posted
So as, not to add flames to the hot topic about "Font Weaseling". I would like to ask for as many lettervlleites, as possible to "Weigh" in on a major question or two with your honest frank opinions concerning the cost of today's CD-ROM clipart offerings such as the "Designer Cafe"/ "Main Street Collection"/ "Butler Gold" / any of the Vector Art Series or even the "Digital Auto Library" I know that my smallish ad in SignCraft mag. for $149.00 may be too much to ask, but I'm not sure and I would like to hear your side about this and I sincerely do not begrudge an opinion by anyone. I may be out of line with my pricing and just do not realize it. I will thank you in advance, So please.... weigh in. Thas'it,..............CrazyJack
------------------ Jack Wills Studio Design Works 6255 Brookside Circle Rocklin, CA 95677 writer@quiknet.com
Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Hi Jack. Personally, my opinion is that in today's sign shop environment, time is money, and any tool that saves me time, ultimately also makes me money. You know as well as anyone, what folks using your clip art can rightly ask for a sign produced using that disc. If you estimate that they can easily recoupe their cost of purchase over the course of say 5 jobs, then you're providing them with a bargain. Anything they manage to do over and above those 5 initial jobs, they're gonna be saving themselves time, and making themselves bucks. I honestly don't think that you've overpriced that disc at all. The folks who'll buy something like that are the ones who recognize opportunity and see the glass as being half full, rather than half empty.
That being said, not everyone is gifted with that sorta mindset, and they tend to look only at the cost. The irony of that, is that it's the sorta thing we're constantly trying to get OUR customers to SEE....and sometimes, we don't recognize those same qualities in ourselves when we shop for tools or supplies for our own use.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
posted
Actually I went and forgot to ask question that was on my mind in my first post. So here goes: How much is a clip art CD worth as an out right purchase with out figuring the cost into a job, or other. I'll jot some prices down for choosing.
A. $199.0
B. $149.0
C. $99.0
D. $79.0
E. $69.0
F. $59.0
G. $ Other? This is only for the CD's that I personally have for distribution. Thanks Thas'it..................Jack
------------------ Jack Wills Studio Design Works 6255 Brookside Circle Rocklin, CA 95677 writer@quiknet.com
Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Jack your price is ok for america but by the time we convert our poor old dollar and freight they are to expensive for me my opinion Ian
------------------ Ian Wilson Signmaker Toowoomba City Council Cnr Anzac Ave & Stephen st Toowoomba Queensland Australia may all your toubles be little ones The man that never make a mistake never makes anything
Posts: 656 | From: Toowoomba Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I tend to agree with Ian. A lot of these cd's are good value if we could get them at the price they are put out at. Most firms in the States seem to ship for free within their own shores, but not abroad. I Don't know about Australia but here in the UK we get charged import duty as well.I, not too long ago bought some Mack brushes for around $120 When they finally arrived (not through any fault of your carriers ) after being impounded by our Customs service I had to pay another £30.00 ( $50 ) on top. I personally think it is diabolical for anyone to have to pay anything on 'tools of the trade' that they have purchased from any source. But that is down to our government, not yours. Do you have to pay Excise Duty when and if you have to order from abroad?. PS> Thanks for sorting the photo out Barb/Steve,Scarey aint it. Why do most of the sign guys look like criminals, and the sign gals so glamorous? Ha Ha only joking. It's nice to put a picture to the name.
------------------ Goldenmahl Dave Hodge's Traditional Signs. Preston, England. 01772 743352 GOLDENMAHLDAVE@aol.com
[This message has been edited by Dave Hodge (edited April 15, 2001).]
Posts: 108 | From: Preston, Lancashire, England | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
These CD's are a valuable asset to us. But being from Canada once it gets across the border we get wacked big time with a lower dollar. A $150.00 CD is about $250.00 Canuck bucks. Add to that shipping and handling and you are looking at $300.00. We also live in a place where lowballing rules. When you try to educate a customer they can't see past a Bold Helvitica. A nice sign could be a great sign but....Joe down the road will do me a sign for $20. Yeah that is where we send them but right now our shop isn't very busy. So as a young business we have to throw the excellence in for free or our customers walk. $300.00 is a lot of free.
posted
I agree with Ian as well, now that the aussie dollar is at an all time low anything from the US and other countries, works out rather expensive. Of course the people who make these clipart CD's can't be expected to lower their prices to cater for a few sales they may get in other countries. I do think the prices could be lowered a little bit, with lower prices you may get more sales and at the end of the day still end up with the same profit...just my opinion
------------------ Neil White Sign Magic Melton, VIC Australia whitey@primus.com.au
Posts: 277 | From: australia | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Jack, I think the value and price depend on how much the material gets used. I use Mike Jackson's CD on a very regular basis, and use tours very seldom. It seems that the more Victorian theme fits my lifestyle and location better. Yor CD would lend itself well to those in a more strip development community, like around Sacramento. Actually, most places outside my bubble. Seems the marketing involves hitting that magic number that works. If you raise your price to see if that works, it won't piss off those that already paid full price, whereas the other way around......I wish you the best of success.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Oh, for the faith of a spider! He begins his web without any thread.
Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Jack, I have used your cd quite a bit since receiving it. I have used some of the fancy filagrees on quite a few signs, and the sign shapes you have in there come in very handy. Lots of them too. I have also used the truck templates to do layouts, and the pre-done signs you have in there are a great idea factory. It's a great cd, and well worth the money you are asking. Very fair price in my opinion.
------------------ John Deaton III Deaton Design 109 N. Cumberland Ave.,Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-573-9101
posted
Hi Jack. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to look over your Designer's Cafe. I have used a couple of your trees for landscaping and tree topping services. The trucks.....usually when I letter a small truck, it is a king cab...and I didn't notice one in there. I like your CD very much. I think a price around 100.00 is in line. Anything over that might make one think twice unless the CD is used daily. I won both versions of Butler Gold at the Conclave meet. So as you can imagine...I was quite happy about that! Thanks again Jack for sending your Designer's Cafe. A lot of work went into it.
posted
Jack, I've come real close to ordering a cd several times. Something always comes up to keep me from it. Sometimes it's because I'd like to have this font off of one cd and that font off another. Sometimes it's because the money just isn't there. If they could be purchased one at a time I would probably have a few. It's been a struggle to get my business at home going with just nights and weekends since I work 40 to 50 hours at another job. It needs to make it's own payments and it is getting there.
You guys do a wonderful job of creating and your work would definitely be an asset to any sign shop. You can't be expected to do that for nothing, but until I can afford the cd's I'll have to use the free ones.
------------------ When good things happen...that must be a sign!! Ace Graphics & Printing P.O. Box 91 Camdenton, MO. USA (573) 346-6696 <daddyo@advertisnet.com>
Posts: 1199 | From: Camdenton, MO. USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Jack, i have also considered ordering clipart & font cds in the past. I have seen some really cool designs on these disks, but dont think i would use the majority of the images. If there was a way to pick and choose what you want, i think more folks would order. Maybe sent through e-mail. I would really like to have all of them, but simply dont have the extra cash.
posted
Hey Jack, I try to budget for clip art, software etc., What it comes down to for me, is, where does my "buck" get the biggest bang...............I'D like to have it all...........but.............like it is posted above..........the Canadian dollar is really bad against the US......just the other day $100.00...US cost me $163.00 Canadian...........that was for a US draft....when I recieve the goods I get to pay 7% gst + 7&% Provincial tax, and, a custom handling fee............so is there any chance that you guy's will take over Canada............I suppose my point is marketing on the internet is tough, outside of the US..........my other point would be........clip art that has a particular use..........antique scrolls/etc.. may have a limited market............I have to decide on clip art purchases in relation to the market I deal in....what I want..........my list.............and what is practicle for business use.......Damn..I want it all................Ron
------------------ "Of all the things I've lost in my life...I miss my mind the most" Ron Norwood 6732 Raleigh Street Vancouver, BC V5S 2X1 Phone/Fax: (604) 437-0899 email.hitest@mailcity.com
[This message has been edited by hitest (edited April 17, 2001).]
posted
Jack, I've collected several of the Vector Art series CD's, as well as yours from the SignGold specials. It's a great deal and I use them daily. I've also bought some DNA font packages and both of David Butler's CD's. For some reason, the hundred dollar psychological price break seems to be why I don't buy the rest of them outright. At $99, I'd probably order the others, because I know the value is there. It would also be helpful to be able to compare what's on each disc, and pick what suits your style most.
Thanks to all the designers out there making their art available to the less gifted among us - you guys are making me look GOOD (I mean my work........)
------------------ Sonny Franks Atlanta
"Well done beats well said every time"
Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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anything that can SAVE one time by quickening the steps of design...makes you money.. ..think about it. even if its an idea sparker! Discussing wheather something is worth $100. or $150. is Not A Deal-Breaker to me. The folks that see value and buy right away are making money while the buget minded discuss it.
Dont we tell our customers things like "Signs dont cost, they Pay"
I belive these things are so valueble that i got into the business! duh, JustKiddin
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