"Give me a discount." This topic is as old as life itself. Our song is good, let's start over. And what's there to draw, think of a brush on paper. And why are you tired, just give me a discount. And why not draw with a pencil, it won't cost you anything. Do you recognize it?
Usually, I joke it off. Of course, I'll give you a discount, and you'll come to my house and do the dishes and clean up. Or yes, sure, here's a stack of my bills, go to the bank and please pay them. It's a great idea to suggest they buy groceries for me at the store and bring them home for me. They might as well cook while they're at it.
– "Give me a discount!"
– "Of course, I'll give you one. Will you pay my bills, at least for the phone or gas? Would you like that?"
Oh, and this phrase works! Try it! Or answer like this:
– "Of course, I'll give you a discount. When's payday? I'll come by, and you'll give me a portion of your salary."
– "Why is that?"
– "Because my profit is included in the price of the painting. If I share my profit with you, then you'll share your salary with me."
Clients quickly come to their senses. Tested. You can add: will you buy medicine for my mom, here's the prescription, and also the bill from the clinic.
Sometimes they argue that someone else is giving a discount. And what's that got to do with me? Why should I do what they're trying to impose on me? I work for money. The watercolor is fantastic, the price is excellent.
Here's where attention comes in. For some reason, this client came to me instead of staying with someone else. Why? There are clients who try to bend you to their will. So what? That's their problem, not yours. Usually, they just don't want to pay for your work. They value their own. Art is not milk or bread, or medicine.
The client is a specialist in their field, and I am in mine. For those who have their own website or paintings published on social media profiles with prices, it's convenient to do the same. I ask: "Have you seen all my works? Have you checked the prices? So you're aware of the prices, right?"
Here's another one of my stories. When a lady tried to explain to me that the price was too high. And the arguments: "As if anyone buys this. Look at the painting by a famous artist, his winter landscape costs several times less! Who is he, and who are you! Is this what you have? Watercolor?? A painting, miss (she addressed me), is done in oils, but yours is who knows what!" In general, she came to me with these texts for a week. Just a common troll. Clearly not my client.
Remembered another case.
– "Gal, draw me 5 pictures, I really need them!"
– "What? About what? (I look) I understand, it will cost (I name the price), it'll be ready tomorrow."
– "Are you kidding me? Do you really think I can't find someone else to do it?"
A week passes, she appears with a stack of drawings and throws them on my desk:
– "Look, here they are! Tanya made them for me! And not with a pencil, but with a pen!"
– "How much did you pay Tanya?"
– "Me? Pay? Oh, she did it for me for free, unlike you!"
Normal, right? In reality, it's Tanya's personal business how much she charges for her work. What's that got to do with me? Why should I spend my resources just because someone wants something for free? When they approach me like this (asking for a discount), I can suggest negotiating. Yes, suggest your options, let's discuss. Respect yourself and others, value your work and time.
Learn to sell your paintings, and you'll get both money and pleasure.