We made partner level!

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Elaine

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Posts
1,569
Loc
Skaneateles,NY USA
I am pleased to announce, that after being open for 1 year and 4 months, that we have been invited to be in the Partner Program with Larson Juhl. This has been a goal from day one, I am just excited that we made this quickly!

HAD to tell someone! :D

Elaine
 
Aren't you the one with "Nigel", Elaine? I thought you had been open for 3 or 4 years at least. Anyway, becoming a partner is great!
 
It means they give an additional 10% off and you get some nice little leather weight bags


Our numbers are meeting the requirements as well and we hope to be added soon.

Mike
 
Is putting all your eggs in one basket, a wise thing to do?

John
 
That's great that everyone is doing well enough to qualify for discounts, but...here in the upper midwest LJ hands out partnerships like candy, even to brand new just opened shops. Does anyone really know what the requirements are?
 
I was told a run rate for three months that yielded 20k/yr for moulding or 30k/yr for supplies and moulding.

As for "all your eggs ...," this only applies if you have single sourced yourself. Maintaining relationships with at least one other vendor for supplies and having 3 or more moulding vendors should give you sufficient wiggle room IMO. Besides, when you "choose" samples for your wall, are you duplicating. If not, then you are putting yourself in a similar corner. Buying from as few vendors as you can while still offering the selection and quality you need seems to make the most sense for COGs reasons.

Congratulations Elaine!
Cliff
 
I've been told by more than a couple people that you have to give up a certain percentage of your wall to LJ. Is this true? If so how much? In my wildest dreams I would never give control of my wall to any company. I love LJ and their products. I am quite sure I don't qualify now but if I do in the future I will just remain "friends".
 
Kathy, you have to give up a certain percentage of your wall or do a certain dollar figure per month. Either will get you partnership status.
 
Sounds as tho LJ has merged with the Church of Scientology. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
Nah, in this area it's purely about the volume you give them to get a discount. Others have mentioned that they get a 20% or higher discount with the same requirements. I think it depends on the territory.

One very popular vendor has a similar program, which we are part of, that offers a 25% discount. Some of the others offer free shipping or delivery.

In many cases, these incentives are there for the asking... I always ask vendors what they can offer to earn more of our business.

The eggs are in several baskets, and no vendor has touched our walls. Heck, Andy doesn't even let ME arrange the walls. I know better that, i'd probably get my knuckle slapped with a ruler!


Mike

[ 09-03-2003, 04:37 PM: Message edited by: Mike-L@GTP ]
 
Thank you Cliff! Never did I expect negativity from the Grumblers on this!! Thanks to those of you who send best wishes.

To address the other negative concerns:

1) No I didn't have to give over control of my wall, but I do display what I feel is QUALITY

2) its about volume

3) I never sole source ANYTHING! I worked at a Mfg co. and know what a problem that can be

4) I have many moulding suppliers, display some, utilize the catalogs for a lot because of space constraints and order the samples as needed.

5) I get additional discounts on moulding purchases, I got a new set of weights, and the MOST IMPORTANT thing, I like all of the merchandising tools I get with the program - ads, postcards, notecards, etc. I don't pay an added monthly fee to get access to the marketing tools.
The marketing tools lends a higher level of professionalism for the business.

Anyway, you didn't burst my bubble, I will always be happy to have Warren Buffet in my corner :D

elaine

p.s. no relationship to "Nigel" whoever he is!
 
Congratualtions Elaine! I haven't asked my LJ rep about the partner program, but we have created some incentives that work for me as well as for his company. Haven't surrendered my wall to LJ, but I am happy to listen when the LJ rep or any other rep has suggestions on how items could be displayed to help me make more money. I figure they get into more shops than I do, and they see whose volume is growing.
 
Congratulations, Ellen!
I neglected to say that before.
In the case of shops like mine that don't do enough volume I agreed to have Larson frames on a certain percentage of the wall. I am free to arrange the walls however I want.
I love getting the extra discounts and their marketing materials.
I also like to pick the brain of my rep. He is very helpful with marketing ideas.
 
Didn't mean to rain on your parade Elaine. Congrats! If you can earn a partnership from volume that is indeed a good thing. Out here in Colorado I have heard from a couple of sources that you have to have a high percentage of the wall dedicated to LJ. I know of atleast one person who actually withdrew from the partnership because she felt controlled. I bet the stories I've heard are from people who don't have the volume and are just playing with the rules. Who knows?
 
Elaine -

That is wonderful!!! Congrats!!!

I feel the same way you do about it.... I am happy to display the quality of LJ but still offer other quality lines as well.

I do think they offer great marketing tools (but as is in any industry, you pay one way or another!) No such thing as a free lunch!! But their customer service has been exemplary...

A prior post of mine raved about the purchase of a framed sample that has "sold" itself numerous times in a short period of time!!

You are in a great area and I wish you continued success!! And, I hope to see you at some point on a visit to your town!

Roz
 
Less has not made Partner.
I let them put up the wall of shame.
Less gets 10% length
5% chop
truck delivery
18% on materials - local vendors are still a little Less
They do save me on Conservation Clear and are $30 Less on Museum glass than anyone else.

Less will take what he can get.
Less' #s would be better if he didn't buy as much length, but my #s are slowly rising and Larson likes that.
 
Nigel has been found!!

I am flattered that anyone remembered Nigel, even if he was associated with the wrong family. Nigel can be visited on my website at www.littlesebagogallery.com . Our endearing mascot even has his own button. He'd love to meet some Grumblers, having formerly met mostly Hitchhikers!

Sandie Mizerak
Little Sebago GallerY & Frame
Windham, ME
 
Well, Sandie, I don't know how I got you and Elaine mixed up (it doesn't take much for me :rolleyes: ), but I'm glad I have found Nigel again. Nigel is a very knowledgeable gallery employee. :D
 
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