CORNERS picture framing superstores

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Terry Hart cpf

Terry Hart cpf

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 23, 2003
Posts
2,087
Loc
Excelsior, MN
Anyone familliar with this outfit? One opened up not far from here. Maybe 10mi. 'Course they're just about across the street fom M's.
 
Looks like you need to fix your signature line, too! ;)

I've never heard of them but I don't get to town much... :p
 
Here's their website: http://www.cornersframing.com/services.htm

And this is from their "about" page:
Corners Picture Framing Superstores is a leading national custom framing specialty retailer, which currently operates 31 Company-owned superstores in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and California.

The Company's main product segments are:
o Custom Framed Art
o Custom Framed Memorabilia
o Custom Framed Mirrors
o Ready Made Frames

The Company's marketing strategy is:
o Superior Product Quality
o Unparalleled Customer Service
o Everyday Value Pricing
o Unconditional Guarantees on all Products
Corners offers consumers an overall enhanced shopping experience, with a larger, warm and comfortable store environment, knowledgeable and well-trained framing consultants.
 
Corners is a "chain" from the Northeast that was purchased by FPE aka BA Framer -- the bunch that ran the AC Moore framing depts.

They were in Garden Ridge as well. They bought a bunch of Prints Plus locations and are "expanding" with the Corners brand name and system into other areas of the country.

They have historically tended to "discounting ala Ms" but with the purchase I haven't seen as many mailings. (although the last time I drove by one of their stores they had a big 70% off sign in the window.)

Others on here know a lot more, but what in particular did you want to know?
 
I opened stores for them years ago.

They were bought out several times.

In the north east they opened 50 stores in 1 year and ALL but 4 closed within the following 2 years.

They jack up prices and then slash them like Michaels. They didn't used to do a lot of mailings. (this could also be why so many closed around here)

They used to be in bed with Larson and then jumped ship for some snot wood suplier.

Like most larger frame chains, they are only as good as the best framer there. The pay was really low (even for framing) and they had high turn around.

I have heard the current owners haven't done much to foster a secure work environment but with all that being said, some of them do REALLY well.

Email or post with any specific questions. I think there are more than a few Grumblers with a history with them.
 
I was just curious. Hadn't heard of them before. The way I heard about them was odd too. Their new shop manager (according to his card) came in looking for a part time job. I see from their website Minnesota isn't even listed as a state where they do business. I've been to the mall where they are located fairly recently & didn't see them but there's also an M's & others like Deck the Walls , Wooden Bird & one or two others in within that square mile. Maybe they sell as much or more preframed art & such as custom framing. I'll have to drop in one day.
 
The shops near here do close to or more than 1mil per yr, but rumor has it they are losing some each year since the "takeover" by the current owners. As jb said, they have their own line of moulding and the folks I've talked to aren't happy with the current selections.

They still beat me in annual revenue though.

And, they have (here at least) been PREDOMINATELY custom framing with "some" readymade and art sales.

They have traditionally cometed competently with Ms.
 
CAframer said:
Here's their website: http://www.cornersframing.com/services.htm

And this is from their "about" page:
Corners Picture Framing Superstores is a leading national custom framing specialty retailer, which currently operates 31 Company-owned superstores in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and California.

The Company's main product segments are:
o Custom Framed Art
o Custom Framed Memorabilia
o Custom Framed Mirrors
o Ready Made Frames

The Company's marketing strategy is:
o Superior Product Quality
o Unparalleled Customer Service
o Everyday Value Pricing
o Unconditional Guarantees on all Products
Corners offers consumers an overall enhanced shopping experience, with a larger, warm and comfortable store environment, knowledgeable and well-trained framing consultants.
Click to expand...

Well, actually, this is from about 4 years ago. When they were a company to be proud of. It truly was a great company at one time. Great people, great phylosophies, and great operating processes.

Then as others have indicated, they sold out to another company. The rest, as they say, is history.

As for them openig stores all over the US, I beleive (though I am not certain) they picked up a bunch of the old Prints Plus locations.

Also as indicated, they play the pricing/discount game big-time. Heavy on the direct mail and 40-50-60-70% discounts of one kind or another at all times. Would probably not sell much at thier "regular" prices.

The older Corners stores in the Boston, NY metro, and San Francisco areas, do a significant sales volume, though, the last I knew, they have been on a steady decline for many years.
 
