LJ Finishes

[TADPORTER]

Is it just me or is there absolutely NO CONSISTANCY with LJs finishes lately. The stretcher bar bundles are more consistant than what I have been getting. My samples dont even COME CLOSE to representing what I actually get. I understand there will be slight variations but this is absurd. Im just going to start ordering the ENTIRE LJ line/sample set EVERY MONTH. WHAT A WASTE!!

[Kit aka emrr]

I've found that the Florentinas are pretty much back to looking like the samples but many of the silver finishes have gone gold. I got rid of the Auboisson line for that reason and just sent back a Venetzia. I sell at least as much silver as gold (probably because I like it better) so this is getting to be a real problem. LJ, are you listening? Why are there no silver enhancers??? Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana

[smily]

There goes LJ again setting the highest standards for our industry

[RevBev]

Actually, that was one area where Larson seemed really to outshine almost all other molding brands. If it's true that they are losing control of finish match standards, then one of their justifications for premium pricing will be seriously eroded.

[Framing Goddess]

Just an aside on LJ...
The Goddess thought she would give them (yet) another chance after hearing so many good things about them on this forum. I AM, after all, a business person and if LJ does right by a lot of you respected folks, well then maybe I needed to reconsider.
So, since there is a LJ warehouse here in Cleveland, I thought they would be a good supplier to use for those last minute Xmas jobs. Hey they deliver right to our door.. makes sense to use 'em, eh? So I called in the order for delivery the next day. Here is the conversation that followed...
Very Friendly LJ Associate: " Oh, and about that moulding # 407VMG, it is out of stock."
Silence.
More silence.
Me: "Well..., um..., do you perhaps have it in stock at another location?"
Pause...
VFLJA:"Yes, it is in stock in Cincinnati."
Silence.
More Silence.
Me, finally: "Well..., um..., do you think that it could perhaps be shipped to me from there?"
VFLJA: "Yes, we could do that."
Me: "And you will pick up the shipping cost, of course?"
VFLJA: "No."
Me: "Well, lets just send it out, we need it for Xmas. And it needs to go 2nd day air to make sure we get it in time, but could you please make a note on the invoice that it was flown in to me because you were out of stock in Cleveland? Thanks."
THE END
Hey, I can't afford to do business that way! That was thirty extra dollars to get that here in time! I didn't price that in to that ticket. I deliberately sold a moulding from a local supplier so that we could have it here in time. Ha, that certainly bit me in the butt, huh? Do those of you who are "Partners" get this kind of service? Or do their policies vary depending on how big the checks are that you write to them every month? I ain't mad, just baffled. Anyone have any insight? I will of course protest to LJ, in writing, the shipping charges that I had no choice but to pay, but The Goddess' time is better spent.
Okay, on to more chocolate eating...
-The Goddess
PS... We had a fabulous Christmas and I hope you all did too! Seems like it...

[Croatcat]

OK Goddess,

I ordered a frame a month and a half ago. Seems it was out ot stock in the U.S. So I tell them to chop and send it as soon as it hits the shore in CA since the customer wanted it for XMas. I call last Monday to check on it and was told it was in (that took about ten minutes on hold). I also said it was unfair I should have to pay extra shipping charges to have it before XMas, but go ahead and ship it.

Friday I call to find out why the order hadn't arrived, only to be informed it was shipped UPS ground and would arrive the 26th.

After some slight profanity I apologized and hung knowing it wasn't her fault. So I left a nasty messege with my sales rep.

The frame arrived today with shipping charges tacked onto it. Their normal policy is no shipping charge if local distributer is out of stock.

I used to be a "partner" until my sales dropped one month and was demoted. When asked if my buying went up, they replied I would be a partner again. I don't do the yo-yo thing. I've been replacing samples ever since.

I get the feeling I'm not a big enough account for them to mess with, so I'm not.

So you all have heard it said before.

Was that a large lure I just swallowed?!!

[accent]

Regarding LJ's policy on outs, They will pay freight if you order length and they are out in your local warehouse. However you have to order chop for them to pick up the freight.(ground).
For the most part LJ has been great to me. If there are any unsolveable problems, use your rep, that is their job to keep you satisfied.
WE do use other in town suppliers and they all have glitches atr one time or another. But, how they help you is the key .

Accent

[Framing Goddess]

Huh, funny I have to hear about these policies from you all.
Rep???? You mean I have a LJ rep? http://www.thegrumble.com/framer/ubbs/wink.gif
-The Goddess

[mbshir]

LJ lists the policy in the front of their catalogue

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Maryann

[B Carter]

Jay Goltz hit the nail on the head when he said "Suppliers-Love 'em or leave 'em" If there is a single source that never had a single out of stock during the holiday season, please let the rest of us know. I had out of stocks from every single supplier; not at all unusual during this time of year. Just use some good judgement and common sense, take care of your customer the best you can and learn to live with 99% perfection.

[Framing Goddess]

Just for the record, this was the only out-of-stock situation and the only frustration/hassle I had to deal with this season. Not bad, really!
And I TOTALLY agree with the "suppliers-love-'em-or-leave-'em" attitude as you all well know from my previous posts.

[Don]

I will admit that LJ has not served me as well this year as in years past. I do wonder though how much of this is just the Cleveland warehouse. Of the LJ locations they ranked Denver the #1 warehouse in 1999. LJ has still been my best supplier followed by DJ Wholesale. My local suppliers from Salt Lake are a joke. We even have one that will tack on an extra $5 if you forget to order an item and you want to add it on to your order you placed 5 minutes ago. It seems to me that the industry standards for wholesalers is something that needs to be overhauled. I do hope that LJ is listening and tries a little harder to keep their standards up so that they might influence the others to play a little catch-up.(That goes as well for any other wholesalers to)

[sumik]

Framing Goddess,we probably deal with the same rep. At least the same warehouse. Call them and ask for a visit. My LJ rep even brought a tin of cookies this year.(A first for me)