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OEM vehicle wraps coming from Ford
- Thread starter Designer Wraps
- Start date
To clarify, I am NOT partners with Ford, Lowen or anyone else with regards to an OEM program. I have no idea where that came from...
We ARE a sign company that (like everybody else) specializes in wraps. LOL.
I realize the revenue is irrelevant. The point is, its much more work than I can install myself.
Just like many other people, I started this business doing the installations myself. As much as people were willing to pay for wraps, Id fly anywhere in the country to put it on!
Lets just say times have changed...
But my customer's demand for a perfect install, that's stayed the same.
Then the wife and baby came, so I had to find a 'plan b'. I tested the UASG and PDAA, but never got the CONSISTENCY I received from my own guys flying there. Since people were still paying a premium, it still worked financially.
But now it doesn't. We still charge a premium, but its not enough fly somewhere, rent a car etc... Its still enough to pay someone really well for a day's work, but not well enough for them to fly...
Maybe this will help:
I charge per hour rather than per square foot. I realize this is not industry standard, but it works for me...
This is my math -
Reg length cargo van = 250sq ft
IF IT IS SET UP PROPERLY (and it is when the boss is installing it), I can do that in 5 hours perfectly. At $2 per sq foot, that would be $500 for less than a day's work. If I have a helper for prepping etc, I'll get 2 done...
How isn't this making sense?
Now, in regards to Lowen Certified:
I believe a certification should belong to the installer. If they have something to lose (worth value), it makes them accountable.
If you dont feel building a relationship with Lowen has any value to YOUR business plan, then get tested somewhere else. If certification in general doesn't make sense, then don't do it. I HAVE NEVER MADE A DIME FROM ANY CERTIFICATION. But I am the exception here. I understand people look to this for leads etc... Like I said before, THE ONLY REASON I TESTED at Lowen was to investigate the testing, criteria etc... My business needs a certification directly to the installer.
BUT, if you think you cant make money at $2 per square foot, THEY already know its possible.
We ARE a sign company that (like everybody else) specializes in wraps. LOL.
I realize the revenue is irrelevant. The point is, its much more work than I can install myself.
Just like many other people, I started this business doing the installations myself. As much as people were willing to pay for wraps, Id fly anywhere in the country to put it on!
Lets just say times have changed...
But my customer's demand for a perfect install, that's stayed the same.
Then the wife and baby came, so I had to find a 'plan b'. I tested the UASG and PDAA, but never got the CONSISTENCY I received from my own guys flying there. Since people were still paying a premium, it still worked financially.
But now it doesn't. We still charge a premium, but its not enough fly somewhere, rent a car etc... Its still enough to pay someone really well for a day's work, but not well enough for them to fly...
Maybe this will help:
I charge per hour rather than per square foot. I realize this is not industry standard, but it works for me...
This is my math -
Reg length cargo van = 250sq ft
IF IT IS SET UP PROPERLY (and it is when the boss is installing it), I can do that in 5 hours perfectly. At $2 per sq foot, that would be $500 for less than a day's work. If I have a helper for prepping etc, I'll get 2 done...
How isn't this making sense?
Now, in regards to Lowen Certified:
I believe a certification should belong to the installer. If they have something to lose (worth value), it makes them accountable.
If you dont feel building a relationship with Lowen has any value to YOUR business plan, then get tested somewhere else. If certification in general doesn't make sense, then don't do it. I HAVE NEVER MADE A DIME FROM ANY CERTIFICATION. But I am the exception here. I understand people look to this for leads etc... Like I said before, THE ONLY REASON I TESTED at Lowen was to investigate the testing, criteria etc... My business needs a certification directly to the installer.
BUT, if you think you cant make money at $2 per square foot, THEY already know its possible.
But for the record
3M Preferred Installer is the designation Im looking for now...
My recommendation is to evaluate 'why' YOU are looking for certification.
The only reason I chimed in was because I felt like a small business (that can get down with a squeegee) and I thought my experience might help someone out there.
I never meant for it to get out of control...I guess it was the margarita's at lunch
3M Preferred Installer is the designation Im looking for now...
My recommendation is to evaluate 'why' YOU are looking for certification.
- If you are looking for any lead you can get, join everything you possibly can.
- If you are looking for a plaque for the wall, many will do.
- If you want to simplify and make good money for consistent work on a 1099, then build a relationship with Lowen. Stay aware of the OEM programs.
- If you want to network with other installers, most groups provide this. Lowen doesn't (that I know of)
- If you want to be recognized as one of the best installers around, 3M will make your contact information public IF you pass the test. You can take it in MN or KS
- If you want to HIRE the best installers around, I recommend the 3M Preferred Installers
The only reason I chimed in was because I felt like a small business (that can get down with a squeegee) and I thought my experience might help someone out there.
I never meant for it to get out of control...I guess it was the margarita's at lunch
Looks like a success story of a technician turned businessman. Just because I cannot do it profitably doesn't means it is not doable.
I am appreciative that Todd was willing to shed some light of his expertise. Please continue to do so. The opposing viewer not withstanding, there must be more members like me that are looking at these postings an objective standpoint.
We don't do wrap cause my employees are not capable of installing it profitably. I saw many wrapped vehicles perform poorly both in design and installation. We stay on projects that we can do profitably and stay profitable.
In twenty some years, production method changed, we can do more volume with less employees.
Success businessmen are the ones that are open minded, aware of the new technology, the competition, and evolved with time.
I am appreciative that Todd was willing to shed some light of his expertise. Please continue to do so. The opposing viewer not withstanding, there must be more members like me that are looking at these postings an objective standpoint.
