Things I have Learned

[N2Harpz]

Well after two and a half months of being in the the sign business. ( My partner and I just bought this business on April 1.) These are the things that I have learned.

1. John Q Public needs everything spelled out to the letter.

2. Not all proposals are for real. Some are just price checking. So why stress over them.

3. Enamel paint goes on pretty good with your fingers sometimes.

4. My fax machine is part GOAT. ... It eats everything I put in it.

5. Everyone wants a deal and done by tomorrow.

6. Enamel paint doesn't blend as well as Acrylic or watercolors.... I am way too impatient to wait on it to dry.

7. It's not a gravey job.......I work WAAAY more hours at the shop than I did at the Steel Mill I retired from. ( Last week I made $4.34 an hour ... hehe )

8. When in doubt, just ask the guys and gals on "Signs 101" most of the time they have the answer.

9. I still don't know how to say NO.. but I am getting better at it.

10. I love every minute of it and can't tell you why.

[Replicator]

some of that sounds about right . . .

[GregT]

Answer for number 10 - Freedom, you have to answer only to you.

[creative]

I agree, no f'n boss on your a$$ 8 hrs a day PRICELESS!!!

Just take it this way, you are getting paid to learn.

[Loumeister]

Wow, This sounds so interesting. I am seriously considering getting into the sign industry as well. Where in Ohio are you?

Please PM me with your number, I love to hear what the first few months are like.

Thanks,
Loumeister

[SignosaurusRex]

May I suggest loosing the list. If you don't , you will be adding to it until you die or get out of the biz. Some of the things you list and think will change, WON'T and the some of the others that you think, won't change, WILL! ......LOL

[N2Harpz]

I agree, no f'n boss on your a$$ 8 hrs a day PRICELESS!!!

Just take it this way, you are getting paid to learn.

That is so true. No shift work .. I did that for 34 years. I can come and go as I please now.... BIG difference.
Plus the Steel Mill pays me a small pension each month. I can afford to take the extra time to learn.

[Marlene]

WOW, you got it all really fast!

[imaSIGNr]

Here's another one that soon you'll be adding to your list....A new business opens and prior to that they have spent several months in preparation with everything concerned. They are going to open their doors in 2 days so tomorrow they go shopping for a sign,

[Si Allen]

You must learn the most profitable word you can say in this biz..."NO!"

"How about a lower price?"....................."NO!"

"Can I wait while you knock it out?".........."NO!"

"Can you design me up something so I can see if I like it?"..........."NO!"

"Can you make this for me and I'll pay you next week?"................"No!"

Etc. etc. etc.

[Sign_Boy]

2. Not all proposals are for real. Some are just price checking. So why stress over them.




Thank you, I needed that today:U Rock:

[Rich]

Not sure what type of sign business you bought? But if it's a full service shop that produces signs of all kinds - well, let me just tell ya.....that list of yours will grow on a daily basis :)

Good Luck and Have Fun!

[rjssigns]

[quote=N2Harpz;172860]Well after two and a half months of being in the the sign business. ( My partner and I just bought this business on April 1.) These are the things that I have learned.

Not all proposals are for real. Some are just price checking. So why stress over them.




Very Good N2Harpz. Quote quickly and include contingencies. Because almost AlWaYs their actual Request will be More than what they originally asked to have quoted, which is understandable.

Therefore, I always put in writing that this quote is for items listed on the quote and does not include significant design changes, or future requests. Also I state that we do not design on speculation. (Then I include a link, or list of testimonials). Should they agree to our quote for said sign / graphic, they would need to pay either in full (if online order), or 50% down (if local). We then provide several options to choose from after payment is received. This is where I mention the potential cost increase from original quote.

The design work I'm refering to is for campaign workup, not Original Logo artwork. Original Logo creating needs to be handled so that you retain the rights to the logo design, or sell it to them outright with copies of the disk. I believe I read it somewhere in Signs101 that someone even charges them an additional fee if they request Additional back-up copies of their Vectored Artwork Logo.

The payment first, and no design on speculation has Greatly Reduced the Stress Around here. So basically our mantra is "PAID clients come first. Those are the ones you have to worry about today." Tirekickers and people who are not really serious about having work done fall to the C list of Importance. You will have to, however, use your judgement when it comes to re-orders and requests from your stable-steady clients. Sorry, but it's what works best for mwa . . . and for mwas serious clients.



Sherry
rjssigns

[N2Harpz]

Thanks .... Lots of good advice here.

I HATE it when they ask for a "BALLPARK" price. No specs, or sizes, or materials discussed. Just money talk first. Well Duh !!! No wonder you got sticker shock, I'm talking sandblasted and you are talking Crayolas on cardboard.

[rjssigns]

Thanks .... Lots of good advice here.

I HATE it when they ask for a "BALLPARK" price. No specs, or sizes, or materials discussed. Just money talk first. Well Duh !!! No wonder you got sticker shock, I'm talking sandblasted and you are talking Crayolas on cardboard.





When they ask for a "Ballpark" price without giving specs, sizes, and materials discussed, perhaps you can tell them "the ballpark price is between $1 and $1million dollars. You offer vague specifics, you get vague quote."

Seriously, you could possibly say "until we have specifics, (ie., materials, sizes, quantity, color(s), artwork, delivery, set-up/install, and time-frame to complete) we couldn't ballpark acurately. . . and I'm sure you want to work with a sign company that strives to get it right, rather than give it cheap." If they prefer cheap, let them go! Saves time even on ballparking anything.


Sherry
rjssigns