I've written about this in the past, but I'm curious to find out if other people are experiencing it too. I've noticed a definite uptick in bargain-seeking and price haggling at shows this year.
Not that it's anything new. I clearly remember one of the first times it happened to me. I was set up at the Colden Art Festival, a late-September, one-day show in "downtown" Colden at that time. It was a stormy day and my make-shift display was not holding up to the wind, so I had work spread out on the ground. A guy picked up one of my Polaroid transfers, which were quite popular at the time, and asked about the process. I explained how it was made and he replied: "I don't care about the image, but I'm interested in the process, will you take $5 for it?" I was mortified and said "NO!"
20 years later, in a much better tent, with a completely different body of work, I'm hearing echos of that sentiment. "I LOVE this little ($68) painting! It would be PERFECT for my boat! Will you take $50 for it?"
"NO!"
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not completely opposed to offering discounts. I have a bit of a cushion built into the prices of my higher end work just for that reason. But I'm not going to drop the price of a smaller piece by 30 to 40 percent just to make a sale!
Is the Groupon Economy destroying us?
Is the constant influx of "Save over 60%", "50% OFF!", "Never Pay Retail Again" offers undermining pricing strategy as we know it?
Please share your thoughts and experiences.
Until next time - keep creating!
