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

[Anonymous]

There's a man selling his paintings at my local farmers' market. Is it ok to haggle or ask for a discount? If so, how much? Just not sure what the norm is.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't but you can ask and he can say no.

[Anonymous]

No, I would never do that.

[Anonymous]

You can always ask... But be prepared to hear a no.

That said the most reasonable time to request a discount is if you're considering buying several paintings. Or perhaps if you're considering several original pieces, you can ask if they'd include a print or something small at no charge. If you're just looking at one or two pieces the answer will probably be a smile and a reply that the price is firm.

Personally, I hate haggling, and I'm happy that it's not standard in the U.S.

[Anonymous]

I might if I were buying a couple of items, so you'd maybe get a bulk discount. Buying just one thing? No, not in that case.

[Anonymous]

Nope, not appropriate at all. It's considered very disrespectful to the artist.

[Anonymous]

It's par for the course in Europe and Asia and pretty much everywhere. Here? You can always try.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope, not appropriate at all. It's considered very disrespectful to the artist.

Pfft - ridiculous. Art is bought and sold, just like everything else.

[Anonymous]

No way. As an artist myself, I would be highly offended. If you are buying multiple pieces you could ask about a discount, but otherwise no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can always ask... But be prepared to hear a no.

That said the most reasonable time to request a discount is if you're considering buying several paintings. Or perhaps if you're considering several original pieces, you can ask if they'd include a print or something small at no charge. If you're just looking at one or two pieces the answer will probably be a smile and a reply that the price is firm.

Personally, I hate haggling, and I'm happy that it's not standard in the U.S.

Agree with this. We are regulars at a farmer's market, and it is definitely not standard to ask for a discount. Sometimes if we are buying a lot of something the vendor offers a discount and that is nice, but I would not ask. Prices are more than fair to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way. As an artist myself, I would be highly offended. If you are buying multiple pieces you could ask about a discount, but otherwise no.

Well, get over yourself. Self-expression is a beautiful thing, but a product price depends on its market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope, not appropriate at all. It's considered very disrespectful to the artist.

Ha.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope, not appropriate at all. It's considered very disrespectful to the artist.

Yeah, I take the same approach when selling my house. Anything less than my asking price is insulting because I've spent so much effort on making it look good.