering down and went to put the blue down. It didn't quite feel right. So, I grabbed the lettering for the other sign, flipped it over and do you what it said on the back of the liner? NOTHING. When I got this roll, I ordered AVERY. I specified AVERY (as I always do). The label the supplier put on the core says AVERY. The vinyl I got is NOT Avery. When we specify want we want, we expect to get what we want or be asked if it is ok to substitute (it isn't). Don't just send me some cheap junk you've had sitting there when I ordered hi performance stuff.
Please, before everyone tells me to find a new supplier or change brands, I'm having a hard time finding a supplier that takes less than a week to get stuff to me and actually carries everything they say they do. I like avery (when it is avery).
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
whew! glad to see I am not the only squeeky wheel around here.
Chris, I too, am getting tired of weeding vinyl..and having it either cut terribly. (yes I used new blades)..or have it apply like schit and not stick. What is going on lately?? Is all the vinyl turning to crapola??
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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That sucks! I can honestly say that has never happened to me. I have had some negative experiences with Wensco. They have a way of messing stuff up sometimes, but they usually make it right. I usually just buy substrates from them. My vinyl supplier is Advantage Sign Supply....Awesome people! I think you should mention that supplier by name here. It may make them a little sharper.
[ June 04, 2003, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3503 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I use Avery and get it from one supplier. It comes in an Avery box, with the plastic wrap, label in the core, and Avery markings on the backside of the liner.I know the "feel" of true Avery stuff. I have ordered from a big supplier when my supplier didn't have the color I wanted, it came in a plain box and didn't have that "feel" of real Avery. Gave me the impression it wasn't Avery.
I like seeing the real Avery box. It comes with that sealed label from the factory. I know what I'm getting.
-------------------- Tony Broussard Graphic Details Digital Media Loreauville, LA Posts: 395 | From: Loreauville, LA | Registered: Jul 1999
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posted
Well Chris...I can't say I have had a problem with unstated substitutions but Our major supplier up here in Canada SUCKS BIG TIME!!! Mainly with poor delivery service and not stocking MANY colours that are all in the very latest 3M and Avery colour charts.
How would ya like to be told that there isn't ANY Avery Pewter metallic vinyl in Canada ANYWHERE, and that it will only take 2 weeks to get it in MAYBE, and that there is a minimum 10 yd order required?? (I can handle the 10 yd minimum order, but a 2 week waiting period?????) GIMME A BREAK!!
How about asking for a 45 dgree Roland cutter blade??? Oppps, sorry we don't have any...Well, I can make do with a 60 degree blade then...Oppps...sorry we don't have any of them either!!!!
AND even better...I need 10 yds of Sapphire blue and 10 yds of Olympic blue....Ohhhh, geee I guess we ran out of stock a couple of days ago!!!!! Better re-order. I thought in this day and age of computers that re-ordering would be pretty well automated....NOT!!!
AND another new idea...as of June 15 our supplier will no longer be mailing out invoices...They will be faxing them. That is a great idea..As long as I have a fax machine and a dedicated phone line FOR that fax machine...I don't!!! Wonder how they are gonna handle THAT situation??? I have asked twice at my local supplier but THEY can't remember to ask the head office about it.
Suppliers SUCK big time!!!!!
Glad to hear that we are not alone in our misery here in Canada.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Dave, I switched suppliers from what I suspect is the same "major" one you are referring to. I buy from Acme now and I'm just starting to get stuff from East West Plastics. East West claims they carry EVERY colour that is in the Avery chart. Might be worth looking into.
Another concern I had at the previous supplier was pretty much what Chris is upset about. They would buy vinyl in logs and cut them down and re-roll onto other cores. Often there was no name on the back even though I was requesting Avery. Now, with Acme, they bring in their vinyl straight from Avery at all the different sizes. I get it in an Avery box, with Avery labels and full rolls even come with a cheapie squeegie. I can also buy by the yard from them.
