The Canvas Detective

[Not your average framer]

Hi Aine,

It sounds to me like this job is more agro than it's worth. It's a no win situation, which you need to bring to an end in the least damaging way possible.

He needs to be told to make a choice, either you stretch it once more ONLY and that's the end of the matter, or you remove it from it's frame and stretcher frame and give him his money back. It's probably not you wanted to hear, but I think you will feel much better to be rid of this guy and his painting.

I know its not much help, but as you know I tell people what they've bought, that it has no great value and I will frame it for them if they wish. I state plainly on the framing order that it is an imported mass production oil painting of limited value.

Usually it gets stuck to a piece of MDF and the customer learns not to buy art which is being sold door to door. At least they won't get conned again and my customers know that I tell it like it is. They don't like it and I may lose an order, but life is like that!

[Moglet]

If it goes pear-shaped again, I think I'll just take it off the stretchers (again! ) and return the painting and the frame rim to him, plus the time and materials charge for stretching. There's nothing whatsoever wrong with the frame rim! Then he has the option to get someone else to mount it without being out of pocket.