DAVE THE NEON GUY

Hi Guys. Been a while since I posted anything but I am calling on all my sign buddies, those I know and those I don't know to pray for my good friend Ed Waldrum. He is extremely ill and needs the power of team prayer. How about sending up your best prayer on his behalf. Ed taught me everything I know about the neon business and tube bending. Many of us cross paths with people in our lifetimes who make a difference in who we are and who we become.....Ed was one of those people to me. Let's pray.

Congrats you two....What a Christmas Gift. Been a long time since I was lucky enough to get a gift like that. May you both get home shortly. David David Shields Neon www.davidshieldsneon.com

While LED has managed to muscle it's way into a large part of the Channel Letter market, it has very little impact on the business model we use here in Georgia. We are a custom neon sign shop focused on providing novelty neon signs for small businesses and your "Man Cave" dudes who got more expendable cash than they have sense....oh well, both are well received here and have been valuable customers in tough economic times. Although I don't post here often, I enjoy the dialogue many of the regular posters share with all of us. Many questions I have had over the years have been answered here and I appreciate the job Erik does in keeping me posted via email with new topics and ideas.... I have gotten a little off task, so let me get back to the meat and potatos of my post....When LED first came on the market as a sign alternative, much of it's focus was pointed toward derailing the position Neon has held in the sign market since the early 1900's. Many of the ads that were generated in Signs of the Times, Sign Builders, as well as this very message board were quick to point out all the negative things neon was rather than what alternatives LED could offer. Now, Neon folks like myself took offense to this relentless assualt on our livelihood and the result was several years of battle and millions of dollars spent at trying to undercut the other rather than improve our product. As time has passed, I have noticed that LED has relaxed its postion as the aggressor and neon has survived another attempt at making it extinct. The emobossed plastic sign dudes were the last aggressor who tried to bury Neon. So what is my point? nothing really....just felt like expressing myself because I can. Niether plastic nor LED have any any impact on my business model and quite frankly, as a true sign enthusiast, wouldn't it be "dull" out there if we did not have variety. I have seen some great looking displays of LED right here in my back yard. I have often admired the embossed look you get with plastic...the three diminisional look you get with sandblasted signs.....the great looking fleet graphics you get with digital printing....I even enjoy getting stopped by trains just so that I can admire some of the artwork done on the box cars with a can of paint......and of course Neon still remains the most unique, eye catching salesman of them all. Just my opionion. I wish all of you a very Happy New Year and the best of luck in 2010. Let's all work together for a change. Being a part of a "Team" means being a part of something bigger than yourself. I look forward to reading some of your insights. David Shields David Shields Neon www.davidshieldsneon.com

Randy, the signman has long been the scape goat of most unsuccessful businesses. Most upstart businesses fail EARLY in there plan with there SBA guru who helps them get the loan. They fail to understand the significance and importance of investing in signage.....the result.....the sign man get's the crumbs.....he is expected to save the whale at the least amount of cost and to do it in two days or less. My suggestion to all the sign guys is to DON'T cut your prices. I am sure you all have a pretty good understanding of what it costs to operate your business. The price of tea in China has nothing to do with the cost of sign in Georgia. Sign and advertising planning needs to be a the focal point of all new and old businesses. All of you can obviously tell who believes in advertising and who don't. Signs are CHEAP enough. Just my opinion. David Shields David Shields Neon

Google pay per click has generated a ton of business for my company over the last five years. Can someone out there please help shed some information as to how I can improve my page ranking naturally instead of paying for clicks?

Hello All, Been a while since I logged on, but wanted to pause a moment and wish everyone out there in cyber space a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay tuned for my New Year's Resolutions.........

I agree with Gary.....must have been more than several to total 15,000 dollars....or I need to relocate. :weld:

Fellow sign brothers....I am calling on you to help me find some tickets to TWO New York Yankess home baseball games in August. I would like to go on August 15 and 16th. If you any of you have any tickets that I can buy, I would greatly appreciate it. I want to take my 10 year old son to Yankee Stadium before they bring it to the ground. Thanks for you the heads up..... David :weld:

Erik, How about just a general message board where people can just vent....works for my Dad's web sight. 200,000 visits per month. David :weld:

Thanks for the wishes Kgirl.....been busy remodeling our home.....talk about a pain in the ass. I am ready for all these people to go wherever it is that they go geeeeeez.

