farming out mats, overcuts

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theframer

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I recently had to farm out a 52 inch mat to another framer...I didn't have a 60 inch mat cutter. Yesterday, I picked up the mat. There were overcuts on all 4 corners of the under mat which was gold metalic...& the two mats had been cut separately. I tried to line them up while at the framer & they were uneven. I learned to cut mats using Vivian's template method so I asked for the drop. He charged me for the drop & then told me in an abrupt manner "Take it or don't take it but don't ever send us anything again. Besides those gold mats are difficult not have have overcuts. " I told him I had a very particular customer. He retorted, "We weed those customers out." I was courteous when I talked to him & amazed at his outburst. I paid him because I was on a deadline & unable to get the color I needed in our small community. Yesterday, I drove 60 miles to have another framer correct his work. All this cost me around $100. I don't want to make waves or start rumors in our small community but I am really upset about this. Am I stupid? Does anyone have any experience with this kind of situation? Thanks in advance.
theframer
 
While you have every reason to expect a framer to be professional, you have just learned that not all framers are professional.
I personally have never asked another framer to do work for me, as I can't control their quality, but I have been known to do work for a few other framers. I always treat them as I would any other customer. Even though I know that their customer will think that they did all the work, I take pride in knowing the work was done right.
The framer that cut the mat for you, should have been honest with you from the start, and told you that they might have trouble cutting a gold mat without overcuts.
Sue
 
I think you have found a good reason to buy a 60" cutter. Better yet, get a CMC. In time your going to have to anyway.
Myself I would have told that jr. framer to do it over and over again until he got it right. There is no excuse for putting out garbage. I don't expect my customers to accept it and I don't either.
John
 
Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with the competitor. He obviously isn't interested in exchanging work with you, and put you in a tough spot -- keep that in mind if he evers asks you for a favor.

Next time, how about asking your supplier of matboards to cut the mat for you? Many distributors have CMCs, or at least 60" matcutters. The price may be higher, but you would at least have the advantage of a buyer/seller relationship.

And if you want to buy a 60" matcutter, I have a really good Carithers Classic, with all the toys, to spare.
 
Le, My CMC will not cut foil ether, I have a Wizard. I found a way around it though. Use Bainbridge gold and silver foil boards #2000 & 2001, cut a reverse bevel and they look great.
John
 
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