readymade/ photo frames

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auntiesarahjayne

auntiesarahjayne

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 20, 2005
Posts
1,075
Loc
Milwaukee, WI
Hello all.

My shop is in an urban area that has many specialty... housey shops in the area. I am adding some photo frames as an impulse purchase to entice people in the shop and help with holiday sales, hopefully.

I am looking for unique photo frame companies. I currently am showing LaVille, Epoch and Diane Markin frames. I tried Bella, but they never sent a catalog after two requests, and also Roma but I guess they aren't interested as well.

Also- I do not have a saw so I cannot make my own, and I am looking for unique, upper end.

Thank you for your thoughts.

-Sarah
 
Hi Sarah,

I carry the Roma ones and have reordered many times. They sell well for me. However.... I think that it is impossible to get an updated photoframe catalog from them. I have phone requested one twice. You can pick out of the regular moulding catalog and order in standard sizes. Also they have a website. If you order 3 or more, they will make you a special size. The way that I got started was at a trade show, where sometimes they offer a discount. They have a great quality product, and their telephone customer service is fine, just don't hold your breath waiting for the catalog!

Susan
 
auntiesarahjayne said:
...I am looking for unique, upper end.
Click to expand...

Roma fits the bill! We didn't carry photo frames for quite some time and Roma wooed us back into them. We have been very pleased! Their turn-around time is not the fast either... so if you want them for the holidays, I'd order them ASAP. Give your rep a call. I'm sure he/she would do whatever they can to get you on board.
 
auntiesarahjayne said:
Hello all.


I am looking for unique photo frame companies. I currently am showing LaVille, Epoch and Diane Markin frames. I tried Bella, but they never sent a catalog after two requests, and also Roma but I guess they aren't interested as well.

Also- I do not have a saw so I cannot make my own, and I am looking for unique, upper end.

Thank you for your thoughts.

-Sarah
Click to expand...


What exactly do you, people, mean by UNIQUE UPPER END PHOTO FRAMES? Every company is unique. Threre are not two Rma, two Epoch or two Diane Markin. Photo frame companies may some time steal other people's designs and produce ugly copies that they call theirs, like Epoch does regularly, but even then they are unique just like their product is.
If Roma and Epoque photo frames are considered unique, despite the fact that those names come in mind first and their frames are being seen in most framing shops, then what line is perceived as being "ordinary"?
Same for price. What is being rated high in Port Washington, WI may be just regular in Seattle or even inexpensive in San Francisco.

If you want to distinguish your offer from anybody else in your town (be unique at that scale) do what those guys do.

http://framedonmadison.com/

They are selling photo frames that retail from $10 up to thousand of dollars apiece for a truly unique antique photo frame and, I bet those frames look "more unique" to you than Roma and Epoch.

See, this is exactly what I was trying to tell you above: fancy words like unique and upper end are relative and not at all unique; every single framer is using and abusing them.
 
So Cornell-

How many of the frames pictured on their website are yours?
 
More than a little surprised that no one mentioned American-Choice.com

I understand that some crazy Euro guy knows his way around just such a product
 
OK, I'll do it. Try American Choice.com I've carried Cornel's frames for a few years now, very unique, nice, higher end frame.

John
 
Rob Markoff said:
So Cornell-

How many of the frames pictured on their website are yours?
Click to expand...


I counted 7. But that's not the point I wanted to make. Do those frames qualify for being "unique" and "higher end"? Who else is carrying those frames? Can you identify their manufacturers? Would your costumers see the difference between you and the rest of framers carrying Roma and Epoque if you had such frames on display?

Incidentally, in that store I pointed to you above someone makes his business to uncover gems, attract and recognize quality, uniqueness and talent. I personally owe that person a great deal every time a clients admires and buys my photo frames. His first order with me was for 119 pc. and that was back when my frames were still far-far away from what they look like today. He convinced me to refine my frames' backs and put them in hand made customized boxes. To make a long story short, he helped his business by helping me get better and, for Christmas 2000 alone, he order and sold 2000 photo frames by American Choice. Then 9/11 changed everybody's life, including their business patterns.


Bob,

Yeah, crazy guy is mild talking.
The funny part is that the Euros think I am American, which I don't dispute ;), because of my business standards and straight manners. In fact being American is a state of mind, don't you agree with me?
 
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