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  1. #1
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    Apr 2007
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    Default Six months without a single sale!

    I've just gone six months without a single sale of my work through the gallery.

    For part of that time the gallery was closed due to CV-19 restrictions... so fair enough. And I did sell a piece on the last day before the close down, but since then.... nothing!

    Can't remember that happening in many decades. No overseas or interstate travellers has taken its toll on sales and the locals are all keeping any loose change in their pockets in case they're out of work in a few weeks time and need every shekel to meet the necessities of life. I can also understand that.

    After all, what I sell is discretionary items that cost many times what, say, a wooden bowl would cost at ALDI or Target. However, gallery customers are buying something more than just a wooden bowl and they are normally prepared to pay a premium for that. However, at the moment, I think they have all gone to ALDI.

    What are others who are selling through galleries experiencing?
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



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  3. #2
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    Jan 2013
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    Tasmaniac
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    Default

    Galleries here in Tassie pretty well all closed shop when people could not come here. Leura woodwork gallery has ordered from me recently and so has Bungendore.
    My round windows have been going pretty well since the plague with lots of folk at home doing reno's and the like.

  4. #3
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    Apr 2007
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by artful bodger View Post
    Galleries here in Tassie pretty well all closed shop when people could not come here. Leura woodwork gallery has ordered from me recently and so has Bungendore.
    My round windows have been going pretty well since the plague with lots of folk at home doing reno's and the like.
    Good onya, Artful.

    Pleased to hear that things are still working out OK for you.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    27,756

    Default

    Sorry to hear this Neil,

    Quote Originally Posted by NeilS View Post
    . . . .After all, what I sell is discretionary items that cost many times what, say, a wooden bowl would cost at ALDI or Target. However, gallery customers are buying something more than just a wooden bowl and they are normally prepared to pay a premium for that. However, at the moment, I think they have all gone to ALDI.
    I still get the odd relative say - "oh you are into woodwork and then ask me if I can make them a something". When I tell them the cost of just the materials they'll often say, "I can get it for less than that at Ikea" so I suggest they do that.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Perth WA Australia
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    828

    Default

    I have similar experiences to BobL, except some of my relatives understand the cost of materials but still choose the lowest cost option.

    For example had one relative who wanted a custom made coffee table asked for a quote and was adamant that they were not going to pay that much. They found something cheaper off Facebook. What they ended up with was a coffee table put together with pocket holes and definitely on the average side.

    Another relative wanted a bench to match their new dining table. Gave them a quote, and similar to above said it was too expensive as they just wanted it for the "look" rather than a bench that lasted. Plus they wanted it done within the week. They subsequently showed me a website of what they were wanting to replicate, retail price was $100 more than what I quoted, except item was on backorder with a wait time of two months.

    Unfortunately it's just the market we're in ATM with the market being flooded with diy products and makers. So consumers are unfortunately having to sort through the chaff and in alot of cases end up with an "inferior" product.

    Any craftman who cares about details to the nth degree will find it very difficult to compete in such a market.

  7. #6
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    Jul 2011
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    In between houses
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    Default

    I still have work coming in, mainly for bespoke builders and a couple of architects. No private commissions for ages though.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    armidale.nsw.australia
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    Default

    Yeah , I sympathise with you Neil, times are tough for everyone I guess at the moment...
    Let's hope things can change in the near future, keep at it mate .....
    Cheers smiife

  9. #8
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    Apr 2007
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Sorry to hear this Neil
    Thanks Bob, but unlike some, in my case it isn't what puts bread on my table. None the less, it has thrown a spanner in the works.

    I had very good sales at the end of last year and even into the beginning of this year, so had a yarn with my gallery owner about likely future sales and decided to go ahead with setting up a second workshop; one for green turning & drying and the other for returning and finishing. The second workshop would be at home involving a fair outlay (electrical wiring, full DE setup & ducting + duplicate equipment and tools, I like a lot of those!) and all of that was going to take at least 5-8 years to pay itself off.

    The thing is, realistically, I've only got about that number of turning years left in me before I become an OBE and give it away, i.e., if it hasn't already given me away!

