I have already decided to take locations off of my tags. I've already lost one too many sales to people who think the image looks just like their favorite place in Ohio, only to find the image wasn't taken in Ohio and not buy it.
I was talking to a person at my last show and he suggested taking the prices off too. He explained that when someone sees and image that they like, the next thing they do is look at the price and that can turn them off. He said his sales increased when he took off price tags. And another reason for me, I offer different sizes and formats by order so the price I would put on a piece is the price for that size and format. If someone had to ask about the price I could explain all that. On the other hand, when I am shopping it turns me off to have to ask the price. I think my prices are pretty reasonable.
Does anyone here not post prices? How is that working for you?
Replies
Allison this what I starting this year. I believe that placing the location kill the sales not because They tought about the favorite spot. They are just fishing to find out where it was to try do replicate the image. Any how this people wont by anything from you. I will just post the price and other sizes in separate frame.
Here what I am doing for price tags print in a 4X6 with the image (no larger than 2X3) and this info:
Water Lily Pond
Water Lily Pond: The pond is located at the outside part of the Garfield Conservatory Park. This was an image captured by instinct. Even after I received the slide, I was not sure if I should print the image. My main concern was about how the colors turn out. They look unreal but I know they are real because I am looking at the slide. I was wondering how this happen. The composition and colors are just great. Since I use film to capture this image it worked to my advantage since any part of the image under shadows and mix of natural and artificial light will feature the cyan, purple, blue tones that film reproduce under this cases.
How does Water Lily Pond inspire you?
Water Lily is an Open Edition Image.
Price as display: $ 595.00 Special order image alone: $ 400.00
Outside dimensions: 27(1/8)X39(1/8) inches
Framing includes: Wood moulding, rag mats, archival mounting and museum glass.
Yes some of them has the location in general but is about the story of the image
Could you add the prices for other sizes? Maybe a larger sign advertising the choices? That's what I would like if I was shopping for an image.
My thing is beadweaving, so they're one of a kind and I don't have this problem. People really want to see the price.
Interesting about the locations. I actually have lots of details on my photos. As a matter of fact, most people really like it. I've only lost one sale due to having the actual date/time that I took the photo. I also include the price. I do keep a sheet on my desk at shows with all the sizes I have available and their prices.
Here is an example of what I display with my photos:
Wanted: Early Rising Sailors
Taken from the Memorial Union Terrace lakeshore bike path on August 11, 2008 at 5:52 AM.
7 minutes after sunrise.
Cassius J. Callender Photography $250
I add the City/State depending where the show is being held.
I think the prices stay for now. Thanks for everyone's input.
"if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it"
I always think that when I don't/can't see the price on something.
I have seen a lot of photography hanging in booths that has a card underneath it with the price of the actual piece as well as the prices of different size prints that are offered. I get the info I want and if you are busy, you haven't lost a potential sale.
Just curious--do you get a lot of mail orders doing it this way?
I probably get about one or two orders per show. Since my best sellers are my panorama format and they are an odd size most people prefer to buy them framed. I did a cost / benefit analysis of having unframed prints in the booth at the beginning of last year and found I was losing money on them. Not on the individual sales but the cost of keeping a selection of prints vs. how many sold.
The simple answer is that having prices on your work eliminates questions about how much the piece cost. Imagine having potential customers walk away because you're busy talking to someone else. It also eliminates the doubts they have that you're making the prices up and gives them confidence that they are paying the same price as everyone else. Sales happen faster.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100