The Picture Framers Grumble - Picture Framing Business Issues http://www.thegrumble.com/ If it is Marketing, Advertising, Pricing, Insurance, Leases, Business Plans, etc . . . This may be a better venue for your question or issue. Comment on the current trade magazine articles and Business Issues. en Fri, 24 May 2013 16:44:48 GMT vBulletin 30 http://www.thegrumble.com/images/misc/rss.png The Picture Framers Grumble - Picture Framing Business Issues http://www.thegrumble.com/ Shipping.....when you work out of your home. http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68539-Shipping-when-you-work-out-of-your-home&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 22:43:47 GMT My FedEx driver told me today that if you have a business in your home or if you sometimes ship business packages to your home instead of to the... My FedEx driver told me today that if you have a business in your home or if you sometimes ship business packages to your home instead of to the business, that you should ask your driver for a OP-201 form. This form authorizes the driver to leave the package at the door and not get a signature. It will keep you from paying extra shipping fees because this form recognizes your business. Sometimes the residential deliveries and home based businesses can be $3 - $6 more per package because the receiver is not recognized as a business. If you give this form to your driver, you won't get the extra charges. ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Pat Kotnour http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68539-Shipping-when-you-work-out-of-your-home Suggestion Considering changing store name http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68538-Considering-changing-store-name&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 20:46:26 GMT I am expanding my store and actually moving into a larger space across the entry way from my existing store. It is now going to have a beautiful... I am expanding my store and actually moving into a larger space across the entry way from my existing store. It is now going to have a beautiful gallery space in addition to a remodeled frame shop. My present name is Gallery of Framing and I am wondering if changing it to Gallery of Art and Framing is going to be a head ache or worth the while. Has anyone changed their store name before and what are some things I'm going to need to take into consideration. I'm attaching my logo so you see what it is now.

Thanks for responding to my query!

LoriGALLERY LOGO1.jpg
Attached Images
]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Creative Chicks http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68538-Considering-changing-store-name Question Assembling/Fitting with their Materials http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68534-Assembling-Fitting-with-their-Materials&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 18:08:56 GMT I am revisiting and restructuring my charges for customers who bring in their own frames, glass, and mats, and ask us to work with them. I received... I am revisiting and restructuring my charges for customers who bring in their own frames, glass, and mats, and ask us to work with them. I received wonderful suggestions about resizing glass in my other thread.

Anyone care to offer what they charge to assemble when someone brings in their own frame? Seems like I have several of these a week. :(

It would be much appreciated! ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Beveled http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68534-Assembling-Fitting-with-their-Materials Text Message Marketing http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68525-Text-Message-Marketing&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 02:51:18 GMT Anyone using text message marketing? I have had a couple companies call on me lately and wanted to see if anyone has tried it. Anyone using text message marketing? I have had a couple companies call on me lately and wanted to see if anyone has tried it. ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues DTWDSM http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68525-Text-Message-Marketing <![CDATA[billed for 10' and sent 3 meter stick]]> http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68521-billed-for-10-and-sent-3-meter-stick&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 00:26:59 GMT I know this has been covered before but this gripes me. I have called different suppliers over the years for sending three meter sticks and billing... I know this has been covered before but this gripes me. I have called different suppliers over the years for sending three meter sticks and billing for ten feet. This can be more of an issue if you were actually needing the full stick. Engelson Moulding sees nothing wrong with billing for a ten foot stick and have told me that I am the only one that has complained. Has anyone else complained other than me? ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues frameitnow http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68521-billed-for-10-and-sent-3-meter-stick Opinions Wanted Using Every Door Direct Mail http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68511-Using-Every-Door-Direct-Mail&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:09 GMT Are you using Every Door Direct Mail by USPS? What have been your experiences Cost Return Reach Frequency Who are you using for printing. Are you using Every Door Direct Mail by USPS?

What have been your experiences

Cost
Return
Reach
Frequency

Who are you using for printing.
Size of your piece
???

thanks ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues j Paul http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68511-Using-Every-Door-Direct-Mail Wanted Ideas for Marketing Activities and Events http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68501-Ideas-for-Marketing-Activities-and-Events&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 17:01:25 GMT Our Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a new event in July called SunFest. It is a community development and tourism initiative designed to enhance... Our Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a new event in July called SunFest. It is a community development and tourism initiative designed to enhance lifestyles in the city and surrounding areas. It is planned to be one of the largest events our small city of 15,000 has experienced including a concert featuring Jo Dee Messina.

I am open for suggestions on inexpensive marketing and advertising ideas for that specific week. I have already planned for:

1. give-away treat bags with pens, mini levels, notepads, etc.
2. special offer on name photo mats to utilize a lot of scrap mat and extra Wizard corners
3. sidewalk display/vignette ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Sister http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68501-Ideas-for-Marketing-Activities-and-Events Post your FACEBOOK page links here...... http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68480-Post-your-FACEBOOK-page-links-here&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 17:23:26 GMT Thought it would be nice for everyone to have a source to each other's pages.

Here's a few of my non~grumble framer friends' pages....

LIKE AWAY!

