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Is it just me but has anyone else just got ultra busy
Don’t know about anyone else but my workload has gone through the roof!
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59 Replies
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Its the silly season for me too!
Ian
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yep its the Iam doing a show at end of the week. time of the year.
best comment so far i think is.
lack of preparation on your part does not mean a emergency on mine
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quote Karl Williams:Don’t know about anyone else but my workload has gone through the roof!good job you got that flat upstairs then 😮
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quote Dave Rowland:quote Karl Williams:Don’t know about anyone else but my workload has gone through the roof!good job you got that flat upstairs then 😮
I wanted to get cracking on that myself last week but have had to get someone in to do it. I’ll post the pics when it’s done.
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we are honestly flat out just now… machines never stop, we never stop and the orders are really piling up. its a good complaint but gets to you…
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well we are opposite… we are not as busy as we should be… very strange for us.
Also u missed the pun in my reply Karl… thru the roof? flat? never mind
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not ultra busy, though, compared to a short while ago where i had a few weeks of barely covering my outgoings, i’m pretty busy. i thikn it’s recommendations week, done one joiners van, and already got two builders and a fencer from it in three days, plus other work quoted for weeks ago is finally beginning to trickle back in. lookin up again!
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quote Dave Rowland:well we are opposite… we are not as busy as we should be… very strange for us.
Also u missed the pun in my reply Karl… thru the roof? flat? never mind
No Dave……..I got the pun mate. I er…..nearly fell off me seat laughing. 😕 😀 😉
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Me too Karl. What recession?
I ‘got’ four big orders late yesterday afternoon, after spending the beginning of the week wondering when the next one was coming.
Whohoooooooooo!
Gareth
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Still quiet and getting worried 😕 Tried doing the usual phone calls, letters, leaflet drops, local magazine advertising, door to door calling – seems to be a waste of time at the moment.
Yours, really pi$$ed off – John
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We have enough to keep us out of mischief, but not ultra busy. Although having an extra body on board has helped to keep the panic level low. 😀
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Not good this end, had my worst ‘May’ ever.
Bought a VP540 as I signed on the dotted line business slumped 🙁Just come back from a well needed break in not so sunny Tenerife :cool:, few jobs came in yesterday so enough to be getting on with. Needs to pick up though 😕
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last 3 months were brilliant but now it’s as though I have disappeared off the face of the planet it is so quiet 👿 I hope it picks up soon 😕
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Just finished my last order on Tuesday and hoping something else will come in soon but using the time to tidy up and do the bookkeeping. (-) Maybe I should contact the Reverend Smith he’s always in the market for banners.
:lol1:Steve
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I always seem to start the week with a blank whiteboard (orders)
but I haven’t had chance for a few weeks to take a tiny break
Work that out! -
I tell the mrs that I’m busy even if I’m not otherwise she comes back with a list as long as my arm of jobs to do. :lol1:
Steve
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The last two months are down compared to the same period last year. Up until the end of April we were very busy but things have definitely quietened down recently. I blame the media for all their talk about recession. People are frightened to spend just now – this is certainly the case in the housing market and Car sales. As a result it all filters down so every one starts tightening their belt and putting on hold any spending plans.
I reckon the government should make an announcement and tell everyone it is their public duty to spend money to kick start the economy again.
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Can’t say I’m quiet or over the top – just steadily busy.
Had two quiet weeks in Feb that induced a panic…
Compared to last year I’m up by about 50% – can’t see any recession effects either as it’s mainly repeat customers I deal with to keep an even turnover…new business just keeps coming in anyway…and once I have them – I’ve got them!
Dave
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I’m interested in what is happening over there too.
Personally, I’m the busiest I’ve been for several years actually. This is usually my quiet time.
Thing is, all my work is new, my regular clients have been very quiet, which is what I expect this time of year. I’m just surprised I’m getting so much new work. And it all referrals, I’ve not had to advertise at all.
I’m starting at 6:30am most mornings, and for the last 3 weeks I’ve been working till midnight, even 3am a couple of days.
Not had a break in about 6 weeks unfortunately. I really need a weekend off before I go nuts. Making a few silly mistakes onsite which is a sure sign I’m tired.
I’m booked solid for the next two weeks. My second SC540 has still not arrived either, so its is causing a real backlog of printing work.
I’m expecting it to drop off soon though. A few around me are deadly quiet. Not sure I’d like to be a medium size sign shop. The big boys and the little boys seem to be plodding along, but a few mid sized shops are closing their doors.
A bit of unemployment in some sectors of our industry at the moment.
