Frustrated with Customers this year

One of my customers this week complained my price was too low, and she insisted she pay more!

As background, she is an artist who wants inexpensive frames for her art she exhibits. However she has me frame all of her personal collection; I have been in her home so I know what she likes.

She brought in one of her 8X10 oil's on a panel and a closed corner frame [Omega frame F80810] she bought from another framer for $32.00. She needed it for a show the next day. She wanted me to use points to attach the panel, add a paper dust cover, and a hanger. [no foam in the rabbet, no Tyvek, no hanger upgrade, no etc.].

When she came back the next day, I told her no charge, because I appreciated her business, and referrals I have received from her over the past two years. She insisted that she pay for my work and time. So I charged her $6.00.

After talking for a while, she mentioned she would be bringing in her latest purchase, a Kim oil painting for framing after the holiday rush. She also wants me to re-frame another painting then too.

I did mention that she did get a good price from the other framer [below my cost], so she should continue buying Omega ready mades from him at those prices. I explained I do little with Omega, except for framing materials, so I don't get discounts from them. But my primary moulding suppliers are Roma and Studio, and I get excellent prices from them. [She loves Roma, and I'm working on having her use Studio for some of her better artwork, for sale.]
 
caliguy could be on to something. not that i will do it. but you dont' even have to raise your prices to do what they do. when they ask if thats with 50% off just say yes.

i was at a michales with the wife and i was wandering by the framing counter as a lady asked that very question. meaning they don't even tell you that the 200 dollar framing job was like 400 to start with, they just say the price like we do and leave it at that.
 
Russ, you may want to check out Omega's line of "gallery frames" -- the closed corner readymades. The ones I've seen have been really nice, and good quality for the money.
 
It's worth remembering that these BB operations are probably in a difficult trading positions due to the current economic situation. Their overheads and advertising costs are probably affecting their overall financial situation to a major extent.

Without such heavy advertising, their businesses are not viable and they need to maintain a high level of sales to cover their massive operating costs. Their whole advertising strategy is focused upon their local independant competition, who they hope will be doing their best to justify their prices on the basis of quality and service, instead of coming back at them with a better price.

Their profits pay for the advertising and they can't cut their profits to the point where it affects their ability to advertise. I think the tables may have turned and if the independants choose to use the right tactics, the BB's will be in trouble.
 
Paul N said:
Well.....I was at Michael's today (totally unrelated to framing, I was there just to see if ANYBODY on this planet still sells Christmas white birch branches.... neither did Michael's, by the way).
Click to expand...

We got them last night at the Home Depot.

I gave my wife a ton of carp for buying white sticks when I just cleaned up the yard and threw out a ton of sticks.


Bob
 
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