gnubler
Active Member
This has happened to me a few times recently. I get that some customers are one hit wonders, one order and you never see them again - I don't stress about it.
But I have a few customers that I've done a lot of work for, and it makes me wonder when I see new signage that wasn't done by me.
Do you think it always comes down to money? My insecurities make me think I did something wrong. I try to put myself in their shoes, though personally I'm a loyal customer to businesses I support and it takes quite a bit to piss me off and go elsewhere.
Yesterday saw a new banner at a business I've done all the signage for. Just a couple weeks ago I stopped in and they were asking about making a new exterior sign, so I emailed them ideas for starters. Now there's a dinky banner outside, installed right next to another banner I did make. Looks tacky. Wonder why they didn't have me quote it? I don't care enough about this customer to just flat out ask them. Good riddance.
Another one was designing & installing graphics on two trucks & a trailer last year. Customer seemed pleased and ordered a few items after that. Recently I noticed a new truck of theirs, same design but not one I did. Again, wondering why I didn't get to bid on it. Lo & behold, I heard from them last week wanting a quote to rebrand the entire fleet. Apparently the new sign shop did something wrong so they're shopping around again. The place they ended up going to is over 50 miles away. Why go through all that aggravation? I can't believe there would be any cost savings there. Or am I blind to what might be a 'red flag' customer and the problem is them, not me? I'm going to ask this one why they strayed. I'm not afraid of criticism and hope to get an honest answer.
But I have a few customers that I've done a lot of work for, and it makes me wonder when I see new signage that wasn't done by me.
Do you think it always comes down to money? My insecurities make me think I did something wrong. I try to put myself in their shoes, though personally I'm a loyal customer to businesses I support and it takes quite a bit to piss me off and go elsewhere.
Yesterday saw a new banner at a business I've done all the signage for. Just a couple weeks ago I stopped in and they were asking about making a new exterior sign, so I emailed them ideas for starters. Now there's a dinky banner outside, installed right next to another banner I did make. Looks tacky. Wonder why they didn't have me quote it? I don't care enough about this customer to just flat out ask them. Good riddance.
Another one was designing & installing graphics on two trucks & a trailer last year. Customer seemed pleased and ordered a few items after that. Recently I noticed a new truck of theirs, same design but not one I did. Again, wondering why I didn't get to bid on it. Lo & behold, I heard from them last week wanting a quote to rebrand the entire fleet. Apparently the new sign shop did something wrong so they're shopping around again. The place they ended up going to is over 50 miles away. Why go through all that aggravation? I can't believe there would be any cost savings there. Or am I blind to what might be a 'red flag' customer and the problem is them, not me? I'm going to ask this one why they strayed. I'm not afraid of criticism and hope to get an honest answer.