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Hi,
You don't have to buy a franchise to own your suscesfull Sign Shop.
I can help you Build a suscesfull Digital Sign Shop for a fraction of what you would pay for a franchise. I can help you choose all the equipment you may need to star your bussiness and train you with the right software and all the techniques of application of vinyl as well as digital impressions.
My name is Hector Vergara, I am a 13 years Sign Profecional who has the experience necesary to help you start your New Bussiness. I am available to travel at the moment that requires it. I also speak Spanish and Portuguese.
You can contac me at my number: 1-305-542-2492
I also own a franchise and I would not recommend it to anyone who can get help starting up elsewhere. Everything you stated is nothing but sales hype. Shortly after opening my business I called my tech rep for assistence. He asked what I was calling for. I asked what his job was and he said to set up new stores. Anyone who is serious about their business realizes you have to do a mailing and marketing, and you can get your own printed cheaper than buying from the frachisor. The recognition means little and you can go to an ISA or USSC show.
A franchisor's business is selling businesses, not making you successful. As a matter of fact it's to the franchisor's benefit if you fail because they can churn your business. Several of the shops in my franchise have had multiple owners. The franchisor made money of each prior owner's failure. Banks prefer lending money for franchises? Of course they do! They know when a franchisee is about to go bankrupt the franchisor will step in to sell the business to another idiot saving the bank a ton of money and other problems.
And the franchisor is always there to collect a royalty based on gross profits even if the franchisee is losing his shirt. They actually contribute to a struggling shop owner's demise.
Well I do not know what franchise you are. I have worked for several sign shops within this franchise and they do not treat their people that way. That is why they are the largest sign franchise in the world. If they treated their people and their franchise system that way they would not be the largest or the best. They have always been there for complete support and information. You can not get what they give you on your own.
If you have already worked for someone for several years and have customers and contacts then maybe you can start in your home and work your way out. It will take some time and struggling but you can probably make it. What Hector is offering is ridiculous without more knowledge and information than just what equipment is good etc. I am sure plenty of sign shop owners would have a lot of different thoughts on what is the best equipment to start with as well.
As far as going to the ISA etc they are good shows but they do not offer the individual owner any recognition or attention or pep support; which is what the franchised yearly shows do. They give awards, plaques and this does helps an owner alot. They even give awards on a monthly basis for sales quotas. You do not get that kind of recognition on your own. You must be much tougher and determined with a lot of self perserverance.
Mind you I am not a huge franchise supporter but if I had the money I would buy into this franchise rather than my own shop purely for what they do offer you with national recognition etc.
Many a person has come here from another state and even another country and they have said, "Oh we saw your FULL PAGE ad in the yellow pages and we used "*" in South Carolina or Malasya. We know you are a good company and all follow pretty much the same standards for quality, etc.."
A private sign shop usually can not afford a full page ad the first 3-5 years they are in business.
Also let's talk equipment - what an individual can purchase on the onset is limited unless they have a lot of money. This franchise sets you up and trains you not only on vinyl cutting equipment but some top of the line digital print and cut equipment. Which opens up a whole different world of opportunities in the sign industry than just vinyl signs.
So please, some franchises do suck I am sure. I have had experiences with a other franchises as well. The particular franchise I know of is far worth what they ask as a fee for their identity and support. And they are listed as one of the top 3 franchises in the world.
By the way I am not saying that a franchise is the only way to go. All I was saying is that what Hector is offering anyone can find on the internet.
You and I own the same franchise. All I can say is that I made a huge mistake and regret it. My support after startup was next to nil. I think that any half intelligent person can do a little research and accomplish the same without the huge up front outlay for overpriced equipment and without committing themselves to that royalty for the rest of eternity. I actually got more help from my local competitors than I did from the franchisor.
I don't get it, you say who can a afford a full page yellow pages ad? or the modern digital equipment? Does the franchise pay for the ad? Or the equipment? No, they make sure you have the money to pay for the start up, no different than a person setting up shop by themselves, financing and outsourcing are available to anyone. The franchise offers a system,training and name recognition/advertising (maybe), but you pay for this too, upfront and every month. Most franchises around here that haven't failed are on their second or third owner. I know of no experienced sign person who bought a franchise.
