How long to keep customer's art, etc?

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Doug Gemmell

Doug Gemmell

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Posts
2,705
Loc
Everett, WA
I'm trying to develop a guidline for how long to keep items left by customers and not picked up. I bought a frame shop a couple of years ago and have many things that the previous owner took in up to ten years ago and a few things I took in within those two years. Should I factor in whether they paid for it, left a deposit, or paid nothing? There may be state laws that are pertinent, but I haven't checked yet. I'm in Washington state. Help, I'm running out of space!
 
Doug, Welcome to The Grumble.

We keep the customers property indefinitely. I have had customers pick up their picture as long as seven years after dropping them off.

If you decide to dump their property, you better have, and keep on file, that you did everything within reason, to contact the owners in an honest effort to get them to claim their property. Usually at least three registered letters.

Before you adopt a policy, you should spend the money, and have an attorney confirm what the laws in your state require.

John

[ 09-23-2003, 02:29 PM: Message edited by: JRB ]
 
Hi Doug, Welcome to the Grumble.
State law would be yoour starting point. Notification by certified mail about intended disposition of abandoned art and a dumpster may be the first considerations. This is perennial problem and most of what has been discussed in the past (see archives) suggest that the problem is best dealt with when the order is placed (get a deposit, state clearly what you policy is on artwork left over a certain amount of time). So you my be stuck with some baggage from the previous owner.
There are many of us with such detritus. If you come up with a solution, please let us know.
 
Doug, welcome to the grumble.
We have the same problems over here WRT left work.
As well as taking either full payment or a deposit on the work, the customer is told that if the work is not collected within 60 (sixty) days, then he/she will see it in the window with a sign over it showing their name and : Please Collect Now.
It works..
 
Virtually every state has an abandoned property law and an associated department to administer said law.

You can log on to your state's web site and find the department page. Any questions that can't be answered via web, can be answered via phone call. Cheaper than an attorney.
 
Here's the cake.

Today, I had a lady come in and ask about a oil she left 2 1/2 YEARS ago. I went and got it out of my holding place and handed it back to her. She seem surprised that I had unframed it, as she put it "only been a couple of years." She then wanted to see about getting it framed again. Fine I said, After a few minutes she asked if I give discounts to a local art group that she belonged to. I said, yes, on a case my case bases. I informed her that I would not give her a discount as I eat the first frame I would just charge her regular price but no discount. Out the door she went. This was the case that made me start collecting 50% deposits. This woman really helped me in the long run. BUT GOOD BYE!! I hope she finds MIK.

framer

[ 09-23-2003, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: framer tg: ]
 
I keep everything indefinitely. If a piece has been finished and remains unclaimed for a month, I call the customer and start leaving messages.

I recently had a woman pick up a print that she had done 2 years ago (9/01) - she came in EXTREMELY embarrassed, handed me a very worn and faded claim check, and was ecstatic to find that I still had it. We all had a good laugh over that one.

edit: Oh, and I take 100% in advance. Too many deadbeat customers learned me that one ;) :mad:

[ 09-27-2003, 05:50 AM: Message edited by: Stevewagen ]
 
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