How much is too much??

[Eric]

Today I went to visit a local artisan café. I was invited to go and show some samples as a possibility of having my work on display to sell. The show and tell went over great where they want my work and got a potential sale from the owner. sounds great right? Well I was given a copy of the consignment contract which I like everything except for how much they make as a commission. For every sale I make they get 40 % commission. After talking it over with family every one thinks 40 % is over the top which I'm with them. What would be a fair commission percentage? For those who display their work in stores or café's what is the norm? What Should I be looking for or asking? Do I continue to expand my work or forget the Café and look else where?

Eric

[sheltiecarver]

Eric,
40% is not unusual, especially if you get really good exposure. You just have to up your prices, so that you get what you need/want for your 60%.
Some other venue might charge you less, but your exposure might be minimal. All life is a trade-off.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Sandy

[core-eagle]

Most people work everyday at their job and make less than 40% of what they generate and do it for 40+ years and don't seem to have a problem with it.
It's a matter of exposure. If they attact enough traffic flow, then bump up your price to get your materials and time covered. Do they have a time frame on the contract?

Good Luck!

Tim

[Minnesota scroller]

Persdonally, I think 40% is extreme. All they are providing is a little space. They have no investment or risk. You do. A retail store generally makes 40% - 45% margin with a ton of expenses and inventory. When I used to be in the fishing tackle business, I would put tackle in resorts and give them 30% and they were very happy. I have even done some consignments for 25%. They love the idea of being able to offer more to the public without having to spend money. It may even improve their traffic flow. I would definitely try and renegotiate.

[CanadianScroller]

The standard in this area is 60/40
I have sold some wooden fish feathers through a local Native Trading Post.
There the split was 50/50.
Was it too much? I got great exposure at several PowWows and sold all of my feathers 60 small and several large. I ended up with a check for $260.
My materials cost was minimal since I got the wood for free. I printed labels with my name and phone number on them for future business.

He sold in a market that would be hard for me to get into. I had no hassles and got money for my efforts.
I was happy with the 50/50 split in this case.

There is a local gift shop that has asked me to do some puzzles and plaques 60/40 there.

Do not think of what you can get for the product, think of what the vendor can get for the product. It makes it more palatable

[bearfretworks]

Sounds "normal". Remember, there is a difference between "wholesale" and "retail". I have both prices on my work. Stuff that goes in my craft mall booth or to shows that sells gets me my "retail". Stuff that goes to others to sell in stores gets me my wholesale" price. For example - my ornaments go for $7.50 "retail" and $5.00 "wholesale". Folks that buy in bulk sell them for $10. But they buy in lots of 50 or 100.......

Another way to look at it is 60% of $40 for an item sold at a cafe is a whole lot more than 0% of $40 for the same item gathering dust on your shelf.....

And as others pointed out, try to negotiate a lower percentage. They get nothing if you walk (but neither do you from that venue)...... Good luck.

[Jediscroller]

Sounds about right to me as well. Places that I deal with that sell on consignment want between 35% and 50% of the retail price. You just need to insure you charge enough to make it worth your while, and as Barry said, better 60% of something than 100% of nothing.

[Eric]

Thank you everyone for your info. I now have a better understanding of things, so I'm going to think about it more and figure out if it's something for me.

Eric

[bearfretworks]

Thank you everyone for your info. I now have a better understanding of things, so I'm going to think about it more and figure out if it's something for me.

Eric

If it doesn't work out, PM me the contact info...... Just kidding, couldn't resist......

Good luck Eric!

[Neal Moore]

Try This

Eric.....If you do any portraits,try a few dogs and cats. Show the portraits to your local veterinarians and ask if you may display them in their waiting room. Stick a business card in the frame with the price indicated on it and leave a few cards on the table. Offer 10% of what you sell there. They get free wall decorations while the portraits are hanging plus the 10% for collecting the sale. The decorations change as sales are made and commission work is frequently generated from those customers who see your work and take a card. I have approached two of our three Vets locally and both are agreeable to those terms. I have yet to display anything there because I've been busy with other projects but I fully intend to explore that after the Open House this fall.

[Minnesota scroller]

I think Neal's idea is excellent. Dog groomers would be another good location. If you were to give 40% commission you would have to jack a $20 piece up to over $33 to end up with your $20. I probably wouldn't sell anything around here if I was to do that. I can afford to lose $2 on a dog portrait though.

[workin for wood]

I don't sell my intarsia's too often, but once in awhile I have to do it to free up some room. I used to be charged 40% and sometimes 35% but now that I have built a bit of a name, and my quality is very high, I allow 30% and I do not negotiate. I still get upset when I decide to get rid of a piece and then someone buys it. I have some pieces that are available at a very high price..some still say it's not high enough, and others say it prices me out of the market, but in some cases I am offering a piece but hope that it won't sell.

[Eric]

Neal Great idea you have! I love the feedback on this forum as people are willing to share their idea's to try in different location. Now all we need is updates from anyone who try it out to see how it works. I will be on the look out for some nice animal paterns to try this out after I finish my current list of requests.

Also thanks to all the feedback people have given on this topic so far!

Eric

[minowevie]

Eric that reminds me. what Neal said... when I was in the room, with my husbond, at the canser center. the doctor came in, I was reading a book on segmentation. and he seen the cover. ask me what i was reading. I showed him. and he got all excited and said he seen that some where befor. he said he wonted it but cost a million. i told him not if he knew someone who new how to do it , at a resonabale price. quees what, he wonts me to do a whole wall. Like 8'x15' of the segmentation. wonders what it would cost. I told him , probly about 3 or 4 thousand. and he said go for it. He wonts a picture of Elk and all the criters that go with the forest. WOW. did i sell myself short.? What i learned from this is... sometimes when your in a crafters, or artist , envirament. your going to get lookie looes. and when you put your self out there. in the public. they all want what no one else has. the pets vets, is a good place too. give a gift of your work to you vets, or doctors. or who ever. and they will hang it up. and send them to you. also. your cafes. you wont believe it. they will poor out of your ears. wonting things. you ;can also, go to sporting shops, fishing holes. where ever. they wont something for nothing. but don't know what nothing is. I know i could work my saw to death, and it would never get a rest. Evie

[Minnesota scroller]

Wow Evie, are you going to be busy or what? That is quite an order. Congratulations. Don't let the pressure get to you. Did you get a down payment? Doctors come and go, at least around here, and it would be awful to finally get it done and find out the Dr. has flown the coop. Keep us posted on the progress. Will you even have time to reply to the threads?