It’s nice to be able to sell your handmade craft items and besides the obvious web sites and craft fairs, small shops and galleries may consider selling your work. Many small galleries cannot afford to buy stock up front, they also do not want to have unsellable stock hanging around the shop, therefore they will accept products on a sale or return basis.  “

Sale or return” does exactly what is says.  Either they sell it and then give you your payment or they return the goods to you. This arrangement works well, but there are things you need to consider when putting your work into a SorR situation. Drawing up a simple contract can protect you, your work and the gallery owner. 

  • Include an inventory
  • Pricing  (start with HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT, then,  what mark up the gallery can apply etc)
  • Discounts (if items are included in a sale then the cut should come from the galleries money)
  • Payment (how and when you should be paid for sold goods)
  • Loss or damage (who is responsible for loss or damage that occurs whilst goods are on the gallery premises)
  • Transporting goods to the gallery (who pays postage and is responsible whilst goods are in transit)
  • Promotion (where will your goods be displayed, lighting,  identification of your name as producer etc)
  • Copyright (ensure your goods cannot be copied whilst they are in the care of the gallery… no photo’s without your agreement)
  • Security (statement of ownership so that the gallery cannot claim them as assets should they run into financial difficulties)

By observing these simple steps you should have a problem free relationship with the gallery.