VeluzarStudios said:
I read an article some time ago that CORNERS wants to be the Home Depot of Picture framing.
Click to expand...

Who in their right mind...
Ok, someones benn messin' with my signature... nothing left but content. Wheres the context?
 
At first glance I thought this was a new thread but it goes back a couple of years.

Terry, What happened to Corners??

In 2008 I don’t believe they have a store in Minnesota.

Doug
 
DVieau2 said:
At first glance I thought this was a new thread but it goes back a couple of years.

Terry, What happened to Corners??

In 2008 I don’t believe they have a store in Minnesota.

Doug
Click to expand...

HI, I am in mass. Seeing/ hearing of closings in this state. Someone said a company in boston area bought them out.
They were having sales over and over, looked like they were going out of business, short staffed etc.
there is nothing at all online for a website.
 
They went through several names and restructures, and are now owned by BAFRAMER.

They closed a bunch of stores this month, including most in MA. A lot of framers lost their jobs.

Here is a thread about the closings, that goes into greater detail: http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=32951

Mike

PS: Welcome to the Picture Framer's Grumble!
 
hey terry

they bought out the prints plus here in ridgedale and within 6 months they were gone, i don't think we have anything to worry about (not that you would). most of my clientele have become accustomed to quality framing...and corners is anything but. they did have a huge selection of large underpriced mirrors,crappy moulding and even worse workmanship. just about every mitre was split. where are they now?
 
et al,

Why did you revive this dead horse? Are you looking to buy one of their stores? Or just causing a dust up? If you want to stir up trouble ask us about round brown bumpons melting!
 
Bob Doyle said:
et al,

Why did you revive this dead horse? Are you looking to buy one of their stores? Or just causing a dust up? If you want to stir up trouble ask us about round brown bumpons melting!
Click to expand...

Dust up? what the heck is that? Trouble? No, asking a #### question. Touchy?
 
Mike,

Thanks for the link, I missed it the first go around.



When I worked there a LONGGGG time ago the stores were mostly staffed by pretty good framers that cared about doing a good job.

Management kept cutting the feet out from under them every turn of the road.

It is a shame that a bunch of people I knew are all out of a job.

If I could hire a few of them I would.

Bob
 
I heard the beginning of the end was when they started promoting Museum Glass. The extra labor and waste has been killing their profits.
 
The economy is effecting almost all businesses right now. However, in the case of Corners, I think there are some things we might learn: most important is the need to diversify with other products and/or services.

Offering other goods and services gives the public more reasons to stop in, and of course produces additional income. Framing offers good margins but it could use some helps in generatiing traffic and increasing exposure.
 
PaulSF said:
I heard the beginning of the end was when they started promoting Museum Glass. The extra labor and waste has been killing their profits.
Click to expand...

That seems odd. Were they giving it away?

There is no extra labor to use Museum Glass, other than to wrap leftovers, and the cost of scrap ought to be covered in profitable pricing, just as with all other sheet products framers use.

If scrap of any sort or labor cost had anything to do with their demise, that must have been a poorly managed outfit.

It's unfortunate that those framers are now out of work.
 
The problem with Museum Glass is that it adds a lot to the price of the purchase,but produces very little profit relative to other upgrade items of the same dollar amount.
 
Paul Cascio said:
The problem with Museum Glass is that it adds a lot to the price of the purchase,but produces very little profit relative to other upgrade items of the same dollar amount.
Click to expand...

Here we go.............
 
Jim Miller said:
That seems odd. Were they giving it away?

There is no extra labor to use Museum Glass, other than to wrap leftovers, and the cost of scrap ought to be covered in profitable pricing, just as with all other sheet products framers use.

If scrap of any sort or labor cost had anything to do with their demise, that must have been a poorly managed outfit.

It's unfortunate that those framers are now out of work.
Click to expand...

Just kidding, Jim.
 
I have no less then THREE Corners in my immediate vicinity. My former boss, whom I bought my shop from 3 years ago, used to froth at the mouth when any Corners ex-employee came in to apply for a job. He'd hire them on the spot and then pump them for imformation ad nauseaum. Of course, they couldn't cough up anything because they were employees and had no inkling about management decisions.

