I'm not telling you how to handle this woman, but the time of what a sign is worth and what you can sell it for are gone. Actually, they're still here, but not as fruitful as it once was. The cost of the machines keep going up, but the cost of what they're producing is spiraling downward.... and fast.
There are far too many companies out there, that depend on pennies due to high volume for their business model. Right now, we are busier than a one-armed paper hanger with our flatbed work. In a little over a year, we've experienced such a growth spurt that we're seriously thinking of purchasing another one..... and one that is far faster than the one we have. However, it's gonna cost many thousands and thousands of dollars just to get this monster in our building. We need almost a 13' opening to get it in. We need more lines run and the cost of moving it is unfrickin' real. We were quoted at least $15,000 just to move it. That doesn't include the training, the machine or the supplies. It's a very expensive street to go down, but once everything is lined up.... no one can touch you..... cost-wise or crafts-wise.
Some of you may ask.... why do you spend so much money to under-price the neighboring shops ?? What business is that of mine... what they charge ?? I know what I gotta get to keep my doors open and it seems like we're beginning to do the work for just about everyone around us now.
This is very generic, but we just finished a job where we got about $1,700 for the signs. Does not include the installation. Our substrate, ink and cutting costs including man labor was around $175.00. You do the math... we got $1,700 for it, plus $1,600 for installing 5 signs... the largest being 20" x 48" and all ground level on posts [supplied by the customer] in about 5 hours.
We're in the middle of a job as I mentioned a day or two ago where we're doing a bunch of 30" x 30" double-sided signs. Again, what we get vs. our output for materials and labor plus overhead is next to nothing. However, no one can even come close to our pricing or quality, let alone turnaround.
You guys mention everyone should get one. Go ahead, but the vast majority of you will never catch up and go belly up.... forcing more machines out in the market for some other person to buy and not make ends meet.
You need to have the business and outlook to feed these machines. You don't just go out and buy one because you want to do a sign cheap. You need volume.... and lots of it. We're at this very moment negotiating a deal like the OP here is doing and if things work out for both parties involved.... a lot of chit is gonna be flyin' around in good ol' Reading.
