In Search of Readymades

[Janet]

We need to add quality readymades to our framing operation for numerous reasons. Naturally I would like to know that every customer coming thru our door wants "custom" work performed for them, but I do get alot of local artists & photography hobbyists that want to frame their own work. I've looked through catalogs till I'm so confused that I know y'all will be my best help. I want to stock frames from photo size up to poster size frames in a small area in our showroom. Please submit any suggestions you might have as I'd like to place an order soon. Thanks in advance!

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How cheap do you want it to look??

 

[JRB]

Hi Janet,
What your describing sound like "North American Enclosures". I'm at home now so I don't have my coerces catalog. Dial 1-800-555-1212 to get their 800 number.

If your looking for a great looking line of fancy golds and silvers, mirror frames etc., try "San Diego Frames" 619-423-2929 I'm sure they also have an 800 # but I don't have it here. Their prices are great and their fancy golds will knock your socks off.

Try La Marche moulding for photo stand up type frames.

Frame Harbor sells a very high end line of photo frames. I have never seen one so I can't advise you on them. I have seen pictures and their prices. I don't think they would fly in a regular frame shop, but who knows.

"Fetco International" is without a doubt the best priced and quality line I've seen. We carry an extensive selection of them. Again, call information.

"Gift and Wicker Imports" has a fantastic line of photo stand up frames as well. They are in Ceritos California. Definitely call them, they are our hands down biggest seller.

John

 

[Audrey]

This question has me curious....for those of you who do carry readymades, what do you charge, if anything, for installing the customer's picture in the frame? Is it a different charge since it's your own frame, or is it the same you'd charge someone for installation on a frame they already have?

I find that a lot of people who purchase readymades want their artwork installed instantly, while they wait, and while they want a paper back, a wire, etc., they don't see why they should pay for it, even though it doesn't "come with" the frame.

I'm just curious to know what you guys' solution is. It's yet another chapter in my "eventual shop" file....

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I don't care what color your sofa is.

 

[Susan May]

In our shop, we have a charge that is called a "Fit Up". This covers all our hardware, paper, wire, etc... We use this for all framing jobs. The readymades that we carry are carefully chosen as to have a deep rabbit. If they are not deep enough for stitchery, I don't but it.

When someone comes in with a frame they bought elsewhere, the normal charge is then doubled to cover the possible extra work. (I will sometimes wave the extra charge if the frame is deep, and I know that there will be no problem.)

I hope this is clear. If you have any questions please feel free to E-Mail me.

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Sue May
"Everyone is born right-handed, only the greatest can over come it!"

 

[Sherry]

We use mostly length moulding and make our own ready mades out of shorts... I charge the normal fit charge and schedule them just as if they were having something custom framed. The only time I put a customer out of our normal "first in-first out" order sequence is when the customer only wants a mat cut or glass, and only then if it doesn't "tax" me too much.

 

[curly]

Janet, Sherry's right. Make them from the shorts. We have a policy to restock any length 4' and over, anything less we cut into a standard. Put a rubber band around it and put it into a "to be joined box". When we're caught up with work or someone wants a break from custom work or are driver isn't busy delivering, whenever. It's "time to make the donuts"

. We only go up to 20 x 24 in standards because of the display space needed for the larger sizes. It seems to have worked for us for the last 24 years, making up about 15% of our framing sales. Some people won't be caught dead with a standard frame in their house, others don't mind. We call them "Custom Standard Frames", and explain that they are made from our normal custom mouldings. We show them on the wall without glass. We do charge less for them (50% discount) BUT we charge full retail on matting, glass, fitting, etc. I look at it as moving alot of "shorts" that would normally be damaged in storage and making us look like heros to the artists and do-it-yourselfers. All in all it's been very profitable over the years. One last thought on standard photo frames... We've tryed them with limited success. It seems all of the big dept. stores like Macy's sell them at huge discounts and special sales. If I were you i'd go to every Macy's, K-mart, Michaels around and see what they carry, before you decide. So, unless there isn't a store like that with-in 20 miles, don't bother. When we started with "Custom Standards", no one around had them. Michaels has standards, but they're C**P. That's why we do so well with ours. ANYONE that comparison shops sees that ours are 10 times better. Many of our customers that start as "Custom Standard" customers, progress to Custom Framing clients.

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curlyframer, CPF

 

[Frame Harbor]

Originally posted by JRB:

Frame Harbor sells a very high end line of photo frames. I have never seen one so I can't advise you on them. I have seen pictures and their prices. I don't think they would fly in a regular frame shop, but who knows.

John,

Thank you for mentioning me in your list. I was vacillating between adding to that picture or not. Finally I decided that I owe myself a correction to an incomplete profile of mine. Not that it'll make big difference, but for the record.

I am a complete frame maker. I had chosen to present myself to the Grumblers with my most accessible product line, namely photo frames, and not with my heavy weights: antique picture frames reproductions, design oval and round mirror frames etc.
All my products are sold at a fraction of what they cost to be made by American manufacturers. Consequently, some well known and respected names in the industry buy my "next to forgery quality" and "the best I've ever seen" repros from me and resell them under their name.
My photo frame line is my version of Curly's "Custom Standard Frames". They are just regular frames, the way they used to be made by regular framers before LJ came to age

It saddens me to see that what was a regular, frame making standard hundred years ago, is regarded today as very expensive, high end frame expression. As of pricing, I made hand made water gilded in genuine gold leaf frames affordable not only to rich and famous frame addicted freaks but to a much larger public.
Now people, just please, don't tonto me for this is not a selling scheme. Parole d'honeur! Unfortunately, John is right. I don't think my frames can fly in a regular shop either

And if that's the situation in America, well, just figure out what's like in the rest of the world.
Cornel

[This message has been edited by Frame Harbor (edited March 06, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Frame Harbor (edited March 06, 2001).]

 

[Le]

I just talked to someone from Bainbridge today and and she asked me if I had any interest in readymades. I don't know what they call readymades, but it may help. Their number is 800-927-8227.