Can we beat the Big Boxes? Maybe

[FrameMakers]

In today’s world of Big Boxes and shrinking market share for the independent framer.
Would you consider joining a “True Value Hardware” like co-op for independent framers?

What do the Big Boxes have on we poor struggling independents? MARKETING and the bucks to back it up with. We know our service is generally better. Our quality is generally better, and our pricing is generally as good if not better. Problem is NO BUDDY KNOWS WERE OUT HERE.

FTD has done great things for the Florist industry. I don’t think this would work for framing.

De Berrs has been promoting diamonds for years yet has no retail outlets. Maybe Larson could
Start running TV spots to further create market awareness.

The model based on True Value of ACE hardware sounds like it could be workable.
Combine independents under a brandable name. Combine marketing dollars and the direction of a marketing plan both on a local and national level.

The co-op could adopt standards and even produce training programs. We could adopt FACTS and get this information into every member’s hands.

As a group we could have power over our futures. As individuals we will go the way of so many other industries that have been rolled over by the Big Box machine.

[Emibub]

I would definitely join a co-op. It seems it would help with buying power too. Pooling advertising makes sense too. Just think what kind of ad you would have if several people participated. Wouldn't some sort of group make it possible to get group health coverage? There is strength in numbers, yet you would remain independent.

I like it!

[Alan Sturgess]

What makes me think this idea sounds awfully familiar to Framer's Select. I think Jay Goltz has already started the framers version of Ace Hardware.

Alan

[Cliff Wilson]

Ummm ...

Actually, it sounds more like one of the Franchises to me. Pooled advertising, standards in design and marketing, single brand. Of course you would have to "kick back" to the "coop" begause there would be "centralized" costs that needed sharing.

[FrameMakers]

Framers Select is nothing like what I'm talking about. You dont see FS stores around town. FS does offer some marketing tools to its members, but not shared marketing. FS promotes FS and hopfully bring client to your door. It didn't work for me.

Yes there would be centralized expenses. but with enough members the Bang for your marketing buck would be larger.

I spend $800 a month on my yellow pages. Imagine 20 framers spliting a $2000 full page ad. Then take that $14000 and run TV ads. Even if a percentage has to go to a marketing firm (most get there kickbacks from the ad sales)it would still be less than what I am paying now.

Together we would also have credibility in the market. In this day true independent business are becoming rare.

[FrameMakers]

Cliff it should sound like a franchise. the items you listed are the main reasons for buying into a franchise in the first place.

The difference being that we own the co-op we share expences, but don't have to send in a percentage of sales.

[AWG]

Why spend $2000 on a full page ad when it CAN'T generate that many more sales :confused:

Our name puts us first in the listing:
Applewood Gallery ;) and have nothing more than an "enhanced" listing for around $200.

Aside from that, I think the idea of a co-op, buying group or alliance (whatever you want to call it) is good. Don't we have the guts (at least in numbers) of such an organization in PPFA?? Sure it would need to be re-tooled and drastically changed, but the membership numbers, the organization, etc is there, isn't it?
:confused:
I thought the merger between PPFA and PMAI was supposed to bring more people to the table, more benefits by being a bigger group, etc. Or am I mistaken?

It would seem to me that rather than reinvent the wheel with another group maybe we should explore reinventing PPFA? What's your take??

Tony

[Whynot]

FrameMakers,

I can imagine a sort of protective Frame-union, but I don't understand how its financial and political stance may promote you, individually and locally. It won't be able to promote you, FrameMakers, without doing the same for every member, and managing collective founds and individual needs implies more, not less expenses that must be met on top of regular promotional cost. Unless you truly unite under same name and provide same service, centralized promotion is, in my opinion, both impossible and senseless. Would you consider enroll in a McDonald Frame type operation? As I see it, each framer wants to look differently and set himself apart from his competitors. Or that means personalized promotion... hmmm...
Do I miss something here?

Besides, framers appearing or disappearing, staying small or going large, is not of real concern to molding manufacturers, as long as their product is in demand. Asking LJ to take sides and promote one form of framing over the other is wishful thinking.

In the end the story is world age old: the larger fish feed on smaller ones... and each one lives and die on his own (merits).

[JPete]

There was the 1/2 percent on purchases through our suppliers some of us bought into for awhile. I think there is a thread on that program. Everyone wants cheaper...I'll stick to quality.

[Mitch]

"“True Value Hardware” like co-op for independent framers?"

I could see this happening if we all went exclusive with Larson Juhl.

Be careful what you ask for. I prefer to keep my independence, I feel that in the framing industry, independence is more of a competitive advantage than a disadvantage


'