Johnny Best
Active Member
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Edward Jones
- Thread starter 3Dsigns
- Start date
Texas_Signmaker
Very Active Signmaker
So... should I change my name to Texas_Signbroker?
FASTSIGNS
New Member
I know the franchises are not popular on this site. And, of course, a good sign shop (independent or franchise) can uphold and meet the brand standards of any company. The discussion is that of EJ being a FASTSIGNS National account may be why the payment process is an issue. We have all had that first encounter with a national company whose accounting department needs form after form, contract, online reg, and COI etc on and on to get set up. Once that first payemnt is issued - it's relatively smooth sailing getting paid. I'm also confident that EJ has some derived value in their relationship with FS so as to continue. Not all of the FASTSIGNS National accounts have the stringent requirements that EJ has asked of FS. (ps I would never call corporate over this - we are all just trying to collect the bucks we make)!
Texas_Signmaker
Very Active Signmaker
Makes no sense to dislike the franchises. They are all independently owned and operated just like most sign companies. Only difference is the owners tend to not be from sign making backgrounds and thus, stick to printing and displays. And thr tax you pay on all your sales.
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
Exactly. You would figure after being in business for 30 years that people would know this by now. The trick is, get your vendor account setup on the front side before the job is completed. Sometimes, companies aren't willing to set up new vendors so it's good to know that at the beginning. The people ordering things aren't always aware of things like that.
Ray Miller
Owner
I've seen lots of franchise shops over the years and they might not pose a threat as is, but when one closes it seems like two more will open. You have more and more of them popping up with less and less talent in them. That's been what I've noticed in my area. As Gino said there are many in this area that have been run out of town due to their subpar everything down to their outright lying to people.
Gino
Premium Subscriber
Got that right. 
I know for a fact that many of the local fastsigns ex-customers had no clue how to really find out about other sign shops. Because of the goon in the one around here, I took in thousands and thousands of dollars worth of sales. After talking to these people, the main thing they lacked..... besides talent, was the shear fact they had no knowledge of what or how to do anything. They relied on corporate for everything. They would tell the customer some cockamimie story and they'd believe it. They didn't talk to the people but basically just told them, this is how it is. They didn't discuss things, cause they didn't know how. They were so incompetent, it was horrible what I walked into....but good a the same time. However, on almost every job I got from their old customer list...... I coulda practically doubled my costs and still been lower than them.
I'm sure, Ray had some similar situations.
I know for a fact that many of the local fastsigns ex-customers had no clue how to really find out about other sign shops. Because of the goon in the one around here, I took in thousands and thousands of dollars worth of sales. After talking to these people, the main thing they lacked..... besides talent, was the shear fact they had no knowledge of what or how to do anything. They relied on corporate for everything. They would tell the customer some cockamimie story and they'd believe it. They didn't talk to the people but basically just told them, this is how it is. They didn't discuss things, cause they didn't know how. They were so incompetent, it was horrible what I walked into....but good a the same time. However, on almost every job I got from their old customer list...... I coulda practically doubled my costs and still been lower than them.
I'm sure, Ray had some similar situations.
CanuckSigns
Active Member
I have no idea how the local FastSigns near me is still in business, between the high retail rent they need to pay, plus the 6-8% fastsigns takes off the top, add to that that a "good size" job for them is an order for 20 yard signs.
Johnny Best
Active Member
How much does a sign franchise cost? Do you have to buy material from them. Can you buy a flatbed printer without going through the franchise. Is Fastsigns the most expensive?
Texas_Signmaker
Very Active Signmaker
They don't need need to buy from anyone.. they use the same suppliers everyone else does. Some of them do good business, they can charge a higher rate because of the name recognition.
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
Corporate most likely negotiates supply pricing on a national level which is a plus for the franchisees. Just like any other business, it's all about what the person running the show does with it, some are good, some are bad.
Texas_Signmaker
Very Active Signmaker
Next time... raise your price and make it worth the wait.
Johnny Best
Active Member
Sounds like a one and done for you with that company.
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
my rooster will tear you up
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
youre right, theres a guy from Texas here too. I stay away from it myself but you guys do whatever makes you happy.
You'll be lucky if you can collect the late fee. The answer I always get is that it's company policy not to pay late fees.
Gino
Premium Subscriber
This late fee payments and all the other stuff pertaining to terms. If you are dealing with a company which has shareholders, which most do.... all you hafta do is to outline terms as being 1% if paid within 2 days or 30 days. By law, they must protect their shareholders interests by abiding by YOUR set terms in the beginning...... not later on. They must also keep their shareholders outta trouble by not letting things go beyond term limits, thus collecting interest or penalties. Ya just hafta do it upfront and be honest about it and not get emotional and temperamental about things, when they don't go your way and then make all kindsa idle threats.