My wife and I are interested in liquidating our business of prints of
illustrated calligraphy sayings numbering almost 40,000 paper prints
of approximately 70 sayings.  Nearly 90% of the prints are unpackaged
with the remaining prints shrink wrapped in 12" x 16", 11" x 14", and
8" x 10" mats. Who can we contact that might be interested in helping
us with this task?

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 16 Jun 2004 08:51 PDT

Hello, mittelrl-ga!   

Would you be interested in consulting with a liquidation service? If
so, where are you located? Or, do you have any interest in online
liquidation services, like Ebay or other sites where you can actually
sell bulk consumer merchandise to interested buyers?

umiat

---

Clarification of Question by mittelrl-ga on 16 Jun 2004 09:56 PDT

Dear umiat-ga:

Thank you for responding to our question.  Consideration has been
given to E-bay but the process would be long and drawn out with
protentially only little sales here and there.  We would love to talk
to a liquidation service if anyone out there would be interested in
our product.  We are located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN  area,
but would be willing to travel further just to release us from what
use to be an asset to now a liability both physically and mentally! 
Website liquidation services might also fit the bill.

R. Mittelstadt

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 16 Jun 2004 13:54 PDT

Hello again, mittelrl-ga,
 I have been in contact with a few liquidation services, but unless
you have an actual storefront, they do not offer any help. A
liquidator normally helps a retailer sell off their inventory (within
the store) in an efficient manner while getting the best price for the
owner. I have the feeling (am I right?) that you might have these
prints in storage or in your house as opposed to an actual retail
store.
 If so, it will be difficult to find a buyer for your prints unless
you want to advertise on your own. I would not discount the idea that
a small art and print shop might want to buy your inventory at a fair
price. The problem is finding the buyer! Have you contacted similar
print shops in your area? Would a list of shops to contact be of
interest? Have you advertised in relevant magazines or newsletters?
 
umiat

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 16 Jun 2004 15:09 PDT

One other thought: Have you ever thought of donating packages compiled
of the "70 sayings" to various organizations who might be interested,
and taking a tax write-off? I haven't yet thought of individual
organizations, but this is a start. There are also often charity
auctions which might be willing to take a few packages as prizes. At
this point, the tax write-off might be just as valuable as the money,
especially if they are cluttering up space!

---

Clarification of Question by mittelrl-ga on 17 Jun 2004 07:10 PDT

Thanks for getting back to us!
Well, so far much of what you have told us or suggested to us we
already knew except the liquidation service info--though you only
contacted a "few."
?Could you please keep checking for any that would consider our
product from our storage in our home?  Since our product (my wife was
the designer and calligrapher of the full-color prints) is a small
motivational (inspirational) gift item [not necessarily considered
fine art], most framing, art gallery, and small art and print shops
would not want to deal with the volume that we wish to part with. 
Since we have limited resources and budget, advertising in magazines
would be probably out of our price range with no guarantee of sales.
?What kind or art auction houses are available and could you locate any? 
?What category on e-Bay would we list these prints especially in large
quantities?  (We are aware that a lot of stores now use e-bay on which
to sell their products.)
?We are in the process of setting up our own website to sell mostly my
wife's hand-made jewelry and could add the prints as a separate
category. Working address: www.artworksbytwo.com/catalog.  However, we
are not interested in selling one to 50 at a time.  Remember, we are
trying to liquidate the entire collection of 40,000 some prints!
?Is there any company out there looking for potential inserts for
scrapbooking material that these prints could be cut down to fit since
there is both illustration and sayings on them?
?Could you please check for us.  Thanks.


R. Mittelstadt

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 17 Jun 2004 07:29 PDT

I will see what I can find out!

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 17 Jun 2004 09:41 PDT

I am hoping some other researchers will take a look at this question
and help you out!

