What a great post Alan!
Have to admit we don't chime in much but read the discussions here like it's our sign bible.
Erik truly does have a big huge Neon target on his back. Where else would we get the facts and opinions on everything from sign magazines, associations and all other sign politics? Just read the recent post on UL. All other avenues drive on a narrow road and don't want to lose out by driving anywhere else but in middle of the road. Erik pretty much says what we are all thinking. Or put better, what needs to be said.
We have told him at times when he stops in but not all times. He and the Sign Syndicate do have their big fans from the large Nationals that ask for the world, need it tomorrow but suck at paying. We mention that we check company reviews here and maybe like a lot of others we get that long pause on the other line. We get the excuse of info is from non credible sources to misinformation on those reviews.
Friends we talk to love this site and we have always encouraged others to visit.
Sales reps come in with their pitches and hard sales especially with leds ( gawd I don't know what it is about led reps) and see we use NC, and the new Brighton leds because of what we have learned here they almost choke or pause. From the testing here on the Sign Syndicate we too built simulated signs and cabinets and just let them run and throw in strings reps wander in here with and the comments they make when they fall short in areas. When they're beat in light spread, brightness of the sign face and price some get venomous and shady. Dang, led reps are undoubtedly something else
Cheers Eric, keep up the good fight!