posted
Yeah, happened to me too Rob- I was going to PAINT a design & lettering on a vintage Model T truck. I hadn't even given the bloke (whom I'd known for 10 years) a quote, when all went quiet. Two weeks later my work went by, on his truck, done in vinyl by a local quickie stickie place. Makes you feel wonderful, doesn't it...! (at least they liked the design)
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
A similar thing happened to me. I designed the signs for a strip mall. I had a sticker on the design that stated "Use of these designs constitutes agreement to pay in full for the sign work." A few days later my other sign painter and I were driving by and the signs were already installed. I asked my sign helper if he remembered us doing them? He didn't. I stopped by the office and handed the manager a bill and he said you didn't do the signs so I don't owe you a thing. I said my lawyer would be in touch. before I got back to the shop he must have called his lawyer...there was a message on my machine that he would be down with a check.
[ March 12, 2004, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Rovelle W. Gratz ]
-------------------- Rove Gratz Gratz Signs 342 Walden Station Drive Macon, GA 31216 rovegratz@aol.com Home Page: http://rove-342.tripod.com Posts: 861 | From: Macon, GA 31216 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I think we all have been a victim of this at one time or other!
A couple of years ago I designed and quoted a large sign painted on a wall for a company I "used to buy" materials from. Passing by the site TWO DAYS later there it was complete with a couple of minor font changes.
I let them know they had just lost a cash customer! I got an apology but no money! Was told the other writer said he could do it immediately whereas I quoted 10 days as I was busy at the time. Never did find out who the other signwriter was, otherwise he would have had a piece of my mind too!
Now I have printed across the bottom of all my quotes:
COPYRIGHT & PROPERTY OF JONSIGNS This layout/design is the sole property of Jon Signs and may not be reproduced in any way without the permission and/or paying a just fee in accordance with Industry Standards.
I don't how legally binding it is, but it sure makes the customer AND other signwriters think twice!
posted
a local polotician ordered a design for his batting cage. Teh signwriter gave him 3 different outlines and waited fo rhis job to be ordered.
Weeks later it was some by another. Who knows who it was. (probably the batting cage employee) But, The sign dude sued the batting cage and got his money plus expenses. It was nice justice. And it didnt take long for that tid bit of news to pass thru the bizz community.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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The general public does not see someone else doing your work as wrong, but business people should. All my proofs have property statement and copyright info on bottom but love the ides of fee statement. I will have to add it! People look at me funny, I will show them a print without copyright info and when they want to take one to show partners/wife anyone else I reprint with statement. A little pause as they read and so far so good
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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I had that happen once,sort of.... guy called me saying that so and so company which was going to do the work was really impressed with my design, but insisted that he provided them a paid invoice or note from me that I had been paid for the artwork. I sent him a bill for 300.00 a fair price for what I had done. He paid it and then decided to get me to bid on the same work, I ended up getting that part of the job too, as I was the low bidder and closer to his business.
But many times over the years, I have seen my designs on decals, signs and even banners, that I did not do or get paid for, it comes with the territory, I guess. Sometimes I get quotes from my customers that have been given them by another company. But most times I don't want to copy them anyway. I do my own artwork. Bill
-------------------- Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud 10 year Supporter of the Letterheads Website www.artssigns.com "MrBill-" on the chat page MailTo:biggsbb@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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