Snoochie
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Posts posted by Snoochie
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Can anyone direct me to a company that can make formed polycarb faces for BP
Thanks!
Brad,
I believe these guys might help..................
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Erik,
I was going to post basically the same thing you did. I don't wait until 9-11 to praise God that i was born in the USA and thank him for all the blessings this great country has bestowed upon me.
Our First Resonders, our Law Enforcement and Military deserve nothing less. All of us deserve nothing less. Our country deserves nothing less. That flag at the top of this board says it all for me each time I log on............
But you are right, it seems that we are forgetting and that is prevalent amongst our politicians and corporate leaders who, as well, are protected and shielded by all of us but seem to put business before God and Country.
But, be that as it may, I will never forget and I know the great folks on this board won't either. Like the song said, "I get knocked down but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down"
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Badda Bing..........................5800.
Hope to be here, going strong, when the Syndicate hits 6000 members !
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I stay away from the bad payers. I do use this site when the random call comes in. But I also have one hell of a data base, and memory for slow payers. That being said, I always get paid. As soon as my wife gets the run around on a past due invoice. I make a phone call. I require an answer asap. When I get their answer, I then decide my next step. When the answer is, we're behind, we can't find the your invoice, or no answer. They get the, OK, I am contacting the property owner, and submitting my intent to Lien. Which I do. You'd be real surprised how quickly a property mgmt company/property owner can get you paid. I also explain to the sign company. As soon as I start my lien process, your bill just went up. I've only had to have my attorney write 2 letters. Those run about $375.00 extra, on the invoice.
The main deal is, you have to be willing to follow through with the lien. I am...
Mark;
I am going to enshrine this reply. You hit all the points my friend.
The last line says it all.
Just for the record, I am going to call you and Paul the Tennis/Diamond Brothers. You guys kick ass and deserve the success I know you are experiencing.
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Yes they are the Scum of the Sign Industy...BUT............I have worked recently with.........
ATLAS Signs.........................5 jobs and they paid deposits and the balance on time. So far, they are good for me
ICON.....................................Gave them another chance after years of avoiding..Met them at Orlando and they promised payment on time. We did a job and
their PO said 30 days full payment from install date. Waited 32 days and called them. At 40 days we told them I removed the the sign
their customer was not happy. I got paid by Credit Card the next day in full. No more work for them, they are the same as before.
Paul;
As usual, good feedback.......
Hopefully all is well in The NYC and the wife is getting new diamonds every year!
Stay strong my friend.
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Just to refresh this boards memory, Drum Roll please........
********** WARNING ******* After viewing this list, you may want to disinfect your computer.
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Just (12) Twelve more and it is 5800. Next stop 5900, 6000 and beyond.
Here is to the best sign board on the internet..................................
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Firstly, I hope the Tech that got injured will be OK. I never like to hear stories like this.......
I am familiar with the type of sign that tipped over. It is what ExxonMobil refers to as a 29' Twin Pole Freeway sign. They don't build them anymore but they were prevalent at one time. They originally had Plex faces but were converted to Panaflex. The sign is 29'-0" across while it stands at well over 10'-0" tall. It weighs a boatload.
I am familiar with this sign in particular because I have worked on it in the past during my sign days. I have also worked at this particular station many times in the past as an electrician.
The sign was intact and up on the twin pole mounts when I last passed by a good while ago so I don't know if the sign was being retrofitted or simply being removed and cut up. In any event, it should have never been set on the asphalt and worked on without being braced. Very possibly the crew tipped the sign over while working on it as it sat on the ground. Although the worker was not too fortunate, the fact that the sign fell back towards the poles/planter is fortunate because it could have fallen the other way and possibly involved customers as well. It is near the public entrance. Thank God........
As the other poster stated, I hope all the proper insurance is intact. Liability and Work Comp.cases will be filed. In addition, ExxonMobil is very very strict with their safety policy so some company is going to have a lot of explaining and report filling to do.They have lengthy and detailed safety procedures that must be followed and will be very interested why the dangerous situation happened in the first place. The contractor may even be banned from working at ExxonMobil for this incident.
But be that as it may, I hope that the worker is OK and can resume his or her career in the sign industry. I hope the contractor of record takes/learns something from this unfortunate incident so it never is repeated.
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What you guys are failing to disclose, is that the guy on the right, who looks curiously like the guy on the left, had a Magical Apron on which allowed him to gain superhuman powers. It was this apron that made the difference.
I would like to see a fair comparison with both fellas wearing the Magical Apron while assembling..............
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Heart warming story...........
Seems to me that this should be the Rule rather than the Exception in our country. The USA affords each of us so many blessings on a daily basis. Hopefully there are more stories like this that we just don't hear of.
Thanks for bringing it forward, Erik.
