Decals / Customer Service

[Rodzo]

Ok, so I am finally posting this here in hopes of some recommendations.

1st I would like to ask what in the world has happened to customer service these days? Are people in the printing business just doing so damn well that they feel no need to call back potential customers? They just leave their emails unanswered and never answer their phones? Are they just too good for the business out there to at least give a callback to say they are swamped?

I have unsuccessfully tried to get quotes from Maxspeed Designs, Panther Motor Sports Designs, Kasper Designs, and a few others that I sent emails off too. No one responds! I have sent several to Maxspeed, and even spoke with the guy, gave him my Illustrator file, credit card number, address, etc. He was supposed to run my decals that Saturday and get them off to me Monday. I got busy and forgot about it, 2 weeks went by, and nothing. I was never charged for it, so that is good, but now no one answers the phone or returns emails! What's the deal?

If you are that busy, setup an auto response on your email saying so, and maybe people would be more understanding! This is just rediculous! I am ready to give my business, yet no one wants it.

Not a good way to form a name for yourself! So if anyone has any suggestions on a place that will actually get the job done, please send me in the right direction. And if you know any of these guys above, maybe they need to give it up! Keep running a business like that, and it will go straight into the ground!

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

maybe try guarantee graphix

[Rodzo]

Thanks Mike, I know you and I already talked about this. And actually, I have been there - NO RESPONSE as well! Do these guys maybe have their emails putting stuff in Junk Mail and Deleting it before they review it????

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

Perhaps they are sideline businesses and not primary businesses for the people running them? A hobby for profit deal?

[Rodzo]

Could be, but you should still get back to the person within a few days. Weeks have gone by for Maxspeed, a little over a week for Kasper. I'm sure that if Czech never got back to his customers he wouldn't be where he is! Well, at least in the beginning...he does such kick a$$ work that people will wait months now that he has established himself. But I am sure he still responds.

[Rodzo]

I eat my words. I finally got in touch with them at Maxspeed. He still had my previous order there, something must have just happened. But they answered the phone! I sent him the updated file, and things should hopefully be on the way. He is gonna call me back!

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

good to hear

[cemeb4dk]

when did you email panther and what email did you use.

I know he just had 2 deaths in the family this weekend.

[Tex]

guaranteed graphics did my wing plates and name stickers, it wasn't a bad experience but it could have been a lot better.
I had to tell him I needed them for a pro series race THIS weekend before he sent them. Then they ended up coming 2 days before the pro series race.

[Rodzo]

when did you email panther and what email did you use.

I know he just had 2 deaths in the family this weekend.

Yes, I just found this out. And I am sorry for his loss, as well as mentioning his name on this board.

My appologies to Panther.

[RytM1]

I hope MaxSpeed works out for you. The business seemed to take a tumble downhill a little bit after it changed hands, and "Cosmo" Cramer left. I had a bunch of reverse printed logos (they are stuck on the inside of the body before they are painted, so they don't get scratched off and chewed up)made up prior to new management, and now the new management supposedly doesn't know how to make them , so I hear. I am waiting on a reply to my email to see if they can handle the order now.

Places like Kasper Designs and Panther, appear to be getting into RC as a side business which, as admitted by Seann at Panther, will somewhat delay turn around time if his main business gets busy.

[Rodzo]

Places like Kasper Designs and Panther, appear to be getting into RC as a side business which, as admitted by Seann at Panther, will somewhat delay turn around time if his main business gets busy.

And I completly understand that...I just think then there should be something on their websites that states that. Or an auto-responder in their email stating that...because in this day and age, they will lose out on the business then. I call around until I get a response. And that first one to respond is usually who I go with if it sounds reasonable. Unfortunately those guys lost out on my business. And they may not care, and that's fine. But word of mouth for side business is key, and they won't be getting my word of mouth.

Now in Panthers case, there was a death, actually 2 from what I understand! And I feel horrible about that, and even wondered while I was posting, if any of these people had any family emergencies going on.

I run a side business painting bodies (just starting actually), I have a full time job, a wife, and an 11 month old baby, yet I do get back to people the same day. Even if it is to tell them I will get back to them in more detail at a later date. My business during the day is the same thing. It is a service orientied business, you need to get back to people in a timely manner to be successful. These guys web sites make it seem like this is their primary business, so that's why I was so baffeled at the lack of response. Over a week in some cases?? And actually, no response from some! Maxspeed still never actually got back to me, it was me trying one last time.

[RytM1]

Definitely! I am doing the body painting thing myself, and I am constantly in touch with customers, especially new ones, until I get a feel for their tastes, and what design features work. Man, I wish I knew what was gooing on at MaxSpeed, but that business is gonna take a crap in no time. I am still trying to talk Cramer into tellling me how to do the reverse printed stickers so that my other graphics guy can start doing them.

[cemeb4dk]

Jack

I htink Chris from Majestic bodies on the grid makes reverse masks

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

chris does the vinyl so u can paint them on

[cemeb4dk]

Isnt that what Jack is looking for

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

no he is looking for his decals that you can put ont he inside of the body and paint over that say 5-0 designs

[cemeb4dk]

my bad....

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

its cool

[cemeb4dk]

better be...


Jerk

[Rodzo]

Well Maxspeed called me today, he just needed the fonts I designed with, and he is looking at printing today or tomorrow! So it looksl ike I am on the road to getting my decals!

The idea of putting the decal on the inside is cool...I think I am content with the outside. Some people may not like the advertising, and it gives them the option to peel it off. Like the dealer stickers they put on cars! That and the frames are the first things I take off!

To put it on the inside, wouldn't he just print the decal as a mirror? So when you look at it through the stickey side, it looks forward and if you look at it from the normal side it looks reversed? Obviously he would have to print your decals on clear and print the white looking background. I assume that normally your logo is printed on a white decal. Cause I don't think there would be a way to actually print on the stickey side.

I'll post as soon as I get my decals!!!!

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

dude thats the point lol for advertising, since i have run outta those reverse printed ones, i have been throwing in regular stickers and nobody puts em on lol...look at Maifield's buggy no czech it out stickers hahhaha dont give em the option of pealing the stickers off lol

[Rodzo]

I hear ya, sometimes the decal can make things look lame. I tried to design mine to be suttle and descrete, yet still look cool. I guess I don't care if people take it off. If someone likes it enough, there gonna ask who painted it. But I hear ya, having it painted on would be better advertising - but my stuff is not on any covers of magazines!!!!

[Tex]

We wanna check out the logos when you get the stickers Rodzo

[Rodzo]

We wanna check out the logos when you get the stickers Rodzo

Pretty basic...the image is not as good of quality as the Illustrator file. This is all on a 5" x 6" sheet. So they are pretty small. I printed some samples first to get the sizing right.