Roberta12 Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 I have my work in a small gallery 40 miles south of me. I work 2 days a month. It's rather fun, getting to know new people, and even though sales can be slow, it has brought me some new interest from other customers. The manager is working on getting a website up and working and said she would put a link to everyone's business website on the Gallery website. I asked her if that meant we would have to pay commission to the gallery if someone went through the gallery site to buy something off our website. She said yes. She said they would know how many hits our site had but it would be the honor system if someone purchased. Is this a standard practice? Just wondering........ Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 If a gallery that handles you refers a client to you and they suddenly show up at your studio and buy........ the norm is "yes". Click-throughs....... not so sure if it has reached the "norm" status yet. best, ............john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Having run a Co-op gallery for a year more than a decade ago, I would agree with John. Back then there weren't too many members with websites, but the ones that were linked paid commissions on any referrals. Back then the "norm" hadn't been established, but I can see it coming in the immediate future. You're in the gallery for your benefit, but also for the gallery's because if the gallery wasn't viable through commissions (and membership fees) you wouldn't have it as an outlet. JohnnyK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakukuku Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 I belong to two coop galleries and both of them do this. It is on the honor system and the commission is lower. Our software has a category to enter these commissions. Mostly used by a jeweler who is often asked to make commission stuff after people see his other work in our gallery. Rakuku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Good information. Thank you all. I have happily given commission on work that people have called about after being in the gallery, as JohnnyK said, it keeps the gallery viable and healthy. Just wasn't sure about the website..... Guess it is a "thing" now! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 I think this entire thing could be avoiding by just having the gallery website do the hosting of images/work you plan to sell and allowing you to purchase the work right there on the galleries website. This stops any issues or mixed feelings and is just better business all around. If they are already building a website they should just take it a tiny step further and build ecommerce into it by either doing it themselves or using something like shopify. You could easily send them the description and images for the work. I would hate to have a gallery with links to websites I don't control. A person goes out of business or doesn't renew their website, some person buys it and sticks up random ads to all sorts of not fun to look at things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted December 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I think this entire thing could be avoiding by just having the gallery website do the hosting of images/work you plan to sell and allowing you to purchase the work right there on the galleries website. This stops any issues or mixed feelings and is just better business all around. If they are already building a website they should just take it a tiny step further and build ecommerce into it by either doing it themselves or using something like shopify. You could easily send them the description and images for the work. I would hate to have a gallery with links to websites I don't control. A person goes out of business or doesn't renew their website, some person buys it and sticks up random ads to all sorts of not fun to look at things. I hadn't thought about that Joseph. They are planning on having an ecommerce aspect to the website. I will ask more questions. r. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I do not do co-ops anymore but I send lots of customers to my outlets. They know this. When They have a customer that wants something I do not supply to them -say dinnerware they send them to me and no commission is the norm for me back to them. Remember I send them any customer that calls 1st option before letting them come to studio as its just a distraction in production most times. I do have some exceptions those traveling from out of state or long distances. I would much rather have a gallery sell them a mug than taking my time to do it. I have learned to be efficient and a small sale is best at my outlets. Right now I have a outlet that needs few specific items and if I have them for that customer I take them in.Its easier on me. I deal with enough customers directly at shows. I think Josephs suggestion on photos of certain items makes the most sense for your co-op Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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