How is business since election?

Create a Post
JbNormandog

JbNormandog

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Posts
3,751
Location
NJ
Hi everybody,
I read a thread a while back that said retail (and us) suffer around the time leading up to a presidential election. We were/are slow but things are getting moving a little(we are also new to the area). It looked like others were slow as well. Has things picked up since George Dubya won his job again?
What's your thoughts?
 
Mild pick-up and from both parties!

Republicans happy, bringing in "family-related" photos and art

Democrats in "mourning" bringing in "travel related" (I bought this in --- and wanted to get it framed) items. Expressing their need to get out of the house and get life going again!

(OK maybe I'm reading into their responses, a little bit! but it IS still slower than last year!)
icon21.gif
 
Great minds think alike you started this thread one minute after I posted on very similar in the business section. Go figure.
 
I am up since election. Steady stream most days, and I sold a 32 x 24 - 3 1/2" Larson gilded frame as well as my first closed corner frame. Also, Red Sox nespaper framing. So, more people, spending more money. Have no idea if it's election, or holidays, or just people are hearing about me. (Got a referral from the Worcester Art Museum two days ago! YEAHH!!)

Anyway, November should be well over October and over last year's November.
 
It has been great. Non-stop. Customers waiting in line to be helped. Can't get work done in the workroom since the design counter is so busy. I may have to hire someone to help out up to the holidays. Working longer hours already. Phone's ringing off the hook. I just don't know what to do.

Oh, that was September. This is November - a bit sluggish at the moment.
 
Lots of work in progress and lots of finished work. Hardly anyone seems to be coming in for their finsihed work though. Causes a bit of a cash flow problem and I'm slowly running out of room.

Dave Makielski
 
Up about 30%.

Beyond that I don't want to comment and start another flaming forum. ;)
 
Originally posted by Dave:
Lots of work in progress and lots of finished work. Hardly anyone seems to be coming in for their finsihed work though. Causes a bit of a cash flow problem and I'm slowly running out of room.

Dave Makielski
Click to expand...
I HATE that about this time of year!!!! People come in and put their x-mas order together, then use me as their "closet" to hide the gifts in!

I've learned to get full payment, or at least 75%, but each year I do this too late!

Anyone else get "stuck" with customer orders till x-mas? as an aside, when you call to say the order is done, do you get a "code word" to use?
 
From the manufacturing end WAY UP. Picked up about 1 month before & since has gone completly nuts. Hired 5 in the last month, gone to 12 shifts 6 days a week & no end in sight, covered up thru March at least.
 
better

now it's rain/snow

shrug.gif
 
First wk of November was slow, but it's been really busy all this week. Not many Christmas orders yet, mostly people decorating for upcoming party season. Lots and lots of phone calls from people that are coming in next wk and scheduling appts. before and after their work hours.

I remember how full the shop gets w/people not picking up the orders till the last few days prior to Christmas, so talked w/the guy we rent our space from and he has given me an empty 8 x 12 storage room in our building where I can store finished work. We're keeping a log of the work stored in that space. When I call customers to let them know their work is complete, I'm asking them to call and make an appointment for pickup so that we can make sure the work is in our shop and not in the storage area upstairs.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top