umiat

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 17 Jun 2004 20:42 PDT

Hello again, mittelrl-ga,
 I left your question open for the research community but no one took
a bite, so I am back on it again. I understand that you have asked me
to continue researching possiblities for you, buth there are a few
points I need to make clear before I continue:
1. I am incurring expense both in research hours and phone calls, and
I am not sure if you realize that the information I find may not pan
out in the long run. (Since a researcher only gets 75% of a posted
question value, I certainly don't want to rack up many long distance
phone calls only to find that
A) companies do not want your prints, and  B)you do not like my answer!
2. Other potential avenues, like auctions or Ebay, may not pan out
either, although there are numerous lot sales on Ebay and I believe it
might be the best way to go. I have been compiling information on that
front for you as well.
3. You must also be aware that a liquidator may not pay you much for
bulk lot, even if he/she decides to accept them. (Most liquidators
take large lots or brand name items only, so there are very few I have
found who might even be willing to consider your prints)  **I have
found one promising liquidator so far, but he would like to see a
sample of your caligraphy prints before he makes a decision. I
explained that your prints are of your wife's design, so he is fully
aware that they are not a "store brand", and he is willing to talk
with you.
4. As far as art auction houses go, most that I have run across sell
prints by well-know artists, and would not be open to the collection
your are trying to sell.
5. In terms of contacting scrapbooking companies - I will have a look,
but that is a big chore. I might be able to find a way for you to
advertise very cheaply (or for free) in a publication geared toward
those types of interests.
6. I have a few more ideas up my sleeve that I will work on. However,
it would be good to know what types of sayings are on the prints. For
instance, are they inspirational? Are they funny? Would they be prone
to selling in a certain type of small store? Are they geared toward
children, adults, etc? Do they have a religious component? One other
thing - are all the prints matted, or are the 90% that are unpackaged
simply also without mat frames?

 To sum it up - I need to know whether the research you have asked me
to continue doing is worth it to you, even if only a few potential
avenues come out of it as an answer. Half of the research involves
"weeding" out possibilities, as well as finding workable avenues. 
Since I have put about five hours into this already, I want to make
sure we are on the same page. Please let me know what you think.
Thanks!
umiat

---

Clarification of Question by mittelrl-ga on 18 Jun 2004 07:31 PDT

Thanks again, umiat, for the work that you already put into this
little adventure.  We would be glad to submit images of our verses to
the mystery liquidator; we will need his e-mail address or post office
address.  And yes, you are on the "same page" please proceed. 
Whatever you can find will be greatly appreciated. . .even if it is
only a small lead it may be all we need to turn the corner on this
issue.

R. Mittelstadt

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 18 Jun 2004 08:26 PDT

One liquidator I spoke with wants to know if your prints have "ever"
been marketed in a retail establishment? He says it is very hard to
put a value on them if you have never marketed them in an actual
storefront. Any input you can give me?

---

Clarification of Question by mittelrl-ga on 18 Jun 2004 09:40 PDT

We started selling the prints as "hand-painted" in 1979.  (Literally
my wife hand painted small editions of black and while prints.) In
1987 we created our first full-color editions.  By 1994 we had made
two additional runs of prints bringing the total of full color prints
to about 75.  We first marketed her work in art-craft shows, bouquets,
stores specializing in "original or hand made artworks" and evenually
the Minnesota Rennaissance Festival where we put up with rain, dust,
heat, cold, and drunks for 15 years.  [Actually it was a unique
environment in which to raise 3 kids!]  Prints were never sold as just
prints except for occasional wholesale sales.  Prints were always sold
as shrink wrapped double matted or double matted and framed in the
following price ranges:  Matted:  8" x 10" $12.95; 11" x 14" $17.95;
14" x 14"  $25.95 and 12" x 16" $25.95; Framed:  8" x 10" $25.95; 11"
x 14" $33.95; 14' x 14"  $43.95; and 12" x 16"  $43.95.  A large
number of matted prints remain in stock; however, some of them are
missing the more popular colors of blues and greens.

The used mats, if one were to disregard the prints inside, and the
unused mats still in storage could also be liquidated just by
themselves.  In the eyes of some folks the mats may have more resale
value because any artwork can still be placed inside them.  Regarding
only the mats still unused:  there is only a small number of unused 8"
x 10" mats left.  However, there are hundreds of 11" x 14" and 12" x
16" as well as 14" x 14" mats [only a few print versions reside in
this dimension).

So, yes, we have been selling prints for 25 years.  We financed our
kids through college and saved a bunch of money for retirement--too
bad we lost more than half of it during the resent stock market
meltdown!  As I said in my opening question, the prints use to be an
asset now they are a liability both physically and mentally.  We want
to liquid this part of our business.

R. Mittelstadt

Hello again, mittelrl-ga! 

My first four suggestions are my top recommendations for how to sell
your calligraphy prints in one lot.

The first two are liquidators and will likely pay you very little.
Since a liquidator will buy your prints and turn around and sell them
again, you are up against a middleman. However, maybe you just want
these prints "out of your hair." The first liquidator is one that I
talked to personally. They said they would be interested in speaking
with you. The second is simply an online liquidation service which
will allow you to post your prints in one lot if you choose.