Corners is a dieing concern as far as I can see. They can't do any "rush" framings, other than pigeon-holing a piece into an existing ready-made frame. They seem to "play with numbers" about their discounts. I've gone toe-to-toe with them about those numbers and always came out on top and with a BETTER design to boot!

Why would you, for example, try to "up-sell" a job by putting a suede mat on a poster of Van Gogh's Sunflowers? Why mat it at all? YES, to make the extra bucks, but then the finished piece looks stupid and over-framed. Just cut off the "Museum of Fine Arts" part at the bottom, dry-mount it and frame it in a wide frame with non.glare glass right up against it, so the glass "dissappears." It costs the customers $$$ less, takes you about half an hour to finsh and LOOKS GREAT! AND you make a great profit for not a lot of work!

Corners has been, historically, at least in my area, all about "up-sell." Too much! Come on--GILD that lily!

Wendy
The Art Corner
Salem, Ma
 
"Why would you...try to "up-sell" a job by putting a suede mat on a poster of Van Gogh's "

suede might go, might not...BUT isnt the name of your game to make $$$? and the more $$ the better for you??? If the cust decides green & purple mats are the way to go, you have 1-satisfied the customer & 2-sold 2(count 'em--2) mats. and didn't you talk them out of that $.92/ft so-so frame into that really good looking $5.00/ft one???? in THIS crappy economy, getting all those up-sales may be the difference in your staying open and not...
 
Paul Cascio said:
The problem with Museum Glass is that it adds a lot to the price of the purchase,but produces very little profit relative to other upgrade items of the same dollar amount.
Click to expand...

Wow! Ok, lady comes into my shop Monday with two primitive and old watercolors, I sell her $35 foot and $45 foot Munn frames with fillets - a pretty good upsell befitting the style of the paintings. Is there something I'm missing that adding over $120 in markup over the UV glass markup to bring the total sale to $1040 is "very little profit", not worth my time, and a "problem". You have got to be kidding!
 
Paul Cascio said:
The problem with Museum Glass is that it adds a lot to the price of the purchase,but produces very little profit relative to other upgrade items of the same dollar amount.
Click to expand...

So, you're saying that if you upgrade a $400 frame by $100, for a higher-priced moulding or for Museum Glass, the moulding would add more profit than the glass? Not necessarily.

A lot of framers sell moulding on a sliding scale of mark-ups, so higher-priced mouldings may have a markup of 3x or even 2x. Why not price high-priced glazing to provide acceptable profit?

Any framing element that produces "very little profit" relative to anything should be carefully reviewed in terms of pricing and profitability.

The profitability of Museum Glass is excellent if you price it wisely.
 
I think that you guys are both using extreme examples to make your point anecdotely.

Pat, when you're talking about orders that include $40/ft frames, then definately, Museum Glass belongs on the menu. However, "primitive and old watercolors" does not represent the average CF order, and almost everything you sell carries a higher percentage markup than does Museum Glass.

And Jim, you're doing the same thing. While many framers use a sliding scale to markup moulding, you'd have to be at the extreme upper end to work on a markup of just 2X.

My point is simply that most customers have a limit on how much they can/will spend. If you sell a fillet, or other embelishment, especially a mat, you'll end up with a greater profit on a than if you sell Museum Glass.
 
Paul Cascio said:
...My point is simply that most customers have a limit on how much they can/will spend. If you sell a fillet, or other embelishment, especially a mat, you'll end up with a greater profit on a than if you sell Museum Glass.
Click to expand...

If it is priced properly, Museum Glass is at least as profitable as other premium framing features. What would be the purpose of selling any product that is unprofitable?

Of course customers have spending limits, but they will often spend more for features they consider to be of value to them. Museum Glass is one of many optional features that enhance a framing project. Why not price it profitably and offer it enthusiastically?

Your argument makes no sense, Paul. If you priced any other framing feature too low -- let's say, fillets -- and could make more money selling V-grooves, would you stop selling fillets? Probably not. Instead, you would change your pricing of fillets and earn a fair profit when customers wish to buy them them.

We're in the business of providing customers what they want. They want options and added features, and optically coated glazing is an excellent one to offer, in terms of desirability, perceived value, and profitability for framers.
 
etal said:
Dust up? what the heck is that? Trouble? No, asking a #### question. Touchy?
Click to expand...

