What is the cost of going cheap? Most of us have made the low price mistake at home and at work. Sometimes the price savings are tantalizing other times it’s the only we to afford something. Regardless, most of us have suffered the consequences.

The Cost of Going Cheap 

Challenge – A Faded Vehicle Wrap

A small business owner brought his work vehicle to TKO to inquire about repair, which had a faded graphic installed by another graphics provider. He brought it to use because the graphics provider who completed the installation was no longer in business. Unfortunately, the material used had a very limited warranty. It covered fading, but did not cover removal or installation of the failed graphic. It was the cost of going cheap.

Solution – Research Warranties From Graphics Providers

For example, 3M offers three warranties on its vinyl adhesive materials, 3M Basic, 3M Performance Guarantee, and 3M MCS. MCS is the only 3M warranty covering qualified removal and installation of materials. Be sure the graphics provider qualifies and offers the MCS warranty. Also, determine if the material and application are covered for your usage.

The Following Is From The 3M MCS Brochure:

Remedy: Credit or replacement of all 3M materials used in the graphic. Certain fleet and vehicle graphics may also have a labor reimbursement component. (Once again, be certain your graphic is covered.)

Labor:  For a limited number of products and applications, as stated in specific individual Product Bulletins, 3M may provide labor coverage to remove, remake and reapply failed graphics.

Removal: If a film identified as removable or changeable cannot be successfully removed, or an excessive amount of adhesive remains on the surface, 3M will reimburse the purchaser for reasonable, documented additional removal labor costs.

The Result

The result for the small business owner who came to us was not good. The choices? Live with the faded vehicle wrap, which makes the company look unprofessional, or spend the money to replace the wrap. In this case, a cheaper permanent material was used. The cost to remove the damaged wrap and install a new wrap was not under warranty. Like many things, the result of going cheaper was costing more.

How Can We Help You? 

Don’t get get sucked into the cost of going cheap when there’s a great company with fair prices! If you’d like fleet graphics designed to capture attention, printed on state-of-the-art equipment, and installed by expert certified installers, we’re here to help.

If you’d like further information or advice, be sure to Contact Us. 

Would you like a free estimate for your fleet or vehicle graphics? If so, you can Request A Quote.

TKO Graphix has been a national fleet and vehicle graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service graphic design, digital printing, screen printing, graphics installation, and removal of large format graphics.

TKO Graphix is a Certified 3M™ MCS™ Warranty graphics manufacturer. Our installation crews are 3M Certified and are employees of TKO Graphix, not sub-contractors.

We’re in our fourth decade of helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks, and company vehicles. Whether you have a fleet of thousands or a few vehicles, we are here to lead you through the vehicle branding process.

When it comes to making your graphics a reality — it all begins with our design department services. From a concept on paper to road-worthy advertising for your vehicles, the TKO Graphix design team can help bring your vision to life. Our team specializes in creating fleet and vehicle graphics while keeping your brand consistent across all types of vehicles in your fleet.

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