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Vaska

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Posts
10
Loc
Greenville, SC
Thank you all! All of you framers in the US, Canada, New Zealand. I appreciate every opinion, every piece of constructive criticism about my notorious V grooves. I'm here and I've been taking notes : ))
Since, earlier today, the customer had picked up her cheque and her second piece she intended to frame, I consider this case closed from a business point of view. /didn' talk to the customer; needless to say I couldn't go to work today, my husband is at the shop/.

Why didn't I talk earlier?
Because I was under fire. :( And I had no ammunitions.. The target was out there - and it was not my idea to show it to all of you. But, well, it's a forum - a public gathering - and both customers and framers are free to post whatever they prefer.

I certainly did not expect my debut in framing to be exactly like this one : )))
But let me say one thing. There's nothing I did in framing for the last one year /since we started business/ that I am ashamed of.
/yeees, I can hear you saying 'wait untill the next 'educated ' customer 'proves' this/ :)
Yes, of course the v grooves could have been better. And they will be! For other customers..

I felt pretty miserable for the last three-four days. Your comments and opinions made me sad; and made me happy; and made me cry : ))
Somewhere in my mind and my heart I 've been waiting for a comment from one of you. And it came today!
The post from Tom Reigle. Thank You, Sir! You have no idea how much this meant to me. Thank You again!

Thank you all again! I've been reading the topics for months; find them very useful.

I wish you happy Holidays! And a lot of customers:thumbsup:

Regards,
Vasilka Hawkins

Collier's Framery
Easley, SC
 
Vasilka...

I think you handled the situation very professionally.

Welcome to the "G"!!!

:thumbsup:
 
Vasilka, welcome to the Grumble and we are sorry you came here as a result of this issue. I would like you to know that I had private side conversation with her as well and she never wanted to give up on you. I asked that she please hang in with you since you really wanted to make her happy.

I truly am sorry that you got stuck in the middle of all of this. From day one I offered to help you in any way I could and never encouraged her to go anywhere but your store. I hope this in some way helps but this has become a crazy topic.

Please stick with us here and remember that it sometimes get crazy around here.

Everything should seem like nothing to you after this issue.

Welcome to the Grumble,
Jeff
 
Welcome to the G. Very brave of you to identify yourself, stick around please.

This was my post on the other topic and I stand by it.

"Keep in mind that there is no thing as absolute perfection.

So without seeing close-up pictures of the problem area, I think it is unfair for anyone to be critical of this framers work. Post a picture and then the responses might be more meaningful. With a good close up picture, if there is a problem, a framer here might be able to make a suggestion that would allow your framer to adjust and correct it.

I know I would not like my work being criticized site unseen." :shrug:
 
Vasilka - welcome!

Your customer broke a rule in my book by bleating into the ether.

'If you're happy with what we do - tell the world; if you're not - tell us"

We have a very swift reparation policy, the customer can do no wrong. Unless they do something SO wrong that they cease to be seen as a customer - Montacute, in my shop, would meet Basil Fawlty!

(I'd have to keep Sybil on a leash!)
 
Vasilka,
You have come under greater scrutiny than most other framers who have spent a lifetime at this, and under a glaring public eye to boot...you survived and thrived.
Head up, you did the right thing.
Welcome to the Picture Framer's Grumble.
 
From a fellow South Carolinian, welcome to the Grumble. The topic was beaten to death IMHO. Tom handled it very eloquently, so it should be put to rest. Whatever you do, Vasilka, dont quit doing V-Grooves. They looked nice. You will also find that you will get customers that you cant please, no matter what you do. You exited gracefully on this one.
 
Welcome welcome. I am so glad that you are here. V-grooves are not everything, so keep at it and perfect all your skills. No one does everything perfect on the first try, I am sure that you will agree that, it comes much later with lots of practice. So roll up those sleeves and lets get the Christmas thing happening....
 
Welcome to the Grumble Vasilka! Your work deserved no criticism from any of us. It was a beautiful job. I've been framing for 23 years and would have delivered the same product to my customer. I like to believe I have high standards. Occasionally you get a customer who is very critical which they are entitled to be. After trying to satisfy them to no avail I offer a refund and move on with both of our lives. You can't satisfy everybody, but it doesn't mean you turned out a bad piece of work. I don't think you need to be educated or counseled in anyway. You did a fine job with the art and handling the aftermath. Your customer lost a lot more than you did today, she lost a good framer and conscientious business person.

Don't let this peculiar introduction make you a stranger, so glad you spoke up. This is a great group of people you will fit right in!
 
Vasilka,
Welcome to the Grumble. That sounds pretty hallow after what you went through. Like others have said there are customers that are very hard to please. You handled the situation in a very professional manner. The Grumble is a great resource and Grumblers are very helpful. All the best, Mike.
 
