? On Larson-Juhl Training Programs?

[Mitch]

Having read a few discussions on Larson's policy of not servicing home based framers, And recently glancing across PFM's Calendar of Events, I realized I could Stir the hornets nest with a quick question or two.
Does Larson allow home based framers to take their training program?
Would they take an home based framers check and then deny service?

Hmmmmmmmm! Just wondering. :D

[tom davis]

Quote
I realized I could stir the hornets nest with a quick question or two.
Mitch
Things have just started to quiet down and here we go again. I think you might have gotten some answers by now if your query had been a straightforward question but with the quote attached Grumblers may be reluctant to answer. With a member #94 you must have seen your share of problematic questions. I think everyone is tired of the subject of LJ. Just my thoughts on the question. tdavis
:(

[GUMBY, GCF]

Mitch
I would say You should call them. Ask then post the answer.
Jim
OHIO

[BUDDY]

I'm not taking sides even though it may look like it. However It does truly appear you are stirring up a hornets nest for no reason. How would you feel if LJ or any other instrcutor denied you the right to attend a class ? Don't you think they would allow even none framers to take the class?Have you ever been asked to show your credentials when enrolling in a class?
Also do you know of any reputable business person who keeps a check for a service they can't in good faith render? So why do you think LJ would?Lets be fair .
BUDDY

[MerpsMom]

Assuming we're speaking of framing school, the answers are straight-forward. A training program is offered to teach someone to frame. No credentials are needed to enroll. No account is automatically offered you for taking the course, nor should anyone taking the training expect that it will result in an account's being automatically offered you. If you go into business as a retail storefront and meet credit requirements, you will probably find yourself with an account with LJ.

Their training program and their contract to do business with you are completely separate items.

[Reynard]

Surely there are other suppliers who can give you what you want?Forget about LJ why worry about them?If you are able to do your own thing without them then do it.From what I saw of them in this country they were pretty unstartling anyway.

[Jim Miller]

If L-J training is available to non-customers, it may be a very good deal for a newby. L-J's training is slanted toward encouraging students to use L-J products, and is probably subsidized as a promotional expense. Where else could you learn so much for so little investment?

[Bob Shirk MCPF]

I have to agree with Jim. The LJ course is good, they bring in a nationaly recognized instructor. There are twelve people in a class. You get a good manual that will serve as a reference for years to come. All of the learning is hands on. Five full days worth of instruction. Although you are working with LJ materials there is not a hard sell going on, the focus is on learning the basics of framing. Both technical and business issues are covered. If you are smart you will go to dinner with the instuctor and gain a little more knowledge while you eat. I would recomend the LJ course to anyone starting out. The course gives you a good base on which to build your framing knowledge and your business.

[Mel]

This answer is a result of experiece.

After I had bought the equipment and inventory of a closing frameshop, I planned to attend the LJ school. I made contact, attempted to enroll, and was told I would not be allowed to even attend the school if I didn't have an account with them. It would have been equally fatal that I was HB, but my memory is that I had to actually have an open account with them--had I qualified to open an account, which I didn't.

Aside from the HB problem, it struck me as a cart/horse, chicken/egg problem to require I buy from them before I have an open and operating shop. :rolleyes:

[po' framer]

While it would be nice to have someone from LJ give the definitive answer, it seems to me from reading the various posts regarding Larson-Juhl over time that there probably IS no definitive answer.

The answer to almost every question seems to hinge on the particular LJ representative. Have any of you noticed that? The firmest LJ defenders have reps who really work hard to help them any way they can, and of course LJ has lots of nice product to back them up. I'm certain their training seminar is first class as well.

Whenever there's a horror story, it seems to do with a rep actually implementing LJ policy, but great reps within LJ really provide the awesome service that such an industry leader should be known for.

[Cookie]

I took the LJ training muchos anos ago when I was just starting out as a homebased framer. No problem registering for the class. I was very pleased with the training. At that time they wanted you to have a full time business and set hours to get an account with them. They really wern't too excited about homebased even then, but with it being a full time business, not a hobby, they let me have an account.

Po'framer may have something. My first rep was wonderful, helpful and even came to my home based business to make calls. He left, new rep came and never would even talk to me let alone help me. 12 years after signing up with them, they dropped me because I was home based. I think the original rep may have gone to bat for me, but who knows. :confused:

I was very upset at first - - one big reason being I liked the product and service. I've since found other suppliers who are good, helpful, and don't mind my location, and it hasn't affected my business negatively.

Unrelated note - how come it didn't work for me to get one of those cute avatars?

[Cliff Wilson]

I have been investigating starting a shop for the last many months. I traveled to various locations on the East Coast and asked different shop owners a number of questions. One thing I asked was which suppliers were best and which were worst. LJ and others appeared on both lists. It seems to be HIGHLY dependent on the particular rep. When a vendor has a good rep in an area, then that vendor was high on all the frame shops lists from that area. I suspect that is a big part of what's going on with people. As I am getting closer to actually opening, the reps in my area (Central Massachusetts) have been VERY helpful! Including a VERY helpful LJ rep!

Cliff

[John Richards]

Mitch: I know of two customers that took LJ's class yet were denied an account because they were home based. Still, it is an excellent course. We offer a five day course and if you e-mail me your mailing address I'll send out a class schedule. The next one will be in July.

John