Karen Greene on fri 18 jul 97
I am looking for information about sales reps. What they do and dont do.
What they charge. I am interested in educating myself and my retail sales
person about this. She might be interested in reping my work and other
craft work and we are trying to learn together what this would look like. I
have some ideas. Any help out there. Articles, books, stories, old clayart
references? TIA, Karen kgreene@olywa.net
Kim Marie on fri 18 feb 00
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Does anyone out there in pottery land use sales reps and if so, how would =
one
find a good one? What is their cut of the pie?
Kim Marie
info=40kimmariefinepottery.com
www.kimmariefinepottery.com
vince pitelka on sat 19 feb 00
Does anyone out there in pottery land use sales reps and if so, how would
one
find a good one? What is their cut of the pie?
Kim Marie
I feel compelled to put in my two cents worth here. Be VERY careful in any
dealings with sales reps. Their primary concern is the commission they
receive from sales, so they do not necessarily represent your best
interests. If you want your work sold in the most ethical and responsible
fashion, do it yourself, or place it in galleries you can depend on. Do
gift shows, craft shows, etc. In those venues you are responsible for your
own sales, and you get to choose where you sell your work. A sales rep, no
matter what promises he/she makes up front, is apt to put your work in
places which compete unnecessarily with each other, or which in some way
demean your work. That does you no good at all. A sales rep might bring in
immediate volume sales, while hurting your prospects in the long run.
If you decide to work with a sales rep, make sure you find one who's ethics
are well documented, and be sure to have things specified very clearly in a
contract up front. Decide the geographic distribution of retailers, and the
specific kind of retailers, so that they do not end up competing
unnecessarily with each other, resenting your (sales rep's) mercenary sales
tactics.
I think the potential exists for a sales rep to be a wonderful benefit to
certain types of businesses, but don't let the sales rep make that decision.
You must examine his/her record, speak to his/her clients, and decide for
yourself whether there is any advantage in such an association.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
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