Vasilka,

I think you just endured what would equate to running for president on the grumble. Talk about intense public scrutiny and vetting... Personally, you've got my vote!
 
Vasilka. You brave soul. I am so sorry that you were so hurt by the comments of this forum. Every one of us framers have been in your shoes with the picky customer, but hardly any of us have endured such harsh scrutiny by our colleagues.

Don't go away from the Grumble. You can learn so much here. Best wishes.
 
Welcome to the maddness Vasilka!!!! Come on in and join the group!!! We don't bite..........well most of us anyway!! :D
 
I think you did just fine and I applaud your professionalism.

Your v grooves were far within acceptable range. I think mine are, too. But then, there will always be a framer who does it better. And it doesn't hurt my feelings to admit it. I'm always first to sit and admire what a beautiful job others have done in framing.

I admit freely that I'm a framer dependent on modern devices. I also admit without them I wouldn't be as efficient as some framers who have been cutting mats by hands for decades. But with my cutter, I can be close. But is there better? Absolutely. In that way, you're no different than anyone else.

Although it may not have felt like it, welcome to the Grumble. You have lots of friends here. Please know we all appreciate your professionalism in both your workmanship and opinions.
 
In honor of your forthright attitude and outright fortitude, I would be pleased to send you a supply of sanding sticks if you will only PM your address to me.
:thumbsup:
 
Less my comments be misunderstood.

Vasilka I have tried to stay out of any threads that deal with Business or skill since I no longer frame and feel I lack the qualifications to critic any one who does on a daily basis( unlike some who maybe should refrain) .

So I was late to the fray and missed this response by you. If I am allowed to stay around and hopefully since you will be able to use the SEARCH for a long time to come ,you will learn I am famous for what I am about to do "I SINCERELY Apologize if I made any thing I said sound offensive to you or your work. That was the furthest thing from what I intended to do. That was even when I said I found it strange that we hadn't heard from you or about you by name. I thought the PITA didn't want anyone to hear the true opposing side , and that is what i was questioning as strange .

IMHO the best thing that can have happened to you ( and I said so) is this PITA PICKT Perfectionist brings their needle art to one of the other PERFECTIONIST FRAMERS who hopefully is a competitor of yours since their work will surely drive the competition out of business if Humored like it was unfortunately done in that thread .

I tried my hardest to say the customer's expectations where totaly unrealistic and way out of line as where some of the "better than thou" Pandora box opening comments given to her here on TFG.

My honest hope is that what goes around comes around and some minute detail is held up for ridicule in PUBLIC by this PITA for whomever they take their work to and /or the experts who never are even the slightest degree off in their mat cutting.

I had a very unpleasant relationship with a former partner turned competitor and never ever ran down even the slightest aspect of their work when being questioned by customers and only pointed out what I felt I was capable of doing differently , but never suggested that either of us was or should be PERFECT.

So do feel welcomed indeed and while Tom does know very well how fellow Framers want to be treated by their piers so do a lot of other TRUE caring Professionals here on TFG, and don't ever hide in the corners again for fear of being Un acceptable. You are amongst a great number of FRIENDS who have been every where you have and know your pain , with customers and critics.

BUDDY
 
Welcome to the G!

I think every one gets baptized by fire sooner or later.

Since your baptismal seemed to be the former, I suggest you never, ever discuss silicone. ;-)

(Just search the archives and you might get a glimpse of my christening!)

Again, welcome.

Meci :-)
 
Welcome and well-met! I've had my share of "picky" customers over the years, and aside from the hair loss, they have made me a better framer. Your work is far from sloppy, I'd give it a good solid 8, in fact. Join us and have hundreds of shoulders to cry on and thousands to give you advice (and take it).
 
Oh man Meci, I'll never live down my part in that if it keeps getting brought up. I did my share of overreacting.................my stance has changed. You can glue anything down with anything you want from here on out!
 
LMFAO. Just so you know...I copied and pasted your last reply in a "My Documents" file (ok...maybe not) just for future reference.

That is truly something that I can look back at and laugh about now. And I always will.

*singing* Thanks for the memories!
 
Yeah, it all seems so funny now doesn't it? I'd just die to go back and read it now. I remember clinging to the word "artifacts"................you gotta wonder what it is that makes us take a stand every once in a while.
 
Hey Meci, don't worry about a thing because every framer has a tube of silly cone hidden somewhere. They just aren't willing to admit it because...........I guess you know why.
 
Welcome!!

Your professionalizm in a tough situation is something to be admire by all.
 
Karen said:
Welcome!!

Your professionalizm in a tough situation is something to be admire by all.
Click to expand...

What Karen just said. You just flat out have class, Vasilka. Thanks for being willing to join our conversation. Your gracious attitude and willingness to reach out is admirable, and I look forward to getting to know you.
 
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