A Simple Holiday Promo...

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gemsmom

gemsmom

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Oct 10, 2000
Posts
3,576
I just thought I'd pass along an idea I've been using this month as a Christmas promo. We sell alot of photo frames, especially at this time of year. We also sell alot of UV clear glass and have alot of small pieces left over that just get thrown out. I've been taking the strips of glass and cutting them to photo frame size, and wrapping them (we place a sticker on the glass marking the right side). When we sell a photo frame, we give the customer a piece of UV glass. So far, they've been loving it. During Christmas, the glass is free, but I will charge for it after the holidays. I'm hoping whoever gets the glass now will remember the "upgrade" and want it again. I'm also thinking about cutting pieces of Artcare foam to replace the cardboard, just haven't had time.
 
We would never waste our time on this kind of promo. If you sell lots of photo frames, why bother? People rarely put photoframes where sunlight can reach them and UV glass doesn't do a damn bit of good against visible light any way. Anyway, to upgrade photoframes to conservation quality you have to put spacers in them and that is definately a waste of time. I like the Goddesss' idea of a two for one photo frame special.

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Lisa Kozokowsky C.G.A.H.
Frameswest Inc.
 
from a marketing viewpoint I love the idea.

Before someone here (and I honestly forget who) told me to stock every size of UV glass available, we too had 8"-11" wide waste in the glass and we cut them all down for our readymades.

Now we price our readymades with glass and backing and most of our work is UV so they were priced accordingly.

However, if you offer a mix of regular and UV, I think the marketing idea is sound: the customer thinks they're getting a "deal" and it offers you the opportunity to educate and and eventually offer upgrades to that person who just walked out with a little 5 x 7 semi-conservation package.

And oh yeah: I was taught by PPFA leaders, the books I read to become a CPF and tons of other sources that EVERYTHING that is worthy of being custom framed is worthy of conservation glass and the light blocking properties it affords. Protects not only art being framed but the colors in the mats.

Maybe they teach something differently in Canada.

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Michael LeCompte CPF
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lise:
We would never waste our time on this kind of promo. If you sell lots of photo frames, why bother? People rarely put photoframes where sunlight can reach them and UV glass doesn't do a damn bit of good against visible light any way. Anyway, to upgrade photoframes to conservation quality you have to put spacers in them and that is definately a waste of time. I like the Goddesss' idea of a two for one photo frame special.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Really????

Effort is always rewarded.
 
I guess I should have labled this Christams goodwill, not promo since I'm not spending money on it. Lisa is entitled to her opinion, but it is just her opinion. This costs me nothing, takes very little time, and the customers like it.
 
AMEN PAMELA

And that goodwill is worth a heckuva lot more than a piece of glass.

But, maybe they do things differently in Alberta

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Michael LeCompte CPF
 
I'd vote we cut Lisa a little slack here. I thought it sounded like a waste of time, too, but if it make Pamela's customers happy, then it's not a waste of HER time.

Instead of arguing about whether it makes any sense to put UV glass in a photo frame, I'd be interested in how ya'll feel about photo frames in general.

I stayed away from them for years, because all the department stores had them. When Larson-Juhl introduced a photo frame line, I put in a bunch of 'em so my customers wouldn't have to go to the departemt stores. When L-J dumped 'em (none too delicately, by-the-way) I was too lazy to find replacements.

Now I think about all those photos smacked up against the glass and I almost lie awake at night worrying about them. I'm not likely to put in another line. I'm sorry, but it would seem hypocritical to do so when I wouldn't dream of custom-framing a photo without mats or spacers. (I'm aware that there are photo frames that come with mats, but it seems the vast majority do not.)

Ron
 
Ron, those are exactly the reasons I stopped carrying photo frames. I do still sell readymade frames, but I always try to sell a mat or put in spacers to keep the photo away from the glass. if someone brings one in and wants me to put the photo they bought from us in it, I try to put in spacers if I can.

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Anne LeBouton
 
Wow, I assumed Pam brought up this topic for people's feedback. My point is simply this: If I were concerned about conservation quality photo frames, I would concentrate my efforts on spacers, not UV glass. We've all seen photos come in sticking to the glass of these photo frames. Now how many of us actually take the time to do this? Not many I'll bet.

