Negotiating Mall Space

Rick M

Senior Member
As some of you know I like to do shows selling my prints. This year has been pretty good, but I want to kick it up a notch. I've been at one of our local malls in the past through craft show promoters. This year I'm trying to cut out the middleman and get better, dedicated space. Not as cheap, they normally want $3000 for a small kiosk for the 2 months of November and December (another mall was $8000!). Problem with that is I still work full time, But I'm finding the closer we get to Christmas, the more they want to give me a "deal". I've got one down to $700 for the last 2 weeks before Christmas (I'll take vacation time to man it). Hoping to sign the lease next week :)! I'll let you know how I do!
 

480sparky

Senior Member
You'd better budget for having top-notch prints and frames on hand. I doubt many will be willing to order something that close to The Day.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
You'd better budget for having top-notch prints and frames on hand. I doubt many will be willing to order something that close to The Day.

Yes, exactly! I've been stocking up on prints and frames. I've got about 300 prints on hand and about 30 frames which should carry me through the first weekend+, from there I'll put in a quick order at Nations for the popular sellers. They usually get them here in 4 days from order. I've got about 10 images that are regular sellers so I'll have to project out for the following week. Sometimes what sells is a surprise, hot one year and not the next!
 
Yes, exactly! I've been stocking up on prints and frames. I've got about 300 prints on hand and about 30 frames which should carry me through the first weekend+, from there I'll put in a quick order at Nations for the popular sellers. They usually get them here in 4 days from order. I've got about 10 images that are regular sellers so I'll have to project out for the following week. Sometimes what sells is a surprise, hot one year and not the next!


I have an order out with Nations right now. Put it in last Friday (Yes, I know, the weekend) but s of this afternoon they still listed it as "in Production" it was a standard size (15x28) glossy and a single weight mat board. I would have though it would at least be on the way by now. it has been 5 business days at this point
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Yes, exactly! I've been stocking up on prints and frames. I've got about 300 prints on hand and about 30 frames which should carry me through the first weekend+, from there I'll put in a quick order at Nations for the popular sellers. They usually get them here in 4 days from order. I've got about 10 images that are regular sellers so I'll have to project out for the following week. Sometimes what sells is a surprise, hot one year and not the next!
What are the popular sizes that people like?
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Rick, when you are finished with the show, would you please share with us which images were your top sellers? It will be interesting to see what subjects people chose. Thanks!
 

Rick M

Senior Member
I have an order out with Nations right now. Put it in last Friday (Yes, I know, the weekend) but s of this afternoon they still listed it as "in Production" it was a standard size (15x28) glossy and a single weight mat board. I would have though it would at least be on the way by now. it has been 5 business days at this point

I only order plain prints, which ship in 2 days. Mounting becomes a special order.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
What are the popular sizes that people like?

Thats the hard part, because people dont know whats in their best interest. Our camera sensors produce a wide image and frames are geared towards traditional frame sizes. 8x10 and 11x14 are the most popular sizes.
 
I only order plain prints, which ship in 2 days. Mounting becomes a special order.

I had sent them a note and got an answer back today. They apologised and agreed that it should have already been shipped and put it in 2 day FedEx at no extra charge to me. I guess this is what I like about dealing with them. They do good work, price is reasonable and if they do have a problem they take care of it. Now to see how good they print this pano.
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Sounds good Rick, good luck. I still haven't figured out my future plan but you always come up with a different option. Shoot through the year and prepare for sales at the end of the year, might be something I look at and the price for space you got is good. Good luck, you have the product to sale that's for sure.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
This is really cool Rick! For the first time, I saw a real push of frames for sale geared to the 8x12 format digital shoots at.

So what are you selling? Raw prints? Framed prints? Matted prints?
 

Rick M

Senior Member
This is really cool Rick! For the first time, I saw a real push of frames for sale geared to the 8x12 format digital shoots at.

So what are you selling? Raw prints? Framed prints? Matted prints?

The closer I get to Christmas, the higher the percentage of framed print sales. Makes sense, it's a finished gift. I stay away from Matted prints, too personal/decor specific. Raw prints and mid-priced frames. I scour the local craft stores and pick up frames 1/2 price on sale. Instead of matting, I look for wide frames. Distressed woods and black are in now.

As an example: Over the coarse of the year I pick up 11x14's from Nations on sale for $2. I pick up $16-$18 11x14 frames on sale for $8-$9 at the local craft shops. I put them together at a cost of $10-$11 and sell for $35 a pop. Since I buy at such a discount, my product is incredibly reasonable price wise and sell well. Similarly, I buy 8x10's for $1, framed for $6 and sell for $25.

I did a small craft show today and made $180 off 6 prints which cost less than $10, combined! The accompanying frames cost me about $25. But the main thing is those were really expensive frames I picked up on sale for a fraction of their original cost. Buying and selling at the right time is the key. January- October, forget it, thats when you stock up and plan. November and December you book and sell.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Very cool Rick. Do people have a bias towards the larger prints or the smaller. As I print things for myself I keep wanting to go bigger and bigger. I would love to get one of my 7 foot panoramas printed, but that may be a monster that I may be afraid of if I had it LOL.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
I had sent them a note and got an answer back today. They apologised and agreed that it should have already been shipped and put it in 2 day FedEx at no extra charge to me. I guess this is what I like about dealing with them. They do good work, price is reasonable and if they do have a problem they take care of it. Now to see how good they print this pano.

Keep up the pressure, they will usually do right by you. This year I've had a couple orders with small bends in the prints (still sell-able), They sent me reprints both times without question, or just wanted pics of damage (and I'm talking about them replacing 50 11x14 prints at a pop). Unfortunately this is the way of the world now (help wise), at least they will do what is necessary to keep us happy. You know that from being in the business, I'm ordering about $1k-$1.5K in prints each year from them, we have our bumps, but they always make it up to me!
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Very cool Rick. Do people have a bias towards the larger prints or the smaller. As I print things for myself I keep wanting to go bigger and bigger. I would love to get one of my 7 foot panoramas printed, but that may be a monster that I may be afraid of if I had it LOL.

Smaller prints 8x10/11x14 dont suffer from gaudiness. The important thing is price points. I bring everything from 5x7 to 16x20. A small sale is better than no sale (but keep the cheap options to a minimum). Most popular are 8x10, 8x12 (unfortunately) and 11x14).Larger prints are a pain in the neck to transport and store. Framed are a pain to transport also, I try to buy them with cardboard protection I can keep intact, but still clean and fill!
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Signed my lease today! I start this Friday morning, just ran out and bought 20 more frames, lots to do! Gonna be working crazy mall hours, but I'll post phone picks of my setup Friday.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Good luck mate, I am in the process of trying to get enough things together to have displayed in the hotel gift shop here in town, not easy as the cost outlay is quite alot and at present I am on reduced funds but that should be fixed by next pay.
 
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