tulsagraphics
New Member
A customer calls me up and first asks if I'm licensed and if I can install a sign for a new vape shop. Customer is in a big hurry, so I met him tonight. Not sure why the job was so urgent, but figured... what the hell. I'll meet ya.
So I come over to check out this 20 ft (3 section) sign. Where did you get this? Customer says "China".
Oh hell no...
[Ready to walk out the door -- but instead I start inspecting the sign -- mostly curious to see how bad it really was]
This is beside the point, but mildly interesting: Meanwhile he proceeds to tell me that he's tired of living in his car and needs to make money fast. [thinking to myself, so why did you pick one of the most expensive strip malls around, where nearly all small shops die within months?] (hint: last checked almost $25/sq.ft./year)
What is this glue and tape job shit? Flimsy raceway, multiple acrylic panels are just falling off because they're held together with sticky pads and the occasional glob of silicone... How much did you pay for this sign? [he shows me the invoice] Nearly $6,000 after shipping.
Wow. Just wow. That's one expensive paperweight! It doesn't take a genius to know that it's not safe to install, let alone power up.
What do you tell a customer when you see this kind of B.S.? Too bad, and good luck finding someone else? Or could this hot mess be salvaged by a U.L. Certified shop? My guess is "no", but even if it can, it would probably cost another $3k to do so, maybe more.
It sucks having to tell a customer they need to buy another sign, but from what I'm seeing (and I'm no expert), this thing isn't good for much more than an interior, non-illuminated sign.
Thoughts?
So I come over to check out this 20 ft (3 section) sign. Where did you get this? Customer says "China".
Oh hell no...
[Ready to walk out the door -- but instead I start inspecting the sign -- mostly curious to see how bad it really was]
This is beside the point, but mildly interesting: Meanwhile he proceeds to tell me that he's tired of living in his car and needs to make money fast. [thinking to myself, so why did you pick one of the most expensive strip malls around, where nearly all small shops die within months?] (hint: last checked almost $25/sq.ft./year)
What is this glue and tape job shit? Flimsy raceway, multiple acrylic panels are just falling off because they're held together with sticky pads and the occasional glob of silicone... How much did you pay for this sign? [he shows me the invoice] Nearly $6,000 after shipping.
Wow. Just wow. That's one expensive paperweight! It doesn't take a genius to know that it's not safe to install, let alone power up.
What do you tell a customer when you see this kind of B.S.? Too bad, and good luck finding someone else? Or could this hot mess be salvaged by a U.L. Certified shop? My guess is "no", but even if it can, it would probably cost another $3k to do so, maybe more.
It sucks having to tell a customer they need to buy another sign, but from what I'm seeing (and I'm no expert), this thing isn't good for much more than an interior, non-illuminated sign.
Thoughts?
