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» The Letterville BullBoard » Old Archives » Prices stuck in the 70s

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Author Topic: Prices stuck in the 70s
Joe Rees
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Member # 211

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I notice sometimes old price memories creep up on me. Occasionally when I'm figuring a bid on a job old prices fromn decades ago will jump onto the paper. I'll allow $10 for cost on a 4x4 PT pole, thinking in the back of my mind I actually have a profit margin built into that figure. And I won't even consider things like screws or primer, or a stupid bag of concrete that my mind tells me is only a couple bucks. Then I fall into sticker shock when its time to actually go the the building supply for my materials.

Fast set concrete @ $9.95/bag. Stainless steel screws almost $1 each. 3.5" wooden ball finials $10 ea. 3/4" PVC sheet as much as $250 for some brands! Holy cripes my bids are getting eaten alive with materials.

I have a similar problem with quoting anything off the cuff. $250 used to be common for a van lettering job - back in the day, and that price still wants to jump out of my mouth. $80 for a set of magnetics. $75 for a realtors sign, $250 for a 4x8. These days it seems like the used-to-be retail price is more like the cost of materials. I've GOT to remember that, but damm if a part of me deep down isnt stuck in the 70s.

--------------------
Joe Rees
Cape Craft Signs
(Cape Cod, MA)
http://www.capecraft.com
e-mail: joe@capecraft.com

SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity!
Click Here for Sound Clips!

Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Janette Balogh
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Member # 192

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Anytime you find your thinking stuck in the seventies ... think about what your electric bill, grocery bill, rent/mortgage, and ANY hired services were back then. Then consider what they are now.

You'll snap right out of it! [Smile]

Works for me.
I just paid a plumber over 100 bux per hour labour (not counting the fixtures) to put in a new toilet and sink. After the shell-shock wore off, I KNEW it was time for yet another price hike for my work too!
My property taxes are more than doubling this year, and my homeowner's insurance is also taking a drastic hike up. Hey ... the money's gotta come from somewhere!

Nettie

--------------------
"When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"

Janette Balogh
Creative Studio

janette@janettebalogh.com
www.janettebalogh.com

Posts: 5092 | From: Florida | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Joe Rees
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Member # 211

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Oh, believe me Nettie, I get shell shocked all the time. It aint pretty and it aint fun. I'm usually ok if I take the effort to write out a time and materials breakdown of a bid - adding that bottom line up at least keeps me aware of the big stuff. But I better be sure to add in every imaginable item, because that roll of masking tape isnt .49 cents anymore. It takes a lot of diligence is all, and I sometimes sabotage myself with old price structures. You know what I mean, you were there with me for a lot of this stuff, bidding out 88 jobs a day during the 80s. I wish I could forget half of what I knew. Its working against me now.

[ June 08, 2003, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: Joe Rees ]

--------------------
Joe Rees
Cape Craft Signs
(Cape Cod, MA)
http://www.capecraft.com
e-mail: joe@capecraft.com

SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity!
Click Here for Sound Clips!

Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Bruce Bowers
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Member # 892

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Stuck in the 70's, Joe? I thought that was you cruising down Oliver Street the other day... LOL!

I hear of what you speak, Bro. We should re-adjust of thought processes every once in awhile to account for the rising cost of materials.

Hope to see you in Quebec...

--------------------
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: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Janette Balogh
Resident


Member # 192

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Joe!

Sure hope you are coming to Quebec!
Dang ... would love to see you there!
Nettie

--------------------
"When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"

Janette Balogh
Creative Studio

janette@janettebalogh.com
www.janettebalogh.com

Posts: 5092 | From: Florida | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Joe Rees
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Member # 211

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Quebec eh? and my homies are going to be there...
Well, I was going to say no way, but I just looked up the date and where it is, and dang if I don't plan to be in that vicinity right about that time...hmmm, I will give that some serious consideration.

Actually planing to do a tour of Maine sometime late summer. Quebec is not that far from there. The plan is only general at this time. I am trying to have both my boys with me, but Brian might have other plans since he graduated high school today!! Hey Nettie, remember this guy?

 -

He might be too grown up to hang around with dad after this. We'll see. All I know is I got a lot of signs to make between now and then so I'll have the money to goof off for a whole week.

--------------------
Joe Rees
Cape Craft Signs
(Cape Cod, MA)
http://www.capecraft.com
e-mail: joe@capecraft.com

SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity!
Click Here for Sound Clips!

Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
old paint
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Member # 549

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KNOW THE FEELIN ....cept most here STILL DO STUFF FOR THAT ...AND LESS!!! pair a mags...$29-49 most shops...4x8 mdo $200, 4x8 coro $100, 2x6 banners for $25, 18" x 24" yard signs 2 sides for $10.....they dont stay in business long but long enough foo the buying public to EXPECT these prices as NORMAL. i did stickem up ONLY of 2-4x8(where already painted and set in place) with hp vinyl for $640!!!!! here this is not the norm.

--------------------
joe pribish-A SIGN MINT
2811 longleaf Dr.
pensacola, fl 32526
850-637-1519
BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND

Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

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