Question Exspansion of our buisness

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alaskanframer

alaskanframer

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
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367
Any information or advice is appreciated.

I am looking to add a service to our custom framing business.

The new addition is in a separated storefront next door in the same mall we are currently located. The new service be geared toward the Artist community and the do it yourself type.

The store will have a good selection of various readymade frames and frame packs metal & wood (like the ones from Larson & Juhl.)

There will be three fitting stations, a small variety of mats full sheets and some precut mats, glass in standard sizes with the ability to cut to custom sizes. (To accommodate the frames packs).

Foamcore will be available in full size sheets. Currently we use only conservation mounting boards in our custom frame shop, should I add the standard foamcore to the new shop for a less expensive option?

Foamcore and mats they can cut themselves on a hand cutter and a manual mat cutter, or we could cut in our custom frame shop.

Glass we would carry everything but museum in the new shop.

Some questions I have are. (For people who have done this before)

Supplies such as glass cleaner, framer points, nails wire and strap hangers are these items charged for or is the prices built in to the readymade frames?

What are your policies about people bringing in some of their own supplies a frame or a mat?

If someone brings in everything, do you charge for the supplies and rent out the fit table, or not allow them to use your space?

Has the readymade business enhanced or hurt your custom business? (Do you gain customers by having more options, or do they more often opt out of the custom stuff for the cheaper option.)

Do you offer to let them fit their own custom framing?

Do you allow your employees take tips for helping customer fitting or if we help the store charge a fitting fee?

What is your experience with readymade companies and who is good who is not. I would love to find an avg to above Avg Company with great selection.

Any additional information would be great.

Thank You
 
You asked a lot of questions.

The DIY thing kinda left the building when insurance companies started charging crazy liability premiums for it.
Generally tho, you'll find your time being sucked into a black hole, helping people that don't want to spend much money to get things framed. You end up doing most of the work for nothing. Not a good business proposition.
Now if you were just selling the supplies to the general public without work stations on site, thats a whole different DIY.
 
Good point! They want everything free and thats why most probably they usually do what they do. You will probably end up hurting your custom framing bussiness too.
Only my opinion. Hope everything works out for you.:p
 
Let me clarify

We would do the cutting of foam core and glass they would have the ability to cut the opening in mats? I do not know if this would be as much of a insurance risk but I will check it out.
Thank You
 
Look at the 2014 thread and the PPFA/PMA show report threads for ideas.
 
alaskanframer said:
Has the readymade business enhanced or hurt your custom business? (Do you gain customers by having more options, or do they more often opt out of the custom stuff for the cheaper option.)

Do you allow your employees take tips for helping customer fitting or if we help the store charge a fitting fee?

What is your experience with readymade companies and who is good who is not. I would love to find an avg to above Avg Company with great selection.
Click to expand...

I keep over 200 ready made frames in my shop. It hasn't really hurt my business. Yes, I want to go shoot myself when a customer decides to go with a $26 ready made frame instead of the $260 custom made frame that would look better. But then again, I gain a LOT of business that I would otherwise lose:

1. Most of my "beginner artist" customers prefer ready mades because of the price and the fact that they have difficulty selling their art for a high price.
2. No competition here. You have to drive 90 miles to find anyone else stocking ready mades.
3. Quick delivery. I often have people who need framing jobs completed while they wait. Ready mades are an ideal solution for this.
4. More framing jobs in less time with less labor. Yes, I cut down on my revenue some, but I can do FAR more framing orders at crunch times like Christmas, and don't need extra part-time employees to get the work done. That allows me to satisfy more customers.
5. Some customers just can't afford a custom frame. This allows me to satisfy their need and get their business anyway. If I can't meet their needs, someone else will.

Yes, I allow my employees to keep any tips they receive. It doesn't happen often though.

I've really only dealt with 2 national companies that make ready mades. Of those, I've found Decor does offer a pretty decent selection at a decent price. That said, Decor only supplies about 5% of my total stock, as I get probably 75% from a local supplier and make most of the rest of them myself. Again, my experience with national suppliers of ready mades is limited, so I'm sure other people on here will have many other recommendations for you.
 
Hey Alaska Framer,

If you want DIY info look at my DIY web page, and my In the News Page for articles about our DIY service. Also do a search for do-it-yourself in the Grumble archives. This can be done but it takes commitment, staffing, space, time, and capital. It relies on volume, otherwise it will drain your time and money.
 
"There will be three fitting stations, a small variety of mats full sheets and some precut mats, glass in standard sizes with the ability to cut to custom sizes"

you going to allow people to walk in off the street and play with your glass(even 'in standard sizes')???????????? that's a sure fire recipe for lawsuit as I've heard in awhile! Besides, if you acumulate a bin or 2 of it for their self framing use AND furnish UV glass you will have nothing but scratched up glass to replace after the 1st 2-3 times one of them dive in!
 
Thank You

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I will let you know if we proceed and how it works.
 
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