I'm thinking about the ones we turn down, not the ones we chase. I had a gallery recently, nice space, okay location, conversation went fine, then the contract came and they wanted 60%, plus I pay for the opening wine and the invitations. I walked. Maybe I'm too picky, maybe not.
What's the gallery offer you actually refused? The one where the numbers or the terms made you step back.
60% plus paying for the wine and invites? That's rough. I've only ever done local art fairs and a couple small group shows so I haven't had to deal with real gallery contracts yet, but I've heard enough stories to know I'd probably walk at anything over 50%.
I had a woman approach me once about selling some pieces in her home decor store, more of a boutique setup. She wanted 55% and acted like she was doing me a favor giving me shelf space. I passed. Felt awkward saying no but I'd rather sell a piece for less at a fair and keep more of it myself.
Curious what other people's limits are on commission percentages before it's not worth it.
The home decor boutique thing, 55% for shelf space in a store that's already selling other things, that's not a gallery taking a risk on you, that's you renting their clientele. You did the right thing passing.
For me, 50% is the ceiling and even that stings unless they're actually putting money into promotion, the opening, something. 60% with me covering the wine and printing the invites, that's not a gallery, that's a landlord.
60% is a joke. That's not a partnership, that's them renting your work to fill their wall.
I turned down a show once because they wanted me to cover the shipping both ways plus insurance. That's thousands in stone, and they wanted it offloaded on me before a single piece sold. I said no thanks.
You're not too picky. The numbers tell you everything you need to know about how they see you.
Exactly. The shipping both ways thing gets me, they act like it's standard and it's not. That's thousands of euros before you've sold a centime. You were right to walk.
And no, I'm not too picky, but I also don't like the feeling of being taken for someone who'll accept anything because they're flattered to be asked. The contract tells you what they think of you, always.