Framing discount deal?

[Mary Reilly]

Julie,
I am weighing in a little late on this, but here are my thoughts.

My studio is a studio/gallery in a public place and as a service to my customers I provide framing. Basically that means that I frame all my own artwork and if people come in with framing requests I will accept the framing jobs on a limited basis, but I never advertise framing. Anyhow, I offer 20% off to artists and 25% off to my students. I don't really advertise the percentage off, but if I know someone is an artist I will mention it to them. I suggest that you ask different framers if they give a percentage off, and then recommend to your customers the ones who do. Because of overhead costs, I think that 20-25% off is fair.
You might also consider contacting a framing company and see if you can purchase frames wholesale. If they agree, you could choose 2 or 3 classic mouldings and get sample frame corners for those and then their catalogue for the other frames. That way you could sell the frames directly to your customer. Regence Picture has some wonderful frames that have been very well received by my customers. Their a tad pricey, but worth considering. Their website is: http://www.regencepictureframes.com/

Mary

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Mary!

[Tom Edgerton]

Julie--

There is a frame shop here that does the lion's share of my commissioned work, and they give me 20% on all frames on my account (I pay, the client reimburses me). They even give me the same deal if I bring in the client and the client pays directly--they keep a record and add that discount to the next job.

Lately, they've given me the same discount on my personal work. They also keep a portfolio of mine on their counter, and they regularly "talk me up" to their retail traffic. I've gotten a couple of commissions this way, and I've given them a finder's fee in return. It's less than what a broker would take out, and it makes everyone feel good.

Needless to say, I send them a Christmas card every year.

In short, the more you do with a given vendor, the more likely they'll give you an incentive to be a good customer.

Don't be afraid to ask...

--Tom

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Tom! This sort of thing seems to be a very well-kept secret.