[ June 04, 2003, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: Terry Whynott ]
posted
When you come across an excellant supplier, please let them know about Letterville. We ran a small sign shop in a rural area for 20 years. At that time, we had about 3 different suppliers to choose from. During those 20 years, we loved and hated all at one time or another. The various company reps that dropped by the shop made a huge impression on us. They put a face on big companies that sometimes appeared to treat their smaller customers with indifference.
Let's face it! We're all human and from time to time, mistakes and misunderstandings are going to happen. Everyone understands that! Frustration sets in when there is nobody you know and trust to discuss your problem with. It sucks to be treated as a nobody!
We're very proud of the relationships many of our Merchants have forged with their users here in Letterville. If you have a question or issue with Summa, Rapid Tac, Estimate, Graphtec or other Letterville Merchants, you'll usually get a quick response and hopefully a resolution to your problem right here on the BB. Most of the Merchants here are in their Letterville Stores on a daily basis. That's a very cool thing! We want to see more Merchants following their lead.
posted
I use 90% Arlon & I have a new issue to vent. I've been using this stuff almost exclusively for over 10 years, & recently I am getting more & more stuff on bad cores. The fact that the core is an inch longer then the vinyl is not a real big deal, but it does have a negative impact on my daily operation because both my Edge & my Envision plotter have "roll holders" that sit in a fixed spot on the desk & should allow me to slide a 3" core over this dispenser & have the material line up with the sprockets on my equipment. The off-size cores cause trouble with my material running straight to my equipment.
The bigger hassle though is I am getting many many cores that have probably been cut with something dull. the inner cardboard layers of the core are mushed, shredded, or delaminating.
I am now having to get a sharp xacto when I open a new roll of Arlon vinyl & I have to cut a bevel in the cardboard of the inner core. this gripes me to no end
posted
I'd bet some of the "merchants" here get fed up with some of the suppliers/distributors too. Different worlds IMO. A few of our suppliers we've had to talk into getting things we find out about here. Some different supplier are better for different item ... but no excusing passing off what you didn't order.
A little twist to this ... One of our bigger suppliers a few cities over sends a rep around every couple weeks (which I appreciate). If we have something ordered at the time he's coming he'll bring it to save shipping ... good company (that he works for). Always has his computer print with him of what we buy/have bought ... and always asks (disapointed like) why we haven't ordered this or that in a while. We get at least a few hundred yards of vinyl per week from them (the brand I like), gallons and gallons of ink, screen wash, emulsion/remover, acetate, etc., etc. And every other week I'm suppose to feel guilty I get better masking cheaper around the corner ... this visit he had a special deal for us ... order 4 rolls of masking and get a pack of razor blades FREE ... woohoo
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Steve..You guys have, generally, an excellent bunch of merchants who support the website as well as a bunch of we customers who support the website. And I believe that we, the shop owners, are the backbone of the whole thing.
Roger "RapidTac" is excellent as are Howard "Graphtec" and Jim "Summa" et al.
I have to wonder, however, about suppliers who brag about their products and services here on the BB but who don't answer private e-mail messages that express dis-satisfaction. The private e-mails were sent to avoid embarassing both this website AND the merchant.
Terry..who is "Acme"?? Can you give me a number to call?? Since the only game in town here in London for Avery is my current supplier, I'd love to find another one that I can buy from!!! As long as they are reliable.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Thanks Tim...I already contacted one of the dealers and will contact the other tomorrow.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Checkers & Dave, I called Harbor this morning for a catalog. Sharon suggested them when I spoke to her last night. This afternoon I called them (thank god they're open past 5) and ordered Pewter Metallic. Dave man, I woulda ordered and sent it to you. hehe
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Avery by the yard = Ameriban Avery by the roll = Beacon Graphics
You can visit Ameriban's website, but you have to ask for a catalog. You can order via email/fax/phone.
You can visit Beacon Graphics website, and order everything right through their site.
Both companies get it out the same day in most cases.
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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