Most people in business chase every big opportunity that comes their way. The idea of turning down a half-million-dollar contract sounds insane to most. But I did exactly that—and I don’t regret it for a second.
I had the chance to work with a massive client, wrapping over 150 commercial vehicles. On paper, it seemed like a dream deal. But once I dug into the details, I saw all the red flags. Saying no wasn’t easy, but it was the right decision for three key reasons.
1. They Wanted to Set Their Own Price
The first issue? They expected a discount simply because of the volume. They had over 150 vehicles, so they assumed they should pay less per wrap. But here’s the problem—the price they wanted was half the national average. That’s not a “bulk discount.” That’s undercutting my value. I’ve spent years perfecting my craft, investing in my team, and ensuring that every wrap leaving my shop meets the highest standards. I don’t devalue my work just because a client wants a deal. If a business is trying to squeeze you before you even start, it only gets worse down the line.
2. Unrealistic Timelines = Bad Work
They wanted three full wraps done per week. That might sound doable at first glance, but not at the level of quality I expect from my shop. Speed is important in this business, but when you rush, quality suffers. My team takes pride in our work—we don’t just slap vinyl on a vehicle and call it a day. Proper prep, precise application, and post-install checks all take time. Cutting corners just to meet a rushed deadline isn’t how I operate. I could either keep my standards high or push out rushed, lower-quality work. The choice was obvious.
3. They Were Working With Multiple Shops
This was the biggest red flag. They planned to split the job between three local wrap shops. That might seem like a good way to meet deadlines, but it came with a major risk—reputation. If one of those other shops did bad work, what happens when a potential client sees that vehicle? They don’t know which shop did which wrap. They just see a bad wrap and assume it could be ours. Reputation is everything in this industry. I’ve spent years building mine, and I wasn’t about to let it be questioned because of someone else’s work.
I Didn’t Need the Money—And That’s a Good Thing
My business is growing organically. I don’t need to depend on a single big client—especially one that doesn’t respect my pricing, my timelines, or my reputation. A lot of businesses chase short-term money, sacrificing quality, values, and long-term success in the process. I refuse to do that. I know my worth. I know where my business is headed. And I know that the right clients—the ones who respect what we do—will continue to come to us.
So, I walked away.
And I haven’t looked back.