Not really, just curious why your first two posts ever on the grumble were to "bump" up a 2 year old non issue.

Please stay in the Grumble, and ask questions as many here really like answering them. We take questions seriously, even when rehashing 2 year old dead issues we tend to answer them like they were seriously asked.

So if you really have questions about Corners ask away. You gonna buy one? Buy from one? Work for one? Hire an ex employee? Or just trying to cause a little dustup?
 
Jim Miller said:
If it is priced properly, Museum Glass is at least as profitable as other premium framing features. What would be the purpose of selling any product that is unprofitable?
Click to expand...

Well then Jim, give us an actual example based on the wholesale cost of Museum Glass and what "proper pricing" you would use. Then, tell us what other "premium framing features" that have a similar markup.
 
This is sort of, um, nonsense. I bring up Museum Glass after I have sold the customer on the best framing that I can, sometimes relatively inexpensive. Museum Glass is often agreed to (even on the budget frames) and the profits are gravy.
 
PaulSF said:
I heard the beginning of the end was when they started promoting Museum Glass. The extra labor and waste has been killing their profits.
Click to expand...

Now look what you went and started Paul. Don't you feel bad? (I don't think they heard the "kidding" part.)
 
Selling it last Pat, after everything else, I would agree with you that it is gravy. In fact, I think that's how it should be sold.

Selling it before, or instead of other add-ons with higher markups, leaves profit on the table.
 
Paul Cascio said:
Well then Jim, give us an actual example based on the wholesale cost of Museum Glass and what "proper pricing" you would use. Then, tell us what other "premium framing features" that have a similar markup.
Click to expand...

My actual pricing is profitable enough that Museum Glass provided more gross profit dollars last year than any other single product I sell. That's all you need to know about my pricing.

If your prices for Museum Glass do not yield enough profit to justify selling it in addition to other premium features, and not instead of them, then a pricing review would seem appropriate. Or maybe a new sales strategy.

"Similar markup" would not be an indicator of profitability. A fillet, for example, might have a 5x markup, but by the time labor is accounted for, the profit it produces may be comparable to V-grooves, which involve no added materials.

Sell it or not, but don't tell me I can't make profit with it.
 
I see.
 
BILL WARD said:
"Why would you...try to "up-sell" a job by putting a suede mat on a poster of Van Gogh's "

suede might go, might not...BUT isnt the name of your game to make $$$? and the more $$ the better for you??? If the cust decides green & purple mats are the way to go, you have 1-satisfied the customer & 2-sold 2(count 'em--2) mats. and didn't you talk them out of that $.92/ft so-so frame into that really good looking $5.00/ft one???? in THIS crappy economy, getting all those up-sales may be the difference in your staying open and not...
Click to expand...

Actually, Bill, with our "usual" operation, NOT involvong recovering from our store burning down three months ago! We did more than alright with NOT "upselling." Though I must say, we did quite alright eliminating papermat from our line and reccommending only archival. We also sell a great deal of UV glass, with Museum close behind.

Since we have moved into our temporary location and have had samples of every kind shoved at us (except Neilsen metal--what's up with that?) we are selling WAY more suede, linen, and silken mats than ever before! Also Thick Mats. But triple mats? Overkill, we think. Fillets on EVERYTHING? Fancy cuts? TOO MUCH!

I might be the FIRST to show a purple and green mat to the customer, IF those colors were predominant in the artwork. If they are trying to "match" their decor, I usually try to disuade them to a more "neutral" framing. because they can use that framing in many more scenarios without having to constantly change the mats.

Yeah, I'll gladly take their money for purple and green mats and gladly re-mat that artwork some years down the line. But at the SAME time, I'd rather turn out an elegant and "timeless" product. I want to make the $$$, but I also respect the art.

Unless it's Sofa Art, or a Thomas Kinkade print! Du-OHH!

Last week I sold THREE different STACKED frames! Now THOSE I'd MUCH rather sell than triple mats or fillets! Whee!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
 
Wendy, I've been on a simplicity kick for a while now. I know I should be selling triple mats with fillets and stacked frames, but sometimes a single 8-ply mat with a 1/2-inch light maple frame is just the perfect treatment!
 
