posted
First, I want to say that I think Gemini has been absolutely great in the past for me when it comes to ordering letters from them. Their service is impeccable, they're quick, and the quality has always been top-notch. I've never worried about any order I've placed that what I receive will be perfect.
Now, this is my first time ordering a couple bronze plaques from them. I would like to ask any of you that has ordered plaques from them whether this would be acceptable in your mind, or not. I dont know if I'm just being too picky or if this is an acceptable standard of quality.
Regarding finish (smooth, stipple, leatherette, pebble) which would you think this is? Doesnt look alot like any of the pictures in the order catalogue, and I would like to know what I ended up with. Top in the second photo was to be smooth, and bottom was to be stipple. They both look the same to me.
Regarding quality, would you find this ok? The finish is missing showing black undercoat.
The bevels on the edges are off and make the plaque look out of square. also looks like a router nick in one corner.
Hard to explain, but shreds in the recess throughout the logo.
So, seeing the above photos, would you feel ok to install this, or would you ask for a replacement? I've already sent off the top one to be installed into the park bench it was ordered for, as I simply ran out of time for that one. This plaque order was placed April 27th, and I was told 8-10 days. I received them yesterday May 25th. The dedication ceremony for the family had already needed to be rescheduled once when I found out things were going astray with this order.
I do have plenty of time for the firehall plaque, as that one is for my dept. and it is to replace a vandalized engraved brass plaque that some kids have bent the hell out of. I just thought the quality is lacking and not sure whether I should accept this as ok.
What would you do? Would you be comfortable with this standard of quality for one of your customers?
Please don't start a Gemini bashing here! I just want imput before I contact them about this. I know Don Nelson is the resident merchant, so lets not scare him off.
[ May 26, 2006, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Tim ]
-------------------- Tim Rieck Signs Halfmoon Bay, BC Posts: 736 | From: Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada | Registered: Sep 2000
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. I would reject it for the shredding alone. the other detail is only a sign guy is going to pick up on but the shredding is far too obvious to pass.
It is on the Key elements and that's where people look.
-------------------- Miles Cullinane, Cork, Ireland.
From the sometimes sunny south of Ireland, Posts: 913 | From: Cork, Ireland | Registered: Jul 1999
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I would reject it. Something as costly as a bronze plaque should be practically flawless. I've never used Gemini fo plaques, but I doubt they would expect you to accept this.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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Tim. I think you are putting the wagon before the donkey here. You've never had problems with Gemini before, so why not talk to them before showing us the problem? I'm sure some employee was having a bad day. Not too much anyone can do on a Sunday.
Let us know how it all works out.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
I think it was a legitimate question: "this is my first time ordering a couple bronze plaques from them. I would like to ask any of you that has ordered plaques from them whether this would be acceptable in your mind, or not. I don't know if I'm just being too picky or if this is an acceptable standard of quality."
There is no doubt in my mind that Gemini will correct the problem. We order thousands of dollars of letters from Gemini a year. We've had a couple of snags, and they were promptly taken care of by Gemini when they were brought to their attention.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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Folks...I am not avoiding this thread but don't want to give wrong responses before passing this by our plaque department for their opinion on these issues. I'll be responding soon.
Thanks, Don
-------------------- Don Nelson Gemini dnelson@axcesswave.com Posts: 43 | From: Oberlin, OH | Registered: Aug 2004
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Any plaques I've had done by Gemini have been very nice. One thing is that plaques are prone to small flaws simply because of the material from which they come.
The best comparison I can make: If you closely examine anything that is made of cast iron, it normally has many flaws, pits, etc. To the best of my knowledge, cast iron finishes are not exact science. I think most people expect some pits in anything cast iron. Normally, our client knows that pits are the nature of the beast. Look at other plaques. Is your plaque excessively flawed? I think Don will have a satisfactory answer.
Also, I gotta say I agree with Steve. A negative light has been cast on Gemini before thay have had a chance to correct the problem.
That being said, I totally understand your frustration with deadlines. Normally, the plaque is being installed along with some important ceremony, so, timing is of the essence. The bevel and paint issues probably need to be addressed as well.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Steve, the reason I first posted here was to get the experience from some trusted friends and professionals, I know it was a long weekend for the Americans and I would be unable to call gemini till tuesday. I simply wanted to be sure I wasnt just being overly picky when I did, and that I sounded like I had some credibility in what I was explaining. I have no idea about the process, or if this is a normal output of that process. Thought it was a fair question to ask here, but I guess not.
It was not my intention to cast any negative light on gemini. They are a fantastic company that I have had extreme pleasure in dealing with.
quote:Originally posted by Tim: First, I want to say that I think Gemini has been absolutely great in the past for me when it comes to ordering letters from them. Their service is impeccable, they're quick, and the quality has always been top-notch. I've never worried about any order I've placed that what I receive will be perfect......
....Please don't start a Gemini bashing here! I just want imput before I contact them about this. I know Don Nelson is the resident merchant, so lets not scare him off.
I wasn't even going to respond further to this post because I had already got a couple responses, and it was almost dropped off the page, and my hopes was it would quietly disappear without the huffy-puffys chiming in and making a huge deal out of this. I suppose even the best laid plans fail with good intentions.
Thanks for your imput here Don, and I am sorry this interupted your long weekend holiday. It wasnt neccesary. I appreciate your time looking in on this. Please call or email me if you wish to discuss this further.
-------------------- Tim Rieck Signs Halfmoon Bay, BC Posts: 736 | From: Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada | Registered: Sep 2000
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