I have a quilt on consignment at our LQS for the first time, so I'm not familiar with the 'normal' policies. I imagine they can/do vary from shop to shop, but if anyone has some basic info for me, I'd sure appreciate it.

I was asked by management what I wanted for the quilt, I told them, asked their consignment %, then verbally agreed.

When I was in class there yesterday, our instructor brought it in to show the others how I did a certain block. When someone asked how much it was selling for, the answer caused me to make an audible gasp as I learned it was much higher than I was told. Before I call her back to discuss this, I'd like to get some ideas on what the going rates are out there and here about others' experiences with similar situations. Thanks in advance.

I have no idea, but are you saying they were being dishonest with you? If so, you need to say something right away.

"going rate" various from location to location and artist to artist.

i set my prices not the stores. i never do anything verbally - i have legal contracts and everyone is required to sign before i'll even cut fabric. it not only addresses the scope of the project but also the taking of pics, internet postings, and copyright issues.

my typical price is $50-$100 a square foot but if its highly embellished it can go much higher than that.

if it's on consignment, and they get a percentage, then the higher the price they get for it, the more you make, too.

maybe, after having time to look at it more closely or after hearing some comments from customers cruising the store, they decided it was worth more than the original estimate. that could be a good thing.

I really don't think so. This is a small, newish store in a small community, and the only LQS for miles around. I know the staff quite well, have for years. I just don't think they have all their 'stuff' together yet. They wouldn't want to make any missteps, it would cost them terribly.

Thanks Klue. This store has a long ways to grow, so to speak. As I mentioned above, they are new at this and I'm sure want to do things right. I guess as long as I get my price, all should be well - unless that is, the price they've attached to it (including their take) is scaring folks away from buying my quilt.

That didn't work with a previous item I sold there. I wanted 'x', they sold it for double 'x', which was 100% commission. They felt I got what I wanted out of it... Obviously, they got a LOT more than the stated commission. I'm still a bit annoyed about that deal.

I've not sold quilting items on consignment/commission, but have sold other things that way and that's not how it usually works at all. They get X percent of the selling price, no matter what it is. Period. You can also set a floor, below which you will not sell it. Don't they have a written policy? Did you sign a contract? What they did is just not right!! If it upset you before, why didn't you specify that was not acceptable when you went back the second time? I'd get it out of there or have them commit, in writing, to a set percentage of the sale price, nothing more.

Sounds like they are using you. No one charges 100% commission. That's obscene.

i would take my quilt back over something like that. they took advantage of you and your lack of knowledge in this area of business.

consignment is done on %s of the whole - no matter what the whole is.

you give the store a floor price meaning you will not under any circumstance except less than X dollar value. this allows them the ability to lower the sales price if a customer starts to negotiate in the store.

the ceiling on a project is sky's the limit since everyone is willing to take more and no one in a store negotiates up they only need room to go down without having the sale walk out the door because they couldn't reach you by phone.

negotiating %s with the store is always a challenge because they think they bring so much to the table but you have to understand the value of your time, your work, and the fact that they have an inventory of product to sell without investing 1 penny of capital.

this means you always make more than the store if they don't agree you don't give them you work - they need you far more than you need them. the owner doesn't have the time to make quilts to sell she's too busy running the store and teaching, she doesn't have tons of capital to invest in buying quilting to sell and thats what you need to understand.

its far easier for you to sell a quilt on your own without this store then for her to get artists willing to give them product to move without any financial investment and taking the smallest piece of the pie.