Full Version: Store Displays
From: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#1]
26 Aug 2004
To: ALL
Good morning everyone.
I have been reading this forum for about a month now and getting a lot of info.
My laser was installed last week and we are just getting to know how to use it. My question today is about store displays. Do you display plagues and trophies already assembled with the lasing on them or do you do a sample of how it will look with the lettering ? Is it a good idea to have lots for customers to see?
Thank you for any feedback.
Lynn Deno
Embroidery & Laser Design
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#2]
26 Aug 2004
To: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#1] 26 Aug 2004
I cannot help since we don't have a storefront, but, Roy Brewer is the Guru of display, writing articles on it, speaking, etc. Hopefully he will put his $2.00 in.
Dave
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
26 Aug 2004
To: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#1] 26 Aug 2004
Lynn,
Roy Brewer's excellent 5-part article, "Is that all ya got?" has been made available online, by our friends at the Engravers Journal.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
www.engravingetc.org
From: gt350ed [#4]
26 Aug 2004
To: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#1] 26 Aug 2004
Lynn: We're only about one year ahead of you in terms of a store front. Having come out of a home-based dye-sublimation business, we are now a full service trophy, awards and personalized gifts retail store.
We are a big fan of Roy Brewer and his articles that have been previously referenced in other posts to your thread. Although we cannot attest to whether we have displayed things correctly according to Roy, we DO get frequent favorable comments from customers and prospects.
To directly answer your question, we display quite a few trophies and plaques. In the case of trophies, we have a primary section for those trophies presently in "season". Then, in other areas, we have a reasonable number of trophies depicting other sports, etc. Of all of our assembled trophies displayed, only a few actually have engraving plates. And these are there to show the customer an example of how the engraving might look.
In the case of plaques, if we have 25-30 on our wall (all different), about 40% are engraved and evenly intermixed with blank ones.
Hope this helps.
From: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#5]
26 Aug 2004
To: gt350ed [#4] 27 Aug 2004
Thanks Ed for the reply that is what I want to know. I didnt want to wrap up a lot of money in displays that couldnt be sold to a customer. I have an embroidery business also and thats exactly what we do is some blanks and some embroidered design also.
Thanks Again
From: gt350ed [#6]
27 Aug 2004
To: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#5] 27 Aug 2004
Lynn: Although I think you and I are on the same "wavelength" (that probably dates me a bit), I just want to further clarify that even though we have "blank" items displayed (trophies, plaques, etc.), we seldom if ever actually sell these. That's another trap that you can fall in to; selling your displayed merchandise.
Although you are essentially purchasing things that may not be sold for the present, my view is that your display makes a statement and can almost single-handedly contribute to diferentiating you from the competition. Of course we do rotate products in and out every so often, and also even re-arrange things to make it look fresh. And then, down the road when things either do not sell or are discontinued (for the same reason), you can have a "clearance" sale.
Interestingly, at just about the same time that we are wondering about the lack of sales of a particular product, somebody walks in and says "I'll take 10 of those".
Message 240.7 was deleted
From: ARAMember [#8]
15 Sep 2004
To: logojohn [#7] 15 Sep 2004
It's funny you made the referance to "Wal Mart" items that customers bring in to be personalized.
Last night my wife and I went there for the sole purpose of buying blank items to engrave and put in my showroom. I found that MANY of my customers see my display of engraved items, and rush out to buy them for us to personalize.
Among the highest done.....
Photo frames, both wood lasered, and metal engraved.
Cutting boards and cake pans.
Candle holders of all types.
The blank unfinished wood pieces avaliable for crafters.
Glasses, mugs, pitchers, cookie jars, salt & pepper shakers, etc.
KNIVES AND FLASHLIGHTS!!!!!
I've also made it a point to let the department people there know we engrave all these items.
It's a bit sneaky..... but simply get the dept head, and thank them for sending so & so to your shop for engraving. Say, "I'm not sure who sent the couple to us to engrave the frames they bought here for their wedding, but I just wanted to say thanks for all the engraving customers you send us. Then tell them you'll continue to send people there for the frames they need. (Which I always do).
The first time I did this with a local religious gift shop, I had jobs lined up on the in table for two weeks as even if they had never heard of you before the contact, you'll be sure they will remember you WHENEVER someone asks again.
You can even take this idea to the next level. As I have two bridal shops here in town that see EVERY one of the brides that I NEED to walk through my doors for their wedding engraving, I started doing a $5 kickback for every bride that they refer to me. There was one month I gave one of the owners a check for $125. (At an average of $200 per wedding for me) And the brides keep rolling in.
This all is of course nothing more than networking, but with a twist.
As I have found that if there isn't something in it for both of the parties, the one who gains less usually is too lazy to follow through. In example 1, your playing on emotion. (Thanks so much!!!) Exmple 2 is simply profitable for them.
Justin
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9]
15 Sep 2004
To: ARAMember [#8] 16 Sep 2004
Justin & LogoJohn ( I approve of both your messages :-)
Those were great posts.
You've pointed out the benefits of tapping into niche markets utilizing personalization, and one of my favorites, engraving "Other People's Stuff."
No (or little) inventory, while maintaining a steady flow of work.
Here's another niche market which many engravers may not think of:
PICTURE FRAMING STORES
Whether it's engraving (diamond-drag, rotary) laser or sublimation, framing shops have a need for your service. Other than title plates for pictures, these shops often frame a wide variety of items, usually needing some form of marking.
