I find it an interesting question. Not may shop owners in this industry are printers first, business owners second. Sounds silly - but I'm a printer first. Why? Simple answer is I care about my competitors and how they fare in this world. 20 years ago when I first entered this industry, in this town, if you ran out of ink or supplies - call the shop across town - they'll help you out. Maybe it is a difference between ma and pa style operations and cut throat commercial shops? I miss that unity.
Me? I still help - if I can - when i get the phone call. Always will. Your processor is down and you have plates to process - come on over. Your press is down and need us to turn and burn some stock for you- we'll make room. You sent the job to my competitor and they botched it and won't reprint it for (fast/cheap/free/etc)? If I can help - I will.
I'm a pretty talented mechanic too. Yesterday a competitor called with a small press like our smallest press that was down. I had a good idea what the problem was and they were on my way home so I dropped by (much to the owners shock, I believe). 30 minutes later, with some assistance from Heidelberg tech support we had diagnosed and fixed the problem (thanks Bill and Jim). Result - job that the operator was staying late to finish will deliver to their client on time - hooray!
Now I've been told by some of my peers that this is foolish when I *bailout* competitive shops (I've also been told by clients that you're only as good as your last free/donated job, but that's another post). One of my best friends in the industry insists that whenever you try to help it will only cause trouble. Quite frankly, the help he is referring to, he is usually correct about.
This industry was at one time a much closer brotherhood than it is today. In fact, this country was! It is a shame that has left us. Are we too entrenched in our own survival to realize that we too will need *help* or a *bailout*? Not government, mind you, but by a peer or friend who can lend you a hand. I'm not. Sure, the *businessman* might out earn me over my life time. On the other hand - rich or poor - profitable or not - I sleep well each night. We're not here to destroy each other, we're here to succeed. I suppose it is just a difference of how we measure success...how do you?
Take a chance. If one of your competitors calls and needs your help and you can help, do it. You might just be very pleased at what the job pays!
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