I’m trying to get an estimate to replace a medium sized aluminum sign in front of the business I work for. I contacted 3 local companies for a bid. 1 returned a price so far since Thursday. Seemed outrageously expensive, IMO. Then I contacted 5 more on Monday. Still no responses.
I’m providing all of the graphics. I used to work for a sign company & the job would come fully prepared digitally. just needs production.
Are businesses doing that well they can ignore customers? Wish I was in that category.
I own a sign / print shop, and we have picked up quite a bit of business by just responding to customers. It really blows my mind. We are being praised for doing the bare minimum - picking up the phone / answering emails, giving quotes and offering basic customer service.
I know in my area there have been a lot of business owners retiring either by closing up shop or selling off their business over the last 3 years. COVID seemed to be the final straw for many people.
I can think of 6 print and/or sign shops that have changed owners and/or closed up shop in the last 3 years, which accounts for about 40% of our competition in the area.
Several of the new owners have irritated long time customers, and those customers have taken their business elsewhere.
So something simpler may be happening in your area.