Full Version: Is this your competition?
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1]
2 May 2006
To: ALL
The fact that they sell exclusively to government agencies and non-profit organizations makes it even worse for me. These are the types of entities that make up a good portion of my customer base.
Is this right?
I have no problem with teaching a trade, but selling against those who are supporting the institution to begin with, just doesn't sit right with me.
EDITED: 2 May 2006 by DATAKES
From: UncleSteve [#2]
2 May 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 2 May 2006
From: Peter [#3]
2 May 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 2 May 2006
Big ones and little ones...
with the catch line......
We make little ones from big ones..
B-)
Peter
EDITED: 2 May 2006 by PETER
From: UncleSteve [#4]
2 May 2006
To: Peter [#3] 2 May 2006
Their automobile license plates were (and still may be) made by prison industries. The kicker? The state motto is on the plates:
"Live free or die!" :S
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#5]
2 May 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 3 May 2006
David,
I had this conversation a few weeks ago with a customer in the army, he was confirming what I had heard about the prisons up closer to you that had a very large awards shop going, he said the head guy died and pretty much dissolved the shop into other departments and is not very active now, but that doesn't account for many other programs across the country like the one you found in the Oakland California area. He said they had really nice and inexpensive products, but sometimes it was a hassle dealing with them, so he would prefer to stay local.
On a higher note, I think I found the gavel David L. was looking for in the online catalog among the acrylic awards...................... ;-)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
2 May 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#5] 3 May 2006
Letting prisoners make awards should be a crime. I think they should just remain pen pals. :-)
On a serious note (not easy for me) I wonder how many inmates, upon release from prison, actually pursue a career in the awards industry.
It's funny how, in the "Sheltered Workshops" thread, there were no objections to handicapped people making acrylic awards.
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#7]
3 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 3 May 2006
David,
I also get phone calls from people looking for a "Screen printing" job, it turns out they are trained in prison and then when they are sent to the work release center they must find a job so they start calling around. I interviewed one guy and he was very upfront about being in prison and seemed like a good candidate, but there is that feeling in the back of my mind about the welfare of my other employees, especially since they are female. I heard thru other competitors that he had found a job somewhere else very shortly so I didn't feel so bad. I wouldn't mind helping out, but I also don't want to get taken advantage of and that would include safety of employees & customers, worrying about theft, absences, as well as general chaos.
I don't mind the handicap or prisoners making a living in the industry, but keep it on a fair playing field with fair pricing. Lawmakers have made laws where certain departments MUST buy from these agencies at reduced prices, elimitnating competiton. NOT FAIR! But as the saying goes: Life is not fair.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
3 May 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#7] 3 May 2006
As much as I've made light of this topic, I understand what you're saying. More than you know.
That's because I have a son, from a previous marriage, in a California State Prison.
He's 21 and due to get out next April. Because he's burnt so many bridges with family members, he has a tough road back to society.
I don't know if he's up to it. He spent earlier years in youth camps, before he "graduated" to State Prison.
I hope he hasn't become too accustomed to being locked up and taken care of.
All prisoners talk a good game, while they're separated from their vices.
We'll see.
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#9]
3 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8] 3 May 2006
David,
Wow! I hope that he does find a better life on the "outside". I can only imagine how tuff it must be to see someone you love and care about going down a path like that and will not listen to those around them - You have no control.
Good luck to the both of you!
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
3 May 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#9] 3 May 2006
Thank you. That's exactly right.
We went through all the family therapy sessions, drug rehabs, offered well-meaning advice, etc., etc.
I've told him there may be a place for him in my business, but it won't happen until he shows he can hold his own on the outside for a while.
I also told him I would expect the same things from him, as any person I would bring into the business; a hard-working, honest, conscientious person.
He hasn't exhibited those traits, to this point.
I'm not giving up on him. A Father never does.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11]
3 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 3 May 2006
I was almost in the same place as you are. I know the feeling.
My son had a drug problem and the druggie mentality. Thank goodness the rehab, three months, and the halfway house, one year, took.
The second time he was arrested we went down and told the officer that we would like to pick him up the next day. He told us that they had only one cell and the other person in it was wanted for murder, and that it worried him. (Of course because of laws he had to say that in a careful way that took five minutes.) We had to take him home that night. He got way more community service hours that he had dreamed was possible. Problem was, he enjoyed the community service. What a mix of personalities at that time.
We got lucky, he joined the Marines and spent 12 years there right from the halfway house. He came out a far better man. He has grown since then and just graduated from college as a history teacher. Wow.
I hope your son has grown and you get to be proud of him also.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
3 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11] 3 May 2006
Happy to hear there was a happy ending for your family. It can be a long road back.
I think there's more good than bad in my son. Like so many kids, he was looking for all the trappings that money can buy, without having to work.
There are no shortcuts. I hope he's learned that lesson.