EBay Wholesale Lots would probably be a better choice if you are want
to get the best price for your prints.  ** However, I have yet to see
an art lot sale that totals as high as 40,000 items. While I have seen
one individual who has advertised a wholesale lot of 36,690 PRINTS, he
has not received any bids.  Although you are wanting to sell the whole
lot to one customer, I really believe you would have better success if
you divided the 40,000 into smaller packages - possible 1,000 or less.
That way, you might attract several small shop owners who would
consider them as inventory for their shop, but would not want to
commit to so much of one product. If you look under the beauty
wholesale items on ebay, you will notice that some more expensive lot
sales are under that category. One listing is for a large lot of
Collagen & Elastin Treatment Kits with a starting price of $50,000.
These types of products might sell a bit more readily in large lots,
simply because they are in higher demand and less subject to
individual taste than art prints. If you can think like a "buyer", you
might be more inclined to divide up your lot.

One other choice is the "Wholesale 4Rum", where you might be able to
connect with a small storeowner who wants your prints, or an
individual wanting to start a business. Again, you might consider
smaller lots to attract a number of individuals who might express an
interest in the prints as inventory. It might also be a good place
simply to advertise the mats themselves. (Since you mentioned scapbook
suppliers, please see the forum message I linked to for an individual
looking for scapbook wholesale items)

I have searched so many online auctions, wholesalers, and liquidators
that my head is spinning. 99% of them don't fit the bill. Many
expressed no interest in non-brand merchandise. A few online auctions
that "might" accept your prints and which are "similar" to Ebay just
don't seem to have any traffic, so I didn't bother to include them.
There were just too many items that had zero bids.

=


With that said, here are some contact suggestions.  



==========================
H&J LIQUIDATORS/CLOSEOUTS
==========================
407 Domenic Ct.
Franklin Park, Illinois 60131 USA 
Call us: 800-875-7717   -   Fax us: 630-595-7199 
http://www.surplus.net/hj/

They are interested in having you call. They would also need a photo
or sample of your artwork. I explained the product - 40,000 prints by
the original artist, 70 sayings - no brand name). They do not take a
cut of a potential sale. Rather, they would buy the artwork outright
and sell it to another party.




================
CLOSEOUT CENTRAL (This is worth looking into)
================
http://www.closeoutcentral.com/index.cfm

About the company;
http://www.closeoutcentral.com/aboutus.cfm

Although you will be using this service only one time, it might work
for you. They do not require a wholesale number and they take no fees.
It is strictly a business-to-business exchange for buying and selling
closeout merchandise, and it is not geared toward individual
consumers. I don't know if you want to consider this, since your
business name might be added to their seller directory, but I don't
know how that would hurt in the long run.

Example of a closeout print lot (under collectibles catagory)
http://www.closeoutcentral.com/lot_detail.cfm?lotid=3889&prem=&premb=

Look through the seller directory:
http://www.closeoutcentral.com/seller_directory.cfm

Add your company
http://www.closeoutcentral.com/addseller.cfm

** (I went through this process using a "pretend" company to make sure
you did not have to supply a license number of any kind)




======================
EBAY - WHOLESALE LOTS
======================
http://pages.ebay.com/catindex/catwholesale.html

* If you decide to go the EBay route, it is vitally important that you
take the time to attract potential customers by writing a nice
description or your art, perhaps provide some history of your business
(as you provide for me), supply photos, and create a special interest
and sense of uniqueness that would attract customers and shop owners
to your artwork. Plus, you and your wife would feel some pride in
selling the remainder of items you worked so hard on over the years.
In other words, separate your hand-designed artwork from all the
generic prints on the web! Give a shop owner a reason to want to
include them in their store inventory!!!

Wholesale Art listing
-----------------------
http://art.listings.ebay.com/Wholesale-Lots_W0QQfromZR4QQlotrZ1QQsacategoryZ52524QQsocmdZListingItemListQQsocolumnlayoutZ3QQsosortorderZ2QQsosortpropertyZ3


Examples of some art lots
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52527&item=3730820694&rd=1

http://art.listings.ebay.com/Wholesale-Lots_Prints_W0QQfromZR4QQsacategoryZ52527QQsocmdZListingItemList
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=554&item=3729438115&rd=1


Some larger, more expensive lot sales can be seen under Beauty & Personal Care
http://everythingelse.listings.ebay.com/Wholesale-Lots_Beauty-Personal-Care_W0QQfromZR13QQlotrZ1QQsacategoryZ51005QQsocmdZListingItemListQQsocolumnlayoutZ3QQsosortorderZ2QQsosortpropertyZ3


Visit the EBAY Business and Industrial Discussion Board
=======================================================
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum.jsp?forum=5

* You might ask about the best way to sell your calligraphy prints
(like the customer who wanted to sell his large lot of glass labware!)


