[amayausers] Re: About to Jump In!
- From: "E. Orantes" <e3m@xxxxxxx>
- To: <amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:55:07 -0500
David,
If I were you, and I was just starting out again, I would suggest you
speak
with embroidery technicians. Preferably the one's that work on various
makes and models. And if you're lucky, find one (or more) that actually
owns a machine(s) as well. Unbiased opinions will be hard to find.
Obviously, look for more than one technical opinion. The industry of
embroidery is not as simple as it may first appear, and I don't think all
the sales people out there really have your best interest at heart.
Personally, I know embroidery machines but what I find inconsistent are the
people who use them. Nothing against anyone in particular, but some
newcomers to embroidery have a background in automated textile machine
manufacturing whereas others don't know the difference between a left and a
right mouse click. You should do a little self assessment as to whether
you're the kind of person who likes to lead the pack or rather follow.
Education is the key but headaches will be a given. Like most things, it
will get easier as you go. A few areas of knowledge to consider (and not
limited to...) might be:
Fabric (stable vs. unstable, satin vs. canvas,etc...)
Fashion (Consider your market)
Sewing (fundamentals of how a stitch is made, types of
stitches-walk,run,column,fill,...)
Computers (Or have a PC guy, Also - Internet and E-mail)
Software (embroidery software that is user friendly with enough tools to
grow,installation, uninstallation, file organization, file formats,...)
Networking (basic communication between machine and PC)
Thread & bobbin (many to choose from, polyester vs. rayon, imports vs.
domestic,...)
Hooping (basic vs. specialized, different techniques and devices,...)
Backing (Cut away vs. tear away vs. solvy, when and what to use
Digitizing (learn it yourself or shop it out?, how much to charge for
vs.
include in job price, who owns design -you or customer?,etc...)
Stock Designs (Dakota vs. Okalahoma vs. Great Notions, full catalog vs.
only what's necessary,etc...)
Tools (like screwdrivers and Alan wrenches, metric vs. standard,...)
Embroidery Machines (how many heads-needles, what size hoops, do I need
a
forklift to move {multi-head},conventional vs. new technology, new vs.
refurbished,warranty,will this machine grow with my business, how many years
will I have this machine before I upgrade to new again, and...just like
cars - the more you buy in package now, the better price you get vs. buying
more than you need or will ever use)
Machine Lubrication (When & where to do,Grease vs. polymers vs. light
oil
vs. heavy oil...)
Machine Service (what to do when you break down, we all have machine
issues
at some point. Even under warranty you could be down and out for several
days and even a couple of weeks depending where you live, warranty vs.
extended warranty, who will be the tech in your area? )
Business- especially as you grow (financing, accounting, advertising,
customer relations, location, retail pricing, employees, salaries, etc...)
Vendors (where will you purchase goods for resale and at what pricing
structure)
Training (Travel vs. In-house, Who and where will you learn from,...)
Competition
And of course(definitely not least), how to operate the machine you just
purchased to get optimum results to pay for the darn thing! Try to find out
who will be your trainer and contact them BEFORE YOU BUY to get an idea of
their personality and experience. Ever had a professor in college you just
couldn't stand or simply couldn't understand???
ISS is an excellent place to be. We attend once a year. Did the
seminar
thing one year - very beneficial but don't think the full seminar package is
necessary every year. When at ISS, ask 3rd party vendors what machines and
machine companies they have had experience with. But always consider the
opinion along with the source. (I asked a guy at a hooping booth who he
liked and he recommended company "x". As the conversation moved on, come to
find out, he only recommended them because he had a negative experience with
company "y".)
Very important*** Ask your sales rep(s) to put you in touch with other
companies in your area (but not too close-competition) who own similar
machines they're trying to sell you and ask to visit them to see their
machine(s) (and location- he he). We regularly offer up our place to do
local demonstrations for would-be new customers.
As long as you learn one thing new everyday, you'll be alright. Don't
try
to take it all in at the same time either. You might find yourself confused
especially from one machine company to another.
Best of luck to you! And if you're curious, we have been in this
industry
for three years and have three Amayas. Looks like we're buying one a year
as we grow. I'm also an embroidery technician (Melco,Tajima,and Barudan)
which means I get to meet a great number of embroidery shops in a four state
area. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to offer up
personal advice.
Ed Orantes
504-258-6260
New Orleans, La.
emservice@xxxxxxx
Ed & Maralien Orantes
E.M. Broidery
900 Terry Parkway, Ste. 200
Terrytown, La. 70131
504-EMBROID (504-362-7643)
or
504-433-0099 office
504-433-0100 fax
-----Original Message-----
From: amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of David Sklar
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:32 AM
To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [amayausers] Re: About to Jump In!
I want to thank everyone who responded to my request for information. No
one had much that was negative to say about recent experiences. I am going
to ISS to try to put it all together. If you have any strong thoughts
about required or desired accessories that you find indispensable or even
helpful, your insight will be appreciated as well. Thanks again.
David Sklar
Ballyhoo!
Arlington VA
571-217-4940
ballyhoo_ds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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