My new van sign writing what do ya think

[julesverne]

I think it looks good.

 

[Leo21]

Really?

 

[julesverne]

Why whats up

 

[Leo21]

Why whats up

Classy, isn't how I would describe it. But to be fair Jules, if it works for you. It works for you. It's not the market or image I would want to portray. But what do I know.

 

[REDSAW]

thats unbeleivable!

 

[julesverne]

In my my mind its eye catching and a bit of a of a gimmick to get noticed. I honestly dont think people will be offended as plumbers bogs are our business. Most forms of advertising are now are gimmicks take Rays biscuits for example thats a gimmick of sorts but it bloody works really well. to me its about catching peoples attention. the worst thing that can happen is i take it off if people dont like it.

but i genuinely want peoples opinions good or bad

 

[REDSAW]

i think its good.
i have just been looking for one i did for my transit on my files but cant find it. you would not believe it is almost the same as yours!
i had like a nike swoosh from the back part going down to the door, all in same colours!!
think i should copyright it.lol

 

[julesverne]

Bad news its costing me 600 quid

 

[Ray Stafford]

First things first.

This is not an exercise in aesthetics. If you want good-looking, drive an Aston Martin.

The question is whether it will attract business, and as a secondary question, whether its the type of business that you are looking for.

My gut feeling is that would be very effective in attracting attention at the price-sensitive end of the market, but might be offputting at the quality end.

So it depends what you business strategy is. Contrary to popular belief, there are profits to be made in both sectors.

 

[REDSAW]

yeh, its vertaully a van rap!.

i always said the only vans any one notices is a b.t van, royal mail van because folk know what they are.
the other is a sky van because of the graphics!!!

this is free advertising (like my landy) people notice and flag you down for a card!!

 

[julesverne]

Im using it more for attracting business on finance so it could work quite well. But like anything only time will tell

 

[rpm]

If it works for you then thats ok, however unless it was stationary I wouldn`t remember half of it. Sorry.

 

[julesverne]

Plus ive never met anyone yet who doesnt like minions

 

[Ray Stafford]

Just a thought Jules - it might be worth deciding on a brand name, and sticking to it.

In your forum sig, you have plumberbradford247. In the name you registered with us, its West Yorks plumbing. On the van, its Eccleshill.

You run the risk of confusing people. My advice would be to pick one, and stick with it.

We only have two brand identities - the red-and-blue W and "tradeonlyplumbing". And I worry that that's one too many!

 

[julesverne]

Yeah i know. Been thinking about that. Showroom is in eccleshill so van is done with that to keep that local feel and i get a lot of work through the showroom but i also get lot of work through the other aswell as its mainly internet and other stuff which has a wider reach so they both work and im bothered if i change it will fcuk up so have decided to leave it as it is.

i had eccleshill on the other van and in the 3 years it was on only 1 person queried it.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Yeah i know. Been thinking about that. Showroom is in eccleshill so van is done with that to keep that local feel and i get a lot of work through the showroom but i also get lot of work through the other aswell as its mainly internet and other stuff which has a wider reach so they both work and im bothered if i change it will fcuk up so have decided to leave it as it is.

i had eccleshill on the other van and in the 3 years it was on only 1 person queried it.

For what its worth, my take on this is:

1) Your name. Ray Stafford Plumbing & Heating conveys more trust and reliability that RS Plumbing and Heating
2) Your town. Southsea Plumbing and Heating is better than South Hants Plumbing and Heating. No one ever answered the question "where are you from" by saying "south hants"

Minus several million marketing points for some pun on pipes, water or gas. It might be amusing once, but that wears off really quickly.

Apart from the brilliantly named "Pipes by David". If he didn't get the business of every gay man in the town in which he operated, then I'm the king of Siam.

 

[AWheating]

how do your drive the van sat on the toilet?

 

[Masood]

Apart from the brilliantly named "Pipes by David". If he didn't get the business of every gay man in the town in which he operated, then I'm the king of Siam.

I don't get the pun!

 

[Masood]

It's very, very eye catching Jules. I think it will stick in peoples' minds and create a strong, instantly recognisable brand.

But you are very firmly aiming at the lower end of the market, and some snobbish / image conscious people may not want such a "loud" van outside their house. Not everyone likes toilet humour!

Finally, a word of warning - minions are copyright and probably trademarked. Be sure this won't land you in any legal bother...

 

[townfanjon]

Looks ok pal, does it say jules's landscaping on the other-side.

 

[P J F PLUMBING]

 

[julesverne]

It's very, very eye catching Jules. I think it will stick in peoples' minds and create a strong, instantly recognisable brand.

But you are very firmly aiming at the lower end of the market, and some snobbish / image conscious people may not want such a "loud" van outside their house. Not everyone likes toilet humour!

Finally, a word of warning - minions are copyright and probably trademarked. Be sure this won't land you in any legal bother...

I'm aware of the copyright issue but thought I would risk it.

 

[julesverne]

how do your drive the van sat on the toilet?

Its gotta padded seat easy when you get used to it

 

[julesverne]

,guys really appreciate your comments so far.
I don't do.a.lot of work for what you call high end customers. So this may well fit into the people are in my client base. that said I still ain't cheapest around here by a long stretch but I'm looking at iincreasing my work load as I employ another Gsr lad now so need to keep him busy aswell.

