If someone finds you commission work, what is a fair percentage to give that person after a sale?

Question

I build canvases from scratch and then paint and then transport paintings. The guy that finds customers takes 50% of the sale price for finding people to buy. He doesn't do much as he has a store front and people come to him.

Answer 1

Writers, actors and directors agents all get the Hollywood standard (set by each one's union and guild) 15%. However, art galleries usually charge 40% (yes, 40% is the nation-wide average for galleries, not 50 or 60) because, unlike agents, they have a much higher overhead to operate and maintain galleries open to the public, including the promoting of the artist's works and exhibits. 40% is the average. 50% is a little high.

However, you're not actually selling art, so you're system is entirely different. You're selling hand-made canvases. In other words, a consumer-based product, just like a brush maker or toy maker or maker of shirts or shoes. But perhaps you can get him down to the 40% level by suggesting you could take your products elsewhere? Try a little bluffing and see if it works. Or shop around and see if you can get a better deal from other store owners.

Answer 2

Maybe I am missing something...you paint the canvases? Meaning landscapes, figure, abstract, etc? Or, do you mean prepare the canvases, with gesso? If it is art you make and sell, 50% is the higher end of the standard commissions...20 percent the low end. If he is selling, and you are making money, be happy but if you are not, and won't be, find another arrangement elsewhere. If you are making canvases for others to paint...50% may seem high but at what price do they sell? Below catalog (Blick, Utrecht, ASW,...) prices? You have to determine if your profit margin is acceptable. If artists are buying, and the revenue stream is good, don't worry yet about the markup. If your margin is too low, either break the deal or set up another with someone else. You can do this in his territory or outside of it, in addition to him or in place of him, unless you have a contract that precludes this.

Answer 3

50% is sometimes a standard price. It is actually a lot. The percentage is mostly lower when the work sells good. SO better work needs a less commision. ON the other hand, when ork isn't easily sold, raise the price and the 50% you get is more. Make the work cheaper, you sell more and also earn more with the 50%. It all is about economics which most artists hate and art-sellers love (they get the 50% without doing that much of creating)

Answer 4

Well it really depends on how hard the job is. I was a door-to-door sales representative selling security systems and we got paid at least $350 for each one we had installed. but in the long run the company made by far more than that at $40 dollars a month in contract for 5 years. so $40 X 60 months = $2400 so i guess that i was making at least 14.5% but cold calling door-to-door would be harder than working at home. so i think a good commission percentage would probably be between 8% and 12%. I do think there would be some interest in a position like this.

Answer 5

well my galerytakes 30 -40 %, but it is as you agree with the gallery. And it is true that he might not do much, but he HAS the store, and you don't..and he has time to sit in the store from 9 -17 and you don't because you need your time to paint. Beside this, he pays rent, and electricity, and advertising, and so on for the store. he actually does all the boring and dirtyjob for you so you could concentrate on making art.
I gues it is you who decides if this all is worthy for you or not. If not, maybe try to find an other gallery.

Answer 6

I'm in the interior decorating business - my profits all come from commission and if someone gives me a show to do I have to pay them 10% of the commission (only if they've done any leg work before hand such as mailing invitations or what not) - if they just give me a lead for a show and I book it and they haven't done invitations or anything they get nothing

Answer 7

If that 50% is his mark up, i don't see a problem with that, but next time offer less. Start low and negotiate a percentage both you and your seller can agree on. If this is your first time consider it a lesson learned.

Answer 8

50% is a normal fee for artwork. We have art shows and only charge 20%, but I understand why they charge so much due to the fact that they have to pay for rent, electricity etc. I wish it were less, but that's pretty common.

Answer 9

that is the typical gallery arrangement. He has to pay rent and the light bill and the cost of doing business. If you don't like it, find your own customers.

Answer 10

Wow, sounds like this guy has a SWEET deal going on. Dude, you are being taken advantage of BIG TIME!!! 10% is reasonable enough. If you feel generous and he does bring you alot of money then I wouldn't go more than 20%.