Full Version: ADA - Accent Signage
From: Zonas [#1]
5 Apr 2006
To: ALL
I'd like to hear others opinions. Some might have received the email and others might not, but condensed version is:
Accent Signage is attending the international Signage Show this weekend. They are adversting...."Come see our exciting line of designer sign samples! Learn about our new dealer program to help you get started in the ADA sign business!"
I called and they are approaching contractors, sign stores, etc. (any reseller is what I was told). They will make all the signs and sell at wholesale prices. The part that is bothering me is they are approaching our (at least mine) customers which is causing me to bid against the company I had to purchase the raster system from and also the supplier of the raster beads. Since they are the supplier we all know they aren't selling them to us at cost so my raw material expenses are going to be higher than theirs just right off. I love doing ADA signage and the number one reason I was purchasing a laser was for this type of job. But I can guarantee you if the contractors around here get information like I did they will jump at a chance to purchase at wholesale prices.
{Before Accent just offered this service to the engraving industry and didn't do a national marketing at all sign companies, contractors, etc.}
How do others feel about our suppliers competing directly with us?
Zona
zona's Engraved Creations
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
5 Apr 2006
To: Zonas [#1] 5 Apr 2006
It stinks. If there is a second supplier of the same type product I hope people move to the second supplier.
My opinion is it is bad practice to compete with your customers, unless you no longer want your older customers.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
5 Apr 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 5 Apr 2006
Harvey,
There once was a time, when the line between retailer and wholesaler (and licensor and licensee) was very clear. That was long ago and I've seen, for more than a decade, where the line in the sand has been blown away.
Accent, for better or worse, is actually showing their hand, as opposed to companies who regularly "cross the line" while claiming it's not their policy.
Not saying those should come as comforting words, but desperate times, sometimes evoke desperate measures.
I can't see a company, on firm financial ground, shooting themselves in the foot, by doing an end run on their licensees.
I'm sure stranger things have happened, under the heading of "doing what needs to be done." <shrug>
EDITED: 5 Apr 2006 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
5 Apr 2006
To: Bridget (BBURKEL) [#3] 6 Apr 2006
The natives (licensees) seem to be restless.
Does your company have any words of encouragement, for those who have become licensed by your company, to provide braille architectural signage, in light of the news Zona is reporting?
Thank you,
From: Jim (RETAIL74) [#5]
5 Apr 2006
To: Zonas [#1] 5 Apr 2006
Accent is a sign company that sells to other sign companies. The lines get a little bit fuzzy. Institutions, Contractors, and retail trophy shops are turning to signage because companies are constantly trying to maximize profits. Contractors look at adding signage just like they now employ specialized labor, like plumbers and painters. Like it or not, your customers are seeking signage, not the other way around.
I met the folks at Accent Signage six years ago at a sign trade show. They have been pretty clear that they only sell to resellers. The sign shops and contractors are resellers. It's unfortunate that sometimes you may end up bidding against them, but you will find that their prices are in line with the industry. They don't low ball by any means.
I understand that your frustrated because it appears that they are competing against you. It only happens when you are wholesaling product to other companies. There are some lousy companies in every industry. This is not one of them. If anything, they go out of their way to stay away from customers.
I do want to disclose that I am an Accent customer. They hot stamp name badges for me.
From: Zonas [#6]
5 Apr 2006
To: Jim (RETAIL74) [#5] 6 Apr 2006
Jim, I've purchased from them also AND I want to stress that I have had great service from them also. Yes, I have considered using them when bidding jobs that I was concerned were larger than I felt I wanted to take on. My concern (which started this posting) is I have to mark up what they sell to me, but a contractor does not directly resale to their customer. They are just able to profit more money from the job when they can get their signs at wholesale. Selling to other sign/engraving shops does not bother me as we will all mark up our products. To be selling to contractors is siimilar to an electrican that bids $xx to complete the job, but if he is able to get some items at half price he's still going to charge you $xx and pocket the profit not give a discount. I guess what it boils down to where is the line drawn to determine if you are a reseller or end user?
Zona
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
6 Apr 2006
To: Zonas [#6] 6 Apr 2006
I see that Bridget (Accent) has read my question to her. Hopefully, we'll get an official response.
