Brian O'Neill on tue 9 jan 07
Friends,
I was accepted into the ACC Baltimore wholesale show. Great - I'm
happy, but I've not done any wholesaling before, and I'm questioning a
few things. I've read all the archived threads I could find, I'm
prepared, but still have some reservations.
Here's my question:
What if I don't like the buyer's store/gallery/venue? I'm aiming at a
higher end market - I don't want to sell pots to Bertha's Kitty
Boutique. How do I tactfully refuse or reserve a sale until I can check
out the buyers location, credibility, etc? My work is fairly high
priced which will eliminate some, but what are the ground rules for due
diligence on buyers? Is this part of the negotiation upfront, or
something you discreetly research later?
Thanks,
Brian
Brian Thomas O'Neill
Functional | Sculptural Ceramic Vessels
2985 Goshen Rd | Bellingham, WA | 98226
360 592 3164
brianoneill@cablespeed.com
www.brianoneillceramics.com
Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 10 jan 07
Crap, I can't believe I forgot this, and this is a tip everyone should do.
Before the show - like NOW - make a list of the galleries you are
particularly interested in wooing. Put together a press kit - not just a
postcard. This should include a bio, photos (not slides) and any other
information you feel is important about your work. Include a catalog and
line sheet. Write a nice letter - include your booth number - and tell them
you hope to meet them in Baltimore.
This is extra effort above and beyond your mailing list, but it's one of
those important things you need to do to place your work, get noticed, and
make a good first impression.
Lois Ruben Aronow Ceramics
232 Third Street - # B202A
Brooklyn, NY 11215
p: 917..561..2854
f: 718..246.0819
www.loisaronow.com
www.craftsofthedamned.blogspot.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Brian O'Neill
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 5:01 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Please, don't buy my work
Friends,
I was accepted into the ACC Baltimore wholesale show. Great - I'm happy, but
I've not done any wholesaling before, and I'm questioning a few things. I've
read all the archived threads I could find, I'm prepared, but still have
some reservations.
Here's my question:
What if I don't like the buyer's store/gallery/venue? I'm aiming at a higher
end market - I don't want to sell pots to Bertha's Kitty Boutique. How do I
tactfully refuse or reserve a sale until I can check out the buyers
location, credibility, etc? My work is fairly high priced which will
eliminate some, but what are the ground rules for due diligence on buyers?
Is this part of the negotiation upfront, or something you discreetly
research later?
Thanks,
Brian
Brian Thomas O'Neill
Functional | Sculptural Ceramic Vessels
2985 Goshen Rd | Bellingham, WA | 98226
360 592 3164
brianoneill@cablespeed.com
www.brianoneillceramics.com
____________________________________________________________________________
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Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 10 jan 07
In short - you can't.
If your work is relatively high-priced, and your minimum is also high, that
will weed out the smaller stores automatically. Without knowing your
wholesale prices, the size of your work, and your shipping costs (which the
buyer pays), my advice is to sell it to them if they want it. You must
trust them to know their market and buyers. My best stores and galleries
are the ones you wouldn't expect in places you wouldn't expect. What makes
the difference is finding someone who understands your work well enough to
sell it.
As far as vetting the galleries first, you won't be able to do that without
insulting anyone and probably losing a sale. If they want to buy your work,
have no problem with your prices, have no problem paying you pro forma -
sell it to them. You can then decide if you want to continue doing business
with them. I can't stress this enough: go with the people who can and will
sell your work at the prices you set. If you are more concerned with image,
you might consider doing the gift show or a design show next year. It will
take a little time for you to figure out where you do and don't want to be.
Start with being with people who will pay you and understand your work.
And no matter how great you think your vetting skills are, there will still
be galleries with great reputations, credit, and magnificent web sites that
won't pay you. Stay away from one in Northern California. ;-)
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Brian O'Neill
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 5:01 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Please, don't buy my work
Friends,
I was accepted into the ACC Baltimore wholesale show. Great - I'm happy, but
I've not done any wholesaling before, and I'm questioning a few things. I've
read all the archived threads I could find, I'm prepared, but still have
some reservations.
Here's my question:
What if I don't like the buyer's store/gallery/venue? I'm aiming at a higher
end market - I don't want to sell pots to Bertha's Kitty Boutique. How do I
tactfully refuse or reserve a sale until I can check out the buyers
location, credibility, etc? My work is fairly high priced which will
eliminate some, but what are the ground rules for due diligence on buyers?
Is this part of the negotiation upfront, or something you discreetly
research later?
Thanks,
Brian
Brian Thomas O'Neill
Functional | Sculptural Ceramic Vessels
2985 Goshen Rd | Bellingham, WA | 98226
360 592 3164
brianoneill@cablespeed.com
www.brianoneillceramics.com
____________________________________________________________________________
__
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.
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