I live in PA and I send jewelry on consignment to a few small
boutiques in CA. So far, I’ve been paying all the shipping fees.
Is it reasonable for me to ask the boutique owners to cover half of
the shipping costs? Or do I include the shipping costs into my
pricing? I’d love to get your feedback on this.
Teresa Lin Pittsburgh, PA
Add shipping costs! Check out any website, and just see if they offer
a free postal service. Best of luck Tina
Teresa- I ship my jewelry to a number of galleries as well. I am
responsible for sending the work to them, so I pay for shipping.
They are responsible for shipping any pieces that don’t sell, back
to me, or any pieces I request to be sent back at any time, (I do
still own the items.), so they pay for that. I usually just figure
my shipping costs into the price of the items.
I feel this helps avoid any conflicts with the gallery and helps
make for a happy working relationship. A good relationship is more
important to me than a few dollars. :o)
Hope this helps,
Linda Blumel
Scottsdale, AZ
When I’m sending a body of consigned work-- even a single piece-- to
the gallery, I feel that the shipping burden is on me. Shipping of
unsold or rotated work back to me is their responsibility. Special
orders, commissions and repairs (that are not a result of inattention
on my part, such as sizings, automobile flattening, garbage disposal
restructuring, etc.) are requested services and, as such, are the
shipping responsibility of the gallery or client.
If I need work back in a hurry or request one of my recently
consigned pieces back – for photography, etc.–I offer to pay
overnight or speedy shipping charges. I feel that the gallery
shouldn’t have to pay for my lack of organization or special
emergency needs. In and out placement of work can cost a gallery a
bundle in shipping and handling.
As far as exhibitions go… It seems to me that if you are
participating in an invitational exhibition such as a museum, sales
gallery or university gallery venue where your work is requested, the
onus of shipping costs-- both ways-- rests on the exhibition
organizer. Alas, this isn’t the way the world spins. Sometimes you
just have to eat the shipping costs if you want to participate.
Take care, Andy Cooperman