Full Version: "Engraving Services" sign
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#1]
12 Apr 2007
To: ALL
Do you have a sign in your shop showing what services you provide?
We need something like that, describing:
1) What we can do (rotary, laser, etc.)
2) Caveat for "customer's own" items
3) Minimum charge
If you have something like that, would you mind sending me a picture of it, or sharing the text with me? I know some of what I want to say, but I'm sure it's not everything that NEEDS to be said.
TIA!
Cody
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
12 Apr 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#1] 12 Apr 2007
You fell int the same trap that I did. The customer does not care at all about the types of engraving you do, just if you can please them.
"We encompass many types of engraving to serve you better.", will get far better results than listing the types of engraving that you do. If they want to know the types of engraving it opens them up to start asking questions.
Just like my rule of NEVER saying, "May I help you?" We use, "Can I answer any questions?" Pays big dividends by not putting the customer on the spot prematurely. Twice I had a couple in that started sputtering when I asked that, my response was that "No' was an acceptable answer. Both times I got laughter. That really broke the ice.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
12 Apr 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#1] 12 Apr 2007
I think a lot of award shops miss the boat by not putting a sign in their window or on the building, simply reading "Engraving."
Not everyone equates engraving with awards.
From: logojohn [#4]
12 Apr 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#1] 14 Apr 2007
When they are placing an order we have sheets of engraving brass under the glass in the order tables with the most popular fonts and prices for easy selection. Most people don't need all the details so that gives them the main options for quick selection. We have a lot of engraved samples so a lot of times they just select from that.
There are handouts with the information, prices and font selections printed out with different ones for diamond drag, laser and customer owned items that can be picked up or given to a customer when giving them catalogs.
I got it somewhat organized on the website but I still have some work to do on it to make it less cumbersome.
http://www.trophiesinc.com/products/slides/b301_personalize.html
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5]
18 Apr 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 18 Apr 2007
Do you mean something like the picture below? This sign has been one of my best marketing investments. It keeps on giving.
http://www.expressionsengraved.comEDITED: 4 Jul 2010 by DATAKES
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#6]
18 Apr 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#5] 19 Apr 2007
I don't think many customers understand what rotary or laser or heat transfer or dye sub or many of the other terms we use really are.
If you're going to put a sign in your shop, which I think is a good idea, I believe it probably should be several signs with examples of what each service you provide looks like.
I agree 100% with Dave on the importance of that engraving sign in his window.
EDITED: 18 Apr 2007 by MIKEN
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
18 Apr 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5] 19 Apr 2007
That's exactly what I was talking about, including the neon sign concept.
A neon sign is an eye-catcher. It's something that will stick in people's minds; maybe even subliminally, until the time they need engraving services.
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#8]
19 Apr 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5] 19 Apr 2007
We didn't think about neon, but this past Monday we did have "ENGRAVING" and "TROPHIES" added to our sign out front.
It's worth noting that trophies actually only account for about 2% of our annual sales. However, it's been pointed out here that many people will associate other award-ish items with the "trophies" sign.
It seems to have already been working! We've had a couple of new awards buyers come in since Monday.
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9]
19 Apr 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5] 19 Apr 2007
I want One...
Dave,
Where did you get your Neon Sign, and what size is it? I'd love to hang one in my window.
Thanks
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10]
19 Apr 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9] 19 Apr 2007
I had the sign made locally by a gentleman who has been bending glass tubes for neon signs over 50 years. It cost me about $375. When comparing that price to what I have to pay for a simple newspaper ad, it seemed to be a no-brainer.
The dimensions of the sign are 10" x 42".
http://www.expressionsengraved.com
EDITED: 4 Jul 2010 by DATAKES
From: BrianC (INKSQUIRTER) [#11]
19 Apr 2007
To: logojohn [#4] 19 Apr 2007
Matching your truetye fonts
Noticed this typo on your site (truetye) and I am assuming it should be truetype....
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#12]
21 Apr 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10] 21 Apr 2007
Thanks Dave,
Sorry it took so long to respond, I've been out of town since Thursday. I do like your Neon Sign. If I chose to buy one, would the man that did yours be interested in another customer?
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#13]
21 Apr 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#12] 21 Apr 2007
I'm sure he would be more than happy to make one. I must tell you that neon does get a little tricky to ship. You will likely be better served by finding someone that does that on a regular basis.
There is another neon sign manufacturer I have done business with. Thier website is LINK. Click on the "NEON Custom Signs" section. Their pricing should be very appealing to you. They are located in South El Monte, Caifornia. http://www.expressionsengraved.com
EDITED: 4 Jul 2010 by DATAKES
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14]
21 Apr 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#13] 21 Apr 2007
Thanks again Dave,
I appreciate your help.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15]
21 Apr 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14] 21 Apr 2007
Any time. By the way, Hans is quite the character.
http://www.expressionsengraved.com
EDITED: 4 Jul 2010 by DATAKES
From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#16]
21 Apr 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7] 22 Apr 2007
"A neon sign is an eye-catcher. It's something that will stick in people's minds; maybe even subliminally, until the time they need engraving services. "
That's not subliminal, its just burned into the retina of their eyes so every time they shut their eyes that is what they see. :O)
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#17]
22 Apr 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15] 22 Apr 2007
Yes Dave, Hans is quite a character. He really is a great guy, but what a character. I'm chuckling as I write this and my wife wants to know what's wrong with me. Have you lost your mind?, she asked.
Hans told me he had a wooden crate built for your IS400. I was out of town for a few days last week and haven't seen him. I assume he has already shipped it.
Have a great day,
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#18]
22 Apr 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#17] 22 Apr 2007
He is shipping it tomorrow. We got the best shipping rate from Yellow Freight.
http://www.expressionsengraved.com
EDITED: 4 Jul 2010 by DATAKES