PaulSF said:
... just the perfect treatment!
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Yes, we all have our own ideas about what is "the perfect treatment". Trouble is, our customers may not have the fortitude to say, "I'm not so sure about that" if they have other ideas.

I always try to help customers determine their own likes and dislikes, without imposing my own on the frame design.

That is, regarding appearance choices. When it comes to structural and other technical choices, I tend to be much more assertive.
 
Well, my customers tend to ask for "simple" or "plain" more often than not. I don't know whether it's fear of what a gold frame might cost, or insecurity about putting something distinctive on their walls, or both. They freak about the size of my mat samples, asking if the mat has to be that big.
 
Jim Miller said:
I always try to help customers determine their own likes and dislikes, without imposing my own on the frame design.
Click to expand...

I do the same. Let the customer look around, see what they pick in color choice (mat, frame) and then maybe make some gentle suggestions if the colors really clash (sooooooooo many people are color blind it seems...) but within their first idea. I don't have to like the design; I won't be looking at it year after year.
 
I completely disagree with this approach. Completely.

Your design work is what sets you apart from the competition. It's what you're being paid for, and it's an important part of the sales process.

Visit other frame shops and you'll find that most framers do a pretty good job of joining frames and cutting mats. Now, take a look at their design work. That's where you'll find a difference. In some cases, a huge difference.

Your design work is also what builds customer loyalty. Expecting an untrained customer to select from thousands of combinations of mats and frames without your guidance and direction relegates you to being just a mat cutter and frame assembler. By the time you intervene, they are alread in a state of confusion.

I think you're both missing a great opportunity to build a lasting collaborative relationship with your customer, produce designs that reflect well on your reputation, and enable you to sell for a higher average, because the design process is part of the sales process.

IMO, what your are both doing is one of the biggest mistakes a framing business owner can make. It's your design skills and training that provide your one perceptible, competitive advantage over the chain stores and run-of-the mill independents.

Every one of your competitors can cut mats and put the sticks together about as well as you can. Why should a customer come back to you except for the professional design advice, guidance and knowledge you provided that they weren't getting elsewhere?

The time spent with customers at the design counter is your chance to shine, win over customers, and score loyalty points.

It's the most important part of your day and provides the greatest opportunity to build happy, loyal, repeat customers. The design counter is where your money is made and your future success is established. Don't miss the opportunity.

Bad design is almost never a customers fault; it's the framer's fault.

I'm not saying you should "tell" the customer how it should be framed, or to over-design, as many new framers have a tendency to do. Rather, I'm suggesting that you work together with the customer to produce a good design. However, you need to be the one driving the bus; not the customer. A DIY-Design approach results in customer confusion, frustration, indecision, and ultimately to lost sales.

Framers who fail to do this are probably either misguided, lazy, have never been trained properly, or simply don't have confidence in their design skills.
 
Paul Cascio said:
I completely disagree with this approach...Expecting an untrained customer to select from thousands of combinations of mats and frames without your guidance and direction relegates you to being just a mat cutter and frame assembler...Why should a customer come back to you except for the professional design advice, guidance and knowledge you provided that they weren't getting elsewhere? ...Bad design is almost never a customers fault; it's the framer's fault... A DIY-Design approach results in customer confusion, frustration, indecision, and ultimately to lost sales.
Click to expand...

I guess you missed the point completely, Paul. I would never leave customers to make their own choices unassisted. My job is not to tell them what I like, or worse, to tell them what they like, but to help them determine what they like, and build that into a frame design that satisfies the general rules of good design. It's a bit of a tightrope walk, to be honest.

The overall goal is to have customers taking home frame designs they "own"; that they feel attached to. When their friends compliment their framing, I hope their response is something like, "yes, ARTFRAME built that frame design for me."

Customer ownership of the design is the key to long term satisfaction, in my opinion. I do not want any customer to take home a frame and think my frame design wasn't right for her. I want it to be her frame design...even if I help with it.
 
I do agree with that Jim.
 
etal said:
HI, I am in mass. Seeing/ hearing of closings in this state. Someone said a company in boston area bought them out.
They were having sales over and over, looked like they were going out of business, short staffed etc.
there is nothing at all online for a website.
Click to expand...

etal,
We would be a little less sceptical of you reviving a 2 year old thread with your first 5 posts, if you at least filled out your profile page with a name and location.
 
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