How would you handle this?

[AKProbeGT]

I quoted a job August to do about a half wrap on a 48' tractor trailer, lettering and striping on a 15' box trailer and some other small misc decals. About the beginning of Sept we get word that we will be getting the job. They informed me that both trailers would be painted before we would begin our work. I informed them that we would need a 50% deposit before we would start doing anything. I also informed them that we needed to keep moving on this project because of weather. The weather here can turn cold anytime now. We have room to letter the 15' trailer inside but not the 48' trailer. I told them that if we needed to do the 48' trailer onsite(they have a warehouse we can work in) that it would be at $XXX additional cost. I kept telling them I would start printing as soon as we got all artwork and the deposit so that we would be ready to go as soon as the trailers were painted and cured. It took till near the end of September till I got all artwork and the deposit for everything. At that point I told them I would start printing and to just keep me up to date on the painting process so we could schedule installation. Wednesday I got this email....

I found out today that there has been a delay in the painting of our trailers. They have just begun with the primer today, even though we had a deadline for them to be returned to us by tomorrow. Because of this, we are unable to guarantee when the trailers will be painted and returned to us and they need to be sent out to another job site in 2 weeks. Since the weather cannot be guaranteed to stay warm, we are going to have to hold off on the application of the graphics until the spring when it gets warm again.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you as it was an unexpected problem on our end as well. Thank you for all your help throughout this process and I look forward to getting back in contact with you and your company in the Spring.


To be honest I'm quite ticked. This is a pretty good sized job for us. I haven't responded yet because I'm not sure what to do and how pushy to be. I want to keep the customer happy but I don't like having a job like this pushed back for what could be 4-5 months. I'm not going to starve without the money but I'd much rather have the job done and money in the bank then have to store these prints all winter. The big trailer is the real obstacle. The other stuff can still be done. Right now the weather is still nice and we could still do this outside. Should I try to push them to get this trailer ready asap in hopes of getting it done before the cold and the job they need it for? Should I push for them to let us do the install onsite at an additional charge? Is there any harm to the vinyl in letting it sit for months after printing and laminating(3M IJ180Cv3-10/8519 printed with HP latex)? How would you handle this?

 

[Billct2]

If there is time and the paint is ready I would suggest that you tell them you can arrange your schedule to get them done before they have to go back on the job, without being pushy, you just let them know you don't want them to lose the valuable marketing that the graphics give them on the job. If they resist then you'll have to wait, you did get that 50% deposit, so they're not going to walk.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

If you want the job and don't want to risk someone else taking it on why don't you install on-site for free? If you have a healthy margin like you should you can sacrifice the extra few dollars to get the work now.

 

[GypsyGraphics]

As soon as the paints cured? That's no sooner than 30 days and personally, I'd much prefer giving it the 4 months... rather than risk needing to repaint & rewrap.

I'd wait it out.

 

[Moze]

Keep the customer happy. Do it in the spring.

 

[thesignexpert]

Keep the customer happy. Do it in the spring.

I'm with Moze and Gypsy. You need to have a completely cured paint to do this correctly which already puts you past their timeline. Most of your high performance films give you a year once you print them so your storage time should not be an issue. I feel you about sitting on the project though, gotta keep that cash flowing.

 

[AKProbeGT]

If you want the job and don't want to risk someone else taking it on why don't you install on-site for free? If you have a healthy margin like you should you can sacrifice the extra few dollars to get the work now.

I've got the job and my margins are fine. I'm not going to install on site for free. We are not a large operation so its a pain for me to be out of the office long enough to do this plus I have to travel about 45 minutes each way.

I do like the thought of having the paint cure for several months much more than having it cure for a few days. I guess I'll just be patient and knock this one out in the spring.

 

[Locals Find!]

Don't forget to tell them there will be an increase in the install price in the spring. To cover your new taxes brought on by the ACA.

 

[Mosh]

That paint needs to cure at least a couple of weeks...charge for the prints now and wait until spring and then charge for the install when you do it. No brainer!

Stuff like this happens all the time here in the Midwest...or you might get that lucky warm spell and still be able to do it this year. Indian summers happen.

 

[Techman]

be sure they know you are not responsible for any paint lifting while you do the install.

A repaint on a trailer is always risky on that new paint being stuck down correctly.

 

[visual800]

Depending on others for your livlihood is a definite failure. You were offered something, you got excited and then they took it away. Not your fault but thats what I gathered.

If I were you I would send out reminders whens it sgetting towards Sprinand let them know you are still available. Do not count on this job, do not count on anything in this world unless you are done with it and get paid. That's when you know everything went fine. I would'nt spend another second wondering or fretting over this.

This is out of your hands