You are right - most experienced sign people do not buy franchises - most people that buy franchises are people buying an investment and are dependent on hiring experienced people - but I know 3 people that were totally inexperienced and bought this franchise and last year they NET PROFITED $250,000 ---------- I repeat last year they [size=18][b]NET PROFITED $250,000[/b][/size]. That is a lot of profit for a 'VINYL SHOP ONLY" with not but 3 employees. These shops have been open for 5 years. Now you show me an independent sign shop that has that much profit after 5 years.
Maybe it is just your rep cause the rep for this area is great and all the tech support people are fantastic as well - they have sent people out to work with these shops - they made arrangements for all the marketing pieces and mail out for the first year etc.
Yes you do have to pay for your yellow page ad but for an individual to pay for a yellow page ad is far too expensive but when you colaborate with the other 4 shops in the city and split the cost then it becomes (still expensive) but reasonable and workable. Yes there are royalities but there is a cap on the royalities and it is reasonable. Again your rep must just be out for his own self cause the other reps I know and have met over the years are very much into seeing that the individual owners make it. They even come by on a regular basis and check in.
Again I would buy this franchise if given the moneyand opportunity.
I even had an outside person contact me and tell me that they were putting together a different kind of sign franchise and wanted me to develop their setup and marketing - but I would not feel comfortable sharing the knowledge I have acquired to develop a competing franchise. Just not possible to compete with what this franchise has to offer.
Email me...I'll give you driving directions to my shop so you can come and see for yourself - an independent shop making that kind of net profit.
Oh, by the way, the franchise shop in my area is up for sale after less then 1 year in the biz.
SW
I think if you have sign experience, some sales experience, and a pretty good grasp on small business basics you can do it on your own.
Visit: www.sign-tracker.com
This is a great system for start-up sign shops (and growing ones).
Good Luck!
[quote="Joe Arenella"]I think if you have sign experience, some sales experience, and a pretty good grasp on small business basics you can do it on your own.
Visit: www.sign-tracker.com
This is a great system for start-up sign shops (and growing ones).
Good Luck![/quote]
Does your sign tracker.com software also post automatically to this web site? Will it make me coffee in the morning and give me a daily affirmation?
Are you a terminator from the future that has sent back here to start the machine versus man war?
[quote="SignManToo"]You and I own the same franchise. All I can say is that I made a huge mistake and regret it. My support after startup was next to nil. I think that any half intelligent person can do a little research and accomplish the same without the huge up front outlay for overpriced equipment and without committing themselves to that royalty for the rest of eternity. I actually got more help from my local competitors than I did from the franchisor.[/quote]
If you've gotten no support from your local rep, let the franchisor know. They can't fix what they don't know is broken. If a franchise owner fails, it's because they didn't follow the system. You bought a franchise for a reason, for the system. If a person buys a franchise and doesn't follow the system or tries to change it, they are setting themselves up for failure. I work for the corp office of a franchise, probably the same one that signdesignlv works for. I visit my new stores/owners at least once a month until they are comfortable. I visit my successful stores a few times a year unless they call me for help, then I'm there with in the week.
Franchises don't make their money from franchise fees but from royaties. Also it makes a brand more valuable if the franchisees are successful. I have been a shop owner and thought the same way but after working for a franchise and seeing the value, it's the way to go.
Call your rep or his/her manager and complian if you are not getting the support you need. Don't ask for it, demand it! If you don't, you own just as much rsposiblilty as your franchisor.
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Well that is all good that you can help them do that --
I have been in the industry over 25 years and I could do that as well
Franchises offer a lot more than what you are offering - are you going to be there forever to offer this shop technical support, employee support and training, initial mailing and marketing and materials, materials buying power, world wide recognition, yearly conventions of tremendous support and knowledge? Franchises are a lot more than just buying some equipment and learning to use some software - please.