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Or was it a subliminal message, telling them what you really think of them.....................
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I said in a previous article. "Is it that bad" ???
Here it is.......A National Maintenance Company sent this to me......Their rates for doing work with them on a National Chain
Trip Charge....................................$ 39.60
Check In Charge.............................$ 39.60
AND.....A whopping $ 55.20 per hour for 1 man and a 50 ft bucket truck
Materials at 10% above cost......Their price sheet of course
Check in and Check out is a must...the clock is running
Lets say.............2 Hrs on site........$ 110.40 Plus the $ 39.60 Plus the $ 39.60 EQUALS..........$ 189.60
U N B E L I E V A B L E !!!
Paul;
So how did the job turn out? I know you took it because it is good fill in work or they have always paid in the past, right?
Or maybe better, just add some extra money to cover you when they pay at 90 days or greater. Wait, i believe you said they laid out the entire pricing scheme so that probably didn't work.
On the serious side, I get these wonderful opportunities all the time but politely decline to accept. Most assuredly, Believable.
What is Unbelievable is that they get takers for this charade and I would even venture to guess that there are some on this venue, possibly reading this response, who will take the work because of the reasons I mentioned and who knowingly will ride that runaway train right over the broken tracks.........
Look at "The Hall of Shame" list and I will bet there are some on this board still taking work, still providing free credit, still getting bent over and then rationalizing why it was the right thing to do.
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Action National
Entera
Fairmont
Regency
Icon
Sign Depot
Nationwide Sign Service & Repair
Atlas Sign Industries
Archer Signs
Loren Electric
The list continues to grow and grow.........
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They're still there and still performing their Magic on unsuspecting, and yes, even on suspecting contractors.
Be vigilant when these names come up.........
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64 more until we hit the Promise Land..................
Keep signing them up and keep them posting.
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All;
Read my response to the "Entera" thread.
At some point, the masses are going to wake up and put pressure on these "Predators" who are detrimental to Honest companies' health.
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I was contacted this month by an NSP which shall remain nameless. They wanted to use my electrical, lighting and low sign services for a fair amount of various retail stores in mall settings. On the surface, the contract they sent me to sign was seemingly fine. My rates were acceptable, travel was ok and it seemed like a good deal. In looking further at the contract, the payment terms were a blueprint for disaster.
They would pay you at "60 days OR when they got paid, whichever was the greater amount". No kidding, it was worded exactly in this way. I spoke to the person who was the contract administrator and asked what the average receivable turn was on their end. He couldn't answer or wouldn't answer. I then asked how I could verify when they got paid, and again, no answer.
This clause which they wanted to include in their contract was an open ticket to pay their subs when they wanted and at their whim. Since I can control my invoices and not theirs, they could say they got paid whenever they wanted and then pay me whenever they wanted. Hell they could bill when they wanted because I would be the open ended financier.
No way and I politely declined to sign the contract and walked away from a large contract base which was basically worthless. I would be completely financing their work and possibly (most likely) would be paid extremely slow and have a hurt put on my company
I told them if they struck out that vague clause and put something concrete in its place, I would sign. Needless to say, another opportunity with an NSP went by the wayside.
They can keep their work and I will keep my money and current customer base. I am convinced these Nationals have put all their employees on Lithium, because I couldn't fathom a sane employee asking another contractor to bend over and pull his pants down in broad daylight, while they stick it in and break it off.
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Erik,
What happened to our regular video updates by the photogenic K Girl? Hopefully you will address this when you are initiating these changes.
I didn't sign on to get yearly updates. And I haven't forgotten that Platinum Blonde look we were promised.
In any event, keep up the good work!
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I don't know for sure, but I think grounding is also non entity in 3rd world countries such as the PI and others. So it doesn't surprise me that avoidable situations like this occur. We judge everything based on what we do here in the USA but our standards are non existent in many places around the world.
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Erik;
Have you considered making a line of "Sign Syndicate" sunglasses? The next time you host a "Meet and Greet", everyone could wear the glasses just to be sure of the attendees. Probably would be more appropriate to wear them when attending another association meeting referred to on this board, which I will not name at this time. Use your imagination!
At any rate, if you decide to market a line of these sunglasses, put me down for an order right now.............
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Erik;
I think you just about summed it all up. This site has been integral with a lot of changes in my world of contracting.
I am one of those people who for contractual reasons cannot openly divulge some particulars about my information base when posting. I usually stick to some benign factoids that basically are non inflammatory and cannot construed as slanderous.
But you are spot on about the visibility this website sheds on our sacred industry. And I also have been amazed by some of the entities that peruse the information on this website. Many eyes who you would not expect are watching. I know this firsthand to be a fact.
