FrameStore

First of all, let me say I’ve never walked into a frame store before. I just completed my first triathlon and decided to frame my finisher’s medal, photo of crossing the finish line, and my bib. After meeting with Bryan at the store, first thing he asked was «what’s your budget?». I thought this was strange as he didn’t ask about where I would be displaying it or how high (or low) end I wanted the materials. My first mistake was telling him I’ve never framed anything before and I had NO idea how much I should budget.
After assuming I was interested in framing a piece that intended to be hung at the Norton Simon Museum, he quoted a price of $ 350-​$ 400. After I got up from the floor he said «Well that’s for Museum Glass, best materials, floating display, etc etc etc blah blah blah». I said this was a lot more than I had anticipated for a simple display using average quality material. He completely disregarded what I was telling him and kept pushing his $ 350-​$ 400 display. He said he would tinker with it a little and call me with an updated quote and email me with sample displays of what he is envisioning for my piece. An hour later he called me and said he would do it for $ 275 (after a discount). I asked him to send me the email (that he originally suggested) so I could get a better idea of what the quote represented. He never emailed me. I went back to his store and met with Mary. I asked her to have Bryan call me and email (as he said he would). Nothing from him.
I took it to another local frame shop… AMAZING quality, customer service was world class, extremely accommodating… oh and the cost $ 103. Lesson learned… sincere customer service could have probably won me over at FrameStore in Pasadena. The other local frame shop has a loyal consumer.

Wait a minute here… Are you F-​ing kidding me!!! I took in a very small rectangular piece of art to get framed, probably 2“x4″. I went in b/​c I got the groupon deal thinking this little thing is so small it should cover most, if not at least half of the cost.
After choosing one of the simplest and cheapest frames and a double matting, the total came to $ 440!!! AFTER the groupon discount of $ 100!!! Seriously now, I’ve gotten plenty of nice things framed over the years and this was total and absolute robbery. I couldn’t even keep a straight face when he broke down the cost for me, I just let my $ 30 groupon cost burn. The guy was nice but who cares when you’re being charged more than 3 times what other reputable and long-​standing framers in Pasadena are charging??? Buyer beware is a major understatement.

Wesley did an excellent job with the service and the frame turned out beautifully. Just be aware that the place is extremely expensive. Even with a groupon and the discount they advertise it came out to about the same price as another other frame store.
I trust Wesley to do an excellent job, so the customer service is good. Just a lot of money

I had a great experience with Wesley when having one of my posters framed for my office recently. I came in with a simple concert poster and what I received back was a piece of art. Quality is top notch and I’m glad I splurged. You get what you pay for with these guys. I totally recommend them.

AVOID! This business is a HORRIBLE place that tries to SCAM its customers.
I bought a «$ 30 for $ 100» voucher from Amazon Local and have since gotten my refund and filed a complaint.
I went in looking to frame a diploma and was given an estimate of over $ 800! Then, the attempted scamming began. Here’s how it works:
1) Quote you an ungodly amount for framing (in my case, it was over $ 800 to frame a diploma);
2) Try to make you feel better by offering you 50% off;
3) Tell you none of the affordable frames can be redeemed by voucher;
4) Pretend some more to fidget with the computer and still hustle you to pay about $ 200-​$ 300 for a frame;
5) Insult you when you are shocked by their business practice.
I told the rep very clearly I wanted to spend $ 200 maximum — taking into account the 50% off and my $ 100 voucher — this would mean nothing out of pocket. He responded point blank, «It will be impossible for you to spend nothing out of pocket». I then asked him whether he was telling me it was impossible to frame a diploma for under $ 200 when other places were doing it for $ 50-​$ 60 and he responded, «Exactly».
I went in having read all the reviews, but was hoping they had changed their deceptive business practices by now. Nope.

This place quotes preposterously expensive estimates in order to make you feel like you’re getting a deal when (after they’ve given you an estimate about three times higher than any other custom framer would) they then offer you 50% off the estimate, as if they’re doing you a favor – a favor they apparently offer to nearly everyone. I brought in a Groupon, which gave me $ 100 worth of framing for $ 40. After all was said and done, I ended up paying, after the 50% «discount» and the Groupon, probably $ 30-​$ 40 more than I would have if I’d taken it to a comparable custom framer.
This is shameful business practice, FrameStore. This makes me wonder if the entire chain operates on this fraudulent premise. Simply out of principle – as I felt deeply offended by this transparent form of manipulation – I will never, ever give FrameStores my business again, unless I hear they’ve changed their ways. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt truly conned in a chain store.

