former customer looking for art files

[Sbrem]

Thanks Andy, I was starting to rant/ramble a bit in my response to them, which I have not sent yet, because I like to mellow out a little then revisit... I just sent a quick note asking if their printing project was something we could do for them... if I can somehow not alienate them and regain the work, I'd be OK with that... I like the idea of sending that short and sweet note if they respond otherwise...


Steve

[dirkdiggler]

When we are in this situation, I always send the crappy jpeg, when they say that won't work, I tell them our technology in our shop works PERFECT with that jpeg!  Maybe your new printer should update his technology or I can just print it for you!  (with a smile)

[Frog]

Thanks Andy, I was starting to rant/ramble a bit in my response to them, which I have not sent yet, because I like to mellow out a little then revisit... I just sent a quick note asking if their printing project was something we could do for them... if I can somehow not alienate them and regain the work, I'd be OK with that... I like the idea of sending that short and sweet note if they respond otherwise...


Steve

This is a great habit to develop when posting on forums or social media as well. (At least for most of us who strive to appear civil and intelligent)

[Inkworks]

Lot's of great input, a couple of things:

#1 - this is exactly why I never task the client with going back to a printer they are trying to leave to get their artwork. It opens an avenue for that printer to retain the job. in most cases I'll just recreate it and either eat or bury the cost.

#2 - You'll never get the customer back if you be a dick about giving them the art files they request. If you are good about it they at least had a positive last transaction with you and maybe they'll come back. I'm always quick to mention to customers the ol' jpg trick from other printers if we're on the receiving end of unusable "artwork" from their former supplier.

#3 - good point on typing out what you'd like to say, then let it sit unsent for a while, sometimes just getting it typed out is cathartic.

#4 - It's a great time to try to retain the customer if they come back for art, or at least find out what they weren't happy about.

[Prince Art]

#2 - You'll never get the customer back if you be a dick about giving them the art files they request. If you are good about it they at least had a positive last transaction with you and maybe they'll come back. I'm always quick to mention to customers the ol' jpg trick from other printers if we're on the receiving end of unusable "artwork" from their former supplier.

In the same vein, one thing I weigh in these situations is word of mouth & reputation. I don't enjoy being anyone's doormat, nor do I enjoy losing money. But if you help people (even when they don't deserve it and aren't helping you), there's little bad they can say about you. But if they go away disgruntled, they may spread that to others, however unfairly. This isn't the only thing to consider, of course; but it should factor in. There's a reason WalMart takes returns on almost everything, even stuff they don't carry - they understand the long term [dollar] value of customer goodwill.

[3Deep]

I keep an extra pair of lips in my desk just for butt kissing , people will get over on you if you let them, some of us don't mine getting over on for the business and some of us tow the line at letting people get over on us

[Sbrem]

It is for a t-shirt order; I explained that giving my tools to another printer when I wasn't paid for it originally doesn't sit right with me, especially since it's another t-shirt printer. I did offer it at half price, no reply back yet. I will gladly do this with most customers, but the whole history was a bit messy, with us losing out, so I'm not sure anything was coming back anyway. She did understand my position. Thanks everyone...

Steve