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Shane,
I mean this in the best possible way, nobody should be working 18 hours a day, not for any length of time anyway. dont you think it’s time to employ someone to help out? you already have 2 ezytapers, and now 2 printers?come on mate, give yourself a break…
money isnt everythingPeter
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quote Peter Normington:Shane,
I mean this in the best possible way, nobody should be working 18 hours a day, not for any length of time anyway. dont you think it’s time to employ someone to help out? you already have 2 ezytapers, and now 2 printers?come on mate, give yourself a break…
money isnt everythingPeter
Quite agree. But if there is a recession looming and as Shane says his competitors are quiet maybe clocking up the hours and banking the cash
for a while would be a sensible move. There is a point though where enough is enough and a well earned early night should be taken Shane. -
We’re really busy as well combine that with:
Holidays
Fiona’s 2 weeks off for the Fife Regatta
And I bust my hand yesterday and had an operation today to fix the hole and bones…3 nice bits of metal sticking out 😀 bu88er 😀
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can we have some pictures andrew? 😕 :lol1: :lol1:
seems its one of the first things i do these days when an accident happens. grab the camera someone grab the camera… :lol1:saw a guy get hit by a bus yesterday…… 😕 yes, you guessed it. 😳
i know ill get stick for mentioning that… sorry. 🙄peter, ide honestly rather the extra pressure than take on more staff. yes i do do it if i can find a good candidate but there is so much involved in taking on someone these days. and as has been said, how does shane know there isnt going to be a drop in orders tomorrow? more stress trying to keep the staff occupied then? 😕 i know the ups and downs of it, pros and cons… just not something i would jump into right away because of a busy period.
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Have been dead for a couple of week (might have well have been) Things picking up nicely. I have noticed in the last 8 weeks there are more and more newly signed up vans which I have not been approached for a quote for, which is worrying. I have recently discovered that I have 2 new competitors and another established signmaker has been promoting himself quite a lot, that is why I have been so quiet. There is work out there but not for me 🙁
But, from this Monday I am going to be upping my profile around the area and getting the work back. :D. Have leaflets etc. A nice big Banner frame to put on top of my van and park at the end of the street and last week I put up a nice 4000mm banner on the busy roundabout near to my place of work. Heres hoping
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Absolute stonking May and June is just starting to pick up. Im just not pushing the advertising too much as I hate turning work down……….Word of mouth round here is excellent…………just got to do a decent job and on time round here…………
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There you are Rob….stookie and bandage ! will get some nicer ones for you ! when I go back on Tuesday to check the metalwork 😀
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GOOD GOD! What happened to you hand? 😮
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quote Andrew Boyle:There you are Rob….stookie and bandage ! will get some nicer ones for you ! when I go back on Tuesday to check the metalwork 😀weeding with that would be like some weird penance thingy 😀 😀 did you cry?
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What on earth happened Andy? I’ll wait a while for a reply because i now know you are typing with one hand 😀
Sorry….John
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quote Andrew Boyle:There you are Rob….stookie and bandage ! will get some nicer ones for you ! when I go back on Tuesday to check the metalwork 😀
:lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
BRILIANT… thats a topper! 😉
i cant see it and it still looks painfull… 😮 :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
Harry wrote:
quote :weeding with that would be like some weird penance thingy:lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
p.s. what you using to click the mouse button to take the picture? 😕 :lol1: 😉
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quote Harry Cleary:quote Andrew Boyle:There you are Rob….stookie and bandage ! will get some nicer ones for you ! when I go back on Tuesday to check the metalwork 😀
weeding with that would be like some weird penance thingy 😀 😀 did you cry?
At least he has somewhere to stick the removed vinyl as he works!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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will tell you later 😀 liked the unnecessary arrow though 😀 trust you harry and you’re penances 😀
photobooth 😀
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quote Andrew Boyle:will tell you later 😀 liked the unnecessary arrow though 😀 trust you harry and you’re penances 😀
whoops typo!………meant weeing! 😀 😀
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quote Peter Normington:Shane,
I mean this in the best possible way, nobody should be working 18 hours a day, not for any length of time anyway. dont you think it’s time to employ someone to help out? you already have 2 ezytapers, and now 2 printers?come on mate, give yourself a break…
money isnt everythingPeter
Fair comment Peter and one that has been suggested a few times by some of my clients.
Thing is, I use other sign shops as subbies (fitting my signs), instead of employing people. I have 3 subbies that are working for me now.
The problem is, I have a wholesale side of my business, printing for other shops who use me because they know I’ll keep their contracts safe from other shops, and I will not discuss or reveal secrets. Some have commented that I get their business because I don’t have staff that will ‘blab’ to their opposition. They know they can trust me personally, and that’s the strength in my wholesale side of the business.
On the sign side I get the referral business because I have a reputation for my one on one approach to my client. They know the job requirements are not going to get lost in the translation to staff members I guess.
