need help choosing film brands

pierce8468 · January 14, 2004

I need a little help choosing a flat glass brand. or brands I should say. I want to cary more than just one line. for my cheaper line I am think of . either solar zone since it does have a 12 year comm warranty. or suntek. ive used suntek before. so as far as instalation goes. I know it is fairly easy to install. but what I am not sure about is how well it holds up. now bieng as solar zone has a 12 yr warranty. I am thinking that it will probably last fairly well. but how installer friendly is it. and for my more expensive line. I am realy lost on what to use. I know it will definatley not be 3m. I cant stand that film at all. it is the most impossible to deal with on install. ive hung sg and vista. and both seemed to be nice to hang. now I know sg is cheaper. or at least it was. last time I had to order it. but has anyone had any complaints that it is to grainy. or are the customers happy with it. and what about madico. I know I dont like the auto line. but what about the res line. is it like hanging 3m. any feed back would be gladly appreciated. good and bad. I am looking for both sides of the argument here. I know we all use diferent films. and we all have our own reasons for it. so please tell me why. you use the bramd you do. and what you dont like about the others.

LEO'n'DARTZ · January 14, 2004

:poop 12 yr... Solar Zone is Hanita as I know... Are they working 12 years?

I think window also can be changed in this period... And everything can be discolorated for so long time... :hmmm Just my mind....What I know sg looking not too bad after 11 years ... I have a lot of samples :poop :thumb :rollin It discolorates equal in all film...

pierce8468 · January 14, 2004

I am aware that it will discolor over time. but my thinking is that if they are offering. a 12 yr warranty it has to be some what of a half way descent film.

January 14, 2004

Don't let the warranty fool you on any film brand... it's only a marketing ploy. The thing you should look for are 1) user friendly attributes such as you've already mentioned. If the chance for replacement arises, 2) how well does the supplier service, you, the dealer at that point and what is their payout on labor for redo's. 3) Track record in holding up to the elements in the region you will operate in (be ready for variations world-wide). 4) Cost of goods sold is only important when concern for pricing is to meet the market rather than setting the value you place on your overall offering, despite what goes on about you. If you set the value of your offering higher than any others, then you must do the utmost to live up to that value in the eyes of your consumers.

You may find yourself aligning with a few (more than 2) suppliers to have more of a variety in your offering. Some film makers have a film another doesn't, etc.

The one thing I have found a constant is the inconsistency of films in establishing well defined patterns of success and of failure.

I am bias so that's my input for you PIE while remaining on neutral ground.

pierce8468 · January 14, 2004

I understand that the warranty is only a marketing ploy. but I also have to feel that it has to last as long. as the competition at minimum to offer such a warranty.and I do plan on having sample books sent to me . from all of the companys for the reason you sated earleir. I do want to be able to give my customers exactly what they want. not just as close as I can give them. do to what I carry. and I agree about the quality of the film. and the quality of the work. witch is why I want to carry. a few different brands at all times. in my experience ive realized. that there are alot of people. that would gladly use a cheaper brand of film. just because it saves them a few dollars. but in the same sence. I dont want to just carry a cheap film. id rather use a higher quality film. but I dont want to lose a job. just because someone came in after me. and gave a cheaper price. simply because he uses cheap film. but by all means metint be biased. tell me who you recomend and why.that is the whole meaning of this topic. I want to get everyones opion biased or not. this way I can make a better decision. for example if I can get a film that is equaly as good as another. in most aspects for 10 cents a sq ft cheaper. id like to do that. but in the same sence. I dont want to go with a film because it is a little cheaper. and find out the hard way that it is junk

oldtinter · January 14, 2004

Haven't had any problems hanging Solar Gard, and some installs have been up an awfull long time. There are alot of good films out there, I doubt Hanita would be that much cheaper to justify any uneasiness you might have with it. I'm sure the film is fine though. You'd be surprised how good promotional material from one company can easily trump price. This is coming from a real bad salesman mind you. :rollin

January 14, 2004

I am bias so that's my input for you PIE while remaining on neutral ground.

Would that be 35Neutral ground? :uh

January 15, 2004

Choose a film that offers a variety of styles, so you can competitively match features to other dealers. Solar Gard is good because they offer a large variety of film styles.

Don't worry about what you think your customer will want. No matter what brand you choose to go with, they will all have "unique" features that other brands can't compare to. The sad truth is that there are very few films that truly set themselves apart from the majority of other films. (huper - Vkool - 3M Night Vision are exceptions) All these films have pretty substantial sales requirements and cost a bit more than most people are willing to pay for. You will be able to pick and choose these types of films in the future once you get a good customer base.

Commercial Warranty length is of no concern. In 10 years, most of the original owners are gone, no warranty there. The film will look like it was cleaned with a brillo pad (probably years of wiping with cheap paper towels) and you probably will not be selling that brand in 10 years anyhow. In ten years from now, you will probably be a premier dealer to some other company, offering their top lines and marketing the best of the best films. Example of a worthless commercial warranty... 3m - 10 years - 7 years into it, the film turned purple. The warranty didn't ensure you got a quality film. Most film manufacturers offer great warranties, but there are always bad lots, exceptions to the rules and just plain crappy film.

The cost of the films is negligible. When you are starting up, .25$ a square adds up quick, but when you get a feel for your films, you will be pushing one color more than another, you will get better discounts, you will have established a reputation and a working relationship with long term customers, so you will be able to make up the film price differences easily in the future.

When choosing your film distributor, you really need to look at the support you will get from the sales staff. If their film is tops, but you can't ever meet the distributor, can't get problems resolved, or talk to anyone that knows what is going on, you probably won't stick with them.

my 2 cents.

January 15, 2004

When choosing your film distributor, you really need to look at the support you will get from the sales staff. If their film is tops, but you can't ever meet the distributor, can't get problems resolved, or talk to anyone that knows what is going on, you probably won't stick with them.

:lol

look further up to the management if you are able to... salesmen come and go... :lol6

LEO'n'DARTZ · January 15, 2004

Don't let the warranty fool you on any film brand... it's only a marketing ploy. The thing you should look for are 1) user friendly attributes such as you've already mentioned. If the chance for replacement arises, 2) how well does the supplier service, you, the dealer at that point and what is their payout on labor for redo's. 3) Track record in holding up to the elements in the region you will operate in (be ready for variations world-wide). 4) Cost of goods sold is only important when concern for pricing is to meet the market rather than setting the value you place on your overall offering, despite what goes on about you. If you set the value of your offering higher than any others, then you must do the utmost to live up to that value in the eyes of your consumers.
You may find yourself aligning with a few (more than 2) suppliers to have more of a variety in your offering. Some film makers have a film another doesn't, etc.

The one thing I have found a constant is the inconsistency of films in establishing well defined patterns of success and of failure.

I am bias so that's my input for you PIE while remaining on neutral ground.

:thumb :lol :mad