JDS Corporate Award Web Site - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	30 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	9 of 14

4474.9 In reply to 4474.8

Chuck,

I'm not Steve and he's grateful. :-)

I have yet to see a generic set up for a one-piece job, unless it's a repeat of a previous layout.

I'd get paid for the time taken to create a new layout, even if those charges were buried in the engraving charge.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

EDITED: 30 Jul 2006 by DGL

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	30 Jul 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	10 of 14

4474.10 In reply to 4474.9
quote: I have yet to see a generic set up for a one-piece job, unless it's a repeat of a previous layout. David, I guess what I mean is that once a product has been set up, that is what it is. The customer is offered only that option.....anything extra is well....extra.... and one charges for the engraving......for example....a plaque from Tropar or JDS or anywhere else, is the same....and once the initial set up for the plate etc is done......the ONLY thing that gets changed is the text or the logo ( of course adding a logo is extra. Changing the text takes less than a minute, ( because the set up had been done). I"m probably not explaining it very well, but think of it as software. While software is a major rip off once the development is done, the software developers do not charge a development charge everytime one purchases software. Upgrades yes, ( think new plaque style here)... Sigh...I hope I made sense....( insert laugh here). Now it is time for my Oreo's and milk ......

From:	sprinter	31 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	11 of 14

4474.11 In reply to 4474.10

Chuck,

If you have to change the text, the setup is not the same. Making changes takes time,and yes you should charge for it.

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	31 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	12 of 14

4474.12 In reply to 4474.10
Chuck, I understand what you're saying. I wouldn't charge a set up charge for a simple trophy plate. They're essentially an autolayout, without much typography involved. A well-layed-out plaque is another matter. You wouldn't necessarily need a set up charge, but I think the cost-per-letter, or however you charge, should be more for plaques. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	31 Jul 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	13 of 14

4474.13 In reply to 4474.12
quote: A well-layed-out plaque is another matter. You wouldn't necessarily need a set up charge, but I think the cost-per-letter, or however you charge, should be more for plaques. Essentially Dave I think that is what I was saying....the Plaque costs X and if you want it engraved it will cost X more. Basically paying for the engraving time....

From:	Dee (DEENA-ONLY)	1 Aug 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	14 of 14

4474.14 In reply to 4474.8

Chuck,
On a Tropar plaque we charge their listed price and give 100 free letters. After that it is .22 a letter. We tried charging .25 per letter and met a great deal of resistance. They would say things like ,"The word that costs a dollar?". At .22 cents our customers don't seem to blink. We do not carry any low end Tropar product. Our 2nd best selling plaque in the store is item P4137 which retails for $120.00. Most end up costing the customer between 140.00-150.00 with the extra letter charge. Our best selling plaque is something we put together. We use an 8x10 gray simulated marble "wood" from Liberty and Harv cuts the brass. We charge 36.50 with 100 letters. With the extra letter charge the customer usually pays about $50.00. Our material cost is under 2.50. We sell on average 5-10 per week. The vast majority of our plaques are done for kids to give to their parents, spouses to give each other, employees to give to other employees who are leaving and for churches. These are the consumers that probably would never step into a stand alone engraving shop.

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)