This is my friend Christian's site. He's awesome. From Ohio.
Has like 1000 likes on his page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cyrus...268938?fref=ts
My friend Judy's shop in Montana.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-A...pe/52909422956
This is Rob Jensich's page
https://www.facebook.com/GildedEdgeFrameShopandGallery ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues blackiris http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68480-Post-your-FACEBOOK-page-links-here Needlework Questions http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68427-Needlework-Questions&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 14:29:49 GMT I just completed this project for a customer and I welcome some of y’alls perspective on a couple of issues. This needlepoint is 13 x 12 (just the... I just completed this project for a customer and I welcome some of y’alls perspective on a couple of issues. This needlepoint is 13 x 12 (just the art).

I often read on the Grumble the importance of charging customers for all of one’s labor… to not under-cut oneself. However, as a newbie I’m inclined to believe that I shouldn’t charge people more for labor than what a more experienced framer would charge. I’m convinced that as a newbie it takes me longer to do things now than what it will in the future with more experience, and that customers shouldn’t have to pay for my lack of experience. Do you believe my approach here is valid?

I have only charged for an hour for my fitting of this item, which is meant to basically cover my labor for blocking, stretching, lacing, mounting and putting it all together in the frame. My POS renders a profit margin for the foam core I use, the spacer I will use, the matboard, glass and frame (inclusive of my labor to cut each and join).

I spent a lot more time than an hour doing all the prep work. I spent about a week blocking this thing at home in the evenings using steam from our iron (easily over 2 hours collectively). I was afraid to be too aggressive with this phase so I did a little at a time. Was I being overly cautious in taking so much time for this phase? It was the typical parallelogram and it seemed to be in very good condition even though the piece was done in 1991. The stretching and lacing took about 1 and ˝ to 2 hours.

But my primary question is this: How much time would this size of project take you to block, stretch, lace and mount… and do you always fully charge for this labor?

VLB Needlepoint.jpg



Z
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]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Z David http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68427-Needlework-Questions Opinions Wanted California Dreaming http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68426-California-Dreaming&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 14:22:59 GMT I am asking all CA framers to share their opinions on the state of their local economy. I am considering buying a shop in southern California. My... I am asking all CA framers to share their opinions on the state of their local economy. I am considering buying a shop in southern California. My family rants against it and I have no proof that the economy there is improving. ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Gryphon Projects http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68426-California-Dreaming Employee dress code http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68415-Employee-dress-code&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 14:01:14 GMT I've not had a problem with my employees and how they dress regarding decent looking clothing. When they hire in, I ask them to not wear t-shirts, and worn looking jeans.

Currently, we have a part time college student who dresses beautifully, sometimes wearing lovely dresses and skirts, beyond what I might expect someone to wear while framing. However, she has a real fondness for flip flops and sandals. I've asked her a couple of times not to wear them, citing that she could easily get cuts or injuries from glass.

Summer is coming, and I'm foreseeing the issue coming up again. I'm thinking I need to outright tell her, you MUST wear closed toed shoes to work from now on.

Do you have and enforce a particular dress code? ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Beveled http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68415-Employee-dress-code I need a hand testing out my mobile optimized website. http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68322-I-need-a-hand-testing-out-my-mobile-optimized-website&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 15:16:12 GMT My website hangingaroundhoover.com is a hot mess ;) but it looked even worse when viewed on a mobile device. About half of our new customers... My website hangingaroundhoover.com is a hot mess ;) but it looked even worse when viewed on a mobile device.

About half of our new customers find the shop from Google, mobile search, or facebook, so I really need to fix my web presence.

Please go to www.hangingaroundhoover.com on your mobile device and let me know if you see any glitches, or if you would add or remove any of the content.

And let me know what mobile device you are using, if your having a problem viewing any of the content.

Thanks in advance. At only $72.00 per year it's worth a try. ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues MichaelMixonPhotography http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68322-I-need-a-hand-testing-out-my-mobile-optimized-website Warren Buffett, Rock Star http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68318-Warren-Buffett-Rock-Star&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 02:56:50 GMT Article here... Article here ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues Kirstie http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68318-Warren-Buffett-Rock-Star We just got another 5 star review http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68305-We-just-got-another-5-star-review&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 04:56:07 GMT Another 5 star review on Yelp. That makes 15 out of 15.

Guess who had the treats for the puppy....:rolleyes:
The way to a client's heart... I love them puppies...


People are always quick to knock or criticize a business.
Even when you take the time to do a great job and provide excellent service, too often it's rare that it gets acknowledged.
It's great when someone takes the time to give a thumbs up. ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues neilframer http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68305-We-just-got-another-5-star-review Opinions Wanted Order Completion Notification http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68278-Order-Completion-Notification&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 17:36:36 GMT I just upgraded my FrameReady and one of the features is one click order completion notification by email. For some reason, I hate hate hate making... I just upgraded my FrameReady and one of the features is one click order completion notification by email. For some reason, I hate hate hate making phone calls when a customers order is ready. I have also found that with many customers, they prefer to get an email as nobody likes to check on their voice mail.

Obviously not everyone is a tech person and has or checks their emails, but many now get them on their cell phone in real time.

Thoughts, opinions, concerns?

Quote:
Dear____________,

Just a quick note to let you know that your framing order is complete and ready to pick up.

Thank you for trusting us with your framing needs and for supporting family owned businesses,

Nancy and Dave Wetterstroem

FrameMakers of Powell
9856 Brewster Ln.
Powell, Oh 43065
614-718-9915

Tue-Fri 10-6
Sat 10-4
First name only or first and last? I tend to like first name only as Nancy and I are the only ones in the shop and we are in no way formal. ]]> Picture Framing Business Issues FrameMakers http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?68278-Order-Completion-Notification