Sheet Stock (Brass, Alum.) a metal shear, corner rounder (or shapes) and some double-face tape and your ready for business.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10]
16 Sep 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9] 16 Sep 2004
David,
I would second that idea and take it one step further for those that have sandcarving capabilities.
I do engraving for many of our local frame shops. Their customers have really taken a liking to our sandcarving. We have provided display samples for the shops showing text and a graphic etched in the lower portion of the protective glass of picture frames. We typically do a colorfill that will contrast with the picture and tie in well with frame.
We also provide shops with three 3"x5" pieces of glass with the same etched text. One of them is color-filled with black, the second with silver and the final one with gold. This allows them to set each color on top of the customer's picture to determine the best contrast and location for their information.
As usual, customers like things that are a little different from the same ol', same ol'. The shop owners also feel like they are offering a unique, new service to their customers.
EDITED: 16 Sep 2004 by DATAKES
From: ARAMember [#11]
16 Sep 2004
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10] 16 Sep 2004
Kudos to you both. If I do 100 engraved plates a month, 30 of them are from framers. And if you REALLY want to lock up their business, offer "while you wait" engraving for them. As most of the time when they need a plate, they have the matte cut, and cannot proceede with the framing until the plate is cut, engraved, and mounted.
Justin
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
16 Sep 2004
To: ARAMember [#11] 16 Sep 2004
Justin,
I offer while-u-wait engraving. In fact, I have a few people who are still waiting :-)
Just kidding.
Fast turnaround is a selling point, and in this fast-food society, it's become expected.
Framing shops will often defer to me for a plate size and base their cutouts on that size. That approach gives both businesses a chance to "do their thing" under a minimum of pressure.
Of course, I can (and do) operate under the full-court-press (hyper rush) though I charge more for that.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: ARAMember [#13]
16 Sep 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 16 Sep 2004
That's the best look, when the plate is inset in the matting.
Justin
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#14]
16 Sep 2004
To: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#1] 16 Sep 2004
Lynn, I can't stress enough the fact that few people can visualize a finished product, so display items that have lasering already done. As mentioned, it is a cost of doing business. Nothing is in our showroom that isn't engraved, lasered, sandblasted etc.
When we product something that catches our eye, we know it is something that needs to be in the showroom, so we make a duplicate. We have lots of clients that comment that they know so & so, and ask why we have their item. We explain that we liked it so much we felt it was worthy of display, so we duplicated it. It is an achievement for our clients to see if what they purchase will end up displayed!
I've been told that if a client can't feel it, and see it, then they won't buy it. I don't think that statement is completely true, because we do a lot of sales out of catalogs also, but I do know that if in doubt, the sale is always made when a client can see what we mean when we are talking about, for example, their copy on green brass with a gold border - like this one right here, shown in the showroom. That closes the deal.
You don't have to do it all at once - a few a week builds up. And as you place, take one out or rearrange and people think you have all new stock! And just a tip - leave the date off your duplicate so your showroom doesn't quickly get dated. All dates should be current or non-existent.
Good luck with your displays -
Cindy
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15]
16 Sep 2004
To: ARAMember [#13] 17 Sep 2004
Justin,
Here's one of the shops I do work for. They've been written up in their industry's trade mags a few times.
Very creative.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: ARAMember [#16]
17 Sep 2004
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#14] 17 Sep 2004
When I started out, I filled the showroom with everything I could find, and wasted alot of money doing it. Make sure your showroom is a reflection of what your customers are buying. If you have 10 different business card holders on display, and you sell 1 in 2 years, replace the display with a larger variety of items you regularly sell, like pens if that's the case.
In my case, I'm very well known for my clocks, therefore, I have an entire wall of them. And in turn sell 15 to 20 a month.
Justin
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#17]
17 Sep 2004
To: ARAMember [#16] 20 Sep 2004
I agree. No one has a big enough showroom to show all that could be displayed in our industry. I display what I sell the most of, and everything else is either just displayed with one sampling of an item, or is in a catalog. I would rather display plaques, which I sell a lot of, rather than a whole wall of trophies, which I sell maybe 50 a year of. We have a large display for our wedding items, a large plaque display, a business item area and a large industrial engraving/plastic engraving area. There are companion pieces to each area also.
One thing I've heard from many clients is that they love being able to "see" what is there, so overcrowding doesn't do a good job selling items. Nice, simple, displays seem to work best for us. Add some greenery, nice display shelving, good lighting and keep your showroom spotless and current.
Cindy
From: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#18]
23 Sep 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15] 23 Sep 2004
David, is there an example of one of the frames, or otherwise, on their webpage of something you have engraved?
Thanks
John
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#19]
23 Sep 2004
To: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#5] 23 Sep 2004
Hi Lynn
I am currently in Texas and have just recently visited All American Awards ( Roy Brewer ). I have also visited Award 4 U in Tallahassee ( Sam Varn)
Both businesses had an extensive array of displayed plaques, tropies, promotional and gift items.
My quest was to jump start my new business, and the advice I received was that you do not have to display EVERYTHING....but a good sample of what you can do. The rest can be done via catalog.
With the understanding that I am new also, I hope this help.
Chuck Burke
Pacific LaZer Works
Woodinville WA.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20]
23 Sep 2004
To: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#18] 24 Sep 2004
John,
If you look at their pic gallery under, "Tarantula" and "Collector Firearms" you'll see the frames contain engraving plates, but there's no detail in the photo. It's there, but you can't see the wording or typeface etc.
Under "Special Services" there's a listing for imaged tiles, which are a combination of my wife's photography and my sublimation.
I've worked with this company for years. Chances are, if you see engraving, sublimation or lasered plates, I've supplied them.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
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