 BetterPhoto Member |
Selling Photos in Coffeehouse or Gallery I am having a showing at a local coffee shop and wondering the best way to sell my pieces. I have 4 photos. If someone wants to buy one, should they get that one off the wall or contact me or what? My thoughts were to keep the 4 at the shop and have them call me. Please help. Thanks!
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John Rhodes |
Robert, You might consider both scenarios: Customer buys from the wall; you replace. This presumes the buyer likes your framing and matting choice. If not, offer the print unmounted for a suitably lower price, and they contact you. Or, if the shop owner allows, have the 4 wall-hung pieces as well as a print rack with matted prints. One thing to consider is that the workers at the coffee shop do not have your best interests at heart. Make everything self-explanatory with a flyer or a product list near your art. The most important thing to arrange is a written aggrement between you and the shop owner There are different arrangements possible: 1). Place the items on consignment and the shop gets a percentage when the print sells (you take the risk). 2) "Sell" the print to the owner and allow them to sell for whatever thay can get (they take the risk). The second option means you will receive a lower amount up front. The shop owner must cover their costs in handling the sales; however, the benefit to them is that you are decorating their place of business. A lot to think about. All the best. John
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Bruce A. Dart |
Robert, It also depends on how well you know the owner of the shop and whether they are looking at the display of work as a benefit to them or an inconvenience. I live in a small town and know the owner well. Several of us have works off the wall with no problem. The owner calls and you meet the interested buyer for coffee of course. Another factor is your inventory. If you have lots of prints and want to keep certain ones on display, you probably want to replace it. However, if you replace the print, frame, mat, glass, etc. you don't have much profit to work with when you put your earnings back into replacing the print. Bruce
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- Emile Abbott Contact Emile Abbott Emile Abbott's Gallery |
Robert, I live in a small border town 40,000 people and have shown at many galleries and local establishments. First I make a written agreement with the establishment that they will receive 1/3 the profits (this is rather standard for them to display and collect for the sale) but I set the price and I keep a strict inventory. I have sold various sizes from 5X7 to 20X30. The larger sizes usually sell better in more affluent areas. If you do your own printing, matting and framing I would let them take off the wall and replace it very fast. You might consider setting a limited edition and number and sign them. Mine that are 16X20 and 20X30 are printed at MPIX and I request that they remain on the wall until my showing is complete and I will take their order. If it has no other orders for that photograph then I give that one to them if I get other orders then I get MPIX to print more. They ship within 24 hours. Adoramapix also can do the same service but roll theirs where as MPIX ships flat. I do not spend a lot on the frame and present them as simply as I can and leave the framing to the buyer unless I really think it deserves special framing. (Framing can cost 3 to 10 times the cost of the print). Do not underprice your pieces if you can help it and factor in the 1/3 to the establishment. I hope this has been of some help. If you have any other questions do not hesitate to contact me. Emile Del Rio, Texas
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