First things first.
This place is high end framing. Don’t plan on coming in here to drop a ben to get something framed. Plan on paying for a masterpiece. Groupons are nice, but they are not going to pay for it all; they’re just going to help.
All the mats are fabric wrapped. Most of these reviews fail to mention that, and that is what got me in the door. You can’t go to any of these big chains and ask for a fabric WRAPPED mat. Most of them don’t even know what that is. It’s believed that all framing is the same… its not. If you have art that you care about and want it to be framed correctly you don’t grab a ready made frame off the wall.
Sometimes custom framing is not the answer either. You are entrusting whomever frames it to treat it right and care about it. It’s like trying to tell someone a story that you are super excited about, but you don’t know how to express your excitement. You want people to just understand, and that is what FrameStore are. People that understand your art and how to treat it the best they can.
I came in on Friday December 12^th, and was greeted by Tava. I had an idea of what I wanted and he threw in some fantastic ideas. I asked him if I could bring in museum glass and if I could use that instead of them charging me for theirs. I was able to get it at a better price and was glad that Tava allowed me to do that.
I brought the glass back on Sunday December 14^th and met the ever famous Wesley. Tava had told me that Wesley was their best designer, so I of course asked him what he thought of my design. I asked for his opinion and was fully prepared for him to disagree which he did. He didn’t not like mine, he just thought he could make it look better. He told me what he would had done. He was right, it looked much better.
It is so refreshing to ask for an opinion and truly get an honest response. Most frame stores would just tell me it looks good (because the customer is always right, right?), but he knew of a better design and he cared enough to tell me. I am so thankful for Wesley’s honesty. He totally rules.
I’m only giving ⁴⁄₅ because I am eagerly awaiting the completion of my order and I’m sure it will be what I always wanted.
Short version: This is high end, you’ve be warned. You get what you pay for.

I gave this place a star just because Wesley is very helpful. I know this place will be expensive but I cannot believe it would be 4x more than other retailers/​frame stores including chains like Aaron Brothers, etc. IT’S UNNECESSARILY EXPENSIVE

From beginning to end, the Frame Store folks were professional, knowledgeable, efficient and friendly. Wesley has a good eye for picking out framing for the original caligraphy art I brought in.
I liked it so much, I brought in another art piece. Bryan helped me that time and was also helpful. It might cost a little more than other places (I used a Groupon both times), but the quality and service is worth it. I even got a Van Gogh art card from Wesley after I picked up my framed art. I will come back here if I need framing for my fine art or precious photos in the future.

This is not the place to get a poster or cheap print framed, this is the place to get your original Picasso framed before lending it to the Norton Simon. I foolishly walked in with my groupon and 50% off coupon thinking I would get a good deal on a custom frame. I spent about an hour matching different mouldings and linen mattings. I went for the amazing «museum glass» figuring I was only paying half. Then I got total, minus $ 100 for the groupon, and with the 50% off, plus another $ 100 off because the guy was being «nice:» $ 1200. I almost fell out of my chair. In the end I decided I loved the frame and managed to get the total down to $ 750 (goodbye anti-​reflective museum glass!) and just bit the bullet. Overall I’m pleased with the final result, but I definitely felt taken and wish I could have afforded the better glass. Next time I’ll go elsewhere.

Gotta admit, the service was great until Wesley found out I brought a coupon. I might as well have been pan handling. Rather than quoting $ 650 to frame a $ 20 poster, why didn’t you just tell me to get the hell out of your store? That would have wasted less of our time. Unless you’re framing a portrait of Ronald Reagan, stay away.

