posted
I had my first (known) failure of Econolite when we took a sign down so the owner could remodel the exterior of his building.
I called Laminators since I heard they were replacing defective panels. Originally I was told I would get a credit for the panel. They told me to send in a piece showing the defective area. Well I could not use their UPS acct. number because I don't have an account with UPS. When the requested call tags did not show I called again and got the lowdown.
It turns out that some of Laminators employees were not diligent in getting us our proper credit. These people are no longer there.
I talked to Scott at Laminators and he told me the whole story. Their aluminum backer supplier tried a different process in the manufacture of the aluminum, without telling Laminators. The aluminum looked fine and bonded well to the palstic core. The problem was with an ink that is applied to the aluminum. This change caused the delamination in the backer once the panel got wet. Basically the ink was bonded to the aluminum, then Laminators was bonding the plastic core to ink that would dissolve when wet.They thought they were bonding the plastic to the aluminum, and since old process backers were being shipped mixed with new process backers, it took them a while to figure out what was going on.
The company that made the unannounced change is eating the replacements because it was their mistake.
Here's what they have agreed to do. Laminator's is replacing the panel, the cost of paint or vinyl, labor @ $12.50 an hour to make the replacement sign, uninstall the old one and install the new one, including travel time to your customer.
I know $12.50 an hour is not much of a labor rate, but compared to what vinyl and plastic letter warranties cover, (replacement of material only) I feel Laminators is really trying to help us out.
Scott asked me to let you all know that if you were one of those not informed of the whole deal of replacement, to call him at Laminators, 800-523-2347 ext. 222 and he'll take care of your additional refund.
I also talked to Scott about becoming a Letterville merchant. He sounded interested.
posted
Thanks Dave. I am one of those victims and I will call tomorrow! Makes me feel a bit better about their company and customer service than before.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Good for Them!!!!- That's a heck of a lot better than most would do - it is pretty hard to compare the percieved value of one sign over another.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Did anyone work with Scott at Laminators on this matter? I was told on at least 4 seperate occassions that I was getting a check for XXX amount. I never saw it. Called to check on it today and was told the check was sent to Sign Supply???????????
I didn't even buy the stuff from Sign Supply to begin with, not to mention that it wasn't Sign Supply who lost time and reputation, it was me!!
Damn the madness!!
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Now that's the kind of Merchant we are looking for here in Letterville. There's still a few vacant shops on Main Steet just waiting for new suppliers to move into.
Remember. Sell a new Merchant on the benefits of Letterville, and we'll send you $50US to have a dinner on us or whatever else makes you smile. Just have the supplier mention your name when they call.
posted
Yeah, the aluminum manufacturers have been screwing around and in return, screwing us up.
A few months ago, I screen printed a gazillion panels for a client. He called back a few weeks later complaining that the screen work that I did was popping off.
I sent some of the panels to Nazdar for testing.
It turns out that one of the aluminum manufacturers had changed the paint formula and process used for white-enameled aluminum. Because of it, inks that were normally used in the industry could no longer cross-link with the coated substrate.
My suppliers were very gracious in getting us new replacement panels as was my client with his patience as I reprinted everything.
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