Since I have been going to Fernadina Beach for more than 40 years I can easily respond to this BULLSHIT. Some asshole in a business suit came to a City Council Meeting in a high dollor suit and tie, fake rolex, and a nice brief case and sold Nassua County on the fact that they needed a STRICT Sign ordinace that would protect the integrity of the CITY, which consist of BUSINESS owners, who by the way pay and collect MORE taxes than the average JOE. This particular vendor pays taxes and does NOT bother ANYONE....Most of the people who got more money than sense are MILES from this vendor. A good City Council would tax him, collect it, be glad he/she got it, and worry about SHIT that meant a damn....any questions as to how I feel? I love Fernadina Beach.....my kids have grown up there.....and politicians are Fu#@in up.

How bout a big hand for the home town boy here in Waycross, Georgia. Leodis McElvin was the 11th pick in the FIRST round by the Bills of the NFL Draft Saturday....the only thing that would have made it sweeter is that he would have been picked by San Diego or Jacksonville but they won toooooo many DAMN games. I will get to see him on September 14th as Jax opens up the season with the Bills....unless.....West Coast Sign Guy and his lovely wife want to make the trip cross America....they can have my tix whenever they want... :weld:

I absolutely agree 100%....Personally, Neon signs are the ONLY ones I do and business is pretty good.....maybe I picked up all his customers. Just joking..... I really can't tell much of a difference in my work load..... honestly can't tell LED even exists..... LED will never ever compete with custom neon sign work..... If I had my wagon tied to the big sign picture, I can see how I might be affected by the alleged diminished value of Neon Signs. :weld:

like props from the

to hold a party

Ok..........been a while since Erik's ass started his infamous "three word story" so I decided to do it my damn self.....only catch is..... you get to use FOUR words instead of 3 (three). I do realize that some of you boneheads will butcher this thing up, but that is what makes it so much fun..... Ya'll have a DAMN good weekend.... Let me start this 'ole story...... I bet Erik's wife (remember....you can only add FOUR words in your post....... have a ball with this one.

My wife volunteers me for stuff all the damn time. Don't matter though....I married way over my head and she gladly puts up with my ass and all my buddies......I wouldn't if I were her, but that is why I don't hesitate to oblige her with these requests. We are on SPRING BREAK till next week so I think I'll go punch a few holes in the ole liver at the beach.......Life is soooooooooo good. Still wish Erik had the summer get together earlier in the summer. I probably can't come on August 15 dammit..... but that shouldn't curb the enthusiasm. The concept is awesome and it is something that should quite possibly be alternated between coasts. :weld:

Damn thats late in the summer..............

This event NEEDS to happen.....there is no doubt..... When can we expect a confirmed date E?

No shit..... I would not take a million dollars for the wife I have but I would not give you a damn paco for another one. :weld:

:weld: Erik, Can't make the August 22nd date DAMIT. I can probably attend the 15th. What about earlier in the summer? :weld:

Sounds like a great idea to me........hell, I need a reason to get out of south Georgia anyway. I'd be willing to make the trip just for the beer Erik is brewing......sign me up. :weld:

Interesting read here..... still hard to digest all the attention given to broken glass (bulbs and neon) When I was in First grade, a very long time ago, we made paper mosaic rattles out of light bulbs for for mothers day gifts. After we covered the bulbs and it dried, we broke the bulb. In fact, my baby sister used it as a rattle for probably her first two years. Nevertheless, the mecury police is watching us.....Maybe that was what George Orwell was referring to when he wrote "1984".....the mercury police.... No pun intended....just having some fun. :weld:

Just got back from a 12 hour field trip with my son to St. Augustine, Fla......rained the entire day....home now..... Kgirl.....you ain't right..... hope you and the boss had a great time tonight.... Ya'll take care....too tired to even fart.