6/3/2026

A shrug of the shoulders

A shrug of the shoulders followed with a smile, saying "Sorry", then walking away is a good technique to use when somebody is insistent on getting a better price. It shows a couple of things. One is you're firm on the price, and two, you don't care whether they buy it or not. The serious buyer will re-engage; the tire-kicker will not. The other thing you should never do, and this avoids that, is trying to educate or persuade your customer about why the piece is worth what you're asking for. Every piece of art should be priced at what you, the artist, believe it is worth. You don't need any justification whatsoever.

Sometimes, when a potential buyer walks away because you won't lower the price, they come back later for a second go-round. If I see them doing that, I shake my head, say, "No, same price." What's even better is if they come back and the piece has already sold to someone else. There, the shrug of the shoulders says everything you can possibly say.

#artsales

4 Comments

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LoriHuman-Made ArtJun 4, 2026

This seems like a good strategy. Thank you!

Michael RochardeHuman-Made ArtTop ContributorJun 4, 2026

@Lori Welcome.

Mary PlandingHuman-Made ArtTop ContributorJun 3, 2026

Well said Michael. Most of the time I'm so flummoxed that anyone would have the gall to ask someone to devalue their work I end up saying nothing and go on to help someone else or walk out of my tent.

What people fail to understand is that money is nothing more than energy. You can have exchange good energy, or bad energy. And asking someone to devalue their work is bad energy. It feels wrong to me in my body. It's not pride or arrogance. It's not stubbornness. It IS disrespectful. I've never in my life ever asked an artist to give me a better price. It would never even OCCUR to me to do that. Asking for a discount to me, is tantamount to hoarding money. You'd rather hoard your money than acquire an original work of art. And that's the negative energy I refuse to engage in.

Does that mean I lose sales and potential "collectors"? Yes. But they're the wrong collectors. Because it means they'll always expect a discount. Which means they don't truly respect my work. They care more about hoarding their money. Harsh? Maybe.

Michael RochardeHuman-Made ArtTop ContributorJun 3, 2026

@Mary Planding You're absolutely right that they're the wrong collectors, and that's not being harsh; it's being realistic. Too many people live with the attitude of "What's in it for me?" This permeates every bone in their body, and they always want something for nothing. When you do things because you can, and not because there is a reward at the end of it, then you'll live a happier life. Stick to your guns, always! Thank you, as always, for commenting.