Urban Art Association

I'd explain to them that as they have damaged your property you shall be looking to recover damages + costs through the small claims process. This should prompt the owner into being reasonable about things. I think it's her call as the owner of the business not her accountants as to whether you get your money back btw.

It may also be worth going to a conservationist and having the whole job undone because they can do wonders with steam and deironised water these days I had a print damaged in the mail and the concervationist got it pressed and now I can't even tell where the problem was. Best of luck with it.

Edit: cost of conservationist doing a decent repair was £70 for me.

Forget the free framing, I would want to be compensated for the current market value price of the print. Or get them to get you a mint print on your behalf. If they agree to this I would not use them to frame any prints now or in the future.

Before I go to my framers I take pics from every angle (including the back) of the print being framed, along with a piece of paper with my name and the date.

I also get my framer to confirm on the invoice of the receipt that the print that they received was in mint condition with no visible damage at all. I also get a list of the EXACT framing materials and methods they will use.

I know that it maybe a lot to ask for - but they should agree to all of this as it is for their benefit as well. My local framers always do this for me without even asking for it now as they now how fussy I am!

Always ask if the framing shop is insured and right down the name, edition size and value of the print on the receipt as well. This was you have your back covered.

Also i can't stress enough how important it is to get to know the actual person who frames your work and question them thoroughly. I know the guy who frames up my stuff and I always ask for him (have waited up to 6 weeks for him to be back from holiday to have pieces to be framed).

Sorry you're learning the hard way.

I would make a huge fuss about the damage and threaten legal action.

Great advice sand. You sound like a framers worst nightmare... ;D

sounds like you have been very reasonable to them.. hope this will end ok.

And some credit for a nice way of telling a story! Wish more people wrote like you (including myself with my Apu english)

Think of it this way inthefogofdesign - if you took a mint looking car to a garage to get a new stereo fitted, but when you go to pick it back up it's acquired a nasty scratch down the door, what would you do? Just accept the stereo for free?? I'd want that AND the repair done at least.