N
NaBob
Guest
Our first grumble is a whopper. Have been in and out and around framing since before Woodstock (the first one). We have been out for over 5 years unable to compete with the market advantage enjoyed by The Ben Franklin/Larson-Juhl combination in our rural area. I guess we're not the only ones who resent our competition getting free delivery of pre-cleaned glass, supplies and orders once a week when we are paying UPS or traveling to warehouses in person. I speak with some perspective since I actually tried working at the Franklin store when I gave up my shop. THE PROBLEM: Since Ben Franklin finally dissolved in my area, Larson-Juhl is continuing to supply the much smaller shop that is trying to continue with their customer list and REFUSES to open an account with me. I explained that we have greater expertise and itend to develope a larger market than the former Ben Franklin account.
They asserted that they have a new policy that only allows them to sell to certain kinds of retail stores which they were unable and unwilling to satisfactorily describe. Apparently a frame shop is only a frame shop when they are in a mood to acknowledge it. I called several other large suppliers who knew about this bizarre policy - they've had a marked increase in business due to Larson Juhl's sluffing-off accounts. I'm guessing that Larson/Juhl may be dangerously close to being a monopoly nationwide and seemingly in violation of several "class of trade" regulations not to mention outright descrimination. I really can't stand the preposterous arrogance of it all when they almost singlehandedly created the framecounter from **** (sales people in Ben Franklin who cover the counter from the bubblegum department or the aquariums. I will be notifying the Federal Trade Commission of these practices and would gladly siqn on to any class-action suit that anyone else has the ability to start over Larson's destruction of free-market competition by descriminatory practices. If you are currently receiving Larson deliveries watch-out. Matt Boyd admitted to me that they will be closing supply to businesses that sell from any kind of a residence even if they have been doing so until now and the St. Louis dist. center will be cutting off delivery to various shops selectively by favoritism NOT volume or proximity. So, you may not get deliveries but your competitor will - with no excuse and no apology. Sorry to lay such a big one on everybody- we hope to communicate good vibes if we are able to get back in the business.
They asserted that they have a new policy that only allows them to sell to certain kinds of retail stores which they were unable and unwilling to satisfactorily describe. Apparently a frame shop is only a frame shop when they are in a mood to acknowledge it. I called several other large suppliers who knew about this bizarre policy - they've had a marked increase in business due to Larson Juhl's sluffing-off accounts. I'm guessing that Larson/Juhl may be dangerously close to being a monopoly nationwide and seemingly in violation of several "class of trade" regulations not to mention outright descrimination. I really can't stand the preposterous arrogance of it all when they almost singlehandedly created the framecounter from **** (sales people in Ben Franklin who cover the counter from the bubblegum department or the aquariums. I will be notifying the Federal Trade Commission of these practices and would gladly siqn on to any class-action suit that anyone else has the ability to start over Larson's destruction of free-market competition by descriminatory practices. If you are currently receiving Larson deliveries watch-out. Matt Boyd admitted to me that they will be closing supply to businesses that sell from any kind of a residence even if they have been doing so until now and the St. Louis dist. center will be cutting off delivery to various shops selectively by favoritism NOT volume or proximity. So, you may not get deliveries but your competitor will - with no excuse and no apology. Sorry to lay such a big one on everybody- we hope to communicate good vibes if we are able to get back in the business.