Fitting Fees?

[amanda]

Just curious how many of us charge a 'fitting fee"? And, is this the same fee as "labor" or seperate? We charge fitting fee, no labor (unless something is particularly tricky and time-consuming)
thanx http://www.thegrumble.com/framer/ubbs/smile.gif

[RonEggers]

It seems this is one of those days when I have opinions about almost everything.

For me the fitting charge is nearly a straight labor charge, except for some misc hardware and materials. The fitting fee covers the cost of:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Cleaning the glass (if used)
<LI>Attaching the art into the frame or assembling a metal frame
<LI>Attaching a dust seal and appropriate hanging hardware
[/list]
It does not include:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Any required mounting, backing or stretching
<LI>Specialty hardware such as easels or security hangers
<LI>Spacers used to raise the glass
[/list]

I charge an additional fitting charge if I'm refitting into an old frame (depending on the condition of the frame) or if I have to clean the customer's own glass.

Does that help at all?

[This message has been edited by RonEggers (edited September 06, 2001).]

[Cheryl Crocker CPF GCF]

Fitting fees cover my time on putting piece into frame. It is straight out labor. I have a minimum charge which increases with size of piece.
Everything else is calculated elsewhere. Recently started adding additional fee to moulding to cover blades/cutting/joining/etc. though I thought I had this built in. Have increased my ticket average with almost no complaints.
I charge for everything...glass cleaning, cleaning the rabbet of a nasty old frame, higher fitting fees to assemble Wal-Mart readymades (they take longer), Different types of mounts, even have additional labor on specialty mouldings.

[Slowalkintexan]

Today, I have loads of opinions

Depending on what they want, we sometimes charge, sometimes don't, and sometimes tactfully refuse to do anything.

Years ago, a good customer wanted us to remount an oil painting that fell out of the frame. The frame was ####...poor corners, very little material to fasten clips too, etc. We did the best we could. So even though we told the dear lady she should not use that frame, get a new one, etc. everytime it fell out again she brought it back and it kept getting worst. She was never happy with us again.

So, now, my people understand they must be VERY careful on what they offer to do and for how much. If they want to refuse a request, or put a very high price on it, they know I'll back them up. They know that if I make money they do also, and if I don't they don't. So they are leery of freebies.

If we do a fitting, a re-frame, or whatever we charge our normal prices PLUS whatever it costs, timewise, to correct the previous framers mistakes. We don't touch Wal-mart frames. We suggest they either buy a new frame, or sent them to a high price shop across town (maybe that's why she's mad at me).

[B. Newman]

The man who owned the frame shop that I worked in right out of high school (30 years ago) itemized everything on the ticket. And old habits die hard (except the masking tape and cardboard kind, saw that on Warped.) He called the fitting charge "fit and seal". We told the customers, "That will be $X, ready to hang". One of my first customers after I opened my own shop told me when her husband saw the framed piece, complete with hanger he said, "You mean all I have to do is find a hammer?" I knew what the "ready to hang" really meant.

Betty

[Framar]

I used to charge fitting, but now, if I sell them the frame, I don't charge a fitting fee. However, I have a special price schedule for those dirty nasty old frames, even though I am usually painting, cleaning, refinishing or repairing them, I charge a hefty fitting fee. I also charge extra for cleaning old encrusted glass. I Love old glass, I sell my client's on its special qualities, "Look at those lovely ripples, perfect on your antique print!"

If an unusual job comes up, I guestimate how many hours it will take to accomplish, and tell the client my hourly fee. I try to make the estimate high, so they can be thrilled when it comes to less.

[curly]

We have several "fitting" charges. They increase in price (based on size). They are as follows;
1) Fit - This includes any job that we "Fit" into a frame.
2) FitMat - This charge is if the piece is matted as it always takes alittle longer to fit something that has a mat on it.
3) Open/refit - This is if we have to open a frame and rplace the glass or remat the art and then "refit" it into the customers frame.
4) Open/refit 2 - This is for the most difficult job that maybe has a special problem. This is a judgement call by the salesperson. For example, if the piece is sealed on the back with duct tape, or the customer is a P.I.T.A (Pain In The A**).
All of the charges of course are inrcremental. Without saying exactly how much I charge, they go up 10%, 15% and 25% over the previous. They all make the frame "Ready to hang"


------------------
curlyframer, CPF