WarmGlass.com

I am just finishing an exhibit in Mammoth Lakes Ca, and at the reception another gallery in town showed up. They were very interested in the work, and said they were opening a new second gallery in town. We talked back and forth for two weeks, agreed on terms, then drew up an agreement. They emailed back saying they NEVER sign agreements, everything is verbal and if I don't trust them, they don't want to do business. Floored me as they were mostly their terms. Obviously I don't feel comfortable leaving a lot of work with no paper. Have other people run into this? This place has been around almost 20 years!

Dick

This is absurd. I'd stay away from such a gallery; I don't care who they are.

A contract is not about trust. A contract is a tool for communication. It ensures—or goes a long way to ensure—that everybody has the same expectations. A contract ultimately depends on trust. I would never sign a contract with someone I had reason not to trust.

But, you know this.

Just walk away Dick....bad news

Doug wrote:Just walk away Dick....bad news

I agree. But, if you're still interested, contact a few of the artists they represent, and see what kind of experiences they have had with the gallery. I have done that myself, and have found everyone I contacted willing to give me their opinion, (particularly if they are not competing glass fusing artists.)

Steve

Yeah, my thoughts were to hit the bricks. Just could not believe it. A contract just lets everyone know whats expected. Oh well, on to the next one.

Thanks for the input.


Dick

I wonder if their lease is oral, too.
Does the IRS let them just call in?

I don't have a problem with a handshake agreement if I know the person really well and probably for a long time. But in a "just met 'em" situation like this? You must be kidding.... warning flags all over the place. Maybe you should send the gallery a copy of this thread so they're more attuned to public sentiment about such things. They are probably losing a lot of intelligent artists that could be showing in their gallery.

Run away as fast as you can Dick. Not to be trusted at all. It's been said fences make good neighbors and contracts make good business.

Phil

Yeah I agree. Having only met the manager, and not the owner, I don't know how he expects me to go on a handshake. I want to find out who he deals with in the world with no contract. Let's see, I need a house, car, lap grinder, all without contracts!