Official Luthiers Forum!

anyone sell their work on consignment?

what would you say is a reasonable % cut for the retailer?

Bump!
I would really like to know also.......... Mikey

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

This really depends on the retailer, but expect to pay between 25 and 50%. My local store (Music Villa of Bozeman Montana) charges 25%. This is on the low end and more than fair. Even 50% would be fair with all of the costs associated with running a store much less a music instrument store. My store is local with local ownership for many years. They are really great guys so I am fortunate to have them around.

_________________
http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

I have one in a music store on consignment and his rate is 10% which is great, anywhere else I checked was 20%. He told me he only charges 10% because he doesn't have any time invested in the guitar and he has plenty of space.

I have never sold one of my fiddles on consignment, but I have sold several instruments through Elderly Instruments here in Lansing, Mi. They have charged 15% in the past. They will not put anything out on the rack that is in need of set up/repair. Any set up or repair work is paid by you up front. They are the real deal and are a pleasure to deal with.

Stephen, I have to respectfully disagree. Typical consignment rates are 15-20%. Fifty percent would be outrageous. Even wholesale rates are typically between 60-70% for a high end guitar depending on how established you are. With consignment you still own the guitar, the dealer has no money in it. You also own any dings or scratches that might occur while the guitar is on consignment.

_________________
Randy Muth
RS Muth Guitars Website
RS Muth Guitars Blog
Facebook Fan Page

I just realized that I flipped my numbers around on the wholesale. It would be 30-40% for the dealer.

_________________
Randy Muth
RS Muth Guitars Website
RS Muth Guitars Blog
Facebook Fan Page

I have consigned guitars for 25% off retail.
Consignment is a little different than selling out right to a dealer. I have seen
some dealers ask for 40 to 50% off retail if they assume the risk and buy it out right.

I might have to take a trip up to Elderlys, they are only 40 minutes away and I like the sound of 15%

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Where I sell mine they take 25%, which is acceptable to me. Any more and it would would get into 'dealer' territory, implying up-front buying.
Selling consignment has it's own special pitfalls. The store has no money invested in your guitar, and they will make less money selling it, so they have a more vested interest in selling a guitar that they've paid for. On the other hand, they can get a stock variation at no extra cost to them, which can draw customer interest to the store in general. I've done well with consignment, but I also only sell locally so I can see the dealer face to face.

If you can get your stuff on the wall of a highly respected store you'll find out if you are there yet. 25% for me too and well worth it for the exposure. It's always nice to sell to someone that buys because they had the instrument in their hands and loved it. It can generate commissions too.
TJK

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Randy,

I personally would hesitate to pay 50% for a consigment as well-fair or not. I am much more surprised at the 15% numbers I am hearing. As a visual artist (paintings) I know that for upscale galleries 50% is fairly common sometimes with a hanging fee. I am glad to hear that guitar dealers seem much nicer about it.

_________________
http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Yeah, I've sold a few on consignment at 20%

Greg

_________________
Gwaltney Guitars