return policy

[robinlb]

What if any is the return policy for art in the galleries you're in?
The policy in our co-op is currently 7 days, for 'store' credit, and work must be returned undamaged.
One of our more out spoken members is adamant that this is not normal, and that a no return policy is standard.
A google search comes up with policies similar to ours,
what is your experience?

[Use Her Name]

I think a return policy is crazy.

[joe galioto]

i believe different states have laws governing this.
could be, a client has 48 hours to return a purchase?

[chewie]

I think its a pretty tricky mess actually. as a customer, if I bought something (maybe a gift?) and days later no longer wished to own it, I would think favorably of a place that allowed at least a swap, as long as the work was in PERFECT condition.

but as an artist, I have no idea if that piece was left in the rain, or some other damage has occured and will show up later, so no, I don't want it back.

for me, it'd reeeeally depend on the situation.

[timelady]

In in the UK which is part of Europe so I think our return policies are stricter. I'm really only familiar with the specific online selling rules. But personally I always allow people to return - they might not know if they'll like the artwork in their home and I allow (though I don't actually state it) 14 days for them to return if they choose. In same condition, of course.

Most return policies are determined, at least a minimum, by local consumer law. Perhaps check with your local chamber of commerce or somewhere similar?

[EyeSpy]

I only own five gallery-bought pieces, purchased from four different galleries, across two states.

All had a return policy.

[timelady]

Looks like you aren't obligated to accept returns in Ontario unless the good are faulty or misrepresented: http://westernontario.bbb.org/articl...exchanges-1687

[vmrs]

Looks like you aren't obligated to accept returns in Ontario unless the good are faulty or misrepresented:

Yup, that's true in both the US and Canada. Allowing returns of non damaged or non faulty items is simply a goodwill gesture designed to keep the customer happy and coming back.
Interestingly, many stores especially the large retailers, keep track of who returns what to avoid abuse and can and have banned people who abuse the return system. Returns abuse has become rampant in the last few years.
I can't imagine that that often happens in an art gallery though so for the sake of retaining a customer, accepting returns of undamaged goods within a week sounds like good retail management to me. It would be a good idea though to keep a list of people who return items though so you can spot abuse if it happens.

[timelady]

I think it's the same here really. But I will add that more than once I've secured a sale but letting customers buy and take it home giving them the full right to completely return it within 2 weeks. Especially when they're unsure or deciding between different things it helps them decide.

[it'sALLart]

IMO, it depends on the situation. I've had one person try to return a work after several years and I was adamantly against that. No way.

But, after only a week or 10 days? I'd have to consider that pretty strongly as a gallery, but not as an artist. If a gallery wants to do that, it's probably more in their favor to do so, however. Tina's method is smart, that way both parties have not any permanent expectations in the transaction and all doors are open. But I'd be going over that work with a magnifying glass when it gets returned! :-)

[bleu]

I have posted this before -- more than once -- but here it is again. A neighbour took three small oil paintings to show her mother. If her Mother chose one she'd bring the other two back. She brought them back. MONTHS LATER one of the paintings developed an odd crackling, a circular crackling from the center out. I showed this to a professional art conservator who told me that there was a puncture from the back but this kind of crackling only shows up with time! Yes, I could put cardboard on the back ...

[jbart]

A reasonable return policy makes for better business. 7 days is more than enough time after purchase for return of art.

[kateo]

We have a no return policy in general at our co-op gallery. However, we also have a plan that allows a client to take a painting "On Approval" for five days. If a painting is returned at the end of this time in perfect condition, then the purchase amount can be returned. This allows a client to show the painting to family members or to match it to the living room decor if they are unsure of a decision. Clients opting for this plan pay for the painting and fill out a short form in advance of taking the painting home so the procedure is clear. Paintings not returned at the end of five days are "bought".
Kate

[timelady]

That's a good method Kateo. As long as you have a way of holding payment details it would work well for a co-op or small gallery.

When I do my "take it home" method I do take payment (usually a cheque) and full contact details but hold the payment until the 2 weeks or when they get back to me. It's a bit different for me because these sorts of customers tend to be either fairly local, or fairly loyal customers - they come out of their way to come to the studio and spend time with me. So there's a bit more trust I suppose than a gallery with passing traffic would have with the clientelle. My main gallery also does something similar but of course in their case the risk is with them and I presume they hold credit card details or something.