Can't Beleive this!

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HarryGMCPF

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Posts
797
Loc
Northborough, MA
Got this in my e-mail today. It is from a company that I USED TO buy office supplies from....
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"Design Your Own Framed Art!
Our on-line frame shop lets you design your own masterpiece. View your selection on your wall color and mix and match frames and mats until you’ve got it just right. Or choose from our beautiful designer recommendations and already-framed QuickShip items – we have something for every decor.

Our online gallery has thousands of art prints and canvas in every size, color and style, organized into easy-to-shop collections that make choosing the right art easy! Custom framed art can instantly add a dramatic focal point to any room, and even help with troublesome decorating areas."
Old Colony Framed Art

I wil be needing a new source for paper and toner now....
 
Well I know Office Max has a simular service if not the same. It is the wave of the future, although i don't belive that this will make a dent.

Meijers offers a custom sorta frame service. I again don't think that will make a dent either.

I belive that these major retailers will give the custom framed art a try since it is mostly farmed out and has little to no cost for them to offer.

It has been my experience though that they will not see the numbers that they hope for and will pull the plug.

I feel the real threat is from pre-framed art at prices we can't even come close to touching.

This does bring up an iteresting point. What type of items are coming in for framing in our stores and what type of items can not be framed at these locations.
 
Fad of the future?
Is this something you do only at their shop and on their computer? Otherwise if I can do it at home it demands first that I have a computer, second that I am aware of their site, and thirdly that I am set up to my best possible viewing? Not all things look the same on everyones computer. Many variables there?
I think that is more of a fad. I am Probably wrong though and it will take off like a shot and I will be left in the dust. ha!
"The view never changes from the back of the pack"
 
Harry, couldn't find the "Office Supply" name.. Not impressed with the site per se, but it is the same stuff that is on the wall next to the bathrooms at Office Depot.

These sites are NO FAD. They appeal to office purchasing drudges who sit in a cubie and "buy corperate art" to dress up the company walls.

I used to make a mint a zillion years ago with print transfers and frames from Mexico; just because I knocked on doors.

Not they are don't say anything about glass.
 
Originally posted by FrameMakers:

This does bring up an iteresting point. What type of items are coming in for framing in our stores and what type of items can not be framed at these locations.
Click to expand...
Among the things to be framed in my shop right now:
A hammer engraved with the recipient's name and date to be framed with a certificate and photo.

3 pieces near 32x40

1 Civil War print to be done with open panel mat and fillet and brass plaque.

1 college diploma to be framed with book and tassels and "cords" and little hangie things on a ribbon...

1 back pocket from a pair of work pants to be framed with a fabric mat done with the flannel from a faded work shirt.

1 rodeo glove with a signed poster and "number" the rider wore...

A huge set of boy scout patches...

(Whew - makes me tired just thinking about it...)

No, I don't think many "office supply" stores would take these...
 
Betty you made my point. Most of the items listed are memory items, things that have real meaning to the owners.

This is were we need to focus our marketing. I am not saying to focus only on object framing but on things that have meaning to the owners. A print in a frame has very little meaning enless is was purchased on a trip.
 
I wonder how many of these big box framing services will stay in business when faced with customers who want something extra. I don't just mean extra custom framing services, but extra personal attention. Developing the customer relationship takes time and personal interest. Do it right and you have a customer for life and lots of referrals too. I have a number of customers who tried the 'bargain' framers and came back because the sale people were inexperienced, clueless, rude, or indifferent.
 
Kate, the big boxes are here to stay, although wishful thinking would dictate otherwise (see the latest Joann's thread).

The operation we are talking about here is a on-line frame operation with order terminals set up in non-framing BB stores.

It is easy to point to JA & M and say that they do a lousy job but in many case that's just not true.

The worse part is that OUR customers are going to the BB in the first place. This proves that $$$ are now the main focus for many people.
 
What is to stop all the various chains and BB's to add the new Lieberman's service to their site? All it takes is a signature and a check. And BAM they are e-tailing 100,000 posters.

If this framing set-up is the same - one source using resellers on the web - then all the cost is on the producer. The reseller gets a commission, which once it offsets his minimum fees he turns a profit.

Might not need to turn a very large volume for it to be worth it to the reseller. If the producer gets enough accounts, it just goes on autopilot.
 
Hi Katie-Depending on your age, you might remember every city had a few office supply stores. You bought office furniture, copiers, paper-pretty much everything you needed for an office

Where are those stores today?

They must be right next door to the Camera Stores and the Computer stores and the Travel Agencies and the corner Grocery stores

I'll bet they were all convinced that they would be just fine as customers fed up with rude, inexperienced, clueless and indifferent employees would flood their stores.

I must tell you, we visit a lot of shops and the BB's are not the sole domain for indifferent and clueless employees

Consumers shop for many reasons at the shops they select. When we fail to address (or at least attempt to adress) those same issues maybe it is we that are the exact same things we so easily love to drop at the doorstep of our competition

They are answering the needs of a much, much larger (and growing) segment of today's marketplace.

Perhaps a wiser course of action might be to adapt some of th emore successful traits of these guys. Add those to your self acclaimed advantages and you may see some real reversal of the trend

Ignore them and you may wish to buy a larger shovel
 
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