Mobile framing service

[JohnT]

We are a traditional storefront shop but we are considering actively marketing an in-home/in-office consultation service and delivery. We would outfit a van to essentially take the store to the customer. Of course, like most framers, we provide this type of service on request now, but think it may be a good way to expand our market if we structure it as a major part of our business.

Any experience, good or bad, that you could share? Comments about how to charge for this?

[Janet L]

JohnT,
There was an article written about a company that did exactly what you're talking about doing in either Decor or PFM about 3 years back. I'll see if I can find it if you'll email me your address.

BTW, welcome to TG!

Janet Lowry

[This message has been edited by Janet L (edited September 08, 2001).]

[Al E]

It was DECOR for certain and probably within the last 1 1/2 years.
They showed pictures of a camper all fitted with a showroom and a whole article about the operation.

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Al E

[Marc Bluestone]

You guys have a good memory for Decor articles.

There was an article in the March 2000 issue on page 175 featuring a custom built bus outfitted as a mobile custom framing gallery.

I am the owner of that business. If you have specific questions, I will do my best to provide answers.

Marc

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Marc Bluestone
FrameGroup Incorporated
15 Millpark Court
Maryland Heights,MO 63043

marc@framegroup.net

[Greg Gomon]

Hi Marc!
Is the concept agressively working for you or is it primarily a marketing concept for publicity? How often is it out on sales calls? How often does the mobile sales call result in a closing, or do people still prefer to come to the store front to finalize business? Is the mobile shop preferred by a particular type of customer i.e., corporate or retired individuals?
It was an interesting idea, I wonder after 1 1/2 years of road testing, if the concept works.
thanks.

[Gina Hurst]

Just wanted to bring this back to the top and see if there were any more ideas and suggestions since last posted Sept '01. This is a very interesting topic.

Gina Hurst, CPF in SC

[Studio2bn]

A Newbie to the Grumble and love it !!!
I really do not think that you guys/gals realized how helpful you have been to so many people....Thank you
Now, I just emailed the framer who had started a mobile framing business...Does anyone else have some wisdom they could share on this subject....Thinking about starting a similar business in Florida....Any input, help, wisdom, would be very much appreciated....
Thanks.....J. Michael

[dns ynko]

I worked for a wholesaler in the Virginia Beach area and we had a customer who did this. Now in DC I have heard of a van that does the same. From what I gather it can work, but you must be great at scheduling. This lady in VB would go out from 9AM-6PM. THen come back and write orders, the next day frame. She did it out of her house, so she did not need to worry about the store while she was out.
pat

[calley]

Didn't Ellen have a mobile framing shop at one time? :confused:

[EllenAtHowards]

Yes, indeedy. It is called The Framing Van. From 1981 to 1994 it was my small framing business. With a partner, I called on companies and homes, designed onsite, and returned the framing two weeks later. It still amazes me that only one customer declined allowing his precious artwork to be carted off in a van by a stranger. Perhaps it is my Midwestern puppydog sincerity that gave so many people confidence. It was a nice part-time existence for when the children were little. Now they are grown, my husband and I own this 'small retirement business' here in the hinterlands that takes up almost all my time, but I still call on some of my valued customers in the DC area. They all trust me to the point of just giving me the stuff, I call them with the price, and then we do it. But the business has been dwindling for a while (probably because I dropped the horrendously expensive Yellow Pages ad in the DC phone book) and now I can attend to these customers by traveling to DC only when needed. But it is so much easier to design onsite, where the piece will be residing. It's just tough to make an actual living from it by itself.

[dns ynko]

ellen,
does your van look like the checkerboard pattern on the partridge bus? if so that is you that i spoke of in the dc area
eni

[Frank Larson]

Years ago when I had my retail store and was desperate for business I suggested to my business partner (a woman) that we outfit a van or bus with samples and offer a framing design service at the home. Her response (and other people's) was that I was not being reasonable. 95% of our customers were women and what woman would ever allow a strange (as in unknown) man into her home for any reason let alone go out to a van to look at samples. The business went under eventually for various reasons, lack of business one of them. Now I'm an installer that women invite into their homes every day and there has never been a problem. They were wrong. I should never have listened. At the time I even had a retail business front which would have helped legitimize me, now I don't even have that and it still hasn't been a problem. What does help is that I'm by referral only and they have to call me to set an appointment. It's not like I drive up in a van and "Hey lady, want to me come in and hang your pictures?" or "Hey lady, I have a sample in my van just for you..."

[EllenAtHowards]

No checkerboard pattern here. More like nice typeface on red minivan. Best idea I came up with for marketing back when we were serious in DC was to put The Framing Van and phone umber on the roof. People gazing out the window could see it. Got us some business, too.
As to going in to people's homes... women didn't feel threatened as both partner and I were female. We were usually careful to go in pairs for our own safety. Once I did a call as a single to a male customer (probably dumb), and was offered a tumbler of gin at 10am! Still made the sale (passed on the gin) but made sure that my partner went with me for the delivery...