Its not about the money either. For example, 3 days this week I’ve donated my time and materials to local Charities and community groups that were in need of assistance with promoting some events they have coming up, and I’ve always helped if they ask, FOC.
I guess you could argue that I’ve made a rod for my own back, but I do try hard to treat each client the same with service, small or large.
I do expect a down turn soon though. We are experiencing a downturn in our economy, the honeymoon period of our new government is well and truly over, and the reality is setting in that its going to get worse before it gets better.
Buying the second machine was weighed up against staff. The machine is a consistent expense, whereas staff are an ongong and unknown expense over the same period. I’d rather let subbies do the work and carry their own insurances and public liability to be honest.
Hopefully if the works stream doesn’t dry up, I may be able to fly over next year for your sign show. That’s the dream anyway. 😉
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omg andrew… what you like!
were you testing the BBQ? -
quote Dave Rowland:omg andrew… what you like!
were you testing the BBQ?Naahhh! Too much Palm Sunday me thinks! 😮 😉
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For Rob 😀 😀
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Andrew that made me cringe too!
I didn’t realise you was Wolverine from X-Men, shall call you that from now on
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howd ya do that Andrew? 😮
(I wish I was not having my tea when i checked this thread ) (puppy-eyes)
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One question Andrew…..
Which part of your body is this then 😕
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quote :Which part of your body is this then
the bit that bl896y hurts 😀
i do believe i did not want to see that, mind when you have a itch
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The three wires come out the side of the hand….. I think they leave a wee bit extra so the pliers can grip as he pulls them out 😕 It’s now wrapped up again…
Shane a heavy bit of hinged wood fell onto my hand…..
Not as sore as it looks
Cheers 😀
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Daft question?
Whats a bit of hinged wood?Peter
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quote Peter Normington:Daft question?
Whats a bit of hinged wood?Peter
That’ll be a door Peter 😉
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😮 oooohhhhhh I feel faint. 🙁
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quote Andrew Boyle:….. I think they leave a wee bit extra so the pliers can grip as he pulls them out 😕
yeah, they’ll whip them out with pliers ……. I remember when Emily got pins pulled out of her arm ………….. I fainted! 😳
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quote Marcella:quote Andrew Boyle:….. I think they leave a wee bit extra so the pliers can grip as he pulls them out 😕
yeah, they’ll whip them out with pliers ……. I remember when Emily got pins pulled out of her arm ………….. I fainted! 😳
wus.
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I am sorry i asked now mate, that looks very sore. 😕
I don’t even want to think about the pliers pulling the wires out. 😕 :lol1:how long will you have them in? no vinyls for you for a bit eh! 😕
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Rob I would have thought the extra wires would aid weeding!
Peter
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Back to the original question.
Im busier than ever. 2 large shop fascias, loads of smaller signs, some edge lits, a few T shirts and some boat signs and about 5 vans to do.
All that plus working in the retail shop in the daytime
Even had to work sunday this week, and off to Glastonbury for 5 days next week so need to get it all done by then.
😕Nice hand by the way.
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quote Peter Normington:Rob I would have thought the extra wires would aid weeding!
Peter
maybe if he files them to a point he can burst his bubbles. 😉
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I have been mad busy since the new year started. Granted, being a one man band means that it doesn’t take a lot for me to be snowed under, but it’s still a good sign that people are spending. Best order at the moment: 100 ‘A’ boards!
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quote Andy Gorman:100 ‘A’ boards!🙄
nik
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quote Robert Lambie:quote Peter Normington:Rob I would have thought the extra wires would aid weeding!
Peter
maybe if he files them to a point he can burst his bubbles. 😉
i was just thinking similarly, but figured he could sharpen to a nice 45 degree blade finish and cut vinyl freehand!
looks nasty Andrew!
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quote Andy Gorman:I have been mad busy since the new year started. Granted, being a one man band means that it doesn’t take a lot for me to be snowed under, but it’s still a good sign that people are spending. Best order at the moment: 100 ‘A’ boards!
howwwww many ?!! 😮
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I don’t think I’ve done 100 a boards in 18 years……
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Things crazy over here in Northern Ireland too…just finishing six sets of 1.5 meter high built up letters for new shopping centre with loads of other work piling up behind me & monotoring phone calls from customers wondering whats happened to the sign they ordered 3 weeks ago – but what can you do? If you take on extra staff & catch up with yourself then things go quiet – you’re in the s**t…
Martin -
quote Gareth Lewis:I don’t think I’ve done 100 a boards in 18 years……
I’ve done four (count ’em – one, two, three, four) in that same period of time. 😀
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In the middle of 7 signs with tons of small text……………thought it would be a while, but Im looking seriously at printing!!!! Orders stacking up and Im operating word of mouth………..I think Id scream help if I started to advertise proper……OK Im part time, but its crazy………..
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