The Framers Forum

I work from my Workshop at home (sorry), so am totally reliant on advertising and my website to pull customers in, I'm wondering if the money I was going to spend on a CMC this year might be better spent on a small van with my Logo plastered all over it, any thoughts on that ?

Have you done the same thing and does it work for you ?

Adm/Bagpuss

I suggest you do both!!

Here is an idea....

http://www.cami-nv.com/fra/cami-frame.htm

Click on JOURNAL and then on nouvelles

And scroll down to the 3rd item - the van pictures

And then click on ICI at end of the text to get some more ideas

Might give you something to copy.

Good luck

You may need to do some number crunching there Adam. Which will give you the better return for the initial outlay.

You are attending the SF2011 and FF Live 2011. I am sure the CMC dealers will be doing some very good deals.

Once you have a CMC you can then increase your products to get an increase of profit.
To do that with a Van you may have to go into courier working.

Maybe it is just me, I see lots of vans running around plastered with signs and logos, yet it does not really prompt me into getting their services.
I know what my choice would be.

See you at the NEC

Hi Adam

Rather than rushing out and buying either, or both, I really think you need to invest some time and possibly money in doing a proper business plan. A coherent plan would make your question redundant.

I have vinyl lettering on the rear screen of my car. Business name, phone, web address.

It cost about £40.00 and has brought in enough business to easily justify the cost. I have even watched people read it get their mobile phone out and call us. One time I was chased across a car park by a lady who saw it and wanted some framing doing.

Unlike magazine adverts it is a one time cost.

How about getting a really big van and putting all the framing gear in it. Then you could have a mobile framing service.


"Stop Me and Frame One"

Good Idea... [ ]
Bad Idea......[ ]

*tick appropriate box.

Been there done it Prospero!

In the late 1980s I had a high top 308D Mercedes van, with all the kit in, and went round County Shows doing 'instant framing' we also used to take it to customers premises, and frame there and then.

Hard way to make a living though, and as we had shops as well, gradually the 'mobile workshop' fell into disrepair when we pinched bits off the equipment to maintain or main workshop!

A van would probably be only used as advertising, expensive advertising at that. Also if you use the van for delivery etc you are taking time away from your business. Get people to collect and buy a CMC which will add value to your business and increase revenue.

I haven't seen a van yet that can cut mounts Having said that their was a burger van (it didn't sell burgers ) kitted out to cut mounts with a mini wizard cmc on Minehead market this summer, he was doing a cracking trade, fair played to them.

Interesting thread this......

What do the panel think is the ideal framers wheels?

A often wish I had a big tranny, but they are a pain to park. Most small cars are no good for largish pictures or long things. Even hatchbacks. Pickups are great workhorses, but not much room in the cab if you need to keep things warm and dry....

This is going way off topic from Adams question.

I have a Peugeot Expert 2.2D van... superb

You could always rent a CMC by the month - easy to give up if it doesn't pay and part of the rental should go against future purchase. At least, that's the case with Wizard - and probably others.

Could you deliver by bicycle? That would be cheaper than a van and a nice old-fashioned buther's or greengrocer's bike would be noticed. (And it would help exercise those Morso muscles.)

prospero wrote:I often wish I had a big tranny....

STEADY !!!

I like the idea of a bike but haven't ridden one since I was about 10 years old so would probably need my blood group details on the advertising as well

Perhaps I should start off with one of those spare wheel adverts on the back of the my Rav4,
thanks for your comments anyway.

Adam/Bagpuss

My latest business purchase has been a bright orange (EX RAC) FORD CONNECT, known effectually as the 'Flying Carrot'. Just the sight of the 'Carrot' causes my wife to cringe and she has flatly refused to drive or be driven in it. The Carrot is due to be sign written this weekend which will enable me to promote my little industry within my local community for free, and is capable of swallowing numerous 8x4 sheets and will accommodate (just) 3m lengths of moulding. Perfect for my needs at the moment and an awful lot cheaper to run than my last 4x4. The futures bright..the futures 'Carrot'.

When I said 'tranny', a meant



Sic Transit Gloria Mundi


CMCs are very hard to park (just keeping on topic)

Trannies can't cut mounts......

I have seen magnetic advertising boards for vehicles; about the size of a car door (I guess the come in various sizes). They are like large fridge magnets. A couple of those on each side of the car and something suitable on the back might do the trick for minimal outlay.

A quick Google found these.

http://www.signsandshirts.co.uk/default.html

GS

How about a personalised plate?




I nearly bought ART 2 once. £1700. A good price at the time. But it was just at the time I was moving shop so I thought better.

That was an exceptionally good price. I wanted A14ART (AI being my company) but couldn't find it but saw A13ART for £5000 I think not.

Graysalchemy wrote:A van would probably be only used as advertising, expensive advertising at that. Also if you use the van for delivery etc you are taking time away from your business. Get people to collect and buy a CMC which will add value to your business and increase revenue.
.

If I'm honest, I would just be driving around in a van with my Logo on it, if I was driving out to customers at home or collecting material then that would be different but it might be a bit of an extravegance driving a van round with nothing but my gym kit in ... I'll give it some more thought I think.
thanks for your thoughts,
Adam/Bagpuss

As per my earlier post, try one of these?

http://www.signsandshirts.co.uk/default.html