What do you do?

Kittyfaces

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Posts
359
Loc
Kennebunk, Maine
When you run into a framing challenge at the design counter that you're not quite certain about how to address, and you kind of figure you're going to turn to the Grumble, HH or other resources for advice, do you not say anything to the client and just accept the job and hope that there's a good solution? Do you explain the uniqeness of the situation and that you'll need to do some research and get back to them? In many cases, there may be additional labor and material charges to the initial quote... how do you prepare the client for that? I'm curious to hear different ways this can be handled.
 
On the rare occasion we're stumped we take the "let us research it" approach. However, we rarely charge extra for the job - something doesn't seem right to charge for our on-the-job training. The next time we're able to charge appropriately for that type of work.

Tony
 
For a special challenge, or when the customer is double-parked and looking at his watch every 15 seconds, I will often suggest he leave the project with me for a day or two to work up some ideas.

Rarely do they object to this. It means an extra trip for them, but it shows them I'm serious about coming up with a great design or a solution to a special problem.

If I haven't a clue how to deal with a particular issue or medium, though, I will tell them so. It's too easy to say, "Oh sure, I can do that," only to lose sleep over something you're not equipped to handle.
 
Cool, those are great. I especially like the "However, we rarely charge extra for the job - something doesn't seem right to charge for our on-the-job training." That's a great perspective.

Thanks!
 
Its called "tuition".
 
Originally posted by Kittyfaces:
Do you explain the uniqeness of the situation and that you'll need to do some research and get back to them?
That's exactly what I do.

Customers enjoy feeling that their particular framing challenge is unique and are reassured to know that I'm going to find out more about the necessary procedures.

Most of them are amazed that to learn that framers talk to each other to brainstorm problems and help each other out.

I've been participating in The Grumble long enough to take it for granted. It nice to be reminded how grateful I should be.

Kit
 
"charge for on the job training"

I don't know.........however, it seems to me that if we take the time to research something and figure out the great design work, we shouldn't be giving our time away. The customer doesn't have the resources or know how to do what we do. There isn't much that I can't do in my field, so why shouldn't I be paid a reasonable amount for the work I do?

Just a thought!!!
 
Of course you should paid for what you do. They come to us and pay us well for our expertise...it's part of the service we can provide to set us apart.

Many of us come to the Grumble asking questions that every framer would do well to learn. It IS tuition!! They already pay for our training with every order.

But if you're talking about "great design work," something that is out of the ordinary, a special situation, then you should add on an extra charge based on your hourly rate. We have to use our judgement. We're always learning something new, or how to do an old thing better. My customer shouldn't have to pay for that each time. Even my time on the grumble is my own time at home. My boss doesn't pay me to sit here as I so often do. I want to learn...and that's part of my job.
 
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