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Up and Down.......This business is crazy. All I know is the bowling alley just went out of business, 2 salons may be going soon also....Many many businesses are doing bad. But then there are tons of Big Shiney New Mercedes cruising around town. I want one.
I never could figure this sign business trend out. I spoke with 2 other signmakers today and they are both without work.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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It must be local, or regional. This spring it has been busy from early February, and shows no sign of letting up. This from someone who is supposed to be semi-retired. Somebody didn't tell somebody that.
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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It's been a funny year. I had my best quarter ever, then it slowed down almost to the point of being out of work and now I'm swamped again. Maybe a jittery stock market ? I dunno.
-------------------- Jim Upchurch Artworks Olympia WA Posts: 797 | From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Nov 1998
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A VERY good first quarter here.. As long as things hang in it will be another 6 figure year!!!! Last year was looking as good but things kinda took a nose dive after 9-11.
-------------------- 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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Up until 3 weeks ago I had enogh work that I was going bonkers, I just have gotten done with most of it, but new work is coming really slow. I was really worried until my delivery came in today. It usually gets here bout 2:30 he got here at 11:20 so he obviously didn't have a good many stops because he is in and out in 10 minutes or less. When he opened up the truck there wasn't but a handful of 4X8 coroplas about 6 real estate frames and a few of small rolls of vinyl. He has a good many stops after me. I asked him if it was a light week and he said it was really bad both this week and last. I didn't order from them last week. It kinda made me feel better but I think it will pick back up soon.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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This has also been Rapid Tacs' biggest quarter, we are thinking the "best YTD figures". We were afraid (after Sept.) we would be laying people off and cutting back on expences, but we have been very fortunite (infact have paid overtime) I have always had a difficult time predicting our sales in any givin quarter or month for that matter, sign industry jumps around a lot year to year(but usually increases:))!!
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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We're running ahead of last year, and should post our best month ever. The work keeps pouring in, especially construction/development signs, vehicle lettering, and political signs.
-------------------- Stephen Bolin Signs By Tomorrow Holland, MI Posts: 78 | From: Holland, MI | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted the best 1st quarter sales yet......If I get the job I bid on today, she could be a handsome 2nd quarter........but I won't be counting my chickens yet.
having said that......business is a bit slow, have not picked up any new jobs in a week now.
nothing to worry about.......just have to focus on what is at hand.
-------------------- John Martin Robson Pendragon Signs & Graphics Yellowknife,NT,Canada
if it's not one thing.....it's two things Posts: 261 | From: Yellowknife, NT, Canada | Registered: Aug 2000
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It is slowing down here too. Summer is our off season due to the fact that the snowbirds flock back up north, and buisnesses conserve until October or so.
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I think it is just the past week or so here, up until then, I have been slamming. It is graduation the past week here so maybe everybody is broke around here. It may just be a regional thing here. All of my customers the past week or so have been really money concious acting. I just went full time in January and started really pushing my business so I can't really judge against this time last year.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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I am buried. Been sending work to other shops.
Several murals, motorcycle tanks,sandblasted signs, etc.
Only compliant here is "I need more hours in the day!!!"
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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roy ..didnt wanta say anything...but change your shorts more often.....heheheheheheheh. "STRANGE TIMES THESE ARE"(said in an obe wan kinoby voice). iam usually prepared for a bad dec since i moved here....but last dec was one of my best. jan. feb. had to pay car insuance with a credit card.....mar til now....made more money then i did all last year. GO FIGURE. last week the phone didnt ring more then a couple times....so i think its winding down,....i deliver a banner that i shoulda had done aweek ago..and this guy tells ne they just bought 2 more buildings, and will need a lot more signs.....OK!!!!!!!! that takes care of it slowin down......most of the work ive done since march is "grunt work" you know ya grunt when get the job, grunt when your doin em..cause there so ..plain...but hey its money...
