Jerry Dean on sun 21 dec 03
Took my pots to a new gallery last month, much better than the older " make
for the tourists" shops in town... Their Consignment agreement is 50% -
50%........ i WAS floored. i was also told, " we mark all retail prices under
$100...they sell much better.. " Owner was not an artist and had no idea of
the work involved. Any suggestions? Jerry in Clearwater
Hollis Engley on sun 21 dec 03
----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry Dean
To:
> Took my pots to a new gallery last month, much better than the older "
make
> for the tourists" shops in town... Their Consignment agreement is 50% -
> 50%........ i WAS floored. i was also told, " we mark all retail
prices under
> $100...they sell much better.. " Owner was not an artist and had no idea
of
> the work involved. Any suggestions? Jerry in Clearwater
>
> Jerry: I guess the 50/50 thing wouldn't surprise me, since it seems to be
the standard in shops and galleries that I've dealt with, though some places
do 60/40. As for retail prices under $100 ... well, if that's their policy,
you have two choices - go along with it or say "thanks but no thanks" and
find someone else.
There's a very nice craft gallery near you ... I can't remember the name,
but it's just beyond the Don Cesar in St. Pete Beach, headed toward
Pass-a-Grille. The crafts quality there is very high, they have good pots
for sale there and it impresses me as a place that does it right. Might be
worth dropping in on them.
Hollis Engley
Hatchville Pottery
Falmouth, Mass.
hengley@cape.com
John Rodgers on sun 21 dec 03
Jerry, I don't so consignment. To me it's absolutely nuts!!!!
Consignment ties up your labor, your materials, and provides you with
nothing to make the next round of pots with. Besides, you are floating
the consignment shop with inventory....... for free!!! Yes, they do pay
eventually...maybe, but in the meantime you are out your time and
materials. So what do you buy more materials with, or for that matter,
eat with??? Your good looks??? Sorry, as a full time potter I can't
make a living that way. My approach is if you wants it you pays for it.
Very simple.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Jerry Dean wrote:
>Took my pots to a new gallery last month, much better than the older " make
>for the tourists" shops in town... Their Consignment agreement is 50% -
>50%........ i WAS floored. i was also told, " we mark all retail prices under
>$100...they sell much better.. " Owner was not an artist and had no idea of
>the work involved. Any suggestions? Jerry in Clearwater
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
Snail Scott on sun 21 dec 03
At 09:55 AM 12/21/03 EST, you wrote:
>...Their Consignment agreement is 50% -
>50%........ i WAS floored. i was also told, " we mark all retail
prices under
>$100...they sell much better.. " Owner was not an artist and had no idea of
>the work involved...
The owner may have no clue about the amount
of effort involved in your work, but they may
have a good idea about the price point their
shop will support. Not every gallery is aiming
at the high-end market, and though high-end work
may sell for them now and then, I'd have to be
willing to respect the gallery's business model
choices (right or wrong), and take the high-end
work (or all of it) elsewhere.
You might ask them to take a few higher-priced
items as eye-catchers for the front window, though.
Big snazzy stuff often leads to sales of similar
but smaller items, so it's worth showing even if
it never sells. Try that argument on them...if
they sell a few of the big things, they may relax
their price-point policy a bit, for you. Nothing
succeeds like success!
50/50 commission is pretty common. 40/60 seems
to be getting rarer, and anything lower is truly
scarce.
-Snail
Craig Martell on sun 21 dec 03
Jerry sez:
>Their Consignment agreement is 50% -50%........ i WAS floored. i was
>also told, " we mark all retail prices under
>$100...they sell much better
Hello Jerry:
Sure, I have a suggestion. Don't consign at 50%. If they want 50% of the
retail value, tell them that will be a wholesale arrangement and they have
to pay for the work.
Also, in a consignment situation, the artist sets the retail value of the
work. They gallery cannot change your prices in most states. Check on
consignment legislation in your state. There are two other ways to
approach this. One is to have a firm contract with the gallery stating
that you set the price which cannot be changed without your
permission. The other is to not deal with these people and find a gallery
that does business in a way that's more suitable to your work.
regards, Craig Martell Hopewell, Oregon
karen gringhuis on mon 22 dec 03
Jerry -
I second Snail Scott and Hollis - it's their
business,if you don't like it, don't go there, etc.
And talk to them about pricing. If you usually
command retail prices higher than their $100 max, kiss
them good bye. You have to keep prices pretty
consistent ESPECIALLY if you have other outlets in the
area.
Consignment worked very well for me If you think they
run a good operation, Scott was right in suggesting
you try to work WITH them. You ALWAYS have the option
of pulling the work out if it doesn't move.
=====
Karen Gringhuis
KG Pottery
Box 607 Alfred NY 14802
__________________________________
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Lois Ruben Aronow on mon 22 dec 03
I was always under the assumption that in consignment, the price is
set by the artist. =20
If the gallery owner wants to set a retail price, they should be
buying from you wholesale.
Not every gallery is a good fit with every artist.
End of story.
>Took my pots to a new gallery last month, much better than the older " =
make
>for the tourists" shops in town... Their Consignment agreement is 50% =
-
>50%........ i WAS floored. i was also told, " we mark all retail =
prices under
>$100...they sell much better.. " Owner was not an artist and had no =
idea of
>the work involved. Any suggestions? Jerry in Clearwater
>
>________________________________________________________________________=
______
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.
************
Lois Ruben Aronow
www.loisaronow.com
Modern Porcelain and Tableware
william schran on mon 22 dec 03
Jerry wrote>Took my pots to a new gallery last month, much better
than the older " make
for the tourists" shops in town... Their Consignment agreement is 50% -
50%........ i WAS floored. i was also told, " we mark all retail
prices under
$100...they sell much better.. " Owner was not an artist and had no idea of
the work involved. Any suggestions?<
Couple things - A written contract that clearly states when artists
are paid for work sold and a clause about removing your work from the
gallery. Take an inventory list, 2 copies, have them sign one that
you keep. Make sure they have insurance (this is also in the
contract) if something is broken - expect that you will only get paid
your 50%. Stop by the place at least once a month to check up on
things. I would specify the minimum amount you will accept for each
work on your inventory list. Ask if they are doing all consignment or
if they're also purchasing wholesale. If they buy wholesale, they own
the stuff and it will get prime location in the gallery.
I've been on both sides of this - artisan & gallery owner - I know
what can happen!
Bill
Sam Kelly on mon 29 dec 03
Virtually no one I know of buys any more unless they make an order for
specific pots. Pretty much accepted here where I live(North Coast NSW
Australia)is two thirds to the potter and one third to to retailer, so if I
want $60 for a pot it sells for $90.
But I don't get my money untill it sells, thats ok because it allows me to
look after my own stock and place it where I want and with who I want.
Sam
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