Selling your crafts through another shop?

[flubba]

If any of you sell your makes through another person's little shop, what kind of percentage do they take? Or do you have some other formula that works well for you?

I'm about to approach a small new shop and ask if they'd be interested, but want to go in prepared. It may not be worth my while as profit is so slim as it is, but curious as to how it works.

Thanks in advance

If they have a "look" to their shop...a particular style, then you might want to explain how your products will compliment their current range.

You could also provide a sample...and reviews if you have any.

Thanks.

Any idea of what percentage they take of sales?

I sell through independent shops.. 10 years ago the owner would put a 30% 'mark up' on top of your price, to reach the retail price.
These days its a bit of a cheekier affair, i have found they tend to work out what they can sell them for and split anywhere from (you) 30/70 (them) to 50/50.
It also really depends on how fair the owner is, there's some negotiation goes on.. for instance if its sale or return - stick by your price, if they're willing to buy a few outright from you, you may have to drop slightly to a wholesale price, as they're taking a bit of a gamble.

But be warned - Last year i sold my things to a shop where i'd been told it was a 60/40 split (mine being the 60) as they bought a fair few, i was persuaded to drop my price from £8 to £7 per item. Which i did with the understanding that if they went well, they'd reorder.
Imagine my shock when i went in a week later and found my things retailing at £19.99 each !! They all sold bar one within a month.. but i was so pissed off with the owner i sold elsewhere after that, and wont ever go back.

Don't forget, if its Sale or return, you must get a receipt from them stating how many you've left with them and your agreed price (i usually return @2 weeks later for feedback)
If they're buying outright its best to invoice them then and there, then you have proof, should they say they'll do a bank transfer/ give you a cheque at the end of the week/ month.
The majority of owners are really lovely, but you do get the odd bugger!

Be confident, love your product and if they're not interested DO NOT let it put you off! best of luck

I used to have a shop and generally items would be sold at 2.5 times the price they were bought. This is pretty standard as we have to pay vat for everything sold, although I'm talking about items bought from bigger companies.

If it was sale or return items the split would be 50/50 usually.

Remember, the shop owner has all the overheads like rent, rates, heating etc. They're not usually being greedy, they're just trying to keep their business afloat.

Now I'm back on the other side (making things to sell) I find selling on etsy and folksy make more sense financially. Have you thought about them? Or do you already sell on them?

Thank you both - lots of food for thought.

I did try folksy for a few months but didn't get anywhere. I've got an online website and have sold a few things through that, but mostly it's been the odd craft fair and word of mouth.

I imagine that I'd go in expecting a sale or return in the first instance as I'm only small and new (well, my goods, not me! I'm quite tall and old :o).

Jelly I can't believe the owner thought they'd get away with the price hike without telling you! I hope you got the £12ish for each of your things.

Not sure I've got what it takes yet, but will have a serious think. Thanks again

No i didn't flubba, she'd already bought them, so i guess they were hers to do with as she wished by the time she priced them up. Her loss - she could've made more money in the long term if i'd gone back with my other things

It all sounds complicated, but its not really, so don't let that put you off.

Go for it!

:( for you - but you're right to look at the silver lining.

What kind of things do you sell?

The shop I have in mind is a new boutique florist that also seems to be selling handmade cards and little decorations, so am thinking of suggesting I could offer some little pretty floral bags, lavender heat warmers, Happy Birthday and also personalised bunting (floral themed too) and some other similar stuff. Will have a think about what more I can offer, or whether what I'm vaguely considering might be of interest to the owner.

Still scary though! :)

Good luck! Don't be scared - I used to love it when people came in with the lovely things they'd made.

Let us know how you get on...

I make very kitsch brightly coloured embellished stuff mainly using felt or upcycled fabrics - i'm a charity shop fiend, and use lots of black/white polka dots and red felt roses, velvets, short pile soft faux fur, glass beads etc

Your stuff sounds great, i'd say be careful with the bunting, theres a lot around so check out prices.
I've made some things that sell well you could try, will PM you

Will do sunnysunny

Thank you Jelly that'd be great!

I've made and sold quite a lot of bunting (maybe I'm too cheap?!) which is why I thought of offering it as it's gone down well so far.

Maybe it is competitively priced, and probably well made too!

Ooh I like your slant on everything. Must get me some of that positivity :)

I'm tall and old too.. strut forth and conquer flubba

:o

I have sold through a gallery before and they took 45%. 40 - 45% is the norm I think.

Well I finally took the plunge and went to the florist's. The woman was very kind and very complimentary, but her business partner makes exactly the same kind of things and they're about to stock them! (I'm hoping it wasn't a polite way of saying no :o) - she did say if it hadn't been for her partner, then she would have said yes. She took my card and gave me some ideas of where else I could try.

Still feel sick with nerves though, even though I'm now back home!

Thanks for the advice though :)