How is your season so far?

[RozR]

I have been preparing myself for the onslaught... and it is only trickling in. November was gangbusters... Dec. has been a bit sluggish to say the least.

We still have room for Christmas projects... even with all the work already booked!

How are your business levels?

Curious, as always, since I am coming up on my 2 year anniversary after the first of the year.

Roz

[FramerRandy]

Hi Roz,
This is my 3rd Christmas Season at this location. I have had the first "normal" season with a lot of work coming in October & November and then tapering off around the middle of December.
That's the pattern that I used to have for years at my old shop, from the distant past.
Currently any orders coming in for Christmas, I would deal with from in-stock materials. However, it has definately slowed down. I don't expect much pick up until January, which has been a good month for me, here in California.
Merry Christmas and hope you have a good 2004.
smile.gif

[D_Derbonne]

It's my third Christmas season too.
November started out good and slowed before Thanksgiving. when I say slowed, I mean it was dead.
December okay...and suddenly I'm swamped. I'm framing and selling artwork in the gallery.
I hope it continues!

[jframe]

I predict that business will be better now that Saddam Hussain has been captured.

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

October and November were great, but December has been slower than expected. Its double what it was last year (our first December), but still not as busy as November. I bet they're all waiting until later THIS WEEK to call about those sport jerseys and shadowbox projects :eek:

Last year the phone rang continuously once the (many) local big boxes started turning people away. That hasn't happened this year, yet. We see it as a great opportunity to capture/earn some new clients, and will work as much overtime as it takes.

We're still booking regular orders, but only for two more days - then its from in stock length only.

Mike

[ 12-14-2003, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: Mike-L@GTP ]

[wpfay]

Business is good, but is not seasonal. Up from last year for the month (I have already exceeded December 2002 numbers), and for the year (Don't think I could have survived two years like that in a row). I will try not to question their motives as long as they keep coming in.

I feel that it is pretty much a rebound in the economy. The retail is still mushy, abut the corporate has finally opened up and the designer business is steady.

I am in agreement with Jo that the feel-good from the capture of Saddam will spike the economy.

[Cliff Wilson]

My 1st anniversary was in October, but believe it or not my first month open was busier than this year's October. (I think all my friends brought something last year! ;) )

November was up, but not much. Good news is there was a significant amount of new customers. December is going to have to go some to beat last year. (Again, many friends and neighbors bringing things in for my first year last December.) BUT, many of the December customers are mentioning my radio ads and/or are being referred. I get a positive feeling, but the numbers are just shy of where I need them to be! :rolleyes:

I did have a couple come in and almost clean me out of Photo frames! Guess I should have invested more in inventory. Who knew??

[gemsmom]

I have never found Chrismas anything to get all excited about. November is usually a better month than December, and other months during the year always turn out better than either. The only reason I seem to be busier in December is that so many people need their projects at the same time, rather than be spread out over a normal two week period. My average ticket takes at least a 20% nose-dive at holiday time. I'm working harder for less money. I prefer to have people spending money on themselves. They spend more that way.

I would say that overall, we are down from other years, but I am still as busy as I want to be.

[AWG]

Overall we're pleased.
This is the first holiday season that we've owned the gallery so there are a lot of (established) customers we're meeting for the first time. At the same time, we've gotten a good number of brand-new, never been in before customers through the doors that we've been able to work with.
When these folks leave happy I feel really good about next year :cool:

We're still taking holdiay delivery until tomorrow; after that it'll be either in-stock mats and mouldings or extra shipping charges. We plan to close on Dec 20th for the year smile.gif , so that's our drop-dead day; if last-minute business is strong we may stay open an extra day or two.

Tony

[ 12-14-2003, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: AWG ]

[Jason Maranto]

I'm just finishing my first year... the season has been dead for me.

Jason.

[Jim Miller]

Although November was nothing to write home about, December has been good. Very good. Sales in the first two weeks of this month have almost reached our total sales for December 2002. Profit is up, too.

