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  #1  
Old July 29, 2012, 02:10 PM
Skip Rosell
 
Posts: n/a
Default A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Even if you are all thumbs and don't know a screw driver from a saw check out this post on A-frame signs, ok?

Here is a link to the post by Jason.


http://www.sowpub.com/forum/showthread.php?p=29847

You back? Ok let's get started.

I read that post where he says he sells from 2 to 6 signs per week. I said to myself yea, sure in his area. What about my area. Will they sell as well in my home town?

So I decided to do a test in my area. Being cheap I didn't want to spend any money to test this out. So here is what I did and you can test this in your area the same way for zero dollars.

The first thing I did is put an ad on Craigslist the same as the ad in Jasons post. I did not buy any materials or make up any signs I just placed the free ad.

Here are the results of a two week test.

The first full day the ad was posted I got 4 calls and 2 emails.

The second day I got 3 calls.

By the third day the ad was down the list on Craigslist (your ad drops from the top to the bottom) each day as new ads are posted.

So with only a two day test I could have sold maybe 9 signs. I say maybe because since I did not have ANY signs I told each person the sign was sold. So I really didn't know how many of that 9 would show up and actually buy the sign.

So I bump the ad back to the top of Craigslist. I wanted to find out if the 9 that replied was a fluke.

The next day with my ad on top again I got 5 calls. The next day 2. This was looking good.

16 calls in less then a week. So I bit the bullet and bought some plywood and hinges, paint, etc. Had my son make up a few signs for me. Since this was not at the top of my sons list to do it took him a few days to get around to making the signs.

Only took him about 15 minutes to make each sign.

Still with my ad way down the list (I did not bump it a second time) I was still getting calls. I got a total of 8 more calls in the next 5 days before my son made the signs.

Now even though I told my son I would give him all the profit on the signs he made he said he would split the profit with me. So each sign costs $15 and they sell for $65 that leaves a $50 profit. $25 each for each sign.

So how can you do this and make the test and if it works in your area have the signs made so you do not need any knowledge of woodworking?

Go back to Craigslist and find a handyman to work with and give him the $25 to make each sign. He can make at least 4 in an hour which is $100 an hour. You make the same with NO work. In fact when the handyman makes up more signs at the same time the amount of time to make each sign is less then 15 minutes. Good hourly wage for a handyman.

There you have it. Any questions just ask and I will see if I can help.

Best of success,

Skip Rosell
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  #2  
Old July 29, 2012, 04:02 PM
sandalwood
 
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Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Skip,

What thickness is the plywood (1/2 inch 3/4 inch)?

Probably doesn't make a difference other than the price of the plywood.

Tom
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  #3  
Old July 29, 2012, 04:22 PM
Skip Rosell
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Quote:
Originally Posted by sandalwood View Post
Skip,

What thickness is the plywood (1/2 inch 3/4 inch)?

Probably doesn't make a difference other than the price of the plywood.

Tom

Thanks for asking Tom,

I tried both but I found with the 3/4 they were too heavy to carrier in and out of the store at night and in the morning. Some of the women could not lift them off the ground. So I now use just 1/2 for all the signs.

This does make a big difference in price.

As far as the kind of plywood I use PTS grade. That means Plug, Tucked and sanded. They might call is something else in your area. Just find the least expensive plywood that is smooth. That could be called A/C or B/C. just the best you can buy for under $20 a sheet. Then the hinges, paint, chain for the side so it does not open all the way will cost under $10. That way your costs are no more then $15 bucks per sign.

Best of success,

Skip Rosell
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  #4  
Old July 29, 2012, 05:19 PM
sandalwood
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip Rosell View Post
Thanks for asking Tom,

I tried both but I found with the 3/4 they were too heavy to carrier in and out of the store at night and in the morning. Some of the women could not lift them off the ground. So I now use just 1/2 for all the signs.

This does make a big difference in price.

As far as the kind of plywood I use PTS grade. That means Plug, Tucked and sanded. They might call is something else in your area. Just find the least expensive plywood that is smooth. That could be called A/C or B/C. just the best you can buy for under $20 a sheet. Then the hinges, paint, chain for the side so it does not open all the way will cost under $10. That way your costs are no more then $15 bucks per sign.

Best of success,

Skip Rosell

Thanks Skip. That was a lot of info and I appreciate it. Might try running a CL ad just to see what happens.

Tom
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  #5  
Old July 29, 2012, 08:58 PM
Don
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Hey Skip,

What section on Craigslist do you put the ad on for the A-Frames? Have you tried Bozo's headlight cleaning business. I have been doing pretty good with this business.

Don
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  #6  
Old July 29, 2012, 09:38 PM
sandalwood
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Don,

Here's where Jason says he puts it:

"Then I place a ad on Craigslist in the business section..."

Tom
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  #7  
Old July 29, 2012, 09:42 PM
Skip Rosell
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don View Post
Hey Skip,

What section on Craigslist do you put the ad on for the A-Frames? Have you tried Bozo's headlight cleaning business. I have been doing pretty good with this business.

Don

Hi Don,

Thanks for asking.

As Tom said use the business section. I have not tried any other section yet but it may be worth it to test other sections.

Best of success,

Skip Rosell
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  #8  
Old July 30, 2012, 02:55 PM
ron lafuddy
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Don, Quick Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don View Post
Hey Skip,

What section on Craigslist do you put the ad on for the A-Frames? Have you tried Bozo's headlight cleaning business. I have been doing pretty good with this business.

Don

Don,

I recently purchased Boz's updated manual for cleaning the headlights. Without giving away too much info, what method are you using to get your customers?

Ron
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  #9  
Old July 30, 2012, 03:15 PM
Eva
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Yes, I read that thread before and for sure, its a good one. Talking about signs,
do you have any idea what biz owners does with the signs as far as putting something on them? Not that it really matters because this is the biz of SELLING signs, not headlight cleaning (Ooops, did I say that...).

Craigslist seems to work fine, those are the people that are actually looking for something, not neccessarily a sign but they knew it was a steal at $65. I wonder if making up some flyers and popping in door to door, just dropping off a flyer would increase your sales? Take that back, only TESTING will tell, lol,

Eva
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  #10  
Old July 30, 2012, 03:26 PM
Skip Rosell
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: A-frame signs by Skip Rosell, eh, eh, by Jason Hatchett

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eva View Post
Yes, I read that thread before and for sure, its a good one. Talking about signs,
do you have any idea what biz owners does with the signs as far as putting something on them? Not that it really matters because this is the biz of SELLING signs, not headlight cleaning (Ooops, did I say that...).

Craigslist seems to work fine, those are the people that are actually looking for something, not neccessarily a sign but they knew it was a steal at $65. I wonder if making up some flyers and popping in door to door, just dropping off a flyer would increase your sales? Take that back, only TESTING will tell, lol,

Eva

Hi Eve,

Thanks for bringing up the use for the signs.

Some of the businesses just staple hand bills on the signs. Others have the quick print shop print up a banner to attach to the signs. Others have a sign shop or creative friend paint their message right on the sign.

But I have come up with a couple of unique tricks to help me sell the signs when the customer shows up.

If the prospect sign buyer bulks about buying the sign because they do not want to use any of the above methods I suggest they get a can of Blackboard Paint from home depot and spray the sign. Then they can write a different message every day, like a menu daily special.

Another paint that is available is magnetic paint. Then you can use magnetic letters to make up you signs.

Hope this helps.

Best of success,

Skip Rosell
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