I Just Have To Vent

[Proofread People]

What kind of vinyl are you printing on? You can lay it down wet with rapid tack. Just don't use rapid tack on vinyl that has air release like IJ40 or IJ180

 

[Geneva Olson]

I used to have the HP printer. I sold it and haven't replaced it. You have a good memory. The challenge for me is laying down two 4x6 digital prints without 1 bubble. This customer inspects with a microscope. I can get the two 4x6 prints with shipping and lamination for $150. Hopefully, I can lay it down perfectly.

provided youre using sign vinyl, use soapy water to apply and let it sit for a while. pop as many as you can. when she comes to pick it up, tell her it looks amazing! and when she complains about the bubbles, reassure her that the bubbles will go away.

 

[DPD]

You're thinking of a reasonable customer. She'll see every pop in the lamination and be upset. As for the other bubbles: although true that they will dissipate over time, this will not work with this particular customer.

 

[DPD]

I just wanted to take a moment to update on this thread.

I reviewed the proof that the customer OK'd. It was for computer cut vinyl and an aluminum faced panel (alumalite). Customer has contacted me requesting a 'substantial discount' (her words) or a new sign - all on me. When I think I've done everything to specification I'm having a difficult time trying to accomodate the customer. BTW, the woman who is doing all the complaining was not who approved the proof or who was in on the phone calls with me when I explained things about the way the sign would be built (like substrate and materials.) Seems to me like there's a lack of communication going on.

 

[White Haus]

I just wanted to take a moment to update on this thread.

I reviewed the proof that the customer OK'd. It was for computer cut vinyl and an aluminum faced panel (alumalite). Customer has contacted me requesting a 'substantial discount' (her words) or a new sign - all on me. When I think I've done everything to specification I'm having a difficult time trying to accomodate the customer. BTW, the woman who is doing all the complaining was not who approved the proof or who was in on the phone calls with me when I explained things about the way the sign would be built (like substrate and materials.) Seems to me like there's a lack of communication going on.

Tell her "request denied, see ya later"

 

[Boudica]

Outrageous. If she was not a part of the approval, or the conversations, what makes her think she can jump into the situation NOW? I would just not respond.

 

[Proofread People]

Does anyone else find this to be true? The most challenging customers always keep coming back!! You can always give her deposit back and refer her to an online outfit, she may get a better price there.

 

[Boudica]

Does anyone else find this to be true? The most challenging customers always keep coming back!! You can always give her deposit back and refer her to an online outfit, she may get a better price there.

The sign is already paid for, and produced according to the specs on what they signed off on. I don't think the OP should give anything back - including a response.

 

[Gino]

Things have been taken so far outta the norm, none of this makes sense anymore. Just do business the best way ya can and stay outta trouble.

 

[Johnny Best]

I want to see a pic of the CC vinyl sign before I make a comment.

 

[netsol]

Outrageous. If she was not a part of the approval, or the conversations, what makes her think she can jump into the situation NOW? I would just not respond.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I had a customer complain about cut vinyl VS printed. I explained the same thing... it lasts longer and is a better product. He said the letters were falling off 3 days after I put it up. I went out there and he clearly tried peeling it off. I told him to stop picking at the sign and leave it alone. Call me if it actually fails. A few weeks later he wanted me to do a sign at another location and I told him to go find someone else, I don't need the headache of an idiot client.

As for the pipe... that's a bummer. It's happened to me and I don't ever trust it. People like S365 when you know they don't brand stuff by default are OK, but not wholesale suppliers.

 

[Geneva Olson]

You're thinking of a reasonable customer. She'll see every pop in the lamination and be upset. As for the other bubbles: although true that they will dissipate over time, this will not work with this particular customer.

Not really. It's a mind game. You tell her it looks amazing and she has that seed already planted so that when she looks at it she's got the preconceived notion that it looks amazing. AND, if she's a debbie downer and disagrees, just stay positive and tell her how awesome it is. We do it all the time with crappy customers. What's even better is if you have another person to present it to her. Whole new person, whole new graphic. We do it all the time in our shop. My husband will go out with a new graphic or I will. Depending on who dealt with the crappy customer before.
But now that you've said that she signed off on it. I'd say, offer her a small discount for the new sign. but remind her she approved the other..(even if she didn't know what computer cut meant).

 

[2B]

The past two days have 'sign-wise' have just been miserable. Two customers and two problems.

First problem was that I had a post shipped direct to a customer. It's one of those steel posts 17 ft long. In my phone call to the manufacturer I say this is a drop ship please do not put any packing slip or any information that can be tracked back. Send the invoice and shipping information to me. So what happens? Of course the manufacturer not only puts the packing slip on the outside of the shipping container but also includes the price for the product and the shipping.

Second problem. I make a simpe 48x72 inch alumalite sign using vinyl lettering and a contour cut graphic. Customer is upset because I didn't mention that I wasn't printing the sign. It seems she thinks the vinyl will peel off and she doesn't like the look of a contour cut graphic. I'm trying to tell her that many signs that are going to be used outdoors for post/panel signage are made this way. Nope! She wants it printed. Of course I tell her the print will not have the longevity of the cut vinyl but it doesn't matter. So, I go back to the proof and there it say CC Vinyl (computer cut vinyl). Her husband signed off on the proof without her understanding (I suppose) of how the sign was being built.

End of the day, I get no money back on the post (I knew that was a long-shot) but now I have to think of how I'm going to handle the extra $450 for a new printed sign.

Aarrghh!!!

NEVER and I MEAN NEVER trust a vendor or supplier that is not vetted and tested multiple times to ship truly blind
even then ONLY drop ship when it is a dire situation

Use common words for description. Computer Cut = DIE CUT or PLOTTER

 

[DPD]

Agree.