Question What's Up with Designer Guild?

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HarryGMCPF

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
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Northborough, MA
So I know, I need to call them on Monday, so don't say it please. But I wanna squawk about it anyway, so here goes...

I come in this morning after a day off and I have 7 huge boxes of corner samples from a company that I know nothing about other than an ad in a magazine now and again. I must have thier entire line of moulding. I can't for the life of me ever remember looking at any of their moulding, or talking to a sales rep, let alone ordering the entire line.

I spoke to another framer friend of mine and he got the same set of sample unsolicited as well.

Anyone else have this happen this week?
 
If this is Design Guild out of California you should take a look. Their line is very nice and it is both affordable and consistant. They run a great show special and the one thing I have always loved about their moulding is you always know what to expect.
 
We love the Design Guild line. They have a great look at a great price. You might get a few flaws so order a bit extra, it's affordable. It seems almost like an industry secret, great look, great price but over looked by most.
 
I like um, mostly

They used to be the only joint I ordered length from and I have been pretty happy. Constancy has wavered a bit for me. The finish may look the same but width of stock has changed on several of the profiles that I use. Not a big deal until you try to cut a frame and use stick from two different batches, no matchy. We have also had issues with the compo coming off in chunks, entire lengths of moulding occasionally. I do still buy the stuff so it must not be all that bad , just be prepared for some hiccups.
 
My distributor carries some selected mouldings from Design Guild. You might want to look at those metallics with a line of rivet thingies next to the rabbet. We've had some quality issues with chunks of compo coming off, but overall, this is one of our best selling frames. Like top five. The silver and gold finishes are very versatile, heavily antiqued and just plain gorgeous. Also, they are priced well. My store sells the 2 1/4" profile for a little over eleven dollars a foot and it looks like it cost twice that much.

Last year the silver in 2 1/4" profile was backordered from the manufacturer for something like four months, but the customer was so excited about the frame, he decided to wait for it and was glad he did. Come to think of it, I have a picture already from corresponding with an out of towner. See below.

I wouldn't recommend it for artists stock frame. One of my artists did that line for a show and the gallery was a little rough with the handling. Chips galore, but we use it for custom mirrors a lot and once it's on the wall, it's pretty good. I warn my customers about the chipping, just like I warn them about faux barnwood giving them splinters.

Gee, it's really nice to recommend something instead of shooting it down. I'm proud of me.

Sadie
 

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MabSadie2 said:
Gee, it's really nice to recommend something instead of shooting it down. I'm proud of me.

Sadie
Click to expand...

That is the frame I used on the mirror for my mothers bathroom when we remodeled it. One thing that I love about the mouldings is that they have those high end finishes that look like they will wipe off like Roma but they are completely sealed so you can wipe them with anything and there is no change to the finish. Very durable and look great.
 
I hate to be the only one who says something negative about them, but the chops we have been getting in the past few months look nothing like the samples we have. They are of cheaper quality and look. It seems like they went over to the Orient to have mouldings produced and there seems to be no consistency there. I recognize that a lot of companies are doing that now but at least some of the other companies sent in their sales reps to change the samples, recognizing that they do not look the same. It is a shame because this was a line we really liked and it was well priced.
 
CAGallery said:
some of the other companies sent in their sales reps to change the samples, recognizing that they do not look the same.
Click to expand...

Call Peter at Design Guild and tell him when you last received samples and I'm sure he will send out the ones that have changed. I have always enjoyed working with both the company and the product but sometimes we have to drop a corner from the wall if the quality isn't there. Design Guild definately wants your business and will work with you to get it. Nice line and great show prices in Atlanta.
 
OK... so I forgot and I'm sorry

Alright.... I need to clear the air here. :icon19:I messed up. :icon19: I did know something about these sample arriving. I did agree to them, but it was a while ago and I never associated the name of the company with the person I spoke to about this line. :shrug:

As we are all so quick to out someone here, I must now retract my previous statement and offer my appologies to Design Guild Moulding and thank them for my samples.

I am glad to hear that most of you have possitive things to say about the line and I will be taking a look at it and trying to incorporate what I can, as I said I would.

Now back to the frames.....
 
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