Helping Competition/colleagues?

[Bengt Backhaus]

Just curious about what others do.

I used to work in Stockholm, capitol of Sweden.
We used to help/get help with printing, cutting and such from other
companies in the business if someone had problems.

Now i have moved to a small town where there are two other sign companies.
My printer broke down so i reached out to the others for some help. (Carriage belt broke and i'm waiting for a new one.)
My question was: Can you print six meters (around 20 feet) for me on monday?

One company was surprised that i asked, and said they were to busy.
The other said: "Ehh, uhm, what?" and then agreed to "sell me some printer time..."
I would have said "sure, i'll help" in a heartbeat.

What do others do in this situation?

 

[damonCA21]

If it was a small job I would do it for free ( and have done in the past ). For 6 metres I would do it, but charge them a trade rate - typically 50% of the retail rate so they can still make decent money on it and get them out of a jam

 

[GaSouthpaw]

I would 100% help out. I don't know that I'm as generous as Damon, doing it for free (depending on what it was), but I'd definitely offer what they needed at a wholesale rate.

 

[Bengt Backhaus]

If it was a small job I would do it for free ( and have done in the past ). For 6 metres I would do it, but charge them a trade rate - typically 50% of the retail rate so they can still make decent money on it and get them out of a jam

He agreed to print on my material, so he'll charge for machine time.
Totally fair.

 

[White Haus]

I would 100% help out. I don't know that I'm as generous as Damon, doing it for free (depending on what it was), but I'd definitely offer what they needed at a wholesale rate.

Same here. We work with a few other shops and I'm more than happy to do wholesale work for them if their printers are down or if it's something they can't do in-house.

 

[DL Signs]

We help out other local shops when they need it, anything from a minimal charge to cover just what it costs us to wholesale prices, depending on the circumstances. Never know when you'll need their help too.

Some around here would rather go out of business than ask for assistance, or give another shop the time of day when they need help. Kinda pathetic.

 

[gnubler]

Same here. We work with a few other shops and I'm more than happy to do wholesale work for them if their printers are down or if it's something they can't do in-house.

Great thread topic, I just went through this recently. Another shop even contacted me to tell me they got a new printer and would offer wholesale rates if I ever need anything printed, as long as it's not a conflict of interest in some way. I've cut vinyl for a competitor when their plotter went down.

Good karma, is my hope.

 

[Bengt Backhaus]

Good karma, is my hope.

This is my thinking aswell.

 

[Stacey K]

I help out other shops and they help me.

It sounds like maybe you are the first to "open the door" and I think it's great you did! Hopefully the three of you can start a working relationship going forward.

 

[Bengt Backhaus]

I help out other shops and they help me.

It sounds like maybe you are the first to "open the door" and I think it's great you did! Hopefully the three of you can start a working relationship going forward.

I think you are right about opening doors.

After almost three years it's time