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G'morning letterpeople. I have a new client, a big shot, high dollar realtor. I did a sign for the guy, & he loved it. The guy just ok'd another job similar to the last, & has asked me to design a third for this big condo in San Juan, going by a picture he provided.
Looking at the photo I told him the design would be $120. & the sign $604.00 & he still said he wanted to see a design.
Normally I'd tell him "No ticket, No laundry", but seeing that the guy is giving me more work, is it safe to do this design without a deposit?
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Even though you SHOULD get your 50% deposit AND a sketch fee, not everyone is doing this. Sometimes we have "special" customers that we deal with differently than most of the other customers.
With this guy, why not establish your rules right away. If he is a BIG shot businessman, he should agree with you that you need to be paid for your time. You could spend hours and hours designing one or several projects for this guy and not being compensated for your time. If you allow him to get used to this practice, he will expect it all of the time. You could set up a deal where you get paid "x" dollars for any design... you retain the copyright and if he goes ahead with the sign you could adjust the price by giving him back a portion of the design fee.
Get your money. Establish your terms. Stick to your terms. He will appreciate the fact that you are doing business in a business like fashion or he can get his free work elsewhere.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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Felix...I do work for a couple 'big shot' realtors too...I would say go with what Jeffrey says...establish the rules right away. No offense to anyone....but realtors can be hard to work with! And slow to pay! Picky picky picky....cheap cheap.....
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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at the very least, get him to sign a contract that spells out the cost for design, and the cost for the sign. you need to educate him that "design" takes time, and you get paid for it.
does "Ok, but i still need to see a design" mean, "OK, but if i don't like your design i wont pay for it, and i won't buy the sign."?
you need to make sure he understands that you are offering two different services. the first is design. the second is sign makiing. have him sign a contract for design and then leave a contract for the sign making. you can explain that he doesn't have to sign the second contract until you've delivered the design. (that is the subtle way of saying "i wont start the design without money or contract.").
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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In my opion, I'm with scooter and the other post on contracts. With every customer, on every job the customer signs a drawing contract(no more "I thought you said...." conversations) and a payment/cost contract(1/2 down, 1/2 upon completion). ON EVERY JOB, wether they are a long standing, or new customer.Save on so much Pain!
Plus if he is a big busness man than he will respect your professionalism!
Chris
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
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