Castle Galleries - Is it ok to haggle on price?

doctor-dee

Hi

Have seen a couple of prints by a new artist in my local Castle Galleries and just wondered whether anyone knows if it's acceptable to haggle on price. They're over £200 per framed print and I want 2.

Some people say it's acceptable to haggle over everything and if you don't ask you don't get.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, D

jenniewb

Maybe approach it slightly differently: ask the price on "these two prints" and when given, express grief at tight purse strings, think about it and say you 'might have to rethink that..." see if they offer any price drops at all. Its a subtle move and involves you speaking to someone who has the time (ie not a busy day) and the money to let this go. It also requires they are able to read what your saying with body language and have the authority to act on suggested price cuts. Chose your time wisely!

Artists make very little from their work, most often the cut is somewhere around 70-30 with the lower amount going to the artist, the rest going to the gallery and anyone else involved (eg agency) once the artist has covered overheads such as printing bills, equipment costs and etc, there is very little if anything left for payment of time.

Please be aware of that when cutting prices, maybe either contact the artist direct or make sure the artist still gets their cut as often they don't.

doctor-dee

For anyone that's interested...
We went into the shop, looked at the 2 prints we liked for a minute. Sales guy came over and chatted for a minute or two. We said we liked them both and he immediately said he could probably do us a deal. Within 20 seconds he came over and said they should be £470 but he can round it down to £400. I could've tried to haggle but was happy at that so took them. Was in the shop about 5 minutes all in all.

jenniewb

Excellent! I remember you posting this, glad you got a deal your happy with