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Local airport called a few days ago. The lady said they wanted to make some changes to an existing sign. I told her I would be out the next day to look at it. She says, "Let me describe it to you before you drive out here."
After a brief explanation I told her that I didn't see any problem with it. Then she told me that she had called all of the shops in town first(airport likes to keep everything local and I am out of town but still in the same county), and they all said what she wanted could not be done. I said, "Nothing is impossible, some things just cost more than others."
The quote has not been accepted yet, but I have been informed that I am the only sign vendor on their list now. All because I agreed to try what they wanted.
BTW I do not have the capabilities in my shop to do any of this project, but I DID find where I can get it all.
I know, I know, I'm starting to ramble.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, NEVER TELL A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER "It can't be done"
------------------ Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane.
Posts: 2274 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dana Aaron
unregistered
posted
Aw, heck, go for it!!
Every once in a while, someone will come to me with some off the wall request. I am always straight up front with them, instead of trying to dazzle them with some BS.
I usually let them know that I may have to do some research into techniques, materials, etc... but that I have a GREAT place to go to get some suggestions!!!
------------------ Dana Aaron Sign-A-Saurus Nevis, MN (218)652-3839 ICQ# 37949659
If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
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Way to go, Don, with that positive "can do" attitude. You might not have all the capabilities for this job right now but you will. My Dad used to call that "Gumption". That'll get things done!
------------------ Wayne Webb Webb Sign Studio,Inc. Blastin' "woodesigns" in The Sunshine State "autograph your work with excellence" webbsignstudio@digitalexp.com
Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Yer right Don, it is all about attitude... A positive one. Nothing is impossible, as long as there isn't a price tag. A lot of sign shops around here say the job is impossible because of: 1)They can't handle the job. Or, 2), which is even worse...they're afraid to ask the price of what the job is worth. We've booked many jobs by not saying no. Most importantly, we are very upfront with the client to begin with. If the job has to be done, we will figure out a way of making it so. We also explain that the engineering cost may be more than the cost of the finished product. If they have a problem with that & leaving a deposit, we move on to the next project. No need to waste time "spinning the tires in the mud". Havin' fun, Checkers
------------------ a.k.a. Brian Born Classic Signs South Plainfield, NJ members.home.net/sign-it/ This isn't Burger King, you can't have it your way.
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Though this is not my greatest strength,"dazzelle them with briluance or baffle them with bull****"but sometimes its what they want to hear ! Roger
------------------ Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated Merlin, OR
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I ALWAYS tell the customer that "I will get it done!" I don't think they care if it is me personaly doing the actual work for them.As long as they know what ever they need done,they can call(and count on) me to get it done!!! I don't fool with sandblasting,neon,silkscreen,digital printing,or the like.BUT I know others that do. I think networking with each other is the very best thing we can do for our customers. I personaly do handpainting on location for 3 other sign companys,and represent them as thier"wall department" or "window department" etc,etc. This greatly enlarges our companys and our capacity for more work done. For instance,I can call you for watertower painting!! Good post Don.Hope everyone can see the benifits of not turning down work.
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Our largest project was one I was "tricked" into taking on. One of our best generals called and asked if we wanted to do a "few" signs for the new Glacier Park International Airport. We said "sure, why not?" THEN the architects manual showed up. With pale face and trembling hand I called the General. "ARE YOU NUTS!!!???" Thgis projcect involved a COMPLETE makeover for the entire airport with truckloads of steel cabinets up to 12' by 24'! Our little shop was dwarfed by the largest of them. He says....C'mon.....you can do it. We'll supply the cranes, you supply the cabinets, paint and artwork. To make a long story short, we took the plunge and 1 & 1/2 years later it's done. $160,000 worth of factory cabinets (our cost) lighted and unlighted. Miles of pipe and connectors, stacks of ADA, months of artwork, copy and installations, reams of dry mouth, chills and cold sweat about deadlines, but.......we did it. We'll be posting the project on our website under "Industrial". POINT IS.........had the general told us right up front what the scope of the project was I probably would have rejected it out of hand. He eased us into it and we handled it. Never again will I turn down a project based on magnitude. Thanks to the general, we had lifts and cranes both here at the studio and at the airport. BTW....ALL exterior copy was premium reflective. AND.......you didn't tell us what your project was and how it ended.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net OR http://www.stmariegraphics.com PEACE, through superior chisel-power! We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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