Waste and Loss in the Store, a chapter from a 1906 book on how to frame.

Marc Lizer

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 28, 1999
Posts
1,545
Loc
North Hollywood, CA
Waste and Loss in the Store

Poor help in the store is a poor investment in the picture and art business. One-half the customers that come in could be persuaded to spend more money in some more attractive picture and frame if they were handled rightly, whether they came into the store with the definite idea of buying or only admiring the pictures. It makes a great dif­ference how they are approached by the salesman. Every dealer ought to welcome anybody and everybody who loves pictures; some time they may be customers. That is, if they are han­dled properly.

Of course they should not be jumped upon or followed about and made to feel that they are expected to buy right away. Such an impression will drive away the best trade. The salesman if he knows his business, will give them little attentions, courtesies and explanations, which will interest and draw out the prospective customer sooner than any other way.

The waste and loss m a picture store comes from goods that don't sell mouldings or frames and pictures bought and not sold. Your money has been paid out for these goods, and it has been lost to you.

Some goods on hand represent perhaps the profits of the business. In what condition are these profits? In nine cases in ten m bad order. Why? From carelessness, improper handling, bad treatment and from being soiled. . The picture dealers' goods are delicate. They ought to be labeled "perish­able." But picture dealers do not seem to realize this fact. A moulding or frame is easily injured and its full worth at once destroyed. "I have to look after every item of my business," remarked a Picture dealer to me. "I even have to wrap up the frames and take them out to the wagon on for delivery or they are sure to be scratched or damaged."

Etchings and engravings and pictures of every kind are easily soiled, and soon become poor if not "dead" stock. As a rule no suitable Place is Provided for them. Every store should have a neat, convenient cabinet or special receptacle where dust and dirt will not get in. An eye should be kept on mould­ings and pictures, and frequent examinations into the condition and care of stock will also open the eyes of the dealer to the quantity he is getting together.

[ 09-03-2003, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: Marc Lizer ]
 
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