We don't do wrap cause my employees are not capable of installing it profitably. I saw many wrapped vehicles perform poorly both in design and installation. We stay on projects that we can do profitably and stay profitable.
In twenty some years, production method changed, we can do more volume with less employees.
Success businessmen are the ones that are open minded, aware of the new technology, the competition, and evolved with time.
Todd,
I think your experience and the information that you shared in your last two posts is very valuable.
In regard to the drama, you probably don't need me to tell you that the success of any interaction, whether on a messageboard or in person, is by and large based on what you make it. You can certainly have drama here if you like, but you can also choose to have meaningful and productive conversations which is why I'm here.
I think that you have a lot to contribute to this community and to this industry. I hope you stick around. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two!
I think your experience and the information that you shared in your last two posts is very valuable.
In regard to the drama, you probably don't need me to tell you that the success of any interaction, whether on a messageboard or in person, is by and large based on what you make it. You can certainly have drama here if you like, but you can also choose to have meaningful and productive conversations which is why I'm here.
I think that you have a lot to contribute to this community and to this industry. I hope you stick around. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two!
Joe Diaz
New Member
Man you guys can have the wrap install jobs. At $2.00 a square foot??? Why bother? We charge like $14.00 sq/ft not including design and use Oracal 3951RA with 290G lam
It's just like 18X24 coro signs, Why even try to compete. We will just continue to do the design work and outsource to folks who are "certified". If some of you only want to make 2.00 a square foot, we'll gladly make the rest of the $12.00 sq/ft. :Big Laugh But your quality better be is good as you advertise it otherwise we might have to turn into one of those nightmare customers.:ROFLMAO:
It's just like 18X24 coro signs, Why even try to compete. We will just continue to do the design work and outsource to folks who are "certified". If some of you only want to make 2.00 a square foot, we'll gladly make the rest of the $12.00 sq/ft. :Big Laugh But your quality better be is good as you advertise it otherwise we might have to turn into one of those nightmare customers.:ROFLMAO:
CentralSigns
New Member
Hey ZooTodd you don't have to forever leave the forum. Just stay away from the boose dude. You might look at a blow ignition for your laptop, like the ones they put in cars for repeat DUI offenders. If you blow .08 than the laptop stops working. Then all will be fine. Stay and share your experiences in a usefull way. I'm over it already.
dwt
New Member
They keep the rest. The easy money of design and print it theirs. An economy of scale is applied to the production.
If you mess up one of the panels you have to send them 'proof' that it is unusable and they will send you another. That's how they will keep a grip on the art and be sure that you need their vinyl.
The cost to the end consumer will be competitive with what's available in the local market just like anything else at the dealership.
It's a great scheme for them but I would rather chase my own invoices.
dwt
New Member
It would have to be in the ballpark. If not a little higher.
Example, When I subbed work to the dealerships for glass tinting they would want to payout something like $110 and charge the customer $280 for a job that would retail at my store for around $179. What would happen is the client would get the cheapest film available and pay top dollar for the privilege of being able to roll the cost up into the financing. Anytime there was a problem the car would sit on the lot until the tech could make it back over to the dealership on their weekly rounds.
Eventually the buyers got smart and found their way to the local shops who could render faster service with less down time.
Now some of the dealers have plotters cutting film patterns and pay a lot porter $10per hr to keep it all in house. But the cost to the consumer never goes down.
Example, When I subbed work to the dealerships for glass tinting they would want to payout something like $110 and charge the customer $280 for a job that would retail at my store for around $179. What would happen is the client would get the cheapest film available and pay top dollar for the privilege of being able to roll the cost up into the financing. Anytime there was a problem the car would sit on the lot until the tech could make it back over to the dealership on their weekly rounds.
Eventually the buyers got smart and found their way to the local shops who could render faster service with less down time.
Now some of the dealers have plotters cutting film patterns and pay a lot porter $10per hr to keep it all in house. But the cost to the consumer never goes down.
Ok, now we have some figures which make sense.
Lowest scenario; a Lowen scheme will pay you 10 grand a month. If you are one guy or gal and manage to complete a Lowen type install EVERY working day for a month.
Highest scenario; a Lowen scheme will pay an installer and a gofer 20 grand a month if the pair of you manage to complete two Lowen type installs every single working day. Out of this you've got to pay the helpers wages.
Let's assume the 350,000 monthly figure is based on you installing 2 vans per day for a whole month....
At the end of the day your Lowen type "partner" walks away with 330 THOUSAND bucks.... you get 20 grand. This is around a 7% share of the proceeds. Put another way, your "Lowen" type partner keeps 93% of the money and doesn't even have to do the hard slog... the install. For many companies working with big projects 7% is what they allow for wastage!!!
The other issue?
If you are a sign shop specialising in wraps or anything else where the hell do you find time to continue running your OWN business? If installing 2 wraps takes 10 hours for two people where IS the time to continue dealing with your own customers and doing your own projects?
Unless I'm missing something it appears you have to work pretty much flat out every single day to meet your targeted income of 20 grand... I really can't see any space in the timescale to allow any sign shop to continue running their own independent business.
3M certification only matters if you consider 3M to be the bee all and end all of vinyl. In my particular market 3M certification wouldn't be that much of a biggie.... 3M is way down the pecking order.
I realise that this is all quite pedantic but I'm merely trying to get a good grip on what exactly is on offer... sign shops are being asked to spend a lot of money on wrap training so I don't think it's unreasonable to look under the bonnet and give the tyres a kick before agreeing to buy.
