New Sign Shop – Items to Stock?

[Bill Dewison]

Hi Chris,

I’m opening a sign shop in about 10 days and I’m doing exactly the same atm, planning what to stock.

So far I’ve decided on about 10-11 sign examples, 3-4 A Boards, a wall of safety signs, a neon sign mounted above the counter and the usual price listy stuff behind the counter. I was going to stock a small range of POS goods, but I’m holding back on that atm until I can see which way the business is going. I’ve set the retail area of the shop out as half counter area/half gallery, to give me a chance to display my wares.

Humble opinion and all, but I think as long as I can show the customer the range of services I offer ‘on the walls’, thats what will sell. I’m not naive enough to think I can sell 100 neon signs by displaying a neon that says ‘Signs’ but theory goes that I’ll weed out the timewasters by using that neon as a price marker. If the customer isn’t put off by the price of my mini neon, the likelyhood is that they’re not going to bawk at the quote for their 40 footer with 3 colours and a cherry on top 😉 Thats the theory anyway.

Hope your new unit goes well and I wish you all the best with it. Also hope that the above helps a little. I doubt my shop will be the next Harrod’s of the sign trade, but I’m a firm believer in you only get out what you put in, unless I’m stood at a slot machine that is 😉

Cheers, Dewi

[fluidedge]

The neon is a good idea. But if a client enquires about one, are you able to work a price out there and then or do you have to get a price from the supplier?

We’ve found that having to wait for prices to come in from suppliers can lose the moment.

Chris

[Bill Dewison]

I figured the best way to it would be to give a rough ball park figure, and if the customer wants to go ahead, I’ll ring through for a firm quote. Craig from Elitesigns is currently helping me out on this score. Hopefully in time I’ll get to the know the pricing method inside out, so I should be able to quote a realistic figure ‘on the cuff’ but to begin with I’ll have to do it the only way I can, wing it! 😉 😉

Cheers, Dewi

[Robert Lambie]

we are about to attempt the same thing once we take on another unit next to us. the units about 1200sq ft and we will move our new printer, cutters etc (garphic production unit basicaly) the old unit they came from will be geared up like you said. we intend to try and do it get it all looking right. a good display is always the key. its no use just looking at leaflets. good live samples on the walls is what your after.
our new reception will also be a waiting area for vehicles and quick orders.
couch table, drinks machine etc
i plan to do stuff along the same lines as you and dewi have already. health and safety, neon (only realy for show though as we are not sparks) Pavement signs and the like. the walls i intend holding falt cut letters then built-ups then built-ups with interior leds.. moving on & up in costs. i will also have some stained glass signage, glass etch glass panels on alloy locators etc. to some scaled down small fascia signs in panatrim.
large pictures of vehicle wrapped cars/vans suspended from ceiling on printed banners, magnetic signs for school of motoring etc etc .
i want to go from the low cost signage method right upto the costly.
it sounds allot and will take up allot of room but i dont think it will. just sounds more. 😆

im always under the opinion that when you wak into a car showroom
looking for a car, you know your limit & look at this price range of cars.
but theres always the merc at the end of the row you keep walking by thinking.. “how can i get the extra cash to buy that?” 🙄 😉

[fluidedge]

cheers rob and dewi

sound ideas and will try and follow them.

the unit is about 2500 sq ft with a couple of offices already inside. We’re adding 3 more plus a reception, in between the existing offices and the new ones is a large workshop with roller shutter door at the front for (hopefully) bringing the vans in.

Gotta make it pay so all ideas for the reception and stuff to sell welcome!

Chris