I'm happy to say we're more likely to run out of hours than orders in the next week.

[katman]

The year is up for framing, down for the photo and large format print work.

Most encouraging development in framing is we are increasingly seeing more challenging and higher ticket work. Also, more referrals.

[Less]

Tell ya when it's over.

[gemsmom]

Well, I WAS happy with what I had. Now, I have just about too much to handle. I hate saying "no", and I do still have time to order stock. Thursday should be the last day for Xmas orders.

[tnframer408]

Today was our last day to special order. Will continue taking orders up until 2 p.m. Dec. 24. Heck I'll even deliver Christmas Day. HO HO HO Jolly ol St. Nick, here.

Love the sound money makes this time of year

[Emibub]

I guess I'm not going to have a holiday rush this year. Damndest thing....my numbers are up, I am on a bit of a roll and then "Wham!" Nothing. I even worked til midnight Saturday and Sunday night just to keep the slates clean and "Wham!" Nothing. I've taken one order the past three days. Maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on the holiday rush but it seems that is our goal every year.

All I can do is sit here and worry and see all the bills I was hoping to get caught up on with all the holiday rush. "Wham!" Nothing.

I've worked so hard, I've learned so much. I guess it is time to start looking at the possibility that getting a poor start is next to impossible to recover from. I've never worked so hard for so little results in all my life. I was making progress too, that is the heck of it, I am getting a real sense of what I need to do here. I guess I am lacking the intestinal fortitude needed......I really needed the Holiday rush.....

[Framerguy]

Kathy,

Try some of Wally's eggnog.

It sure gave ME a helluva rush this evening!!

(She's startin' to whine again. I hate when that happens!) ;)

Framerguy

[Less]

I hear ya Framerguy.

My mom makes the best kick *** eggnog.
And I don't really like my mother, so you know it has to be good! :eek: :D

Couple of glasses of that stuff and she'll be flying down to Florida to get cozy with you.

Kathy, that is!


Sorry mom, just Lessahumor.

HOLY COW :eek: Quick hit reload!

[ 12-17-2003, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: lessafinger ]

[Emibub]

Sorry Tom, didn't mean to start whining....I just desperately need to see some results by the end of the year or I have to reevaluate what exactly it is I'm doing here. I've actually had a decent 6 months or so but I can't possibly have the bottom fall out now. I will not survive another year without pay. It's cards on the table time and I am waaaaaay too emotionally involved here. I'd like the chance to apply all I've learned and all the positive changes I have made. It ain't all bad. I'll write some positive stuff tomorrow, I love this store. I'll just have a couple w(h)ine coolers first.......

[tnframer408]

Kathy: THAT'S your problem: wine coolers indeed.

Turkey 101. Better yet, Rare Breed at 107 proof. Just don't breathe too hard after the first sip. :eek:

[Merlin Framers]

Hey Guys and Gals, do not get too despondent. Its the same here across the pond.. Oct and Nov were quiet, but we made the numbers and are up on previous years. The first two weeks of Dec were quiet, but the past two weeks have been real busy. This is our fourth year and I think we have turned the corner and are 'established' with a good returning customer base. Not there yet though... so no thoughts of retiring just yet. Have a Good Christmas and a prosperous 2004.

[Reynard]

I would have to agree with that too.It was a bit quieter in october and november.December just kind of crept up on me a bit and I suddenly realised I had a lot of work to get done for christmas.I thankfully have a good order book for well into January as well which I like to see.I hate that month with a passion.

I also refuse to work late or open the shop at different times than normal.I like to get home at the end of the day at my normal time plus I want to see my baby before he goes to bed.

I have been going in early in the morning to avoid dealing with customers for the first couple of hours and that helps immensely.

Most of my good work is with artists anyway and at this time of year they have most of their work out in the galleries for christmas shows and whatever so its just regular work just now which can be hammered out pretty quickly thankfully.