Pete,

Excellent points. I'm sure you're on the mark.

I'm just a guilty as anyone. I only used Sidmar for custom work. When I used traditional plaque boards, I would usually order through JDS Industries, where products, such as the piano finish plaque boards (imported) were the right item, at the right time, at the right price.

It's a sign of the times, that I don't think we'll see change.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Friday night, I stopped by Nebraska Furniture Mart - a mega size furniture store. Was looking for a new dining room table. Told the sales person what I was looking for..... first words out of her mouth was, I'm sorry but two furniture (wood) manufactures closed their doors January 15. They don't know where they are going to get solid high end wood tables from any more. And these weren't custom ordered tables. Americans need to wake up and see what is happening!

Zona
Zona's Engraved Creations

Sales might be down from where they were, but stories like this show there's still a demand. The really sad part is, if only one closed, there might have been enough business for the other.

Some of these businesses have been around for a very long time. I wonder how much they've been actively marketing their products. It might also be time to update an old business model. It's no longer enough to let people know that you make a **. You now have to educate them too. Why is your ** different / better? Why buy yours? There are times people buy only on price, but there are also many purchases based on value.

What do your potential customers value? Why does your offering better meet these needs than the next? How is your potential customer aware of this? Questions we all need to explore on a regular basis.

Ken,

Even though I only used Sidmar for custom work, when those jobs came around, I wasn't price shopping.

They always got the job.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

NEW UPDATE

Recieved a fax today, a "Lange" family has purchased Valor Woodcrafters. Hired back the skilled and very talented employees, and promoted Judy to Plant Manager (should have been done before).

They ARE still in business.

They also now have e-mail, Judy is judy@valorwc.com

This company does GOOD work.

Fax also said they now have Alder/Laserable products.

To contact them:

Valor Woodcrafters
816 E. Grand Ave.
Fruita, CO 81521
800-829-3028

Mick,

That's music to my ears. I have a recurring project, that originally would have gone to Sidmar Productions. I was wondering where I'd be able to get it done.

Now, I know :-)

Thanks for the update. That's great news!

Edit: I created a "Link" for Valor

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA