[amayausers] Re: About to Jump In!
- From: "David Sklar" <dsklar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:57:27 -0400
Thanks for your response, Ed. The fact that you are a tech for other
equipment and have 3 Amayas (and keep buying more) sounds like a
substantial endorsement to me. You have listed a lot of questions for
me. If you answered them you could easily get published! I have done the
things you suggested about research. The people who do not have Amayas
were very emphatic to stay away. I have been in the computer field for 30
years and have often been on the leading edge of technology regardless that
everyone recommended what everyone else was using, and I always felt more
productive. I have the same feeling about this decision. A couple of
Amaya users & techs have said that having no embroidery experience is often
better because the Amaya is not like the others. We will find out soon.
Thanks again.
David
> [Original Message]
> From: E. Orantes <e3m@xxxxxxx>
> To: <amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 10/20/04 12:51:43 PM
> Subject: [amayausers] Re: About to Jump In!
>
> 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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>
>
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