Decor Pricing Survey--where do you stand?

[tnframer408]

THe June Pricing Survey was interesting. Where do you stand? It's broken down into dollar amounts; I've used their parameters, and let's assume we're using the "Typical Frame" on page 88: 16 x 20, 1" hardwood moulding ordered chop, single rectangular mat (and I ASSUME this is paper since Decor doesn't spec otherwise), dry mounting onto foam, regular glass and fitting. OK--their survey says the national average is $126.56. Let's use this as a base.

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

Michael,

Great idea for a poll!

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

[Less]

Typical Hardwood? they need to be more specific!
Mine probably range between $8-$14ft
Let's say larson 440NAT $11ft

moulding $11x7ft= $77
fit $14
reg. glass $10
dry mount $16
alpha mat $17 don't sell paper
Total $134

OK, guilty of using Larson's 2001 Suggested retail chart redface.gif

If I follow LJs to the letter with paper $125.85
How bout dat, wat ta co ink ka dink tongue.gif

[JFeig]

As a trained accountant with a degree in economics, I ahve always had a trouble with the statistics in the survey. When I went to school the sum was the total of the parts.
The sum of "framing sales" and "all other sales" have never equaled the total store sales in any of the catagories for over 18 years that I can remember. If I can remember (I am home for this posting) the sum has almost always been greater than the total.
In the same manner I can recall that the national averages were out of wack with the old regional averages that were once quoted. Averages are now quoted by size of a tade area.

As to the survey at face value, If I compare my prices to large metro (1-2 million) my prices are about even or below those listed. I have one area that is consistently higher. That is stretching textiles. We usually sew a textile onto a stretched washed muslin pillow supported with t 4 ply mat boards.

[AndyPan, CPF]

We ran lessafinger's suggestions through our computer and came out fairly close to what she arrived at. We came out about $4 less than lessathinger, but for this area, I think that puts us right in a good area.

[tnframer408]

I wanted to try this only because in the article the writer says hopefully we'll all be about 25% higher than these figures; which I assume they imply that these figures are way too low.

[tnframer408]

Less: perhaps that's the point of the survey: people used the LJ pricing code and then never updated over the months for price increases in the componentry: mats, mouldings, glass, etc. If people's figures are close to the survey's, could that be the reason?

[Less]

tnframer408
I think your right on the money (pardon the pun).

I know there is a danger in following a vendor's suggested retail, but it seems a good place to start.

I would bet most framers don't keep up, while our suppliers surely do.

I still have flash backs of walking into a frame shop in Sheffield MA run by husband and wife artists. They primarily had LJ on the wall. I picked up a LJ Château corner and almost fell over when I saw the price. I introduced myself and asked them how they had such a low price on these mouldings. They replied with pride, that they only buy length and charge 2x length.

They either are independently wealthy, or live in a cardboard box. I understand they are very busy and have started a family.

So, maybe I've been brain washed and I've got it all wrong.

I'm just glad I live in another state.