The Frame Store is probably the best place to go to get framing done… I have not met Wesley. But I do know Mikki who is behind the counter every time I have gone in the store. We have had several things framed. Every single piece has come out Fantastic. and the prices are not that expensive… She is always so pleasant and very friendly every single time. I have had no problems there. I would not go any where else ever!!! Forget Aaron bros. Forget California picture framing, Forget them all. I would stick with the frame store. Their framer has been framing for over 25 yrs…
C. White

Wesley, in the Pasadena store, was an arrogant, condescending wonk, all
upset because he said people actually wanted to use their Groupons and not
have to pay an additional $ 200 to $ 300 for framing.
Here’s what’s funny: I asked him how the Groupons were going. You know,
asking if it brought in new business.
He wasn’t happy with Groupon, he said, and wished — this is important –
«the company» never started with them.
Too bad, I said, as a franchisee, it must be a pain to have to get stuck
with Groupons. Nope, he said, this isn’t a franchise, I’m on an owner.
Hmmmm, I wondered, how then does this work, you being an owner and getting
stuck with having to take Groupons.
It turns out that Wesley, with his pompous, pretentious attitude, is THE
owner of 13 FrameStores, probably along with partners. So he agreed to do
Groupon, I’m guessing to make some extra money, only to be disappointed that
Groupon customers weren’t willing to pony up an egregious amount above and
beyond the $ 100 credit for framing (And I’m not kidding: One 8×10 print,
with matting, frame, and glass cost $ 300 OVER the Groupon coupon.)
It’s certainly too late for our Groupons, but if you have even an inkling of
walking in the FrameStore, stop yourself. Prices are exorbitant and the
attitude is dismal. («What, you don’t want the ‘museum-​quality glass’ for
another $ 100!?»)
Think I’m being narrow minded? No problem — just read the dozens of other
Unilocal reviews to help encourage you to stay away from any of the FrameStores.

The BAD…
So here’s the deal… It’s expensive. Even with the groupon deal and the 50% off online coupon. My boyfriend works in high end galleries and knows what a good deal is on framing art. After all my discounts applied the bf said I paid an average price for a good frame job. Too bad my piece of art is probably worth half of the framing. And to bad I bought a coupon that wasn’t really a coupon in the end. The guy who helped me was bit short when it comes to people wanting a good deal…
DONT ADVERTISE COUPONS ON GROUPON THAN… That’s the point… People wanting to try something at a cheap price and if it turns out to be a good deal, we come back.
With that said… I would come back if my piece looks better than expected and I come into some money. Cause that’s the kind of people this Framestore appeals too… and rich people don’t buy Groupons.
The GOOD…
I really like the guy who helped me at the store. I want to dislike him cause he has an air of elitism… but he has great taste and he knows what he’s doing. I like that he used to be an art director and creative director in advertising and left it behind to retire and work in the little Framestore in Pasadena. He’s personable and friendly until you get all cheap on him. He has GREAT taste. Trust him with choices. I do believe he made my cheap print look a lot more expensive than it was unframed. I hope he doesn’t hold it against me that I called the next day in hopes of cutting down more costs on my frame job. I think we had a good repor until I did that… ah well he deserves some praise.

I hate to write a negative review, but my experience with them was exceptionally bad. I wanted to frame 2 screen prints and was told it would take 2 weeks. It ended up being 11 weeks of back and forth and, in the end, I’m completely unsatisfied with the job.
The 1^st frame I chose came back looking completely different in color and finish. I picked a new frame, and while it came back looking closer, it still wasn’t what I wanted. They refused to refund my money and instead offered me a $ 100 certificate for my next purchase – knowing full well I won’t be back.
I had to take initiative and follow up with them constantly for the last 2 months because I wouldn’t hear from them for weeks. PLEASE take my advice – save your money and precious time and go elsewhere.

Okay, I read all the negative reviews and debated whether I should just let my Groupon lapse or not. On the last day I decided to give it a shot.
The piece I had framed is approximately 11×17 and, even with my $ 100 Groupon, still cost another $ 270. So… this is not a bargain framer. That being said, I’m very please with the way the job turned out… it looks wonderful.
Mr. Wesley was a little flustered the day I first went in because he was about to close. But, we ended up having a very nice chat and he was nothing but the epitome of professionalism and friendliness from there on out. When the piece was sent out and the guys got the matte wrong, Mr. Wesley sent it back (actually had to send it back twice) to get it done perfectly. I was starting to get impatient, but I’d rather wait longer to have it done right than get a half-​arsed job for my money.
He even sent me a lovely thank-​you card after it was all done. Sure, I paid what seemed like a lot (especially compared to all my artist friends who have used other framers for years), but I feel like I received really good service. It’s the first piece of art I’ve ever had professionally framed (sad, but true), so I’m okay with forking over the cash this time.
Unfortunately, there’s no way I could afford to get everything framed here. I have such a huge backlog of art from my friends that I’ll most definitely need to go to Downtown Framing to get them all taken care of. Though, I will say that thiis is the perfect place for Pasadena and San Marino folks who want to be catered to and aren’t necessarily interested in a deal.