 

[Barry98]

Company name change then aswell ?

 

[julesverne]

Company name change then aswell ?

Having second thoughts after what Ray said

 

[Rickster123]

I love it jules!! But I don't know if that's actually a good thing or not!

 

[julesverne]

Is everyone of the opinion it's the bogs lowering the tone of professionalism as opposed to anythingelse

 

[Rickster123]

Is everyone of the opinion it's the bogs lowering the tone of professionalism as opposed to anythingelse

No I think the bog is a touch of pure genius. I would remember that. Take the bog away and it's just another sign written van.

 

[rpm]

Is everyone of the opinion it's the bogs lowering the tone of professionalism as opposed to anythingelse

I don`t see a problem with that considering what you said about the customers you`re aiming at.

 

[LPC]

I'm an honest man so i'll tell you what I think.

It looks very tacky. People will definitely notice it and you'll probably get a few laughs but the only business you're going to get from it won't generally be good business. I wouldn't want that van parked outside my house and I certainly wouldn't trust you with gas appliances.

If you were just a plumber, it could fly. Gas is serious business though and this van will lose you business.

Don't do it. Or at least lose the toilet graphics.

 

[Leo21]

I believe it'll generate enquiries, but nasty waste of time ones.

 

[townfanjon]

Herin doors has just had a look , and says loose the toilet lol lol .

 

[dave1]

I personally don't think people will look at your van and say, oh I don't want that parked outside my house whilst you repair something. Do people really think like that?

 

[Leo21]

I personally don't think people will look at your van and say, oh I don't want that parked outside my house whilst you repair something. Do people really think like that?

No probably not, they just wouldn't call in the first place.

 

[Atouchofgas]

Herin doors has just had a look , and says loose the toilet lol lol .

So did mine!, also the minion ( no point running the risk of being sued! )

 

[julesverne]

Its good having all your feedback. Conversely i have also asked a lot of people who are not plumbers or guys or self employed and the vast majority love it. So my thoughts are i am gonna run with it for a while but get put it on as a magnetic sign if i can that way i can always take it off. I can take it off if it is vinyl but easier to do if magnetic.

 

[kris]

 

[kris]

 

[kris]

Oops having trouble just now, the graphics although is eye catching jules it isn't my cup of tea, but we're all different and it would defo turn heads which is what it's all about, good luck with what ever you choose, ps, minions is a cracker,

 

[lame plumber]

guy round my way did similar on his van, bog n all, now he is working for someone else as an employee, says it all in my mind.

 

[villa_tom]

I personally don't think people will look at your van and say, oh I don't want that parked outside my house whilst you repair something. Do people really think like that?

I think loads of people are like that.

I contract to BG and I'd say nearly half of the customers don't like it that I haven't got British Gas splashed all across my van.

Image is important to people. I saw a bloke doing a tightness test in my road the other day and he was working out of a ford KA. If I had someone turn up to work in my house out of a car then I'd send them on their way without even letting them in my house. It may sound like I'm being a snob, but I wouldn't want someone like that in my house.

As for the sign writing, I think it's eye catching and people will talk about it etc etc, but how long will that last for?? Then you're stuck with the van for years.

I think it will shock people who call you up and haven't seen the van.

But, each to their own. If we were all the same it'd be boring.

Good luck to you

 

[Nostrum]

I think it looks good.

You could probably afford to reduce the size of the text and make it fit with a bit more space on a jumbo transit.

I think you could get away with the toilet on a different set of colours. The colours and the toilet are to far down the cheap and tacky route in my opinion.

Also, my opinion, the text used for the name makes it hard to read at a glance.

lose the minion, if needs be create your own character.

 

[MarkAqua]

It's ridiculous if I'm honest! It looks cheap, tacky and I would automatically assume the tradesman driving it is the same. It looks as though your quickly grabbing the customers attention and then off to the next one. Rather than something small and simple so the regulars that you've built up over the years remember you.

Most tradesmen I know and work with don't even have their vans written.

I don't mean anything by it, just my opinion- which according to the wife is worth nothing.

 

[julesverne]

After much consultation going back to the drawing board. I think i my brother put it pretty much as it is when he saw it . Only gamble what you can afford to lose.

 

[missplumb]

i think if you want to be taken seriously, then a well laid out design with the right colours and an easily readable and memorable name or company logo is the way to go. it looks a bit too fussy and cheap for me, but it wouldnt bother me if it was parked outside my house.

 

[wetdrip]

Remove the guy sitting on the bog. Add a web address. If you do not have website get one, and add that URL.
Also, add text "Please ask us for a business card."
Replace the minion with an image of yourself, so customers know who to ask for said business card.
Your colour choice is fine.

I.M.H.O. Stay away from ideas like this.Croppie style:


For your more up market customers, perhaps something like this:

 

[brum]

the guy sitting on the bog is the best bit ..brum

 

[Kev the gas]

After much consultation going back to the drawing board. I think i my brother put it pretty much as it is when he saw it . Only gamble what you can afford to lose.

Right choice in my opinion, trying to mix Finance with humour is not going to look good to a customer, who may well be paying for their new boiler over 10 years.

 

[Millsy 82]

I think less is more at times and if you and pjf both priced for a job I would go for pjf as I think that looks very professional.

My girlfriend said the same as well although she loved the minion.