In an effort to eliminate problems occuring in giving out a a quote with a sketch / design of a sign layout to a customer who then runs to another shop, we are going to try this:

1. We give the customer a quote describing the work intended ( no sketch or design on the quotation.

2. We allow the customer to view a design of what we are proposing. The design is clearly marked with ownership rights and our terms that to keep the sketch is to buy it and a place for their signature.

3. We have an invoice for the design ready for them to sign if they want to take possession of the design. It then becomes their property and they can get bids from other shops.

4. With a signed invoice in our hands, they go to collection after 45 days of non payment.

The collection agency we deal with said they would have more power to collect if I have signatures!

I'll let you know how many customers I irritate on this policy change! lol

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Go Get 'Em.....
AKA Raptorman on #Letterheads mIRC Chat
Draper The Signmaker
Bloomington Illinois USA

Proud 2-yr. $upporter of this Web Site (May 1999-May 2001)

Try this ... instead of getting a deposit for the sign first... get a "sketch deposit". This can be as simple as a token $50 bux for an hour of your time.

This is a fee to begin working on a sketch for them to approve for the sign. Whether or not they like what you drew up is not the issue.... the issue is that you are "working" for them, and must be paid for your time. Most folks will understand this, and .... most folks will like what you come up with in your sketch.
Once they see and approve the sketch ... then you proceed with the sign, and that's when the sign deposit comes into the picture. It's at this point that I write up a proposal on the sign, and recieve money towards it, with their signiture showing it as a bonefide order.

All this is based in accordance with the type of sign you are proposing. You would not go to such complex measures with a basic and simple site sign, banner, or real estate sign etc, but a deposit, non the less, for any work is always a good idea.

Nettie

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"When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"

Janette Balogh
Sign Studio
in Sunny Florida
jbalogh@earthlink.net
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Compost Happens!

:) Design is Everything! :)
Glenn Taylor
in beautiful North Carolina

http://members.tripod.com/taylor_graphics
walldog@geeksnet.com

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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?"

and another that states:
'ALL computer time billed at $50 per hour, any time spent on sketches, layouts, color changes and customers ideas is considered billable production time,,,,No Exceptions.

This helps hold down the customers that want to set in with you at the computer and 'try' different colors and type styles and even if you have a few that still want to participate at least you know they are aware that you charge for their 'help'. I usually jokingly ask them if they know so much about color and design why do they want my services in the first place.

In our sales office our company policy is prominently displayed as to our 50% deposit before ANY work is started and the balance due before ANY product leaves the shop.

Our simple but usually effective sales approach details to the customer our policies and expectations. We get our clients needs and budget first (if the customer is reluctant to give a budget figure we suggest price 'ranges'), then if we can produce a sign within those lines we get a deposit then provide a rough sketch to see if it's what the customer had in mind, if we're on the same track we'll either provide a scaled/detailed drawing or proceed directly with the production.

The simplest way to prevent customers from shopping your artwork is to never do the artwork without the deposit.

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Larry

Elliott Design
McLemoresville, Tn.

I'm glad to see I've been doing things right! =)

First, when I do a sketch I charge for the time spent doing the sketch, $50/hour with a minimum of $25. I make sure the customer knows this upfront before I ever put pen/pencil to paper or electronic pen to drawing tablet.

If they want to take the sketch with them, it's another $50. So normally between the sketch and them walking out the door with it, I've already hit them for $100. Usually they will come back to me for the final work, as it would cost them additional setup for another shop to do the artwork.

I think it's more time consuming to copy someone else's work than it is to create your own from scratch!

When they do come back to authorize the go-ahead, I get that in writing with their signature as well as a NON-REFUNDABLE 50% deposit. I make it non-refundable because I refuse to get stuck eating the cost for supplies required for a job that I wouldn't have had to acquire.

I have another policy that people don't like but it has saved me on several occasions... it's the wonderful "Rush Order" Fee. I've seen local printers using a 30% rush order fee, but vinyls and paints are more expensive than paper and inks so I made mine 50%. This is handy when you need to cover Overnite shipping expenses to get the materials onhand quick!

Hmm... 3am.. time to make up some more policies.. =)