Sale or return in shops - any experiences?

[BrianAndHisBalls]

Hello

A shop has just contacted me asking if they can sell my handmade craft brooches on a sake or return basis. I get the jist of that but am not sure how it would work re percentage they receive/I receive.

Has anyone any experience of selling their crafts in this way?

Many thanks

Ive posted this in art and crafts too but thought i might get more responses here.

I can only suggest that you decide what return YOU want from each item sold and talk to them about how this will be handled with regard to stock control.

Some long while ago I worked in a shop where we did just this for items of woodwork and garden furniture and it worked very well all round - both from the perspective of the shop and the craftsmen. The makers said what amount they expected to receive from each sale and the shop added whatever it thought it could reasonably gain in mark-up. Items which did not sell were returned if it was clear that they were not going to sell at all, and popular items were replenished regularly. (Deliveries were generally weekly)

I would have thought that the biggest problem with brooches, being small items, is the issue of 'items no longer in the shop, but not recognised as being sold' ie thefts.

If you leave 50 items and on your return they only have 30, you must ensure that your agreement is that they will pay you for the 20 which are no longer there, assuming them to be sold, so that it is they, not you who have responsible for security.

I don't know if that helps, but good luck!!

Definitely a very good point about liability for stolen goods - this link has some useful advice on things to consider when making a contract with the outlet.

I sell this way sometimes, I'd call it consignment.

I think best thing is just to be frank with them and ask them what there mark up is. Some shops will ask you to set the price, and when it's sold they'll take a %, you need to ask them what % they take.

Other shops, ask you what you want for it, and they if they sell it, they'll charge whatever they like (or whatever they can get for it) and once a sale is made you'll get your price - if that makes sense.

When it's been an shop I was unsure of, I've asked them to pay wholesale price upfront for a few items, as a gesture of good faith sort of thing. You don't want to be just filling their shelves for free. But at the same time, they wouldnt' have asked you if they didn't think they could sell your work.

Perhaps tell them, yes great, lets do a 6 month trial, and if it doesn't work you can get your stock back. If it is working, all the better.

Hope that helps

Also, make sure you get a contract.