First time -- LJ thank you

C

Cliff Wilson

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Industry Vendor
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
4,665
From
Worcester, MA
I just had my first customer come in and say, "oh good, you carry Larson-Juhl. I see their ads in my magazines all the time!"

She was a designer framing an old etching for a client --- $450 job and she says she'll be back. no reason to doubt her.

like Oliver I say, "may I have some more, please?"
 
If I still had my retail store, I would duplicate the frames used in the ads in my front window. People might not know where they saw it, but LJ only advertises in good magazines to the clients you want to have and it's good subliminal advertising to repeat something, besides they are well done aesthetic ads. Do they offer them on post cards you can use to send to your customers? Can you use them in your newsletters? It says at the bottom of the ad something about custom framers. Gee, a national advertising campaign for custom framing. hmmmmm.
 
Clif,

I suspect that instant recognition happens with quality lines (manufacturers) only. Nilsen is next to if not even more aggressively advertizing their product than LJ, but I doubt that many can recognize their product, much less wear out their shoes to search and rescue it (go get it).

Please, people, don't jump in Nielsen's defence because I blindly picked up their name in order to stress the idea that ads alone are of lesser impact if not consistently supported by convincing and outstanding quality as well.
 
Wait until the designer finds out they can buy Larson Juhl frames at Joann's at half price.

Now my rep states that Larson recognizes that they made a mistake with Joann's. Not, for their independent killing deal, but for making it so obvious to the consumer that you can get the same products at a big box for 50%-70% Off.

The rep states that Larson plans on rearranging Joann's walls so that is less obvious they are selling Larson.

Now, why do you think they would do that? Oh yeah, the rep also says that at this point the independents are still 75% of Larson's business.

So, whom do you think they are trying to hide from? Joann's customers, or us?
 
Less,

Is this price of 50% lower with a coupon, or is it their everyday price? I have read numerous posts about this deal, but don't know the specifics of it. Is it on certain lines? Is it their first quality stuff, or similar finish on a different wood substrate?

I need to be able to compare apples to apples to make my own decision on this. Can anyone clarify (without starting a WW III post against LJ)?
 
El Framo!
Get thyself to a Joann ETC in your area, now!

To answer your questions in case you don't yet have one in your area:

The 50% off in an ongoing 'sale.' So, I guess that would make it their everyday price, eh?

It is on their entire (ENTIRE) regular line. The same regular stuff we buy and sell (though not as much as we used to...) Supposedly it does not include the Signature line, though I have heard reports otherwise, I haven't seen for myself.

It is also interesting to note their prices on True Vue glass. Ouch.

edie the tookmyljsamplesdownalongtimeago goddess
 
Originally posted by Framing Goddess:
El Framo!

To answer your questions in case you don't yet have one in your area:

The 50% off in an ongoing 'sale.' So, I guess that would make it their everyday price, eh?
Click to expand...
According to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) If you have a sale price for 30 days in a row that is your regular price. If you have not advertised and sold it for the higher price in the last 30 days then that is not your regular price and you are not meeting their standards of fair advertising
Of course we know customers are blind to certain things, or don't always care. It is all perception.
 
OH! by the way, I am running ads on cable with the Larson Juhl prepared commercial, and it is drawing people in. We also send out postcards that we have customized for our location that have the graphics supplied by LJ that tie into their advertising campaign. We have banners and signs in windows and store with same. All of these are aval. to LJ partners.
 
I would hate to get sideways with the BBB. They might just ..... well get real mad.
 
Originally posted by Jay H:
I would hate to get sideways with the BBB. They might just ..... well get real mad.
Click to expand...
Jay, we know the BBB has no real power, it is just interesting that an agency that is looking out (or supposedly) for consumer interests reconizes that such tatics are not good business. I don't know if (I doubt it) that these type of stores (JoAnnes, Michaels etc ) even belong to their respective BBB's.

However, it might be interesting if when having a discussion with a customer about matching their discounts, having a copy of the BBB's bylaws and pointing out how the BB's fail to measure up. What else might that say. Dunno, just thinking. I really don't get that question much and I don't worry about it to much either.

Really have hi-jacked this thread now. Should get back to the subject that started this.
 
Originally posted by j Paul:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Framing Goddess:
El Framo!

To answer your questions in case you don't yet have one in your area:

The 50% off in an ongoing 'sale.' So, I guess that would make it their everyday price, eh?
Click to expand...
According to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) If you have a sale price for 30 days in a row that is your regular price. If you have not advertised and sold it for the higher price in the last 30 days then that is not your regular price and you are not meeting their standards of fair advertising
Of course we know customers are blind to certain things, or don't always care. It is all perception. </font>[/QUOTE]That's why the 'sales' vary from month to month...

Around here there will be a 'sale' on custom framing, and then the next month, there will be a printed coupon for custom framing, and then the next month there will be a 'sale on moulding only'

It's tricky, but they are able to maintain about the same prices because all the customers that go there know about the coupons and sales.
 
BBB has no real power, it is just interesting that an agency that is looking out (or supposedly) for consumer interests reconizes that such tatics are not good business
Click to expand...
Just going to pick a few nits here.

BBB is not an "agency", i.e., implies some governmental oversite. It is a private advocacy organization similar to PPFA.

It is not looking out for the consumer's interests. It is looking out for business interests by fending off attempts to regulate business interaction with consumers. They advocate self-regulation.

Anecdotally, you have to be a pretty shoddy business to get "named and shamed" by BBB. They won't stay in business themselves if they bite the hand that feeds them (business members dues).
 
Yea Thanks LJ
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Had a customer in on Saturday, she too wanted to see LJ frames. Not because of there advertising but because she works for a design company and can buy them direct from LJ.

My rep told me that only framers could by direct. This design firm obviously does not have a frame department or she would not have come looking to us.

I guess LJ is just another whore in our industry.
 
Dave, it isn't just LJ. That scenario could happen with nearly any framing supplier these days. Most suppliers I know will ship joined frames, cut mats & glass -- they'll do everything except the mounting & fitting. At least, that's what they tell me. And most of them are not as careful about qualifying their customers as LJ is. An amateur calligrapher I know buys frame parts one-at-a-time from the same sources I do.

The way our business is changing, our suppliers, bless their souls, have to adapt and keep their cash flowing just as we do.
shrug.gif
 
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