Richard:
I am glad to hear that you and the other post-er are insured and do
pay the artists for damage/loss/theft. But your original post made it
sound like that is the industry norm and is a slap to the face to
those who have had a not so splendid time with it. You also make it
sound like we are all spoiled little artists who overvalue our art.
Do you know any of us? The fact that we provide negative experiences
and opinions based on those to those who ask is one of the very
reasons why this website exists. It’s great that you have had nothing
but excellent experience with it, but I believe it was an artist
asking for feedback to which other artists provided their negative
feedback. You however, provided positive feedback from the retailer
perspective only. I would like to think that people who read these
are smart and mature enough to weigh this forum feedback against
their personal situations and apply any acquired -if they
so choose.
My perception is that here seems to be some unjust prejudice
from some posters unhappy with their experience with consigning.
If the poster has any responsibility for why they had problems,
you would not know from what is posted.
…which is what I am trying to point out. Is it possible that you
are more of the exception rather than the rule? For the record, I am
not trying attack you on a personal level, it’s just business issues
that we are here to share. The issues I raised are serious ones that
even trade magazines address from time to time so I am under the
impression that it’s not just Lisa and I who are having these
experiences.
Forclosure/ bankruptsy. I've dealt with consignment galleries
before opening my own. When they went bankrupt, all the artists
were informed to pick up their work that the store was closing. If
you were stupid enough to not comply, I guess you'd lose your work,
but that would be your fault, not the fault of the gallery. Let me
also add... Just because someone thinks their art is GREAT doesn't
mean it will sell (anywhere) And while consigning in a gallery,
you're not paying fees to show your work for more than a weekend -
consigning contracts are generally for 6 weeks or more. There is NO
COST to the artists - unless of course, they are involved in a coop
consignment gallery - that's a horse of a different color.
Contrary to your implied belief, this isn’t about artists impression
of how great their art is. My art cost money to make and loan to you
for consignment so I wouldn’t say it “no cost”. BTW, of all the
retailers I talked with, nobody consigned for under 30 days. I guess
they weren’t as fortunate as you have been to have high turnover –
or they were too busy with other things to constantly interview new
consignees and change their jewelry displays. Additionally, most
weren’t too thrilled when I started asking about whether they had
proper insurance, alarm systems, locks on cases, and the like.
There is a system that exists, that all my consignees have been a
part of with other venues where they consign, they were doing it
before I worked with them and when we talk about consigning they
have no problem with it. Why do you if they don't? All your
theoretical ponderings and assumptions are not as valid as the
cash I produce for the artists that work with me.
So, if you had an artists who said they wanted a written consignment
contract, you’d still work with them?
When I write my post, I am pretty aware of what I will get in
response. If you have issues, try to be aware and don't put them
on me.
Once again, I’m not, but it seems like you assume consignment is a
win-win situation for everyone. Regardless of how good or bad an
artist’s product may be, there are retailers and galleries that
really take advantage of their consignment artists and their
products.
I have worked on their masters before I mold them so they come
out the best quality possible, and I did not charge for my time or
skill. I knew I would make it up in the volume of castings they
ordered, as they sold more having better castings. * Try finding
someone that will do that for you. *
See bulleted area. Thanks for finally making my point. Consignment
isn’t a win-win for everyone. I know of people who even had to buy
the displays for their art and give them to the consigning retailer
otherwise their art just laid flat in a case somewhere.
One point, those of you who have posed that if I invest money
in work that I would have more desire to sell it, or I would make
more effort, be more motivated...you are as wrong as you can be
and you just don't know it.. Trying to explain why would be a waste
of time, you have your opinion or prejudice about my motives, and
you have not met me, have not done business with me. I have earned
respect from the people I do business with by being honest and
ethical and consistent. I have learned how to connect with my
customers, have a dialogue, find out what they are looking for,
and help them by meeting their need. ****I am never short,
frustrated, or anxious in front of my customer. ****And if they
apologize for taking up my time, I tell them that I am happy to help
them and they can take as much time as they want. It is not about
how I feel, it is about how my customer feels. About 80% of
customers make a purchase.
This is not a selling technique, it is a spiritual principle, and
it just really helps me get over myself. ***I am always surprised
at how I prejudge,*** and them something unexpected happens that
shows me that acting as if you expect a good outcome, that's what
happens far more often than not.
No one is perfect and perception is in the eye of the beholder.
Everyone has off days and that’s perfectly fine but you seem to not
want to admit to even that. That is what my problem was/is with your
refusal to accept that their have been artists that have really been
crapped on by the whole consignment thing. In my heart, I don’t
believe that the only people having problems with it are just the
artists who have an over-inflated value of their work. OK so you are
an exception to the rule and have the right to point it out, but that
doesn’t mean that you should deny that many people do encounter
problems/risks associated with consignment or assume that they are
all unjustly prejudiced
And for the record, I still consign.
Another .02 to the pot.
Kennedi
I used to consign primarily, and unfortunately