The Framers Forum

Three or four years ago, pictures of Al Pacino in Scarface were very popular. We went to the Spring Fair at the NEC on the Sunday Morning and at opening time there were a lot of stands with pictures of Scarface displayed. A few hours later they had all been removed. Apparantly a solicitor had been e...

Mmm? I wouldn't be too hard on Enesco - most of their product is imported from China and with the diablolical exchange rate at the moment its not surprising they have had to increase their prices. We were browsing their catalogues the other day and thought that you could fill a shop with their range...

The multiples will sneakily increase their prices throughout December and then have an advertisng campaign in January "NO VAT INCREASES!" The sales will also aid the hiding of price increases. We will probably not increase our framing prices in January and look at a higher increase later i...

We use these

http://www.viking-direct.co.uk/catalog/ ... DDEmpty.do

They have no holes perforated in them so they look a lot better than binder sleeves - they are available in different sizes are fairly cheap, and look good when attached to the back of the frame.

RobinC

It is a constant problem. We have customers who agree to have framing done and then we never see them again - why don't they just say no if they can't afford it! We usually only start work if we have a deposit, and when the current financial problems began a year or so ago we upped the amount we tak...

I would do as the paying customer asks, and do it cheerfully. We do a lot of work for photographers and artists and will always do what they require. Yes, you have given him discount, but so will every other framer in the area. If you are still not happy with not putting your label on and are prepar...

We have a large Magnolia Oval cutter that gets used no more than once a month. Problem is most prints we sell now are limited editions so we need to show the signature so the mount tends to be square or rectangular, many of the prints we have to buy ready mounted. When we first opened we used to sto...

That is exactly what they are. One pair was a plain brass pair, one was in steel and embossed with the signature of "Dodgy Dave Courtney" (more info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Courtney) and the third pair was in brass with imitation diamonds embellishing them - a lovely thing -...

Oh, we have just framed 3 pair sof knuckledusters that a lady brought in ( I think her husband was too embarassed!)

About 15 years ago we had a customer who was retiring to Florida and was opening a shop selling memorabiia to do with American History (nothing too old then!) We had loads of newspapers from 1776 with reports of the troubles in the colonies, lots of vellum documents with wax seals from the same peri...

Australian PF are brilliant - good music and a good light show. A few years ago I was on Popmaster and got through to the 3 in 10. It was 3 songs by A Ha - I had no idea, but ever since, whenever Sun Always Shines on TV, Take on Me or Living Daylights is played I drive my wife nuts with my in depth ...

We have used Simons for 20 years - very good prices, very good delivery times. the odd quality issue, and sometimes a little slow on sorting out delivery queries, but overall an excellent supplier!

RobinC

Excuse me - I was born and brought up in Grantham!

(Mind you, I moved out as soon as I was 18!)

RobinC

try www.morplan.com


Robinc

Having just left the FATG after being a member for 20 years, due mainly to examining all of our costs and cutting everything that does not help me build my business up - we have also left the local chamber of trade. After all these cost reductions, we have just had the best first quarters business i...

Wessex Pictures have just bought out Robinsons Wholesale who are based in Liverpool. I am not sure if they cover as far as Newcastle, but it may be worth giving them a call. Robinsons sell glass, mountboard, backing board, moulding and sundries so are a good place to start as you can buy all you nee...

We have a local sports trophy shop that will engrave anything onto anysize of brass plate. For smaller plates,our local Timpson shoe repairer has a selection of plates. I actually find that using the computer printer and a window mount is much more satisfactory as I have full control - a spelling mi...

Just had a silent (or almost silent) call. Phone rang, very strong foreign accent asked for the business owner. I asked what he wanted and he hung up. The number calling me was 08081787747 which apparantly is a telecom company (what a surprise!) I put the number into google and found a site where pe...

http://www.badgerland.co.uk/education/p ... lands.html

Generally, anything that I have bought from a cold call has been more expensive, not as good or just a downright waste of money, so I now cut them off short, but politely. If I think I may be interested I ask for a brochure or a website so that I can check them out in my own time. They usually have ...