Signs On Trucks

Oregon_Rob

How effective is putting signs on trucks and trailers? How much work do you generate from people that say they saw one of your trucks on the road? Any other advantages?

mdshunk

I havn't got any idea, but it seems like the thing to do. It does give you some credibility when you roll up to the house. I have to think that the effictiveness would be darned difficult to gauge. Even if you got zero business as a direct result of truck lettering, the benefits you receive from "top of mind awareness" are great. I've had people ask how many trucks we have, because they see them all over the area. Truthfully, we only have but a few, but run lots of calls per day per truck, so it looks like we have 50 trucks since you see them all over.

I do some work on a military installation, where commercial labeling on the truck is prohibited, so there's one truck for that purpose.

Fact is, lettering a truck is relatively inexpensive. It won't hurt a thing, and it likely has benefits. For the modest investment required, it isn't worth the intellectual effort required to try to determine exactly what the amount of benefit might be. Chances are you're gonna take your truck(s) to the sign shop anyhow to at least have your license numbers put on if that's required in your are.

Brushslingers

One of the questions we ask when we get a call, where did you hear about us? About 4% calls from the signs on the trucks. Another 2% from T-shirts.

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Benn

wolffhomerepair

I have had numerous people stop me in the parking lots due to the truck signs. I have also noticed people stopping and writing the number down. I have no idea how many leads are due to them but I do know people notice them.

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" Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time "

dougchips

I am getting my trailer lettered this week, had it painted bright yellow last week. The lettering guy is adding a "take a brochure" box on it side of it.....hopefully people will take a brochure and not leave garbage in it.

Now to answer your question. You will have a 100% chance to receive the following calls:
1. Your driver cut me off.
2. Your driver passed me going MPH (I guess everyone has radar).
3. The brake light is out in your____truck/van.
4. Your driver gave me the middle finger.

You must be very careful about your driving when in a lettered truck. It is very hard answering a call for one of the above listed violations while driving and pretending that you are not the driver who pissed of the caller. If you can not control your driving habits then rehearse some canned responses, "is the driver that gave you the middle finger driving a white van or my blue box truck.......I will fire him!" Try not to laugh while acting upset.

R&S Exteriors

AtlanticWBConst

We:

Have lettered Trucks, trailers, T-shirts, Lawn signs, Business cards, decent letter-heads...etc.....

.... To this day we have not generated even one single job from these.
(we did get one phone call, and no call back after we left a message)

BUT, we have generated MANY, many jobs from people asking our customers about us. They see the signs, etc...and ask the current customers about the work. Fortunately for us , we have always had good feedback.

Word of mouth is the real key. To us, the signs, shirts, trucks, etc., just let people know who we are, and that we are a legitimate and serious company.....it also adds a level of professionalism.

What I mean is that, the 'fly by night' scum bags that are screwing people.....generally don't show up in matching company shirts, lettered trucks. They also are rarely licensed, and registered with the state (We like to include that on things)

I feel that by showing who you are publicly (company name. license, registration, etc...) ...that you are a genuine bonified company...

this helps to build people's trust, along with high quality work....

Just my 2 cents..adjusted to current copper prices = 82 cents.

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Debookkeeper

Ummm - maybe you should try printing them in English?
Sorry, feeling a little punchy tonite, but lettered vechicles are a good idea, I think it looks professional (good way to fool people!) What I HATE is when the guys put the lettering on the bug deflector backwards! I'm sorry, more people will read the bug deflectors as they are passing in the opposite direction, not out of their rear view window

**note** please don't be offended if you have the backwards lettering on the bug deflector - I am sure it looks on your vehicle!!

Tom R

It's a billboard on wheels.

Why would you not??

Greg Di

Yep. It IS a billboard on wheels.

Although I am starting to think that mine looks too nice since most new customers look at the truck in the street when they answer the door for the estimate and say "Hi, That's a nice truck you've got there"

Kind of like showing up to do an estimate in a Mercedes. People think that you are making too much money. I don't want to work for people like that, but I know that some people really think they are getting a good deal if you pull up in a POS.

BTW, that's my old truck in the sig photo....

FCPWLLC

I think that the signs DO show professionalism and commitment to being in business for the long haul. We all know that there are guys that won't make the investment because they may be Part-timers or "Just started". That sign on truck may not have generated the call but just may be the small detail that closes the sale. I get calls all the time but not really because the sign was cool but because they saw my License plate... PWR WSH.

http://www.firstchoicepowerwashing.com/f450.html

http://www.firstchoicepowerwashing.com/silverado.html

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Lexington, KY 859-983-5955, Member of Better Business Bureau, Greater Lexington Apartment Association ,Insured and Licensed
Pressure Washing Cleaning Service Lexington KY

joasis

Here is mine:http://www.contractortalk.com/attach...1&d=1157309168

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Murphy

We dont have lettering on the trucks because my insurance agent told me that the price will go up 40% is this typical?
I would like to have a nice lettered truck like Tom R but my neighborhood won't let me park it in my driveway so I would have to get something small enough to fit in my garage.

maj

I think I would find a new insurance agent AND a new place to live.......... That's crazy.

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jmic

Tom,
Nice set up. Have you had this truck long? Just curious.

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Joe

FCPWLLC

The lettering itself shouldn't increase your insurance. However, being used commercially does. You might want to make sure that you are covered for commercial use.

We have neighborhoods here where you can't have a commercial vehicle in driveway. HOA's in high end areas don't like the "image". LOL

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Pressure Washing Cleaning Service Lexington KY

Tom R

It's a 2003, - - I've had it 3 years . . .

It's the one I usually work out of, - - but this one (2000) is loaded up with tools too. I usually use this one to do my running around.

Debookkeeper

Murphy - same deal where I live (certain towns) not allowing lettered trucks in the driveway - get the magnetic signs that you can take off at night.

Tom R

Murph, - - maybe you're not insured 'commercially'??

Here in Jersey, - - to have signs on the trucks you have to have commercial insurance, - - and I would guestimate it DOES cost about (at least) 40% more. And actually, - - if you ARE registered 'commercial', - - you HAVE to have your name on the truck(s).

I believe my town has that same rule, - - no commercial trucks parked at a residence, - - but I don't think they enforce it at all, - - unless someone puts in a direct complaint. My truck gets parked way back in the (fenced, locked) back yard, anyway, - - and can only even be seen by one neighbor.

Tom R

Here's a pic of the inside of my cube van for some who may be interested in a similar set-up. Pic was taken a few years ago, - - it actually has more shelving set up now . . .

The portable table saw is kind of blocking your view of the sliding door to the cab, - - which I rarely use for anything except if I'm totin' 12' lengths of wood, - - then I can slide them up into the cab.

The open bed width is about 50".

Mine has the 10'-6" long X 7' high box, - - but also available are 12'-6" long, - - and even 14'-6" long.