Moulding Pricing Software

Bruce Papier

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Posts
1,063
I know I'm sounding very 19th Century here, but is there a program that just does moulding pricing that updates as new price lists come out? We don't use a POS system. We tried Lifesaver, but setting the pricing tables for moulding is really ponderous.

For most of the moulding, we just need something that uses "between w & x multiply by y to get z". regardless of who makes the moulding.

We don't need the program to do more than that. The rest of our price list is an arcane thing that evolved over 35 years and doesn't bend to fit logical tables, so we're not going to change that part.
 
You might be able to use some kind of spreadsheet program to set up your own system. Before I got FrameReady I used to do that in AppleWorks.
However, you will still have to personally enter all the new prices when they change from each vendor, which is total drudge work.
One of the beauties of POS is that when you download the vendor files they update and calculate automatically. This has made my life so much easier.
I get a smile on my face every time I do an update now, as opposed to cringing when I got a new price list book in the mail.
:cool: Rick
 
I've had minimal trouble getting price lists from my vendors in a spreadsheet compatible format. I just align columns to my needs and then have auto pricing. I add a letter code column for each vendor that allows me to vary the sort to amend the main data set. Just remember that lookup tables require item numbers to be sorted as text when mixed with item codes that include letters. If you know how to manipulate rows and columns, it's not difficult or tedious.
 
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here is what we used to do create groups. 1,2,3,,4,5,6,7,8,9,0 then assign dollar amounts to each. taht way all we had to do is ether change the dollar amount to the code or change the code on the frame that moved up out of the code range
I hope I explained that okay..
 
I use a excel spread sheet to markup Larson, Roma etc...
I have it setup to mark up based on Larson's recommended markup or I can change it to any markup I want.


It doesn't automatically update but it's fairly easy to do.
just copy and paste Item, description, width, list price and chop price. it automatically generates retail price.

pm me and I'll send you a copy
 
Bruce,
The "between w & x multiply by y to get z" can easily be done on an excel spreadsheet or access database but the automatic price update, you will need to get a POS for that.
 
You might try Frame Ready. It's more flexible than the POS you tried, and we love it.
 
Count me among those recommending a professional POS system. There are several good ones that come with pre-pricing already installed, but I would highly recommend modifying it to fit your particular business ASAP. Yes, the POS will automatically update your moulding & matboard prices, and that may be all you "need".

However, the rest of the benefits of a professional POS system are also valuable and quite useful. For example, the customer database, the order histories, and the reporting capabilities can benefit a typical framing business.
 
POS for pricing is nice, but it is much more than that. You can get accurate pricing in other ways, like some people here have already mentioned.

I use it for reports. After price updates, I can generate a list by vendor with discontinued, newly added etc.
I can create lists with components of an order and the profit margins on that. Easy to spot when certain items need to be updated.
I tweaked my pos a lot and continue to do so.

I also like having order history. I have reports I can generate by year, or any period, with my highest spending customers. Easy to see when people came in, what they generally spend and if there is a period where I haven’t seen them in a while, I can, and do, contact them.

I spend less than $400 a year for my subscription and it is worth every penny
 
POS for pricing is nice, but it is much more than that. You can get accurate pricing in other ways, like some people here have already mentioned.

I use it for reports. After price updates, I can generate a list by vendor with discontinued, newly added etc.
I can create lists with components of an order and the profit margins on that. Easy to spot when certain items need to be updated.
I tweaked my pos a lot and continue to do so.

I also like having order history. I have reports I can generate by year, or any period, with my highest spending customers. Easy to see when people came in, what they generally spend and if there is a period where I haven’t seen them in a while, I can, and do, contact them.

I spend less than $400 a year for my subscription and it is worth every penny
I'm wanting to computerize my one man shop. What POS do you use?
 
Count me among those recommending a professional POS system. There are several good ones that come with pre-pricing already installed, but I would highly recommend modifying it to fit your particular business ASAP. Yes, the POS will automatically update your moulding & matboard prices, and that may be all you "need".

