Just curious how many of you will price a framing job over the phone?
Will you price a component like glass or mat?
Will you price a component like glass or mat?
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pricing on the phone
- Thread starter Mikki Kavich MCPF
- Start date
I always give an estimate over the phone.
I have package pricing based on outside mat size, so it's easy to give a base estimate.
I have gotten a fair amount of business because "the other guy wouldn't even give me an estimate!"
Said with incredulity!
I have package pricing based on outside mat size, so it's easy to give a base estimate.
I have gotten a fair amount of business because "the other guy wouldn't even give me an estimate!"
Said with incredulity!
Kai Vanuffelen
Frequent Poster
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- 1,278
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- Kai Vanuffelen Pictureframer
It is impossible to give an accurate price without seeing the artwork lying on the counter, so for me an estimate is the best alternative. It is the same as when a customer walks in saying' I have an oilpainting at home and it is this big' by waiving their arms about.
After giving them a rough estimate of how much it is likely to cost, most of the time I never see or hear from them again. They either waste my time, find someone cheaper to do the job, or postpone the framing indefinitely.
Being polite and patient is what I have to be in these circumstances.
After giving them a rough estimate of how much it is likely to cost, most of the time I never see or hear from them again. They either waste my time, find someone cheaper to do the job, or postpone the framing indefinitely.
Being polite and patient is what I have to be in these circumstances.
Karl Kastorf
Active Participant
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- 34
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- Post Road Framers
A few years ago we would have agreed with Kai - it did not seem that many written estimates were bearing fruit. But then we started to keep track of them and almost half turn into a sale, and often with an extra mat, or a nicer ($$$) frame. Well worth doing.
I have set up a "Quote" moulding, mat & 2 mm glass in my POS that is whatever the least expensive sale stuff I have bought this year. That is what I quote over the phone, with the caveat that this is our least expensive option.
I am working on rolling out package pricing in Oct, and that will simplify the whole thing. I get at least half of them, and almost no one buys the least expensive option. I track these calls, and tie the log to the caller ID, so I have a pretty good idea of how effective it is.
I am working on rolling out package pricing in Oct, and that will simplify the whole thing. I get at least half of them, and almost no one buys the least expensive option. I track these calls, and tie the log to the caller ID, so I have a pretty good idea of how effective it is.
Personally I think this is one of the biggest benefits of having a package pricing option in place. I prefer to believe that people in general are smarter than we give them credit for, and the majority of people calling for a phone price know full well that there are so many variables that it is impossible to give a realistic price without even seeing the artwork. So they're not really calling to get a firm price, rather they want to find out if they should even bother coming in. You should be able to tell a customer over the phone "Well, we have a very wide selections of frames and matting, so the price will vary somewhat. However we do have some specially-priced packages. For your 8x10 we have some options starting at $49.99."
This way your (potential) customer can walk in knowing that there's something in your store at a very affordable price. From there it's your job to show great designs that will make them salivate and forget the budget option. But hey, even if they go for the $49.99 option you've still made a sale and won a new customer.
Also, after a while you get a feel for what things cost. You should be able to tell the caller that "We can do a typical diploma for about $X.XX dollars, or something a bit more fancy for about $X.XX." Always follow that up with "If you'd like to come by today we're open until 7:00 and we'd be happy to show you some of our options."
A few years ago Jared Davis did a talk in Las Vegas about this sort of thing, and he had some excellent tips:
Act like the customer is in your store and engage her in conversation. If she mentions that she has a diploma to frame, ask whose it is. Congratulate her, ask her where she went to school, etc. The same sort of things you'd do with a person in your store in front of you.
Tell the caller your name, and ask for hers. Tell her what your hours are and when you will be in.
Finally a tip from Vivian Kistler: Smile when you're talking on the phone. Believe it or not, it will come through.
Exactly David.
Russ Wood
Frequent Poster
I certainly give estimates over the phone. I also make sure they want to frame something I want to deal with; otherwise I recommend another framer I know.
For example, if it is over 32 x 40, it is too big and heavy for me I recommend framer A; If it is a simple dry mounting, my press quit, and I recommend framer B, another because I am not going to buy another one because I hardly ever use one. (if it is one of my regular customers, I would of course take the order, then go over to the other framer and have them do it)
For example, if it is over 32 x 40, it is too big and heavy for me I recommend framer A; If it is a simple dry mounting, my press quit, and I recommend framer B, another because I am not going to buy another one because I hardly ever use one. (if it is one of my regular customers, I would of course take the order, then go over to the other framer and have them do it)
We gladly offer what we can on the phone, too. Most of the time they come in, too!
Ball Park is the key word.
