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re: neon pricing, etc
>This is one of the reasons I don't like doing wholesale work. We spend 1/3 to
>!/2 of the price on materials (glass, electrodes, propane, rare gases,
>mercury, transbestos, paper, screen, etc.) which means we make very little
>profit. The retailer actually makes MORE on our product than we do, and all
>he usually has to do is take the order and deliver the product. In my
>experience, the guy that sells the sign does no installation, and often
>offers no warranty
Personally I prefer wholesale to retail work. I suspect I work with a much
better profit margin; the best money I make is typically $18 / unit minimum
for channel letters -- for non-serif work I can gross $500-$600 in a
12--to-14 hour day, minus expenses ('trodes, glass, shipping ) it comes in
around $400- $450. I don't do as well on script or complicated work, but I
don't give it away either.
With my better wholesale customers they provide a pattern, I send the glass,
they send the check. Period. No explaining how neon works, no going over
color options for the sixth time, no crawling in drop ceilings just to make
a bid....I like a little variety though, and a straight diet of wholesale
doesn't do it for me (not that I really have a choice on what market to pick
-- here in the boonies I survive by doing just about everything -- maybe 1/3
wholesale, 1/3 retail, 1/3 installation for mainland sign companies...)
I don't do retail signs for under $300-$350; it's just not worth the hassle
factor. Usually I get to this minimum reeaal quick on the phone, to not take
up time with un-serious customers.
-Ted Pirsig