However, the rest of the benefits of a professional POS system are also valuable and quite useful. For example, the customer database, the order histories, and the reporting capabilities can benefit a typical framing business.
I'm wanting to computerize my one man shop. What POS do you use?
 
You might be able to use some kind of spreadsheet program to set up your own system. Before I got FrameReady I used to do that in AppleWorks.
However, you will still have to personally enter all the new prices when they change from each vendor, which is total drudge work.
One of the beauties of POS is that when you download the vendor files they update and calculate automatically. This has made my life so much easier.
I get a smile on my face every time I do an update now, as opposed to cringing when I got a new price list book in the mail.
:cool: Rick
I'm wanting to computerize my one man shop. I've always used Lotus spread sheet to make my own price book. I'm getting too old to mess with that. What POS do you use or would recommend?
 
I'm wanting to computerize my one man shop. What POS do you use?
There are several good POS systems out there, and you might want to try the demo versions of a couple of them before you decide. My 2-person shop has used FrameReady since about 2002, and we've always been pleased with the program's features and the excellent technical support.
 
I'm wanting to computerize my one man shop. I've always used Lotus spread sheet to make my own price book. I'm getting too old to mess with that. What POS do you use or would recommend?
HI Ekyframer, I would love to give you a tour of i-FRAMER via Skype. I can answer any questions and demonstrate features as we go. Just PM me if you are interested.
 
I know I'm sounding very 19th Century here, but is there a program that just does moulding pricing that updates as new price lists come out? We don't use a POS system. We tried Lifesaver, but setting the pricing tables for moulding is really ponderous.

For most of the moulding, we just need something that uses "between w & x multiply by y to get z". regardless of who makes the moulding.

We don't need the program to do more than that. The rest of our price list is an arcane thing that evolved over 35 years and doesn't bend to fit logical tables, so we're not going to change that part.
Yes, I use ezframer.com......have for years..............setting price table is veery easy.................they have a demo and various options.........
 
I know I'm sounding very 19th Century here, but is there a program that just does moulding pricing that updates as new price lists come out? We don't use a POS system. We tried Lifesaver, but setting the pricing tables for moulding is really ponderous.

For most of the moulding, we just need something that uses "between w & x multiply by y to get z". regardless of who makes the moulding.

We don't need the program to do more than that. The rest of our price list is an arcane thing that evolved over 35 years and doesn't bend to fit logical tables, so we're not going to change that part.

The various POS companies that support US moulding vendor price updates work pretty much the same way. The POS receives price changes weekly from the vendors, and automatically update/transmit the info to the POS companies. (in some cases it is automatic, in others, you have to click an update button to refresh your database tables).

For the framer, setting up the pricing part is fairly easy. All you specify is the markup multiplier, and pricing method. For example if the current cost for a foot of Moulding xyx was $5 and you had it set to price 3x CHOP cost, it would price it at $15 per foot. If the price went up to $6 per foot next week, it would know to mark it up 3x to $18/ft. (based on the rule you set).

I'm over simplifying it a bit, but that is the basic idea. It allows for waste from corner cuts, you can optionally add a fixed cost per foot in addition to the above formula, as some industry experts who speak at trade shows suggest, etc.

Mat and fabric calculations work in a very similar way, of cost * area sold, which has a setting to make sure you always cover the cost of a full sheet even for very small orders.

Glazing can be priced by the Lite you cut it from (How we do it in our shop), by SF, UI, etc.

It's good for just pricing moulding, but it can do the whole package including the full frame job, legible invoices for customer that dont have part #s, legible workorders for the framer that show part #s and do the measurements for you, pick lists of materials to order or pull, an automatically generated customer list, an order history, and lots of reports.

If you haven't already, it's very worthy of consideration, IMO.

Disclaimer: If going to WCAF or Framecon, I'll be volunteering at the Lifesaver booth as a customer testimonial. Stop by and I'll gladly show you how it all works, and how to set the moulding prices. Specialtysoft, FrameReady, and Lifesaver will ALL be there. Regardless of which of the top products you choose (there are several that are excellent), get the demos and give them a good test drive, call support to ask questions, etc. With that, you'll have the tools to make the best decision for your situation.

Best regards,
Mike
 
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