I thought this place was EXPENSIVE when I first went there, but after seeing the final result, I realized why it was the price I ended up paying. It’s on par with other good/​expensive framing houses. I figured I’d be looking at something around $ 3 – 400 for framing a rather large (20“x30″) print given my past experience with something half the size in addition to the savings I’d get for buying the $ 100 Groupon. All I can say is I don’t think I’ve been as sticker shocked before (and I have expensive tastes) or had my jaw drop on prices more so than at this place. Despite the expensive factor, these people know their stuff, and will help pick out and recommend matching mats and frames. Just know that this is no IKEA or Aaron Brothers, so expect to pay a bit of money. This is for people serious about framing
For anyone familiar with framing, know that the mats are all fabric (or wrapped with fabric) and not cardboard. I ended up getting double mats because I’m fancy like that.
Second, the frames were expeeensive! Ok, maybe it was just because I have expensive tastes and my print was BIG. The first one I picked was quoted at around $ 1500!!! WHAAAAAAT!!! I (apparently picked out one of the most expensive ones available). *pat on the back*. I had to go through about 8 more frames before I found a cheaper one that was closer to something reasonable.
I definitely had buyer’s remorse (and kind of still do just from the sheer cost) from what I ended up paying (like WHY did I spend so much money framing a print), but when I finally got my completed frame, I was actually in awe of how great it looked in addition to how BIG it ended up being (hence the expensive price). In hindsight, the price for everything was about right given the size of the piece and the framing quality. What’s interesting is that each layer of the mat is completely covered up with the fabric so you don’t see the white area in cardboard mats. The finished work was completely professional, and added a layer of sophisticated-​ness that I don’t have in other frames I’ve had done. This will definitely be a centerpiece on my wall because 1) it’s HUGE and 2) the quality is top notch.
Save this for the expensive artwork or sentimental pieces.

I’m still waking up in laughter in the middle of the night, thinking of this experience…
So I know I’ve thrown the term around, «I almost shitted myself,» in the past… but my visit to this place was probably the closest I’ve ever come to shitting myself.
I went it with my Tippr coupon to get a 18×24 POSTER PRINT framed in a simple ¼″ frame with glass. Seeing that the coupon was for $ 100 credit, I figured I was more than covered, although I was extra excited to see what the outcome would be, after reading these reviews about homeboy, Mr. Wesley.
I came in and asked for exactly what I wanted, which made it obvious to him that I know what I’m talking about. When he goes to ring me up, he tells me the total would be $ 212, minus $ 100… for ¼″ frame and glass to frame a poster. My body didn’t even know how to react at the moment, as I felt like either punching him in the face, or just… shitting myself.
So you understand the extent of my overreaction to this, my regular framers over at Downtown Framing just finished framing the SAME SIZE prints… for $ 26! Yes, you read that correctly, the same exact work I was being charged $ 212 for, I had just gotten done for $ 26 the week before. The only thing I can assume is that the wood that is being used here is from the cross that Jesus was crucified on, or possibly from Noah’s ark. I don’t know…
The only positive thing I can say about this experience was that contrary to the other reviews, Wesley was actually very nice, was not pushy or moody, and even gave me a large piece of cardboard to keep my piece in good shape.
The shadiness and travesty of this business as a whole, was bad enough for me to complain to the both the BBB and Tippr. It’s just wrong.

I was introduced to FrameStore via a Groupon that my husband bought for me. While the pre-​discount cost was more than I would have expected, the Groupon made it totally affordable. Marina spent nearly 30 minutes with me and was super helpful in selecting just the right frame and mat for the art print I brought in. She also recommended other Groupon options so I could save more on my next visit. It is clear that the folks at FrameStore take their work seriously and are committed to giving customers a high quality product. You can’t expect that kind of product and service to be cheap!

RUDE AND OVERPRICED. I went here trying to get a simple poster framed using my Groupon. After explaining to him that I wanted something simple and inexpensive, he began, «oh, I see. CHEAP okay» and then asked if I had a Groupon. After informing him that I did have one he then proceeded to chastise me for not showing it to him earlier and then gave me a ridiculous quote. I decided not to continue with our transaction further and left. I recommend Quick Art Frame in Mid-​City instead. The gentlemen there are very nice and the prices are excellent.