    Then... the virus came long.

    It would have been an ideal time to set up the second workshop, but with future sales patterns uncertain I'm re-thinking things.

    Thus my reason for putting a wet finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing for others on the forum.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeilS View Post
    I had very good sales at the end of last year and even into the beginning of this year, so had a yarn with my gallery owner about likely future sales and decided to go ahead with setting up a second workshop; one for green turning & drying and the other for returning and finishing. The second workshop would be at home involving a fair outlay (electrical wiring, full DE setup & ducting + duplicate equipment and tools, I like a lot of those!) and all of that was going to take at least 5-8 years to pay itself off.

    The thing is, realistically, I've only got about that number of turning years left in me before I become an OBE and give it away, i.e., if it hasn't already given me away!

    Then... the virus came long.

    It would have been an ideal time to set up the second workshop, but with future sales patterns uncertain I'm re-thinking things.

    Thus my reason for putting a wet finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing for others on the forum.
    Neil

    are things looking that dire that you will probably consolidate into just one workshop?



    my own feeling is that, like the recession of the early 90s, the current Covid-19 recession will take upwards of 5-8 years before travel patterns return to near what they were prior to the plague. And if the Chinese middle class follow their government's edict to avoid Australia then your "cashed up" foreign traveler could be in short supply for some time.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Victoria
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    11

    Default

    I wonder if Etsy is an alternative for you Neil. On-line sales is where the action is generally speaking.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Towradgi
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    Same here., not a sale since June.

    Gallery owner happy to see me in July and take 3 small bowls, as he was having issues getting inventory.

    How they are surviving is beyond me!
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pat View Post
    Gallery owner happy to see me in July and take 3 small bowls, as he was having issues getting inventory.

    How they are surviving is beyond me!
    around here (Canmore, Alberta) the cafe business owners stepped in and worked 7 (short) days per week till the worst of the Covid-19 shut downs was over. The restaurants in town are doing well, but those in Calgary are still not making rent.
    With the cafe business back to sort of normal, the owners are back to managing their businesses -- but of the three local coffee shops / cafes I frequent, two have each closed at least one of their outlets.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  14. #13
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    Apr 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    Neil

    are things looking that dire that you will probably consolidate into just one workshop?
    That one workshop is what I have had for the last four decades and if need be I'll continue with just that, Ian.

    It would have been nice to separate the green/wet turning that ends up everywhere from the rafters to the far corners of the workshop from the finishing work, but that is more of a luxury than a necessity. Having a workshop on the block at home was the other attraction and not having to do the 7 km round trip every time I need to check something in the workshop. Small inconveniences in the larger scheme of things.

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    my own feeling is that, like the recession of the early 90s, the current Covid-19 recession will take upwards of 5-8 years before travel patterns return to near what they were prior to the plague. And if the Chinese middle class follow their government's edict to avoid Australia then your "cashed up" foreign traveler could be in short supply for some time.
    Some of my more expensive pieces have ended up in China, but don't expect I will see that happening again. Also to the UK, but they are looking like they are not going to have too much loose cash to go travelling and splurging any time soon (or allowed here anyway at the rate they are going).
    Last edited by NeilS; 27th September 2020 at 06:08 PM. Reason: Corrected that spelling error!
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  15. #14
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    Apr 2007
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pat View Post
    Same here., not a sale since June.

    Gallery owner happy to see me in July and take 3 small bowls, as he was having issues getting inventory.

    How they are surviving is beyond me!
    I know my gallery got some rent relief at the height of the mandatory lockdown, but now that we are fully open again locally here I doubt that would still be the case. He had only just renewed his lease for a number of years a few months before CV19 hit. I know that he is in it for the love of it and not the money (I think his margins are quite slim), so I'm equally concerned for him and his staff, especially if my sales are any indication of how he is going overall.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    around here (Canmore, Alberta)...
    Just realised that I have been there.... Jeez, how did you swing that gig, Ian!

    Stayed with friends of the family in Banff and they took us for a drive to various 1988 Winter Olympics venues, including Canmore.

    Speccy place to live!
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



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