==

Read about selling inventory at wholesale prices on Ebay:

"Lots and Lots of Wholesale Lots at eBay," By SmallBusinessComputing.com Staff
September 8, 2003  http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/news/article.php/3073331


Read "EBay full time" as a future consideration for your wife's jewelry sales.
http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/04/06/52796632.shtml




================
WHOLESALE 4RUM
================
http://www.wholesale411.com/bbs/

This might be a place to sell the entire lot, or smaller components
(say 1000 packaged prints) at a time. In any case, you might just find
some referrals to companies or individuals who are interested in bulk
sales like yours, since this is a forum for small business owners.


**** Looking for Scrapbook wholesale supplier
http://www.wholesale411.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=11531

Items for Sale
http://www.wholesale411.com/bbs/index.php?c=4

Items Wanted
http://www.wholesale411.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=24


====



My last two suggestions are as follows:

Aside from my listings above, one idea is to visit "any" shops in the
Minneapolis area (or simply make a phone call) and ask if anyone would
be willing to buy smaller lots (in the neighborhood of 500 to 1000) as
inventory for their store. ***I know this is not your preferred
choice, *** but I think it might be worth one last, final burst of
energy. To me, it seems a shame to sell off your own designs to a
liquidator for so little.

Thoughts that come to mind include individual, small art stores (as
you previously sold in), smaller gift or tourist stores, "dollar-type"
stores that might buy a larger lot, and even religious bookstores if
any of your prints have an inspirational, religious theme. It will
take a little bit of legwork, but it may be worth it one last time.
Actually, as a time-saver, you could design a small flyer with a print
of some designs, mention a price for lots, and send them to some
targeted shopowners. It wouldn't take more than a look in the
Minneapolis phone book! Certainly, you know the Minneapolis area
better than I do.

Some inital searches follow
://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=artwork&near=Minneapolis%2C+MN&btnG=Google+Search
://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=gift+shops&near=Minneapolis%2C+MN&btnG=Google+Search
://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=scrapbook+supplies&near=Minneapolis%2C+MN&btnG=Google+Search
://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=christian+bookstores&near=Minneapolis%2C+MN&btnG=Google+Search
://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=dollar+stores&near=Minneapolis%2C+MN&btnG=Google+Search
://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=home+decor&near=Minneapolis%2C+MN&btnG=Google+Search


Another suggestion is to take a weekend and go directly to the
Minneapolis fleamarkets and talk to vendors who might want to buy
large lot of your prints or mat frames. Many flea market vendors
actually buy their items from wholesale fleamarket suppliers and
liquidation companies (that's why you see so many vendors selling
packaged underwear, socks, out-of-style clothing and sunglasses!!!!!)
My thought is that you can find a vendor who will deal with you on the
spot! You never know what might transpire. Let them know the work is
original and you are willing to provide them with a price far less
than what you sold your prints for in the past. Again, I would not
expect to sell the entire 4o,000 to one vendor, but you might break it
down into 40 packages or so.

Minnesota Flea markets:
http://www.keysfleamarket.com/fleamarket/state/minnesota.htm

Collectors.org Fleamarkets
http://www.keysfleamarket.com/fleamarket/state/minnesota.htm


===


I have done my absolute best to put myself in your shoes. I fully
understand the liability that this has become for you. I also must
make you aware of how difficult it may be to sell the entire lot of
40,000 all at once. If it really becomes a headache, the shredder is
always an option, but a horrible one! I would consider tax-deductible
donations before accepting that route. It is extremely admirable that
you have been able to raise and pay for your children's education
through art sales. A hard life, yes, but an interesting one your
children will always remember. And, they have seen the value of hard
work!

I wish you the very best of luck. I sure would love to see some
pictures of your artwork after working so hard to find a buyer for
your prints. By the way, your wife's jewelry is lovely! I am sure she
will have no problem selling her beautiful designs. And, you might
actually consider Ebay for her business, especially after reading the
two articles I posted about the success of ebay sellers.

If I can do anything futher, please let me know. If not, I again wish
you the very best and hope you can find a new home for your remaining
artwork!

Sincerely,

umiat

Google Search Strategy
liquidation consultants
calligraphy lot sales
selling your business inventory
wanting to buy calligraphy prints
art liquidation
art print lot sales
liquidating small business
liquidation art prints
want to buy art prints
liquidation for small lots
selling lots to flee market buyers
online art auctions
small lot art buyer
small lot art sales
(and many more I have now lost track of....)

Thank you very much, umiat-ga, for a great job in tracking down leads
in liquidating our calligraphy verses.  We appreciate your efforts. 
R. Mittelstadt

why don;t you sell on www.Liquidation.com   its like ebay...but only
sells in bulk wholesale items...check them out.