How to approach consignment stores

[SpinTilYurDizzy]

I really need some advice. I would like to sell my creations at area consignment shops and seasonal boutiques. How does one ask them to consider accepting me and my accessories. I have emailed shop/boutique owners (sometimes twice!), introducing myself; attaching a spiffy slide show that features my work, but I never hear back from them. I'm starting to get a complex! I don't think my work is all that bad. How do I get their attention?

[Former_Member]

Have you considered calling the shops that you want to deal with and making an appointment with the primary buyer?

When I get email solicitations, I simply hit the delete key. I personally much prefer to see the work in person.

[Former_Member]

I used to own a Gift Gallery, and took items on consignment, sometimes items that people wanted to sell just didn't fit into the theme of my shop. I now sell on Etsy, plus do craft shows around our area, and found a shop willing to take my items on consignment. I became of customer of the shop before approaching the owner. I visited often and got a feel for what they have before approaching her. Good luck to you.

[Former_Member]

When i used to do consignment i alway went in person and asked if the were accepting new artists and could i make an appointment to show my work if they were looking for new work. I always had a mini photo album in my purse because 8 out of 10 times the owner would be the one i was talking to and they'd ask if i had anything on me right then.

[SpinTilYurDizzy]

I should probably start a photo album, huh? Or how about taking my tablet with me? I don't need an internet connection to show my work in slide show type program, right?

[Former_Member]

Hmm I was reading an article on approaching consignment stores, and they said not to go in person because it will annoy them, so to call or email first to make an appointment! If you do go in person, I would definitely bring a portfolio of work, or a tablet slideshow though!

[BlackCatStitches]

The places I sell in right now are all friends of friends, so that all happened very easily. They asked if I wanted to try selling a few things in their shops, and I said yes. lol. I had read a post on the Vancouver Island team here, from a shop owner who was opening a brick and mortar store and was looking for items. I sent her a message and she picked a few items to try in her shop.

There are some boutiques here that if I ever get enough inventory made, I'd like to try selling out of. My plan is to take a tote of some of my items in and ask to speak with the owner. I figure the worst thing that can happen is that they'll say no. I do live in a fairly small town, which helps. I already shop at one of these boutiques, and the owner is usually there, so I feel completely comfortable approaching her. My SIL knows the owner of the other shop I'd like to get into, so I'll make her come with me for that one. lol

[SpinTilYurDizzy]

@Leanne Wicks--Reminds me of the adage, "It's all about who you know." LOL. If I have to make an appointment, I would be so nervous presenting my pieces. It would be like the job interview from h_ _ _.

[BlackCatStitches]

Exactly! I like your idea of creating a slide show on your tablet. You won't need wifi for that.

[Former_Member]

Ariana, You don't go in expecting to show your stuff...that annoys them. But oddly if you go in and ask if you can have an appointment they usually want a preview right then. I just go in look around and only ask if the shop isn't busy.

I always pick a day that isn't busy...not the weekend..not at lunchtime...Wednesday is a good day here, its slow.

Have your ducks in a row ready to email, line sheet of your prices if you make non one of a kind stuff, sample pricing if its one of a kind. Artist statement and artist vita if its a gallery.

Don't take a turn down personally, they know their clients better than you, a turn down isn't a statement about your work but a statement about their clients and if they feel you are a good fit.

[SpinTilYurDizzy]

This is all such wonderful advise! I'm feeling better about approaching shop owners. Thank you all. But feel free to keep the advise and your opinions flowing... :0)

[Former_Member]

We all have to do what we have to but...anytime I've consigned it's never worked and I would say don't do it.

A store owner has nothing invested but shelf space in your work. If they buy something and they need the space...your item is no longer there.

[PrairiePrimitives]

Lynnda, first ... you need to start thinking of your work as (at least) "pretty good" rather than "not all that bad." :-)

Personally, I would rather sell wholesale than on consignment, however this may be because I've had a few problems over the years with consignments (shops not paying promptly ... or ever!, shops going out of business and not returning my things, etc.). I even lost a good? friend when I consigned to her shop and she was slow on paying :-(

Most stores take 30% to 40% as a consignment fee. When you sell wholesale, you offer a 40% to 50% discount from your retail price, HOWEVER when you sell wholesale, you usually get paid before you ship (some artists do net 30, but I'd be cautious about that cuz I've been burnt there too ... LOL!). Store owners will ALWAYS put more effort into selling items they OWN rather than ones which are essentially being lent to the store, as on consignment. When the store owner has money invested in inventory, they need to turn it over to stay in business!

And, at the very least, if you do continue down the consignment path, please only consign to shops which are close enough for you to keep an eye on ... unless you have a very good reason to trust a shop and its owner if it's halfway across the country.

I like your idea of taking a slide show on a tablet to show the shop what you make. Now I have a reason to get a tablet and be able to write at least part of it off! My customers at art fairs often ask what else I've made, so I could set up a slide show to show those items! :-)

[TeaAtTheBrits]

I didn't ask the question but thank you all for sharing all this great advice!

MIriam
Teaatthebrits.etsy.com
Glutenfreedelights.etsy.com
BritanniaHouse.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

And get a contract, one that says they will cover, loss, theft or damage. When you are to be paid, if there are any discounts and out of whose share said discount comes out of etc. always get a detailed receipt of anything you leave at the shop with a signature of both you and the shop owner on it.

[Former_Member]

You can start with the shops near you. Go take a look at the shop first. If you think the shop is suitable for your product ask to speak to the owner and from there discuss about consigning to them. Before you go round consigning make sure you know what is the market commission rate. Leave ur name card with the shop owner before you leave the shop, regardless if you can reach agreement to consign with them. I once left my name card with 1 shop and months later they call me up asking me to put my products in their shop.

[CarolBradley]

Why do you want to sell on consignment? Has it worked well for other people that you know? If so, ask them who to contact and if they would put in a good word for you with the store's owner.

Too often stores take things on consignment just to fill up the store and don't much care if it sells or not. They don't have much 'skin' in the game; they get a percentage if it sells. If it doesn't sell, they may have 'lost' in the sense that the space could have been occupied by something that sold better. In the meantime you are stuck with a consignment contract requiring you to keep your inventory in the shop for however long the contract states. You probably can't pull it out to take it to a craft show.

I have been in two consignment situations and will never again do consignment. I know at least 4 others who each had two consignment experiences each and will never do it again. I only know one person who did well at consignment and she was re-selling items she bought wholesale. She gave it up because of the amount of time involved.

I wish you well and just want to let you know that 'being in a store' is not necessarily a good idea.

[Former_Member]

you have to do your homework before you approach a shop. scan online for complaints, ask around to see if their rep is good, and plan to visit your stuff once in awhile out of the blue to see if it is still on the sales floor. I've only had one almost problem with consignment...I moved, suddenly no sales from gallery, sent friend to scope it out, she said work not on sales floor, I contacted gallery and went and fetched my stuff home, it was all there...in a box...unseen...in the back room. It was an all consignment gallery so not sure why I got regulated to the back except they knew I moved so without my surprise visits they tucked me back and let the local squeeky wheels get the spots.

Currently I don't do consignment cause I just never got back to doing it after my studio was destroyed after a hurricane in 2004. Once I got my studio back up(2+ years) I started teaching and just never got back to consignment cause most of my contacts and shops were gone with the wind literally. I keep thinking of trying it again but with the economy and the fact that if I go the gallery way I'll have to raise my prices to accomodate some of that large gallery % they want. I'm at the wait and see stage and just keep plugging away at the shows.