Bussiness in the toilet

[dgranati]

The last couple of weeks has been terrible for business here in florida. It seems like nobody wants to spend there money. I know the gas prices have hurt but something more seems to be going on..Is it just me?

[Cliff Wilson]

Welcome to the G dgranati!

I suspect not, but from what I've heard it's sporadic. I've been pretty much on par with my history, no growth.

Talked to one of my reps yesterday and he said a lot of people were whining lately.

The driver tells me he hears a lot of moaning.

Guess that didn't help much, huh?

[Baer Charlton]

I heard that the fishing sucks too.

Now that is bad for Florida.

[JohnR]

I wonder if the "pain at the pump" is starting to set in. After the average price of regular unleaded pushed past $2.50 a gal. and flirted with $3, people just may be starting to feel the real impact after a few months of $40 a week refills.

I know the engineering business is booming now. The size of the company I work for now is increasing by 60% or more. We are hiring as fast as we can find 'em. The contract employees we hire say they have never seen it so busy. They are getting calls left and right for work.

OTOH, my dad is a furniture rep for a large company (wholesale). It has been tough to meet quota for the last few years and he is behind this year. Framing may be like furniture. People may hold off on these types of purchases until they have the extra cash. Having to put $40 in the tank every week don't help.

The closing of shops in my area and general lackluster sales from other framers swayed my descision not to open a shop at this time. One framer commented about two large jobs he had (140 frames), "It will help me get through the year. I've been open for nearly 40 years and the last few have been the slowest."

John

[j spears]

Framing IS like furniture. I've been hired by a Black Mtn businessman to open a frame shop. His other is business is head-hunting for the construction business, and that's booming. I've tried every way in the book to try and talk him out of going into the framing business at this time(and hire me as a head-hunter, his personal driver..ANYTHING)...in total disregard for my own well-being, but as a framing "consumer", I can't convince him that this is a **** hard way to make a living. I'm a third generation framer, and the last thing in the world i would want to do right now is open up a new frame shop, but what you gonna do?

[McPhoto]

"I've been open for nearly 40 years "

"OTOH, my dad is a furniture rep" :eek:

John - Just how old is your dad? Or did you open your shop when you were twelve?

[JBergelin]

IMHO often the right time to start is when the business cycle is at the bottom. It gives the new entity a chance to "work the bugs out" assuming that you plan properly and have enough working capital --

the positive statement you made is the construction business is booming - the dollars are out there - all those open walls....

The trick is to get those new walls covered with custom frames - to enhance their home with art framed to their livestyle and taste - rather than the preframed.... same old - same old... that their neighbors have from the big boxes. smile.gif

Jeanne
Big Rapids MI

[UzZx32QU]

Right before schools lets out and holidays can bring slow periods followed by a rush of business after the 1st. Then another cycle last 10day of June til after the 4th being slow. You can get lucky sometimes.

Take a vacation last week in June. Enjoy life.

FYI I spent 15 years in your neck of the woods.

CBHS 70

framer

[JRB]

Someone, perhaps right here on The grumble, I can't recall, was talking about the present generation of thirty somethings not being at all interested in art or framed pictures. It seems the only thing they want on their walls is a giant flat screen monitor/TV.

Years ago when I started my business, the thirty somethings where a major part of my business getting off the ground. It does seem like most of my customers are older now, but again, I'm not sure.

If this is all true, it could explain a lot about the lackluster sales the last few years.

There is also the Wall Mart mind set that could be affecting our industry. People seem more inclined to go after price rather than quality. Heck, you can get some darn nice looking frames for next to nothing at those mega marts, just don't drop one, most are just glued together.

John

[JohnR]

McPhoto, You misread my post. That was a comment from another framer. Not me.
John

[Sherry Lee]

dgranati,

You just gotta take the 'gator off your doorstep - then watch the customers flock!!

tongue.gif

[dgranati]

the reference to the alagator is not that far off the mark. About two years ago the shop was cursed with a print of the red eyed fish. It was a print made of a large local fish bathed in ink and then pressed onto rice paper. The fish must have cursed the onwer because we ended up with the print by default. The damm thing has appeared three different times into the gallary only to stop retail in it's tracks. Within a hour after removing the print business was back to normal. This time the print made the dumpster. I kid you not, The curse of the red eyed fish has seen the last of my shop..dgranati

[wpfay]

Hurricane season starts June 1, and I have a sense that there are a few more antsy people this year. After 2 major seasons in a row, and a prediction of more of the same, I can see that disposable income going to generators and hurricane shutters. We've typically stocked up on non-perishables and water before the season starts, but may go a step farther this year in getting ready for a big blow.
Could help explain why the customers have been staying away....in droves.

Baer, the fishing has turned around in the last few days...6 real fresh Pompano fillets in the fridge as we type.