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Anyone else just totally slammed right now?
- Thread starter TheSnowman
- Start date
Mosh
New Member
Smashed! I also slammed busy in the shop. In 25 years I have only had two days that I did not have a job pending in my shop.
I will say it is mostly vinyl type jobs, no "big" projects. Those are still few and far between. Been that way for 2-3 years now. I used to have at least 1 or 2 "big" projects going on at a time, now lucky to get one of those a month. Talking orders over $2,000 or so. Average ticket now in the $250-$500 range.
I will say it is mostly vinyl type jobs, no "big" projects. Those are still few and far between. Been that way for 2-3 years now. I used to have at least 1 or 2 "big" projects going on at a time, now lucky to get one of those a month. Talking orders over $2,000 or so. Average ticket now in the $250-$500 range.
Gino
Premium Subscriber
Since 2007, we've been going very strong and growing each and every year. Last year slowed a little, but nothing to worry about.
Last week alone, we landed two new real estate companies. One company ordered 28pcs 4' x 4' double sided with sled stands for half of them and the other one order a dozen 4' x 8's and I put one up already last Friday. We started a small campaign a few weeks ago and it worked, so we're going to expand on it.
Took on two part-timers and possibly one new full timer. Not sure on the full timer, he doesn't seem to have the knack for doing anything on his own unless you spell out what it is he's to do. He can't think on his own.
New work still seems to be coming in at a nice clip.... and we're not really sure why. The repeat work has really increased.
My only explanation is that..... so many people are fed up with the little shops and the hacks who turn out crap... and end-users are seeing the need for making every penny count. It's actually better to pay more for a feeling of relief, then to spend the money all over again to replace something in 6 months. It's also easier to pay someone who has your back covered.
Here's a little 'for instance' :
We just finished a store installation yesterday. The signs, installation, travel, tool rental and other stuff came to just a little over $63,000. We got the first half last month and I'll be getting the balance tomorrow after lunch. While at the site yesterday, the customer noticed several things which he messed up on. We went over it all yesterday morning and we'll have it all ready to produce and go back to the site and probably have it done by Friday. Cost to him is an additional $3,850.00. If he had been using the company he used to use, this would've taken almost a week and cost maybe double. We talked about how much we save the company in a year's time. We've managed to get almost two extra stores completed in a year and their outlay is still less then with their old vendor.
Becoming a valued/responsible vendor is what I consider more important then even price these days. Although we usually aren't the cheapest guys around, no one minds having us do the work, cause we get it done and we get it done correctly. We also notify people of problems before we hit the print button. We don't rely on passing the blame around if someone misread a proof. We don't always, but when you get a fair market value and are paid well for your time, you can afford to throw those bones in every once in a while.
Another thing.... we don't really fire customers regardless of who is at fault and will eat some crow to maintain a good relationship, because in the end, it's all about how we all play the game to make ends meet. Making ends meet and not costing any employees or our vendors any grief is my main job. I absorb most of that and that's what makes everyone happy.
Last week alone, we landed two new real estate companies. One company ordered 28pcs 4' x 4' double sided with sled stands for half of them and the other one order a dozen 4' x 8's and I put one up already last Friday. We started a small campaign a few weeks ago and it worked, so we're going to expand on it.
Took on two part-timers and possibly one new full timer. Not sure on the full timer, he doesn't seem to have the knack for doing anything on his own unless you spell out what it is he's to do. He can't think on his own.
New work still seems to be coming in at a nice clip.... and we're not really sure why. The repeat work has really increased.
My only explanation is that..... so many people are fed up with the little shops and the hacks who turn out crap... and end-users are seeing the need for making every penny count. It's actually better to pay more for a feeling of relief, then to spend the money all over again to replace something in 6 months. It's also easier to pay someone who has your back covered.
Here's a little 'for instance' :
We just finished a store installation yesterday. The signs, installation, travel, tool rental and other stuff came to just a little over $63,000. We got the first half last month and I'll be getting the balance tomorrow after lunch. While at the site yesterday, the customer noticed several things which he messed up on. We went over it all yesterday morning and we'll have it all ready to produce and go back to the site and probably have it done by Friday. Cost to him is an additional $3,850.00. If he had been using the company he used to use, this would've taken almost a week and cost maybe double. We talked about how much we save the company in a year's time. We've managed to get almost two extra stores completed in a year and their outlay is still less then with their old vendor.
Becoming a valued/responsible vendor is what I consider more important then even price these days. Although we usually aren't the cheapest guys around, no one minds having us do the work, cause we get it done and we get it done correctly. We also notify people of problems before we hit the print button. We don't rely on passing the blame around if someone misread a proof. We don't always, but when you get a fair market value and are paid well for your time, you can afford to throw those bones in every once in a while.
Another thing.... we don't really fire customers regardless of who is at fault and will eat some crow to maintain a good relationship, because in the end, it's all about how we all play the game to make ends meet. Making ends meet and not costing any employees or our vendors any grief is my main job. I absorb most of that and that's what makes everyone happy.
TheSnowman
New Member
That's pretty busy
gabagoo
New Member
I have been exceptionally busy for some time now, and it is a nice feeling knowing that you don't have to worry monetarily...it is quite another with the constant worry of wondering how it will all get done. Somehow amazingly we get it all done....noit necessarily on time mind you :Big Laugh
WeekendDirectionals
New Member
We've been so blessed, we've grown between 40 and 100% each of the last five years. We could qualify for Inc's fastest growing companies but figured it would just get more people cold calling us to sell us something. This year we are up over 25% as of 5/31 versus 12/31 so we could easily do 50% again by year end. BTW we appreciate the resource this forum is. :signs101: