Snoochie

The individual him or herself is the final test of ones committment to any trade. I have never been affiliated with unionized sign hangers but I am sure there are losuy technicians in both the union & non union shops. What I can say as a side note, I have been affiliated with unions as they pertain to the straight electrical trade. And I have seen union electricians who were both good and lousy. Same goes for non union electricians. What I will say though, unionized trades are paid at a extremely higher level than non union trades. The benefits are also basically insane and I wonder how they pass the costs along. Most of the major projects going on in California that I have observed utilize union trades and the workers make a boatload of dollars. A good friend of mine is a union electrician foreman and he isn't hurting in these rocky economic times we find ourselves in. So while the union doesn't guarantee a solid technician it does guarantee that technician a solid paycheck. And before you think it.......... no I am not a union member or supporter. I just observe what I see and tell it like it is. Dominic

The problem is that there is a shortage of qualified labor in the trades at the present. The current sentiment in the country seems to be that only a college education and a job that is nothing more than shuffling papers is the correct path to success. Hence, many are pursuing that avenue. I always have believed that it is extremely important to build the buildings, the roads and all the rest of those things that are vital to our country and will continue to believe that. However, the generation coming up are seduced in other directions. Why get your hands dirty for $50,000 per year when you can shuffle paper for a Wall Street firm, bank, insurance company or others for much more. And your hands can stay clean. Remember, aren't we told by the financial experts that we are no longer a "Manufacturing" economy rather a "Service" economy? Well the new generation coming up and many who could transition into the trades aren't doing so. Our business and government leaders spoke and the people listened. You raise little Johnny and from the day he is able to first walk, you extoll the virtues that can only come from going to college and working with his head. Why the hell would he want to work with his hands. And guess what, he isn't. Which leads us back to the present scenario, we all are having problems finding good help if we can find help at all. Until we once again put a face of dignity on becoming an Electrician, Sign Hanger, Plumber, Factory Worker or whatever, this will only continue to replicate itself. Maybe it is an honorable thing to work with your hands as it is the head that drives that function. Hopefully we will transition into this mindset. But in the meantime, get used to the shortage. Best of luck to all........ Dominic

Chubby; That is an intergral part of the play. They are absolutely trying their damndest to make sure they make the sale before the customer talks to a professional like yourself and ends the process. Just as a side affront, I recently replaced an interior ballast for a customer as a favor while doing some electrical work. I checked the back of the Advance ballast for a date stamp and it was dated 1992. The ballast lasted some 20 years and the customer probably paid a fair amount at the time. He definitely paid a fair amount this time. The lamps and ballasts are going to last a fair amount of years on their own. There is no such thing as a super lasting lamp or ballast. But if you pay $46.00 for a lamp that should cost $7.00, the seller can afford to give you a freebie now and then. He also knows you may not be in business down the road or even worse, he may not be in business and the sale is a profit generator. That is just a portion of the scam,,,,,,, Dominic

This is a very old scam perpetrated time to time by new players.............. Dominic

Hate to sound vague in some parts, or even sound like I’m speaking in code, but I am. Erik; Feel free to speak clear, concise or vague if you choose to, because by reading your many illustrious diatribes over the past year, I know you are a passionate person. Passionate about your trade, your family and your country. Unfortunately, many are not and are driven by the dollar sign derived by short term principles and subsequently the gain. I get that you are keen on the role of large government and its role on business. However, I am here to tell you that they are synonymous. They are one and the same. The large corporations buy and sell the politicians like baseball trading cards to achieve whatever end they want. Republicans and Democrats are equally complicit in the house of prostitution. So are many of the associations you have listed. No entity wants equality or competition, rather it wants advantage. Low and behold, they find it or purchase it. Whatever is most expedient. My advice to you and anyone else who would care to listen would be as follows. Always, always see things for what they are. Never see them through the prism of what you would like them to be.Strive to change those things you don't like but don't confuse the two. To paraphrase a brilliant human being who came before all of us on this board, I give you the following. Know not yourself nor your enemy and you will loose all the battles. Know yourself but not your enemy and you will win some of the battles. Know your enemy but not yourself and you will win some of the battles. But......... know yourself and your enemy and you will win all the battles. Keep battling, Erik my friend, with an unjaded eye.......... Dominic

Hey, you kicked me like the proverbial "Missouri Mule". I forgot to add that all my vehicles, both business or personal, are either Ford or Chevrolet. You can keep those "Rice Rocket" cars and stick em where the sun don't shine. Continued success to you and your company. Likewise to all those on this board. Sorry to rant, but I am a firm believer in "Made in the USA"' And like something a family member always tells me. You can outsource and build just about anything in a foreign except one thing.......... A United States Marine. Dominic

God Bless you my American brother. This is a sore subject with me and I couldn't agree with you more........ It pisses me off when "Made in China" is on the label of the multitude of crappy products that are shoved down our throats. I buy only Klein tools for my personal use even though they are more expensive. Made in Chicago, Illinois USA. A family member, a short while ago,got back from Iraq and I have another serving in Afghanistan and guess what, not one Chinese soldier is there standing shoulder to shoulder with our servicemen.........not one. All they do is fuel mischief around the world and our fine upstanding "Multi National corporations based in the USA kiss their hind ends on a non stop basis to make a cheap buck. You got it right my friend, buy American where possible. Demand more products are made here in "Our" country.The next job lost could be your own........ Dominic

Just for curiosity sake, what exactly are you looking for? I notice your ad says Sign Technicians/Electrician. I know a few individuals who are looking for work in the trades, have some sign experience but are stronger in the electrical trade. Are you looking for sign experience with a broader electrical background or are you looking for Sign Technicians and an electrician ? Just asking as i might be able to refer some good people your way....... Dominic

ChubbyGumby; Never...........................our government here in California is pure as the driven snow. Hope all is well with business in your neck of the woods my friend. Dominic

But isn't it true that the reason that gasoline or deiesel is so high in Europe is because the taxes on fuel are very high ? And doesn't those taxes fund mass transit, free education and health care for all citizens ? I'll pay $7.22 gladly if I no longer need to fund health care, can ride the train for almost no cost or send my kids to college for free. I am definitely not an expert on Europe but am I correct ?? For the record, in Iraq I believe gasoline is about 20 cents per gallon. I don't live in Canada, Europe or the middle east so I only worry about me getting screwed in California........ Dominic

Sorry, forgot the photo................. Dominic

I worked on a small oil company remodel last week. At the beginning of the week,Monday, the Regular Unleaded was $3.91 per gallon. By Wednesday of that same week the prices were as the picture indicated as I was leaving the jobsite. Some other trades were still working through the end of the week so I don't know what the prices ultimately ended up as. But I do know that I looked through the station "Cheat Sheet" that is sent out by the corporate office and increases were in order for at least the rest of the week. This particular city is listed as a BAP city so I can only assume the Regular Unleaded is somewhere near $4.40 per gallon. The rest of the prices would rise by an equal percentage. Over this last weekend I was in Del Mar California and the prices were in the $4.39 to $4.45 range for Regular Unleaded. I didn't look at the daily "Cheat Sheet" for the station I worked at, but I can only assume prices are going to rise as Del Mar is also listed as a BAP city. Best of luck dealing with rising prices.................. Dominic

Eric; How goes it in the San Diego area ? It is getting completely out of control here in Orange County with the fuel prices. I know everybody thinks I am either kidding, crazy or both but the situation that I have outlined is actually real. I met with someone in a position of authority from a nameless oil company and the push really is on. I can only guess that San Diego has been hit pretty hard the last couple of weeks because it like New York City, Chicago, Laguna, Irvine and others this side of the world are listed as "BAP" cities by the oil companies. "BAP" being short for "Bend and Pop" by the majors. You know, bend over and they proceed to pop it in. They target specific cities that they know they can get away with murder at because of higher salary numbers present at these cities. Witness the inflation numbers listed by the government today. They are going out of sight due to soaring fuel and food and the situation is only going to get worse. This is the main reason why I don't operate the large crane/ladder trucks anymore but stick to small service trucks as I have focused more on the straight electrical portion of the trade. I use the C 45 less and my C 10 more as I stick to that type of work. I have already instituted a "Fuel Service Charge" to my pricing but that along with higher labor rates will only lead to reduced work flow. Nobody will have any green left after the Major Oils are through with the magic show. Best of luck to us all............................

All; I just had a conversation today with some folks from a major oil company and the onslaught is gearing up and ready to take off immediately. The operation is dubbed "Operation Bend Over" and will be hitting gasoline pricing at the pump in your area as we speak. I operate out of Orange County California and the past 2 days have been hit with some substantial price hikes. I just finished a job in Whittier California at a major and the owner showed me what the price is going to be tommorrow. Another 20 cent raise. The target is $5.00 by April with more increases to follow. It doesn't look as if the XL deal is going to be reality and the prospects for a nice war with Iran are also not looking to promising so the oil companies have just taken the initiative on their own to raise prices without the benefit of any excuses. How dare the American public not allow Exxon and the rest to instigate an attack on Iran so the oil prices can rise above $200.00 per barrel. Hence the title of the latest offensive "Operation Bend Over". Tune your trucks up and start scheduling with more precision and if you are not adding a surcharge for fuel on your invoices........get ready. Also, a little bit of trivia for you. For every .01 hike in gasoline pricing, it costs the economy 1.03 Billion dollars annually just like a tax increase. Get ready fellow contractors, the oil companies are coming and they are coming with a fury.

Mr. Axiom; Are you planning to develop and market this line of bulb in a higher Kelvin Temperature color? Some of the places I service use 4000 + PL bulbs in their ceiling fixtures. Thanks

Touche........................ My question to you, though, is when is The City of Toronto going to get a real hockey team ??? I thought you guys used to have one. And the Raptors, well, they suck as well. Even us California hockey fans have a Stanely Cup with The Ducks. Just kidding........... Have a good one.