From: Bridget (BBURKEL) [#8]
6 Apr 2006
To: Zonas [#1] 6 Apr 2006
I am General Manager for Accent Signage and I am responding to the issues and concerns raised by Zonas. I do understand your concerns and I want to be very clear about Accent's business policy.
Accent is a wholesaler of custom interior signage as well as the holder of the Raster(tm) Braille patents. Wholesale means that we do not sell to the end user of the signage. We are outsource wholesale fabricators and we sell only to customers who are re-sellers. That is, they will mark-up our wholesale prices and charge their customer retail prices.
Our customers consist of retail sign fabrication shops, engraving and award shops, signage brokers and construction companies. None of these clients are end users and they all mark up our pricing to retail. Occasionally, we might have two wholesale customers asking for a bid on the same job and we give them both the identical pricing; how much mark-up they add on afterwards is not in our control. There are very few contractors in our customer list, but they are legitimate wholesale customers. Occasionally this may cause a conflict with a signage retailer who is not dealing directly with the end user, but this is a very rare occurrance. Also, we are very protective of our customers' client relationships. If we have done a job for an account like Zonas, and their customer tries to by-pass Zonas and buy from us directly on a re-order or new job, we will not sell to them as long as we know they were the customer we did the job for through Zonas.
Yes, we sent a general invitation out to our customers inviting them to our ISA booth in Orlando. However, anyone going to our booth will very clearly see that we are wholesale only and I invite you to go and see for yourselves. We would be delighted to spend some time with you showing you our latest technologies and ADA sign samples.
Zonas, I would specifically ask you to contact me directly if you ever come across a situation where you feel we are selling retail to an end user or are dealing directly with a contractor for whom we've done work through your shop in the past. I will do my utmost to resolve the problem to your satsifaction. Supporting our Raster(tm) Braille licensees is hugely important to Accent.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to clarify our position.
Sincerely,
David Rivard
General Manager, Accent Signage Systems, Inc.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9]
6 Apr 2006
To: Bridget (BBURKEL) [#8] 6 Apr 2006
It is such a pleasure to have venders on this forum. Any problems, or perceived problems, can be worked out fast. That is to the benefit of the venders and the engravers.
Thank you for your thorough response.
EDITED: 6 Apr 2006 by HARVEY-ONLY
From: David (DRIVARD) [#10]
6 Apr 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9] 6 Apr 2006
Thank you for the positive feedback, Harvey. It is great to have a forum where industry members can share information and help each other.
Thanks for doing this.
Regards,
David Rivard
General Manager
Accent Signage
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11]
6 Apr 2006
To: Bridget (BBURKEL) [#8] 6 Apr 2006
Thank you David. We appreciate you stating Accent's position.
Although I've only had one order processed through your company, I found the quality of workmanship to be excellent, the price very fair and the assistance of Tommy Tousey invaluable.
Good company to do business with.
All the best,
EDITED: 6 Apr 2006 by DGL
Message 3438.12 was deleted
From: bobkat [#13]
6 Apr 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#12] 8 Apr 2006
David,
He meant David. Look at how the posts were signed
From: David (DRIVARD) [#14]
7 Apr 2006
To: ALL
Hi David:
Thank you for your support and words of encouragement. Always good to know what we're doing right as well as what we're doing wrong!
Regards,
David Rivard
General Manager
Accent Signage
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15]
7 Apr 2006
To: David (DRIVARD) [#14] 7 Apr 2006
When an issue with an industry supplier becomes a forum topic, I'm not a fan of discussing the issue behind a suppliers back.
I attempt to bring all parties into the discussion, in hopes of reaching a conclusion.
Thank you for taking part. Some aren't as willing. :-)
From: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#16]
2 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15] 2 May 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17]
2 May 2006
To: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#16] 2 May 2006
Good luck. Techniques and technologies change so rapidly these days, I don't know if we'll ever get completely up to speed.
It's fun trying though. :-)
The NBM shows www.nbmshows.com have a smattering of sign industry exhibits, but I've never visited a full-blown sign industry show.
Probably too much for me to comprehend.
From: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#18]
2 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17] 2 May 2006