I recently relearned an old lesson that I'd like to put out for comment. Basicly," It's the money, stupid." I have a perpetual sale on OEM metals and I can work day and night without making wages. About 6 weeks ago I got a job for 2 large oils with large frames. They created tactical problems in my small shop, so they were around longer than intended. While they were here waiting to go home, 3 other large jobs came in. Now I have 4 more to go out next week before we shut the door for vacation. Big jobs seem to breed big jobs and success seems to follow success. Your thoughts, please?
threshold
- Thread starter Le
- Start date
Le, Years ago, back in the sixties I saw a cartoon in some magazine I was flipping thru that I have never forgotten. It showed two Bums sitting on a park bench, one of them was explaining to the other, how, when he had his business, he was ALWAYS the lowest bidder.
My advise to you is get rid of the OEM deal or raise your prices, preferably raise your prices. There is no point making any deal where your just trading dollars.
When you take in oversized jobs, explain to the customer that you need at least fifty percent deposit on the order ( this will inspire them to pick up the order sooner ) and show them your shop so they will understand how important it is for them to pick it up as soon as pos.
As far as business leading to more business, it goes back to the old adage " Build a better mouse trap and they'll beat a path to your door "
Your obvioslly taking pride in your craft and you deserve the business.
John
My advise to you is get rid of the OEM deal or raise your prices, preferably raise your prices. There is no point making any deal where your just trading dollars.
When you take in oversized jobs, explain to the customer that you need at least fifty percent deposit on the order ( this will inspire them to pick up the order sooner ) and show them your shop so they will understand how important it is for them to pick it up as soon as pos.
As far as business leading to more business, it goes back to the old adage " Build a better mouse trap and they'll beat a path to your door "
Your obvioslly taking pride in your craft and you deserve the business.
John
Yesterday at an Indianapolis framers' meeting William Parker, CPFcm; GCF, gave the group a presentation about "Trends" in our industry.
He told us why our projects are getting larger and more expensive -- it has to do with the affluence of younger couples and the current housing trends. He also talked about changes in the preferences of art buyers.
Your observation is right, but it's no coincidence. If you get a chance to see William Parker's presentaiton on "Trends", do it. He's very informative.
------------------
Jim Miller, CPFcm; GAFP Committee Member
He told us why our projects are getting larger and more expensive -- it has to do with the affluence of younger couples and the current housing trends. He also talked about changes in the preferences of art buyers.
Your observation is right, but it's no coincidence. If you get a chance to see William Parker's presentaiton on "Trends", do it. He's very informative.
------------------
Jim Miller, CPFcm; GAFP Committee Member
S
Scarfinger
Guest
If you double your prices and end up with half as many jobs you still take in just as much money. I kept telling this to a friend in another service business. He kept telling me he couldn't raise his prices because he was afraid he would lose all his customers. After 3 years of this discussion he came in laughing one day saying he had stayed up all night at his computer doubling all his prices and was waiting to see if he would survive. 6 months later he came in to see me and was laughing again. He had again doubled his prices. A few years later and he has raised his prices 1800 percent since the beginning. He now has a very successful business.
PS get a copy of "the Street Smart Enterpreneur" by Jay Goltz - a great book written by a Picture Framer.
[This message has been edited by Scarfinger (edited August 28, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Scarfinger (edited August 28, 2000).]
PS get a copy of "the Street Smart Enterpreneur" by Jay Goltz - a great book written by a Picture Framer.
[This message has been edited by Scarfinger (edited August 28, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Scarfinger (edited August 28, 2000).]