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I recently walked into a big box craft store that offers framing services. I about fell over when they kicked back a price. I ended up taking the piece to a locally owned framing shop for just over third of the price.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with big chain stores that offer framing?
If you are speaking about Michaels the answer is yes. Mine was a 9 x 9 print that I only wanted framed no mat. For a small 1 inch frame of white wood (I assume pine, definitely not oak) the price I was quoted was $96. I went online and went to arttoframe.com and with shipping I paid $19. I did need to screw in the wire and the hooks on the back however.
I used to do counted cross stitch and could not bear to put it in a cheap frame after all my hard work, but I gave it up because of the price of framing.
Places like Michaels that do custom framing are WAY overpriced. That's why they put 50% framing coupons out almost every week: their prices are only mildly competitive if you use the coupon. Otherwise they are crazy expensive.
IMO, you're better off going to a local framing shop. Their prices are more competitive (though custom framing is still not "cheap") and they often have better quality.
I recently walked into a big box craft store that offers framing services. I about fell over when they kicked back a price. I ended up taking the piece to a locally owned framing shop for just over third of the price.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with big chain stores that offer framing?
Actually - my sticker shock was at the hands of local framing place.
But we paid it (we did not price shop at big-box type crafts stores). The frames are beautiful and the matting / framing job done was first rate.
I'm reading these posts and rethinking taking my business to Michael's. When local shops in my area went away, I started going to Michael's. I hate to say this, but I didn't detect that Michael's was more expensive than a local shop. I spent a lot of money have various things framed over the years.
Now that I live in my present PNW area, I have located a local frame shop, and I will have them have a look at something I want reframed. It would be nice if they could do the job for a reasonable price. In my experience, framing is expensive no matter who you take it to.
Michael's has a lot of 50% off framing sales, I always wait for that. I did a stint at a gallery where I learned how to frame and made them full time. The mouldings are very inexpensive when buying it wholesale from the supplier if you have a business or tax number. https://www.larsonjuhl.com/framer.aspx
Yes the store was Michaels and I did bring in a coupon for 50% off. It was still too expensive.
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