AB frankenthread

[kdub]

I didn't want to hijack PaulSF's thread for cheap $3 frames but what he said reminded me of something.

"she had come from Aaron Brothers, where she found some really nice 5x7 frames that were $3 each, part of a 75% off inventory clearance. Only problem was, they weren't black. Much nicer. I might run down there and buy up all their stock, and sell it in my store for $10."

I once interviewed someone who used to work at AB when they suggested that I should buy their frames when they were on a "Buy one, get one for a penny" sale.

Now, being that most of you are independent shop owners, how would you take that statement and what would be your reply?

 

[Bill Henry-]

I’d do the math. If I couldn’t get a better price buying wholesale, I’d go for it.

 

[Emibub]

Their penny sale frames are generally old sku's that haven't moved or special buy frames with the emphasis on "special". Not exactly stuff you can put back up to a retail price and sell. I was hard pressed as a framer to find any i wanted to buy anyway.

It was amazing how many people bought the frames on the penny sale and would come back in with their receipt and want to return the full price frames and keep all the penny ones. Good times!

 

[D_Derbonne]

It was amazing how many people bought the frames on the penny sale and would come back in with their receipt and want to return the full price frames and keep all the penny ones. Good times!

Kathy, that memory of "good times" seems to be having an adverse effect on Barbie.
or maybe she's sad because you're not working there anymore?

 

[kdub]

I guess what got me is that this guy was interviewing for a job here and suggesting I go to my competitor to buy my inventory kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I'm an independent shop owner and I try very hard to be different from the big boxes. We make our own ready mades out of our overstock length and also buy smaller photo frames from a few different suppliers. Selling AB's frames for more than what they are selling them for (once I factor in cost and mark up) just doesn't make sense.

If you were interviewing for a job at say, Target, would you suggest they go to WalMart and buy their clearance merchandise and resell it? Probably not.

I suppose I should chalk it up to his inexperience working in a small shop.

 

[D_Derbonne]

"what would be your reply?"


I would have thanked the person for their time and told them that I was still interviewing.

I would have been thinking "don't let the door hit you in the ***.

"how would you take that statement ?"

Very presumptous of an interviewee to tell you how you should be running your business!

 

[DVieau2]

I wouldn't get too indignant. On the surface it appears logical.

The comment just shows that the person is inexperience in operating a business.

Were you expecting an MBA?

Doug

 

[Paul Cascio]

I once interviewed someone who used to work at AB when they suggested that I should buy their frames when they were on a "Buy one, get one for a penny" sale.

Now, being that most of you are independent shop owners, how would you take that statement and what would be your reply?

I would hire the guy. You'll never have to worry about him becoming your competitor.

 

[Cretin75]

If I owned my own shop, I would buy them and sell them.

Heck, the local Dollar Tree has Burnes of Boston 3 1/2 x 5 frames now. We used to sell them for $7.99 roughly. Now, they are a dollar there.

Edit -- oops, didn't read all of what you typed. Didn't notice that this was coming from a person you were interviewing. That's a tough one. Not a good way to make a first impression.