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just found out what the guy in town is charging for a 3'x3' lettering on a van !! he is charging 60 bucks for logo and 2 colors!!! how long do you all think he will be around? I think he playing cut throt pricing!! whats your thoughts? Glenn
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Glenn I am with Bruce..better to just pop open a soda ( or in my case a beer) and lay on the couch and watch TV! Why bother doing work fer nothing? Ya can sip the beverage of choice, watch the tube and not lose money! LOL
-------------------- 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
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Glenn...how about this...if he's really that cheap...supply him the design and sub him the stuff out (ask for a wholesale rate off the $60),then sit on the couch and just collect the money
-------------------- Gavin Chachere Plotter in the garage,New Orleans La.
"Sgts Shugart and Gordon again request permission to rope down to crash site two" Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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I had one like that the other day, rich guy on country road buys his wife a plotter and some software, have a customer come in and tells me how much for a 4x8 sign pretty basic, I give a price $250 1 color, thats what he wanted, well he goes on to tell me that this woman will do it for $190 and GUARANTEE it... and oh yah he says, thats with all reflective lettering.......pause, I couldn't help it, I had to laugh, I told him to go get it quick because she might not be there next week when her husband realizes how much money he is really costing her. You got to love stupid people!!!
-------------------- Shawn Setzer Signs by Shawn 826 Hwy 47 East, Troy, MO Posts: 241 | From: Troy, MO, USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Sometimes the person honestly doesn't know what their worth. I didn't when I started back in the early 80's. Both signpainters I learned from where past retirement age. They hadn't kept up with the rising cost of overhead like we have to. The one told me in his younger years he knew exactly how much it cost to turn on the lights in the shop. Although they both taught me a great deal about signs, they didn't know anything about current pricing or about customer games.
My local competitor started telling everyone I knew what I was worth (not much). But until I got a shop of my own and started paying for the overhead and dealing with taxes and insurance...I didn't know what I was worth or had anyone tell me what he competitors were charging. I thought I would get a break when I bought a computer and sign software. Yeah, I thought it would have pricing listed in with everything else. Nope, figure it out yourself, charge what ya want to, is what the saleman said.
After I started raising the prices, and telling people I understand why my competitor, with all his employees, has to charge more, the competitor stopped by. He came in and sat down to discuss pricing with me. Once I started telling everyone we all have overhead to cover as well as the cost of equipment and materials... things started to come together.
Some of these new people will under price themselves out of business, others will learn over time. But instead of dealing with the low ballers, I will attempt to let them know that the tax man is going to want his cut and ya better have liability insurance figured into your price as well as taxes. Some of them decide they don't want to be in this business others try. But without design experience under their belt, they aren't going to take anything from you Glenn.
It makes me try to learn more and do better everytime a new person hits town. I was the new guy once. Some are out to make a quick buck, others want to learn and enjoy the business. The ones making the quick buck won't stick with it. The creative ones might become a friend, like everyone here at the BB.
O.K. I'm done with the run on sentences. Just my thoughts on the subject.
Pam, Pam's Sigsn
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net
But from what this guy has told me is that he was in mgt. of a couple of franchise sign shops so I would have to think he know about over head! and pricing . My true feelings is that he has move in to town here thinking there was a market for sign work here,and now that he has spent the money for a building and stuff and the phones not ringing off the hook hes sniking fast !!
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are you sure that 3x3 was feet and not inches? for $60? If that's all he's charging, ship me his contact info. I could use a schmuck who wants to work for nothing. Lemme see... if I pay him $60 for that and I charge my normal rate to my customers.....I could sleep til noon everyday and live like a king while doing nothing!
Don't sweat it. I know it's annoying when people tell you Joe down the street will do this for nothing compared to what you want for it. Things to remember are: 1. He won't be around long and if he is, it's because he's flipping burgers at McDonalds to support his sign shop 2. Customers who see his work and yours will see what they're paying the price difference for (and if they don't, let them go to el cheapo signs) 3. Make friends with him. If you get a guy who wants you to letter his race car for free, I mean sponsorship , ship him to el cheapo. Course, el cheapo may be dumb enough to think you're being nice to him by referring work/advertising to him. (In this case, get a comfy chair and enjoy that long deserved laugh)
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa
Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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