Kirstie
PFG, Picture Framing God
What brand of ready made wall fames are you selling? Does anyone deal with mfrs. close-outs? Whose?
Ready Made Wall Frames
- Thread starter Kirstie
- Start date
Elaine
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Furst Brothers - Maryland
I sell a lot of these. Their custom molding cut into standard sizes. Nice option, is that they can be matched up later with a custom size if necessary.
Elaine
I sell a lot of these. Their custom molding cut into standard sizes. Nice option, is that they can be matched up later with a custom size if necessary.
Elaine
FrameMakers
PFG, Picture Framing God
We make our own out of length "scrap". What sizes are people carrying?
We make 16x20, 11x14, 8x10, & 5x7. Lately theses have been selling better and better. I do find if your going to carry these you have to carry a bunch to sell any at all.
We make 16x20, 11x14, 8x10, & 5x7. Lately theses have been selling better and better. I do find if your going to carry these you have to carry a bunch to sell any at all.
Leslie S.
MGF, Master Grumble Framer
We used to sell a bunch of Tara (formerly HiJo) readymades until they discontinued absolutely every style we liked. We buy elaborate chunky gold & silver frames from RW Chang....they have pretty good prices if you buy (mixed) quantity.
We are still looking for a replacement source, so will be interested to see who other people like. I like to keep a good selection, they sell pretty well. I sometimes cut up stock, but usually don't have enough time.
We are still looking for a replacement source, so will be interested to see who other people like. I like to keep a good selection, they sell pretty well. I sometimes cut up stock, but usually don't have enough time.
The problem with close-outs is that a customer will fall in love with a frame that you can't get anymore. Find someone like Furst Bros that will make readymade from the same moulding as their custom, and you will have a gold mine. Your customers can buy the inexpencive readymade, and then later buy a custom frame to match.
Elaine
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
we carry:
8x10
11x14
9x12
12x16
16x20
14x18
8x10
11x14
9x12
12x16
16x20
14x18
bill t.
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Carry something that fits the new standard 13x19 inkjet print size, which is becoming very popular among amateur photographers. 22 x 28 is a nice fit but a little too spacious for most folks.
Dick Blick is now carrying a lot of premade frames that are much nicer and even cheaper than the HobLob lines, where do they get them?
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/frames/
Dick Blick is now carrying a lot of premade frames that are much nicer and even cheaper than the HobLob lines, where do they get them?
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/frames/
Doug Gemmell
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
NAE
North American Enclosures.
Good prices, selection, AND made in the U.S.
North American Enclosures.
Good prices, selection, AND made in the U.S.
Territ
CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
hey Doug,
Their website is under construction, will you share any more info?
T.
Their website is under construction, will you share any more info?
T.
Greg Gomon
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
We used to carry North American Enclosures and would not recommend them.
If you are in California area consider Tracy Chop Service, Tracy California. They have a nice selection of ready mades at affordable prices.
One thing to consider, don't offer frames you can find at box stores, you can't compete with them on price.
We also use our scrap material and build our own readymades during the "down times". We have also made arrangements with a couple of our suppliers to chop and join frames for us out of materials purchased in box quantity. One important lesson we learned, you dont want to "cheapen" your store or clientel by offering "low end options" leave that for the box stores. Dont lose sight of who your customer base is, and offer the quality they have learned to expect from your business.
If you are in California area consider Tracy Chop Service, Tracy California. They have a nice selection of ready mades at affordable prices.
One thing to consider, don't offer frames you can find at box stores, you can't compete with them on price.
We also use our scrap material and build our own readymades during the "down times". We have also made arrangements with a couple of our suppliers to chop and join frames for us out of materials purchased in box quantity. One important lesson we learned, you dont want to "cheapen" your store or clientel by offering "low end options" leave that for the box stores. Dont lose sight of who your customer base is, and offer the quality they have learned to expect from your business.
Doug Gemmell
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Territ, NAE phone: 800-852-5356.
Greg, why would you not recommend them?
We've used them for about 5 years. The only problem we've had with them was when they moved one of their production facilities earlier in the year and orders were delayed. I too considered dropping them because of the way they handled it. When we placed an order in January, they said it would take six weeks instead of the normal 4 to get our order but it took more like 12.
I decided to give them another shot and it looks like things are back to normal. We got our order (90 frames) in about a month.
I figured they deserved another chance because, as I mentioned earlier, their production facilities are in the U.S. and the prices are good.
Did I mention that they are made in this country?
Greg, why would you not recommend them?
We've used them for about 5 years. The only problem we've had with them was when they moved one of their production facilities earlier in the year and orders were delayed. I too considered dropping them because of the way they handled it. When we placed an order in January, they said it would take six weeks instead of the normal 4 to get our order but it took more like 12.
I decided to give them another shot and it looks like things are back to normal. We got our order (90 frames) in about a month.
I figured they deserved another chance because, as I mentioned earlier, their production facilities are in the U.S. and the prices are good.
Did I mention that they are made in this country?
DVieau2
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Framatic, up to 16 x 20.
http://www.framatic.com/
Prinz Dakota up to 16 x 20.
http://www.prinzusa.com/
For a fitting charge we will remove the "readymade" style backer, fit the art and finish with dust paper and a wire hanger.
Doug
http://www.framatic.com/
Prinz Dakota up to 16 x 20.
http://www.prinzusa.com/
For a fitting charge we will remove the "readymade" style backer, fit the art and finish with dust paper and a wire hanger.
Doug
Greg Gomon
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Doug,
You are absolutely correct about past problems with delivery issues. I gave them a dozen chances to earn my business, and each order was late. I was always told it would be 3-4 weeks and it always took 7-9 weeks regardless of the time of year the order was placed. Second when it was in "limbo" with NAE, they could never track the order or even verify if they had an order. The company was so poorly run they lacked credability with me as a viable business. If I treated one of my customers the way they treated me, I would be fired.
There is a point Doug, when price is no longer an issue. They still have a good product, but none of my business. Just one person's experience and opinion.
You are absolutely correct about past problems with delivery issues. I gave them a dozen chances to earn my business, and each order was late. I was always told it would be 3-4 weeks and it always took 7-9 weeks regardless of the time of year the order was placed. Second when it was in "limbo" with NAE, they could never track the order or even verify if they had an order. The company was so poorly run they lacked credability with me as a viable business. If I treated one of my customers the way they treated me, I would be fired.
There is a point Doug, when price is no longer an issue. They still have a good product, but none of my business. Just one person's experience and opinion.
Puppyraiser
PFG, Picture Framing God
We used to buy lots of NAE frames. I liked the rep and the styles were good basic ones. But I got tired of waiting forever for orders, broken glass and the hassle of getting credit.
That's why we use Furst Brothers in Baltimore. www.furstbros.com 1-800-638-9398
They make their stuff themselves darn near Ravens stadium. They have been in business since like 1862.
Good folks, and little guys up against the big guys just like we are.
Really good product at reasonable price which your customer will not find in the Big Boxes as they don't sell to them AT ALL.
That's why we use Furst Brothers in Baltimore. www.furstbros.com 1-800-638-9398
They make their stuff themselves darn near Ravens stadium. They have been in business since like 1862.
Good folks, and little guys up against the big guys just like we are.
Really good product at reasonable price which your customer will not find in the Big Boxes as they don't sell to them AT ALL.
Kirstie
PFG, Picture Framing God
Great answers so far. I've sent for info from every company you all mentioned.