My point regarding UV glass maybe should be reserved for another thread, but our actual experience with having art in a window with only visible daylight, with having a UV coated window film, and, UV glass on our pictures, after only 1 week in the window produced faded colors on almost everything.
When I phoned our UV supplier, we were sent literature that stated, "this UV coating will protect against UV rays, but not damage from visible light."
This is the same coating that is on UV glass.



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Lisa Kozokowsky C.G.A.H.
Frameswest Inc.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lise:
We would never waste our time on this kind of promo. If you sell lots of photo frames, why bother? People rarely put photoframes where sunlight can reach them and UV glass doesn't do a damn bit of good against visible light any way. Anyway, to upgrade photoframes to conservation quality you have to put spacers in them and that is definately a waste of time. I like the Goddesss' idea of a two for one photo frame special.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They rarely put them where sunlight can reach them? What, all your customers are vampires and live in the dark? Their walls and floors don't reflect light??

But seriously, as Mike so wisely pointed out, it's the PERCEPTION. People think they're getting an expensive upgrade for free (they don't need to know it's scrap) and you're an angel for giving it to them, and so sweet to be thinking of the good of my art.

Remember, perception is strong enough even to lead people to make up credentials to put behind their name.

MiterMan
CGAH
(Can't Get Any Hotter)
What does yours stand for?
 
I would think that this would introduce customers to the glass who might not have considered it otherwise. A nice way to ease them into it for future (larger) purchases.
I find also that they always appreciate a "bonus" or freebie.
 
My apologies Lisa, I did come across a bit harsh.
I am wondering how you all differentiate between Ready-mades and photoframes??? here they are one and the same. We make RM's by the thousand, and sell them too! We use them as a tool for selling custom work also, but the reality is that there is a market for them that has to be filled by someone.
 
Lance,
In my book a photo frame includes an easel back.

Pam's goodwill builder is great. Anything that helps a client remember you is great. I might not follow the same approach. I'm a big proponent of throwing out scrap. The company I work for now gives amarylis (plural, Kit?) to clients duting this time of year.

I don't do much with photo frames, I too worry about photos smashed against glass. Sometimes I hand a client a photo frame as they pick up an order, if it's a particularly large order, or it was late. or in any other way screwed up.

I had an experience similar to Lise's with an in house test of conservation glass. Ido not sell it as aggressively as I once did
 
Those of you who do not carry photoframes:

We have a HUGE Hallmark store next to us (and for those of you who do not know, Hallmark is a big greeting card/small gift store most of whom are about 10,000 sq. ft.)

They have an entire wall filled with Burns photoframes. They start at about $10 up to maybe $18

My store has about 10 feet filled with photoframes from LaMarche and Roma Mine start at $30 or so and go up to $125-$150 for the LaMarche Victorian series. My sign in front of both of these displays states they are handmade in Italy (which they are)

I don't want to compete with cheap photoframes. My shop ain't cheap, my looks ain't cheap, and my photoframes ain't cheap.

I sell enough of them to make it worthwhile to keep reinventorying: last I looked, I had a 4X turn annually on the things.

If you do sell photoframes, for Heaven's sake sell the really good looking ones. Pluys, no one will see them in K-Mart, Target, Hallmark, etc.

Once again, you're exclusive and once again it's the public perception of your store.


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Michael LeCompte CPF
 
Michael, You sell like I do. I have LaMarche and Roma, plus a couple others that cannot be readily found elsewhere. I also keep 3x3's, 4 x5's and 5x5's on hand. They are not easy to find, and people are always looking for them. I stay away from Burnes, Fetco and the likes, 'cuz they are everywhere. I am surprised at the feedback from my little suggestion. People generally don't think of a conservation package when they purchase photo frames. I am hoping to get them thinking about it, and remember me when they need it. I sometimes don't think in terms of short term rewards, but in the long term. Kind of like buying stock. This is a very simple, inexpensive way for me to introduce people to conservation materials. If they decide they want spacers and a new backing board, I'll do that, too. Just not for free.
 
When we substitute a piece of conservation glass scrap we enclose a slip of paper that reads as follows: CONGRATULATIONS! This order was selected for a free upgrade to conservation glass, a premium glazing product featuring UV light blocking protection. Your artwork will be spared 97% of damaging ultraviolet light rays. We hope you'll consider specifying conservation glass for all of your future framing orders. It's an appropriate choice any time that preservation is a priority.
 
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