Explain the types of electronic fuel price changers your company offers.
We offer LED and motor-driven numeric displays for billboard, high-rise and on premise applications in a variety of colors & sizes. Large & small scale indoor & outdoor displays. We also now offer a new & an innovative retrofit program in which we attach LED modules over existing outdated signage. 

Outline the benefits of the electronic signs over traditional hand-switched units.
Decreased liability, via elimination of manual change signs where employees must climb a ladder or use a pole or to change sharp plastic digits. 

Greater visibility - You have to see it to believe it, to say it captures your eye is an understatement.

Instant/unlimited price changes coinciding with onsite or corporate decisions. Customers can change prices as often as they like and with today's fuel price volatility an electronic price sign is becoming a must not a luxury. 

Remote operation from across the country if needed--- this is especially helpful in billboard and unmanned station applications.

An updated 'look' giving the station a 'state of the art' newer and cleaner appearance which is more inviting to customers. 

What types of challenges might shops face when installing the electronic signs?
Our products are flexible and easy to install. Each sign is custom built to the end users specifications. It is important to do a site survey and get the necessary measurements and then send us a rough sketch and pictures. We will then do an approval drawing which should be signed off on by both the installer and the end user. In addition, stable and constant (NOT photo controlled) AC power is a must. And a permit if required.

What is the reaction from gas station owners? From drivers?
Both owners and drivers we’ve spoken to are very pleased with the change. They are big fans of the Red LED’s for Unleaded & Green LED’s for Diesel, because the color contrast is instantly recognizable. The alternating cash-credit Diesel price module is also a big hit with owners & drivers.

Is there much in the way of municipal sign code opposition/deterrents?
We have had very few problems in the way of oppositional codes & statutes, though there is the occasional blip on the map that has an issue with illumination or technology in general.  A major factor in our lack of code issues is due to the fact that dedicated fuel price changers are largely static displays.  Instead of an image changing repeatedly, as is the issue with message centers/video billboards, fuel pricer updates usually only change a couple of segments of one digit and it takes only a second or two---basically it changes so fast that no one even notices the numbers actually change.

Recount a recent success story involving a fuel station(s) installing your signs.
We’ve been told by some of our customers that sites have experience15% up to 35% increases in volume after the installation of our sign.

What types of innovations are next for these fuel price signs?
There is always new technology on the horizon and we have a very busy research and development team but at this point the LED innovations, satellite updating systems, instant automated feedback are in place and we don’t see any major changes for at least a few years. Foreseeable innovations will be minor streamlining of the systems already in place.

In summary, why should electric sign shops consider selling these products & how should they go about it?
If they want to capitalize on fuel industry opportunities they need to add electronic pricers to their line-up.  We’ve been in this industry for a long time, the trend we’ve experienced is consistent growth.  It started with Truck Stops and now c-stores are recognizing the benefits, before long these signs will be the rule not the exception.

How sign shops can sell these products:  The sale comes in two dimensions.  1st:  informing the end customer of the availability and benefits of electronic fuel price changers: increased visibility & traffic, reduced liability, real-time price changing, etc.  2nd:  Find a company that offers a quality product that is willing to stand behind all aspects of the sale, especially the service and support both before and after the sale. Find a reputable supplier that has specific experience in building fuel price signs. Ask for references and check the references. Are you dealing with a manufacturer or someone that is just importing a product? We are a manufacturer and we invite potential customers to visit our manufacturing facility. We even pay the travel expenses for sign shops and or the end users. In addition we offer flexible terms as well as custom finance plans to help the sign shops with cash flow.

This article originally appeared in Signtech.

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