Erik; While I am in agreement with you, apparently both George W. Bush and Barack Obama are not. Doesn't matter if you are Republican or Democrat, when you arrive at Washington DC you immediately must sell your soul............... Bush on auto bailouts: 'I'd do it again' "Sometimes circumstances get in the way of philosophy," said George W. Bush during his speech last week in Las Vegas, referring to his normal stand in favor of free trade. By Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit Bureau It has become one of the rare things that binds the two men, the controversial bailout that was begun by former President George W. Bush and completed by his successor, President Barack Obama. The latter defended his actions during the recent state-of-the-union address, during which he declared “The U.S. auto industry is back.” His predecessor used a meeting of the nation’s auto dealers to defend his own actions, insisting he had no other choice but to completely sink the American economy. “I’d do it again,” proclaimed Bush, speaking to the annual convention of the National Association. The bailout, which ultimately totaled $85 billion, was originally begun during the waning days of the Bush administration. With a specific rescue effort rejected by Congress, the former Commander-in-Chief decided to tap into a separate, $700 billion fund Capitol Hill did approve for the bailout of Wall Street and the banking industry. “Sometimes circumstances get in the way of philosophy,” said the ex-president, during his speech in Las Vegas, referring to his normal stand in favor of free trade. “If you make a bad decision, you ought to pay,” he said, referring to the collapse of both General Motors and Chrysler. But Bush also noted that coming on top of the failure of Lehman Brothers, the meltdown of the banking industry and the collapse of the housing market, a painful shift in policy was needed. “I didn’t want there to be 21 percent unemployment,” he stressed, echoing forecasts at the time that the loss of GM, Ford and the automotive lenders also covered by the bailout could lead to the loss of 1 million jobs. Dominic

I currently work on ARCO AM/PM stations. I have completed (2) complete electrical and signage remodels and am working on (2) others, but this is in California. I will see if I can glean any information about how to procure work in your state but can't promise anything. I will forward any information that I can dig up to you.......

Couldn't agree more. Along with other valuable information and interactions on this site, I really look to the information that I glean about Nationals who get reviewed on this board. This information alone is worth the time spent here. And, I agree with Chubbygumby, not all are deadbeats. But those who are give a stain to all those who are not and actually cultivate mutually beneficial relationships that are economically beneficial to both parties. Dominic

When is everyone going to finally understand that this is how many of these Nationals operate. You do the the work, they delay and they string out the payment process in hopes you will give up and walk away or possibly take pennies on the dollar. But if you are extremely persistent to the point of severe hostility, they will pay you somewhere down the line. Now I am not saying that "All" Nationals are this way but after reading the posts over the year on this board, I can only conclude "Many" operate in this manner. It is a sad testimonial to our industry but it is a reality in many cases. I would suggest being very careful who you work for and make sure all the t's are crossed and i's dotted before embarking on the adventure. Dominic

I have to take exception to your post. The Sign Syndicate is doing its part to better the industry just as I am sure you feel you are doing your part. This board is proof positive that Erik isn't standing on the sidelines and just hurling stones. He is in the fight. You may not like what he has to say, but it does not diminish his contribution in any fashion. What I will also say is that being affiliated with this board has helped my business tremendously in staying away from so many of those deadbeat national companies that most assuredly comprise the membership of the organizations you listed. That along with the feedback that I have received online and by telephone from others on this board, with technical questions, has been invaluable to me as well. Erik has his opinions and valid points just as you most likely do. If you don't like what is posted by him on this board, simply do not log on and read what he has to say. It is a free country and he is entitled just like you are to express his views. If you feel it is a waste of time to respond to him, by all means don't............. Best of luck to both The Sign Syndicate and your organizations going forward. Dominic

You nailed it exactly!! They dangle the work because they know most contractors are not running at full capacity and that it will look inviting on the surface. But then the fun starts with the overdue invoices, the excuses and sometimes no pay at all in the end. This is the game and it is perpetuated because many continue to take the bait instead of holding firm as you suggest. Unfortunately, I think there will be many painful lessons inflicted and learned in the future. It is a shame that it works this way...........

I currently provide service to a Petroleum Contractor in Oceandside, California. I do sub contract work, but he has about 25 in house technicians. They all have company phones that were supposed to be used for business only. The techs honored the "Business Only" rule for a short while before using the phones as their personal means of communication and information. Currently it has spun out of control and he is in the process of scrapping the smart phone in the field concept. Maybe you have employees who can handle the responsibility, but the company I am associated with just didn't. Just keep a close eye on the accounting and control side of the program. Best of Luck.......... Dominic

I haven't worked for this company but know them as they are in the next city over from my office. I know some sign techs who have worked for these folks and they do have a fairly high turnover of staff. They are basically a small company and are not in the same league as Coast Signs, YESCO or some of the other large nationals around the country. I think the person that is the contact is Candi Gledhill. They are an established company here in California and have an owner relationship with Signs & Services in Stanton, California. I believe the name to know is De ruyter who has the connection in both companies. Their office is in an commercial/industrial area of Anaheim and the facility is professional in appearance. They do have a high turnover of employees on a continuing basis but who doesn't nowadays. They have some high profile accounts so i would assume they pay on time. But I would advise you to take all the normal precautions you would when starting any new account. Remember, you are in one state and they are in another so always proceed with basic caution.