The gallery that wanted me to frame everything myself, and pay for it
I had a gallery once that required me to provide all framing, museum quality, mind you, not simple, and then charged me a framing fee on top of commission. When I asked about it, they said it was standard. I didn't question it at the time because I was newer and eager. I know better now.
What is the oddest or most unreasonable thing a gallery has asked you to absorb the cost of? I mean beyond the usual commission split. I am curious where the line is for other people, and whether you pushed back or simply walked.
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Framing fee on top of commission, that's a new one. I've heard of galleries expecting you to frame, that's irritating but not unheard of, but to charge you for the privilege of selling your own work? That's not standard, that's them seeing what they can get away with.
Worst I've had was a gallery that wanted exclusivity in the city but wouldn't put it in writing, and then expected me to cover the opening night catering out of pocket. "Investment in the event," they said. I said no, and they dropped it pretty fast, which told me everything.
The framing fee thing though... I'd have walked. Not because of the money, but because it shows how they think. If they'll ask for that, they'll ask for worse later.
The exclusivity without writing is a classic one. If they won't put it in ink, they want all the benefit and none of the accountability. Good for you for holding firm on the catering, it's never about the money, it's about the principle, and you found out quickly where theirs stood.
I wish I could say I walked. I did not. I was new enough to think perhaps this was simply how things worked, and ashamed enough of my own inexperience not to ask anyone. I finished the run, collected what was mine, and never worked with them again. It taught me to ask the boring questions up front, which has been far more valuable than any single exhibition since.