messed on by the local sign hack... that isn't even in business anymore

[Gino]

I don't understand how what the costs in Florida or Alabama are... have to do with two shops all the way up in Maryland have in common as to what you're implying ?? Costs are costs and these two shops, well, one is now gone, would've had in mind using deep South pricing ??

Anyone can produce a 4 x 8 sign for $350 and still do alright.... anywhere in the country, regardless of what a loaf of bread costs in England. It depends on the supplies and method one uses vs what the other guy is/was using.


Here, I didn't see what thickness the aluminum sheet was, what grade vinyls or how intricate anything was. We're all comparing nothing to nothing and beating ourselves up over nothing. Just another p!ssing contest about nothing.

......... and while we're at it. Addie, aren't you the one just a week or two ago said your monthly electric bill is $500 a month ?? You never mentioned the size of your warehouse or home this electric bill was in, if it was an estimated bill, if it was the height of the season and if you use A/C all day long. Was that indeed your very own electric bill with your name and address on it ??
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As for the OP, I wouldn't get too bent outta shape on this one. If they haven't used the sign in this length of time, evidently, they didn't like it or something was wrong. You're getting called in to do it right, so either charge what you want or tell 'em to get lost. If you're getting $550 for a 1-sided sign..... without gold, you don't need this joker. Not at all.
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[Pat Whatley]

If you're referring to me I was responding to Jills comment. If you're responding to Addie, well we all know how you feel about Adtechia.

By no means was I suggesting that $250 was a good or fair price. I was simply pointing out that for somebody working from home, especially someone doing it on the side, you can make good money knocking out a job or two a week like that, especially if you're dealing in unreported cash.

 

[Gino]

If you're referring to me I was responding to Jills comment. If you're responding to Addie, well we all know how you feel about Adtechia.

By no means was I suggesting that $250 was a good or fair price. I was simply pointing out that for somebody working from home, especially someone doing it on the side, you can make good money knocking out a job or two a week like that, especially if you're dealing in unreported cash.

Maybe I worded that a little wrong. As has been said time and time again, by many veterans here, it really doesn't matter much what I get, you get or some guy out west gets. You need to get what you need in order to keep your doors open. So what if the hack gets $350 and the other guy needs $550. It's useless beating yourself up when an idiot is on the other end with stoopid pricing. Sure, it makes the rest of us look like bandits, but really who gives a sh!t what anyone else thinks or does in their business ?? No one here seems to mind. We all beat each other up about the dumbest of things and then like you said, there's always Addie to pick on.

Nope, as long as the hacks and backyard mechanics keep on producing their wares, it only makes us look better. Earlier today we were just talking about markups and why some are different from others. I guess I have varying degrees of pricing for people as they come through the door. No, not really whether you drive up in a VW or a Mercedes Benz, they all pay the same pricing scale. In fact, if I were to award anyone a discount, it would be the rich guy, since he's got all the tax benefits already with helping pay for so many needy people.

Pat, to be quite truthful, I could produce a 4' x 8' 2-sided for under $100 and still turn a healthy profit. I can more than double [almost triple] my out-a-pocket cost include my overhead at $100 a sheet. However, I highly doubt a hack is set up to do that.
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[Design it Graphics]

In my area, We have only 1 competitor within 20 miles, Its a somewhat lower population area but I'm RIGHT SMACK in between Jacksonville FL / Savannah GA.

We are only 7 months old and get $75+ Per hour on most jobs. My competition is at 88 an hour (Which i did not intentionally undercut them by any means because I make up the margins in other areas).

Our quality is far higher but they are SLAMMED with business since they were the only shop in the area for about 6-7 years.

Its not about what its worth, Its what you can get!

for example, I've been selling lettering for vehicles in my area at almost $14-15 per sq installed because of our "quality/friendly" reputation.

We aren't slammed with business but we make top dollar on the jobs we get.