Haggling

[secondcurve]

A friend of mine saw a print at The Art Place in Wolfeboro this past summer that he plans on buying when he visits just before Christmas. I told him to offer 75% of the suggested purchase price. He thinks I am nuts and tells me there is no flexibility in pricing at this store. Has anyone ever thrown in a low bid at the Art Place and been successful?

Thanks

[LIforrelaxin]

I don't know this pirticular shop I am sure I have passed by many times just haven't taken note. But as too weather or not haggling will work depends on what type of shop it is. If the shop owns the prints then hey it is worth a shot. If the work is there on consignment from an artist then haggling is not so easy, becuase ultimately the shop owner has to get the artists permision.

[jrc]

Everything is negotiable. But you can't negotiate very well unless you're willing to put in the time and you're willing to leave without the print. It never hurts to ask for a cash discount or a off season discount or any other discount you can think of. If they say "no", you either pay up or start the hard work. From this point on you can't win unless they really believe that you might not buy the print.

[Rag Top Daze]

Everything is negotiable. But you can't negotiate very well unless you're willing to put in the time and you're willing to leave without the print. It never hurts to ask for a cash discount or a off season discount or any other discount you can think of. If they say "no", you either pay up or start the hard work. From this point on you can't win unless they really believe that you might not buy the print.


I agree, but would add that if they turn you down, before you leave, give them your phone number and tell them to call you if they change their mind. Then walk away. You might be pleasantly surprised when they have a chance to think it over...or when the rent/mortgage comes due.

[brk-lnt]

My brother owns/runs that shop. I'll warn him that you're coming.

j/k


75% seems like an awfully low price to start bartering from, you run the risk of insulting the store owner. Often times "art" type stores can be a little bit protective of their ware, in my experience.

I would offer a price about 5-10% less than what you're willing to pay. And have a simple rationale to backup your offer (" My relative has really had their eye on this piece, but it's way out of my budget. If your price were closer to $xx.yy, we could strike a deal." )

Don't get caught up in trying to assign a value to it, because that can be argued more readily than a hard and fast limit like your budget.

[Argie's Wife]

You might want to start by asking how firm the prices are BEFORE you try to barter. I'd also be concerned about insulting the owner... if you're going to try it, at least be polite about it. (And please take "no" for an answer, if that's what they say...)

You might also want to consider looking for the print from another vendor or looking for a smaller version of it that's more in line with your budget.

I know some people try to bargain hunt as a sport - that's fine, if you're at a yard sale... :)

[NightWing]

Ask if they accept American Express cards. If they do, then offer to buy with cash at an 8% discount, which is how much it costs them for an Amex sale, except they have to wait for their money. Your cash is available right then.;)

[secondcurve]

8%??? I don't believe it is that high. Visa and Master Card are 2%. Maybe Amex is 3%. I am not totally sure, but I am certain it isn't 8%. Does anyone know?

[NightWing]

8%??? I don't believe it is that high. Visa and Master Card are 2%. Maybe Amex is 3%. I am not totally sure, but I am certain it isn't 8%. Does anyone know?

I am pretty sure it is 8%. It might also be tied to volume of sales. That is the biggest reason why quite a few businesses do not accept AMEX. I have been told by several merchants I have known that they would rather give a cash discount of 8% than accept an American Express card.

Remember that AMEX is not a typical credit card, in that it must be paid off in full every month. There is no monthly or interest charge to the buyer, so they get more from the seller.

[brk-lnt]

I am pretty sure it is 8%. It might also be tied to volume of sales. That is the biggest reason why quite a few businesses do not accept AMEX. I have been told by several merchants I have known that they would rather give a cash discount of 8% than accept an American Express card.

Remember that AMEX is not a typical credit card, in that it must be paid off in full every month. There is no monthly or interest charge to the buyer, so they get more from the seller.

Well, it's been a few years since I had a business that accepted credit cards, but AMEX was nowhere near 8%. IIRC, it was about 1% more than Visa/MC on average, which ran about 2.75-3% of the sale.

[NightWing]

Well, it's been a few years since I had a business that accepted credit cards, but AMEX was nowhere near 8%. IIRC, it was about 1% more than Visa/MC on average, which ran about 2.75-3% of the sale.

That could very well be the true story. My merchant friends may have bumped the percentage a bit. One did say that AMEX was slow in paying and I imagine he was enhancing his story to cover the payment gap.

I have since done some searching on the subject and did find a figure of 3.4% being the average that AMEX charges. Mention was also made of sales volume being a factor. They offer a flat fee of $5.95/month for accounts with less than $5,000 a year in AMEX sales if the account is handled on line. Anything other than that is based on percentage and is determined by the type of business you have. AMEX won't disclose that unless you enroll.

Still and all, it can be a bargaining chip. Cash in hand now at a discount, or wait maybe 60 days for the full pop. It never hurts to try.

[secondcurve]

Thanks guys. Points well taken. Cash is king as they say!

[dpg]

My brother owns/runs that shop. I'll warn him that you're coming.

j/k



Well now you can forget about saving anything!:laugh: Seems to me you've been "made" :eek:

[brk-lnt]

One did say that AMEX was slow in paying and I imagine he was enhancing his story to cover the payment gap.


Maybe some of that was based on the payment processor he was using. I reconciled my credit card charges nightly, and the money from VISA/MC/AMEX was electronically deposited to my bank account in 1 or 2 days (I forget exactly, but it was quick).

This was 10 years ago, I can't imagine it's gotten worse.

[SIKSUKR]

Although I rarely do it,(I wish I would try more)I see no problem with asking about making an offer on artwork.For the most part,the price put on artwork is very subjective and not always based on a cost/% profit basis.I have two art galleries in my building and prices on some the original paintings knocked me over.One of my tenants could paint 3 or 4 landscape paintings a day and I would see prices that were anywhere from $500 to $5,000.It's worth what people are willing to pay I guess.Make an offer,if they are insulted I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[ITD]

Forget about insulting the owner, I'm insulted at the amount of money some of these shops charge. (Not talking about The Art Shop, never been there, although I'm sure my wife has been.;) ) Go ahead and try to barter, worse that will happen is they will say no, if the owner gets mad then run away, it's not a place you want to do business with.

[Weirs guy]

Thanks guys. Points well taken. Cash is king as they say!


Reminds me of an old joke, "Cash is a poor mans credit card, but we do accept it here."