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hang in there Roy, it is probably just the lul before the storm. We have been busy for a long time and I think it is mostly because we have been here so long and there are so many repeat customers. A lot of our work is municipal, with many small towns, they seem to like the way we do their equipment with all the reflective material.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I have been, as they say..."busier than a one- armed paper hanger." this past two months. It's a strange business. Many small businesses in town are closing shop while other new ones are going in, building new places and spending big money with us. One customer of mine closed her business here and moved an hour away to OKC to a mall. Asked me to do her new store front in largest mall in town. God's been good to us.
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We are also had a record 1st quarter and are up for the second quarter. It might have helped too, that we won the Chamber of Commerce business excellence award for best retailer, came with a trophy and pictures in the papers, pretty cool. Kind of a feather in the cap.
-------------------- Glenn Thompson Tell-Tale Signs Williams Lake, BC sign@telus.net (250)398-7446 Posts: 201 | From: Williams Lake, BC | Registered: Dec 2000
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I THINK THERE'S A "WEEDING OUT" THING HAPPENING! THE PIE IS CUT IN SO MANY PIECES FOR ALL BUSINESSES, PLUS THE WAL-MART MENTALITY IN BUYING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, THAT"ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE!"! WE ALL HOPE THAT BUSINESS WILL REMAIN GOOD DOWN THE ROAD, SO WE PREPARE, IN SOME CASES, TO HAVE ALL THE SUPPLIES WE'LL NEED TO "CRANK OUT" THAT JOB WE HOPE WE GET. THE CUSTOMER HAS SO MANY CHOICES AND THE PIE CUT SO THIN, WE SEE 'HOT' WEEKS, AND 'COLD' ONES. THE SUPPLIERS KEEP PUSHING THEIR STUFF, OFFERING DEALS AND FREE SHIPPING, ETC. IN HOPES OF GETTING YOUR BIZ, BUT IF YOU DON'T GET THE BIZ, EVENTUALLY THE SUPPLIER DOESN'T GET ANY EITHER....BUT THE SUPPLIER DEALS WITH THE WHOLE PIE, NOT JUST A PIECE OF IT. BUT AS SUPPLIERS INCREASE, THEIR PIECE IF THE PIE DECREASES. THE ONLY WAY IT CAN WORK OUT IS THAT SOME OF THESE PIE PIECES 'GO AWAY'!....I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING! THE ONE COMMODITY THAT'S BEEN SOMEWHAT 'LOST' IN ALL THIS, IS GOOD SERVICE! REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO GET THAT?!
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Hey Roy... Sniiiiiffff!!! Nah, it ain't you, it's just the biz. I have been busier than a cat trying to cover s**t on a marble floor. One of the things I dislike about this business is that at least for me, it's either feast or famine. Spring-summer is always my best time, from Feb-July. Then by August...nuthin. A few punkin signs in October, some tree signs in Dec., but the sign biz is a fickle biz. But it's all I know so here I am! Don't worry, something will come along sooner or later. Love- JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I find that with my Industry... (Airbrushing....) More People are interested in their pocket books to pay the Bills then to spend on the custom work that they like to have Done....
What do you do????
Hunt them down with a Gun and say OK! "Buy now or your Time is up!!!!"
Sit Back and wait for the better Client that Knocks on the Door! We all wish for them.
I got alot of free (Air for Sale)(Airbrushing)
Any Bids!
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Jill...I LOVE it!!!!! Never heard it put that way before!!!! LOL LOL LOL
"busier than a cat trying to cover s**t on a marble floor" What a GREAT saying!!!
[ May 30, 2002, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- 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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Ya know darn well it wont work out that way Donna. Never does. Last time I tried to take a vacation, I ended up on my cell phone most of the weekend out in the middle of the woods, talking to my partners and of course the signal was crystal clear where usually I spend half the time on the silly thing sounding like the commercial, "can you hear me now?"
Cant complain tho, just means business is good and I should count my blessings
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Last year was looking as good but things kinda took a nose dive after 9-11. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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