Author Topic: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???  (Read 4045 times)

Offline Screened Gear

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I just got an email this morning from a clothing line. He said they do $800,000+ in sales every year. I am thinking that would be about $150 tops in screen printing if I am lucky. The part that he was really happy with is I use a MHM press. I have never got this before. I am interested if anyone else has. I know my embroidery guy gets alot of customers that ask the brand of embroidery machine they use. Many will not even use him unless he uses Tajima’s.


Offline blue moon

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2012, 03:17:57 PM »
one of my biggest accounts went to three shops and looked at the equipment. Not sure what the other were running, but we got the account even though we just bought the press and did not have a clue 1 when it came to printing.

Is that close enough?

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline Screened Gear

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2012, 03:30:10 PM »
Pierre,

Not sure if that counts, It could be alot of reasons they went with you. I am just surprised that it would even matter to the customer what you use to make the shirts. Not to start a my auto brand is better than yours thread again...but all autos can produce perfectly printed shirts, Some are just easier to use.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2012, 03:36:20 PM by Screened Gear »

Offline 244

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2012, 03:35:20 PM »
It is not unusual for big companies to ask what maches you have. Through the years they know some brands and or off brands are not as reliable or supported fast enough to not delay their goods. Actually a pretty good idea to ask!
Rich Hoffman

Offline JBLUE

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2012, 03:41:47 PM »
The ones that have been around the block like to know just like Rich has said. They need to know that you have reliable equipment to meet their commitment dates. I have had several ask the make and how many heads.
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Offline Fluid

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2012, 05:26:03 PM »
You will get a lot of this when approached for hot market printing.  Reebok, VF and Nike all will want to know everything about all your equipment before anything.  If you equipment doesn't measure up they will pass your shop with the quickness.


Richard
--Fluid       www.fluiddsn.com Graphic Designs, Color Separations & Film Output 15+ years Industry Experience - CorelDRAW Master® 

Offline Shawn (EIP)

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2012, 05:44:48 PM »
I lost a few customers after they asked me if I had a DTG printer and my answer was no I do not.

Offline Dottonedan

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2012, 06:06:41 PM »
We have plenty of customers that would not use a company if all they had were manuals. Another factor is the number of colors.  Some company's don't use you if you have only an 8 color press and only one of them at that. It looks like you can't handle what they might have to bring in.

I think Disney for example is an extreme example. They like company's that can do 12 colors or more...on darks.... (with special affects like Puff AND glitter).  Any of the Theme parks are like that.  They've all has so much trouble trying to get a print to look right that they just try to go to the shop that has the biggest press. Only the savvy buyers know that you don't always need to have 3 - 14 color presses or more for a company to be a benefit to them.  I will also say, that to a company like Disney. They too would think of you as more professional if you were using the press that they are familiar with as being what they use. That would be a M&R.  Just saying. I know, I know, its not all in the press... But it's all they know.
Artist & high end separator, Owner of The Vinyl Hub, Owner of Dot-Tone-Designs, Past M&R Digital tech installer for I-Image machines. Over 35 yrs in the apparel industry. e-mail art@designsbydottone.com

Offline sweetts

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2012, 09:45:50 PM »
I lost a few customers after they asked me if I had a DTG printer and my answer was no I do not.
tell em yes then contract it out
RT Screen Designs
Willowick Ohio
www.rtscreendesigns.com

Offline brandon

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2012, 01:19:34 AM »
"You will get a lot of this when approached for hot market printing.  Reebok, VF and Nike all will want to know everything about all your equipment before anything.  If you equipment doesn't measure up they will pass your shop with the quickness."

Sorry, the quote button for some reason is not working on this post.

But anyway, yeah. They contact us every year like clockwork and it is all about your presses. However, we are located in Seattle and our sport teams suck pretty bad. Like stink every year so I don't think we will ever see any of that! Hahaha

Offline inkman996

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2012, 09:30:02 AM »
We see this more so in embroidery. Some ASI brokers will not even talk to you unless you have well known and reliable machines. More importantly many large brokers will not talk to you unless you have a certain amount of heads.
"No man is an island"

Offline Donnie

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2012, 10:45:57 PM »
Pffffttt, I get jobs because of my "equipment" ::) all the time.

Offline sweetts

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Re: This is a First...Customer wants to go with me because of my press???
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2012, 07:02:19 AM »
I had a lady offer to "clean my equipment" for a discount.

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RT Screen Designs
Willowick Ohio
www.rtscreendesigns.com