I recently sat in a meeting here in So cal with a Petroleum/C Store entity and this site did rear its head in the conversation. A name that possibly was being bandied about in the National Forum was being discussed and a fair portion of contractors present verified the devious practices of these particular folks. I was happy to bring the SS up on a screen to let the person in charge know that maybe there was a widespread problem that was being shared by its base of contractors.
It is alleged that shortly after this meeting, the National Entity was no longer going to be in the loop. The Petro/C Store brought the maintenance back under its own wing and now feels better value is being achieved. I can't really say who all the parties were, but I can without a doubt tell you that changes were made because of, in part, this website. But mainly because of good subcontractors who were fed up with being ripped off and spoke up, changes were made. Maybe they were going to revamp their program regardless, but letting out some loud screams didn't hurt.
Change happened and I can tell you, I was glad to be a part of it. I feel as if I was part of the solution and not just bitching about the problem. I have other stories but I think, Erik, you get the idea because you have had the same experiences.
So whether or not it is a few that post and many that lurk, or vice versa, this site is a beacon out there in the trenches. I know because I, like you, have experienced it. Maybe this could be construed as biting the hand that feeds you, but if that hand wouldn't be consistently slapping you in the face, there would have been no reason to bear the teeth and bite. But Shit happens..........
Finally, I like your last phrase because it comes from a cult classic called "They Live" starring the infamous Rowdy Roddy Piper. He indeed did say " I came to chew bubble gum or kick ass and I am fresh out of bubblegum"
Keep kicking ass my friend. I will try to lay some ass whippings myself out here in the world.
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Soon to be 5800 members on The Sign Syndicate !
I, for one, am glad to be a part of this website. Thanks for making it happen, Erik.
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Starr;
Another avenue for locating Nationals that you would like to work with is right here on The Sign Syndicate. Go to the National Sign review forum where some prominent names reside. Check their respective websites for their particular list of high profile customers they service and send out your introductory letters too those you choose just like Sean suggested.
Prior to actually sending your respective letters, check with other posters on this site to get their feedback. That feedback should be readily available when pulling up those names on The SS but ask the questions again. It never hurts to be inquisitive Ad Nauseum............
Checking the nameplate on the sign is also an effective way to see who built it as well and help you with your efforts to link with whomever that company may be. Good advice.
But like my two fellow posters said, never try to go around those nationals and pursue their customers directly. That is not the way to go and it will haunt you down the road.
In any event, you have your work cut out for you. But if you are persistent, that persistence will bear fruit. But be aware, the fruit can either be sweet or sour depending on whose tree you are picking fruit from.
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Just to shed light on this whole mystery thread, let me add this information to the issue at hand.
Mark is correct that RMS (Retail Maintenance Service) did indeed change its name to "Ascential". It was then consumed by "Facility Source" which is now owned by Warburg-Pincus. WB being a venture capital and investment firm which would explain the intricacies and vagueness of their contract. I am quite sure after reading their Manifesto, it would be quite impossible to be paid on a timely basis.
However, the afforementioned RMS is not the same company as Retail Maintenance Specialists who are listed on the Sign Syndicate forum. I have experience with this company and can say that they, as well, are an avoid at all cost company. Apparently we were confusing the two companies but my friend Mark has experience with the RMS turned Ascential and has had a bad experience. But the two companies should not be confused.
Blink your eyes and the company you were dealing with has changed like a pair of dirty work pants and you never quite know who you are dealing with. This NSP "Acid Trip" our industry has embarked on is truly something to behold.
Anyhow, I still decline to work for Retail Maintenance Specialists and have amicably declined to accept any contracts from the said Facility Source/Ascential.
This website has been and will continue to be a wonderful source of information to me that has helped keep my aggravation index at a manageable level.
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Starr;
I have worked for them in the past and can heartily give them a "Thumbs Down".
They will try to hammer you for the most unworkable pricing, hound you for updates on any job they dispatch you on and then proceed to forget you after it was complete and it comes time for payment. You will have to fight tooth and nail to be paid and hopefully you will see payment at 90 days, if at all. You will hear every excuse why this all happened only to be repeated if you should take another service call. Stay away...............
I will leave you with a saying you are probably familiar with in Lafayette, LA................. Poo-Yi ! (Hopefully I spelled this correctly)
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New Sign Syndicate Shirts
in General Message Board
Posted
Erik;
Since you are talking about Pics, let me add this. On your advertisement page, the (2) pictures on the right..... well what can I say other than BeeUteefulll.
Now that picture on the left should be hanging on the wall of a post office or on some "Most Wanted" list.
But, you are still one bad ass administrator in my books and a darn good sign man to boot.
I'll be ordering a shirt soon but I do want it autographed by the photogenic "K Girl". Hey, I might even consider your autograph as well.
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