posted
Hi folks. I don't know if this is accurate or not, but I've heard from a couple of sources, that the " Auto Trim" franchises operated in Canada, are all owned and operated by members of the Jehovah Witness faith, and that to own one, you have to be a member of that church. Can any of you confirm if this is fact??? Do you know of any other " Professional Associations" that operate within the Sign Industry?
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.com
posted
Is this a TRICK question????? On one hand you would like to confirm a rumor of Franchises and religious orders. Then ask: If we know of any "OTHER" Associations operateting within the Sign Industry! Are these two subjects connected in someway? I really don't see the connection
------------------ 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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posted
Hi Pat. No it isn't a "trick question". I am simply curious to know if any other group(s) of like-minded individuals have found this to be a "profitable area" in which to function, if indeed the information is factual.There may be some benefit to operating in such a fashion...like bulk or collective buying of supplies, insurance, and other services. Group discounts are much more likely to come by, if you are part of an association or group. Price stabilization is another possibility.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.com
posted
I don't know about Auto Trim, but I notice around here that most of the janitorial services are operated by people of that belief.
I've also seen a cristian community that would send out their disciples and wanted them to have a means of support that was very portable, and taught them vinyl repair(restaurant seats-auto dashboards,etc.)
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I swear all lawyers must be members of the same underground cult. I can't confirm it, but I'll keep you posted as the investigation continues....... and don't let on to your lawyer "friends", I've heard about mysterious disapearances!! Beware!!
------------------ Tim Whitcher Quality Signs & Design 107 E Adrian St Blissfield, MI 49228 qualitysigns@hotmail.com
Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
It's not a bad idea. I've often hoped that this website might someday evolve into a more formal association. There's nothing wrong with a group of people with similar interests and goals getting together.
In the past, small signmakers have always been too busy or too isolated to get involved in associations. Thanks to the Internet, we are now able to get together and exchange ideas in a fast and efficient manner. If we can get our act together, the possibilities are endless.
all lawyers are members of an undergroud cult? personally, i find this hard to believe. care to elaborate on this further? in quiring minds would like to know...
have a great one!
------------------ Bruce Bowers DrCAS Signtech
"how great are His signs..." Daniel 4:3
i am a proud supporter of this website!
Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
I've been told In & Out Burgers are run by Mormons. It makes no hill of beans to me what group or organization is in charge, just as long as they turn out a good product.
A business isn't like a non-profit organization raising to funds to support their beliefs. It's a business and whatever they are doing business in they must being doing something right if it's still going strong. I don't see Mormon promotion pamphlets at the Burger joint, just good food.
If one were to avoid such a business due to the beliefs of the owners, wouldn't that be prejudice? Why does it matter what AutoTrim believes in? Just curious.
Yes, Steve, it would be a good idea to "network" here at the website. "Safety in numbers", group discounts when buying in mass and/or volume. You have everything at your fingertips to make this a "fortune 500" group made up of us "little guys".
------------------ The Moon aka: Stefenie Harris Moonlight Designs Pollock Pines, CA learnin' somethin' new every day!
Posts: 550 | From: Pollock Pines, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
A buyers group representing this board sounds like a good idea. Many retailers are members of groups like this. The furniture store here in town is. Some insurance companies have catalogs from their corporate HQ for purchasing many items, including signs, at a discount. However, I am totally clueless as to how to go about creating something like this. But I'm interested.
Brad in Arkansas
------------------ Brad Ferguson 4782 West Highway 22 Paris AR 72855 501-963-2642 signbrad@cswnet.com
Posts: 1230 | From: Kansas City, MO, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Hi Stefenie. This topic wasn't introduced to suggest any sort of boycott, or discrimination toward any group. It was intended merely to confirm whether or not identifiable groups have pooled resources or collective buying power to give them some advantage in the sign business. If so, I happen to think that it's a sound and pruedent business decision. A Franchise type situation is a natural sort of base with which to accomplish this, and if in fact, this group has done this, then it may be worth examining.
As an example: Everyone in the group doesn't necessarily have to have a huge capital investment in many types of equipment in order to offer a wide selection of services. If one member happens to own an Edge, and another owns a Wide Format Printer, and another, a Router system, then all their members can benefit, by pooling their resources, and all members can offer those services, without having to acquire all that equipment. The members simply specialize in the area for which they have the equipment and expertise.
I think that it makes a great deal of sense, and possibly may be a way to go in the future, so that many smaller shops can survive and compete. I think that this does warrant some thought and attention.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.com
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