Haggling ok with artists at craft show, farmers' markets?

[Anonymous]

Would you haggle over the price of the peppers or peaches, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you haggle over the price of the peppers or peaches, OP?

In a farmer's market, one is supposed to haggle. But this is the USA, land of the uptight people

[Anonymous]

Saying "I bet that only took you 10 minutes. How about five bucks?" probably wouldn't go over well, but if you love a piece but can't quite afford it, there's no harm in finding out if there's any flexibility in the price. People buying big pieces negotiate; why shouldn't you try to negotiate at a lower price point? The seller can always say no if price is more important than a quick sale.

[Anonymous]

Haggling is very rude on this type of item in the US Culture. I wouldn't say "Would you take $X?"

However, I think it would be fine to say something like "I really love your work. Do you have any pieces in the $X range?" That starts a conversation - maybe he/she has a smaller piece you might enjoy, maybe he/she would be willing to discount a piece that has been sitting for awhile, who knows. It will let you get the vibe of how open the artist is to a lower price, is a sincere compliment, and doesn't make you look rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you haggle over the price of the peppers or peaches, OP?

No, but those prices are marked and there is a more accepted general price range for items like that. The paintings are not tagged/priced, and value is much more subjective.

[Anonymous]

OP here - surprised that the vast majority are saying "no way." Price on one piece I'm looking at is $225. I was assuming he would welcome an offer of $200 with that kind of pricing, especially given that prices are not actually listed or displayed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you can afford it, don't haggle. At all. If the pieces are priced appropriately, no haggle.

If you're talking about a discount for buying multiple pieces, sure. If you've stopped by a few times to admire the work, and have been trying to find a way to make the purchase (budgeting, saving up), let the artist know.

I'm beyond broke by DCUM standards. Still, I don't tend to haggle because I recognize the value of the work and the hours put in to achieve it. There are some informal rules, I guess. They help.

Paying cash usually results in a discount because the artist is spared the transaction fees associated with credit cards. Taking an unframed piece is good. If you've bought other pieces full-price, then asking for a break on an item is okay.

You mentioned craft shows and farmers' markets together. These are very different venues. The person who is constantly creating and selling is more likely to give a discount. The artist who's been working all season to create pieces for sale at an annual craft show...there's room there, but that person is counting on a certain return from the effort.

20% is about the best you can ask for without insulting the person. That thousand dollar piece..."I love it. I can only do about $800. Would that be okay? I'd love to take it home with me."

Prints are different from original oils. Large acrylics are different from photos. They each require a different dance. You don't want to insult the artist by suggesting that one requires more work than another, BUT if it's something they can replicate (print, photo) that may give you more room. Just don't mention it. They know.

Being gracious about it and not going too hard will make a difference. Lots of people low ball. If I'm the first buyer of the day, I tend to get a very good price because they see it as auspicious. If it's late in the day, the artist is motivated to let it go because they'll just have to haul it home.

I got some great pieces at the crafts village downtown last winter, after scoping out what I wanted and waiting until the last day. Two of the pieces remained. I got them for far below the original asking price because they were shutting down and were happy to let them go for less. I didn't ask, they offered. The same thing happened at an Adams Morgan Day a few years ago. One large piece survived the event and I happily walked away with it at a discount. I paid cash.

GL

Thanks, this is helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - surprised that the vast majority are saying "no way." Price on one piece I'm looking at is $225. I was assuming he would welcome an offer of $200 with that kind of pricing, especially given that prices are not actually listed or displayed!

I'm surprised at the number of 'no' responses, too!

Most vendors at Farmer's Markets and Craft Fairs have a very narrow profit margin. A group I volunteer with used to have a very large artisan fair and it was quite a lesson to me over the years to hear from the different vendors and artisans about how little they clear at the fairs, usually after spending a significant amount for their spaces.

On the other hand, maybe this vendor would be thrilled to make the $200 ... I like the way you phrased it, 'would you accept an offer of $200?' Maybe add a first sentence of appreciation and then your request. Nice tone and respectful of the artist's work.

Hope it all works out!

[Anonymous]

If you are buying a rug in Istanbul - yes, fine.
If you are buying fish at the end of the day in a London market - agin, fine.

If you are buying ART from a craft fair - no fxxking way, ever. So rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The no haggle thing is strictly an American thing. I work with people from all over the world and everywhere else the belief is that the first price/price tag is a starting point.

Yes, and the OP is likely in America.

[Anonymous]

I like the pp's suggestion of saying you like the work and asking if they have anything in X price range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The no haggle thing is strictly an American thing. I work with people from all over the world and everywhere else the belief is that the first price/price tag is a starting point.

Yes, and the OP is likely in America.

Yes, and it doesn't hurt to try.

[Anonymous]

Why is this rude?

You haggle home prices, car prices, Best Buy and other stores, why not art at a fair? Value is subjective and is set by what a willing buyer and seller agree upon. If the artist places a higher value, so be it. But rude? Hardly.

Thin margin? Not my problem. Don't accept the offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The no haggle thing is strictly an American thing. I work with people from all over the world and everywhere else the belief is that the first price/price tag is a starting point.

1. Haggling is NOT the custom "everywhere else." It was NOT the custom in the two Western European countries in which I lived.

2. Haggling at street markets is very much the custom in the country where I live now. This country is also hideously corrupt and filthy. I wouldn't ever cite the fact that people haggle here as a reason that someone should try it at home.

3. I think haggling with an artist over his work is breathtakingly gauche. I think this every time I see someone do it where I live, and I see this almost every day.

4. I will never understand posters who cite the customs of other countries to lend credence to their argument about something that is done in the US.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that craft is extremely time consuming and from a production/cost analysis pointless. Craft people do the work because they love the work, but it always feels like a built in donation. For example: I cast gold, standard markup is 300%. 100 for material, 100 for time, 100 for profit. Well when you buy something from the mall the time spent on manufacturing that item was less than a minute. It was designed on a computer, carved in a printer, cast or stamped out of a laser and polished in a mill. Instant bling and close to 200% profit. Lots of room for the annual sale of 50% off. For me to make the same thing (I don't) would take a minimum of a week working all day every day and I only price at double the cost of materials because I'm not charging anything for the time. For you to ask for a discount is naive and insulting.