September Sales Down?

[doylestownboy]

Geez,
I couldn't wait for the kids to get back in school, everyone to get back from vacation, and business to be as usual. Typically the first week of Sept. starts out with people bringing in items to be framed that they purchased while vacationing.

This is the first year that I remember, that it hasn't happened. Taking the economy into consideration, do I stand alone or could it be the geographic area? I'd be interested in getting responses from framers in different regions.

Howard

[clifpa]

With the exception of two projects the only folks I have coming in my shop; Larson Juhl, Studio, Max... :eek:

August was on the low side but September :confused: I'm getting a lot of house-keeping things out of the way for the big rush that is sure to come ;)

This note from Orange County California where the big spenders are at. :(

Good Luck to us all.

[Ron Eggers]

Total September sales are only about 57% of what I expected. Very disappointing.

Oh, wait, it's only the 17th.

Seriously, it does seem slower than I would expect for September. Not "panic-button" slow, just "hmmmm, I wonder what's going on" slow.

That's as specific as I can get before September 30th.

[doylestownboy]

Cliffton,

It's been my experience that when the Rep's are beating the pavement, the customers aren't. When I see my reps walk in, I know it's time to brace myself.

[ 09-17-2003, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: doylestownboy ]

[doylestownboy]

Ron,
thanks for the post. I'll refrain from taking the Adivan for my panic attacks.

But I have to ask...where's your icon? I miss the little guy!

[Ron Eggers]

The little twerp was taking too much time off. He started running around with his female counterpart and would disappear for days at-a-time.

So I canned his butt and shut off all the avatars in my profile. When things are a little slow, you start cutting out the dead wood. I'm still watching for the unemployment claims to start rolling in.

[D_Derbonne]

It's slow here, but that is normal for September.
Well normal for my three years here anyway. I'm hoping the traffic from the last mailing I did will start showing up soon.

[David N Waldmann]

It may be a regional thing, since most of our customers are in the NorthEast, but our sales for September are up over 40% compared to last September at this time. Of course, our sales are not retail, but they're predominantly driven by retail. I think it's a good sign - at least our customers are anticipating a good fall.

[Emibub]

My September last year was one of my worst months. At the halfway point this year it seems to be up. I remain vigilant and hopeful.

[FramerRandy]

My Sept. sales are up. As of the 16th I've past last year's total for the month. August was also an up month, which kind of surprised me. I guess the results can vary quite a bit.

[Walt C]

Last September was one of my worst ever months and this one is starting out about 20% less than last year.

On the other hand, we moved in August and may be losing some because of that (in spite of the advertising and mailings).

Looking forward to a better fall than last year.

[katman]

Just looked at some numbers today and I'm off about 25 percent for the month. This year has not been great. Framing has been growing, but our photo work is way off. Too much rain in our area.

The first half of September usually is slow for us. I think this year is being influenced by the very aggressive discounting of clothing and other "back to school" merchandise. I heard the average household around here spends $600 per child on back to school merchandise.

[Less]

ditto what deb said

we'll see what the numbers show?

[doylestownboy]

Originally posted by Walt C:
Eating Black Angus one burger at a time.Walt,

It's 2 pm and I haven't had lunch yet. I'm not eating much red meat since my 5 bypasses 2 years ago, but the idea of a Black Angus Burger is making my mouth water. Can ya send a frozen patty?

Howard

[RozR]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.Oh. Sorry. That is how slow it has been the past week and a half.

Lots of time to organize, get caught up and plan for the busy season - which - we know - always comes!!! Thank goodness.

My first week of Sept. was banner!! Still reeling from Late July, all of August - with mad rush - great month and a half.

Experienced this "lull" last September as well... but at least I am ahead of last year already!!

Fingers crossed for a good ending!!

Roz

[framah]

So far, this Sept is running higher than last year. My July and August were the same as last year and last year was the best I've ever had. I had help last year and I'm going it solo this year so I'm seriously busy right now!! I'm looking forward to the Sept. slowdown. It''s usually started to slow down by now but it hasn't. When I complain about the summer workload I only have to think about Feb and March when it is dead here and I can put up with it a little while longer. tongue.gif tongue.gif

[Walt C]

Walt,

It's 2 pm and I haven't had lunch yet. I'm not eating much red meat since my 5 bypasses 2 years ago, but the idea of a Black Angus Burger is making my mouth water. Can ya send a frozen patty?

Howard, would you like me to use the post office or can I just e-mail??? ;)

[AWG]

September started off with a bang - big commercial job came in and lots of new customers responding to our mailings.

Odd enough, my canopy sign is gone for repair, leaving an ugly gaping hole for the next 3 weeks. we have a temporary banner that just says "custom framing" and business is up. Maybe we should just leave the ugly gaping hole.

So far we're ahead of LY but the last 4 days have been S L O W. Now that I'm alone for the week we'll be busy :D

Tony

[tnframer408]

ativan? What's ativan> Just read Men's Journal for Oct and they had a great replacement for Viagra. Not FDA apprved===but then again the good drugs never are-- but still and all---these drugs do it for two-three days.

What's ativan used for? don't know it.

O===figs down? Increase prices.

sorry for the diversion

[Rebecca]

I know, I know! Ativan is a benzodiazepine, used as an antianxiety drug. It is also likely to cause mental dulling, depending on person and dose. Generally related to Valium.

Rebecca

[PurplePerson]

Ativan is a very highly addictive benzodiazapine. Some are not as addictive.

I almost died from taking it, had to go to a detox hospital and spent a month there. The withdrawals are the same as cocaine withdrawals and can kill you. Doctors need to be very careful how they distribute it. If the person has an addictive personality, WATCH OUT.

[UzZx32QU]

Its a little early to tell. Last week I had a very good week. This week it slowed. My rolling 30 day average is up but may have peaked. I expect this month to be up but just a bit.

framer

[Emibub]

I would like to upgrade my comment for the month of September from "Remaining vigilant and hopeful" to "The last three days have kicked *** , and I have now beat last years September by a thousand bucks!" Woo-hoo! So now I guess I am "cautiously optimistic".

[AWG]

You go, Kathy!

I'm thinking Sept will finish up to be a good month. 'Course, I'm all alone this week so it seems doubly busy....

Tony

[ 09-18-2003, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: AWG ]

[HannaFate]

We usually plan to do major cleanups in September, such as re-painting the shelves in the showroom. This is because the State Fair sucks up all business in the area for nearly three weeks.

We have had a bit more business than usual for Fair time. Of course, one customer could double our income for this part of the month.

Like others, we have not seen as much souveneir business. Not so many "I got it in Paris for five dollars!" paintings. That has picked up since last year, though.