It is a difficult one, this, and everyone has differing opinions it seems.

The galleries need to take some sale or return items in order to have a larger selection of items available for their customers. It provides them with the opportunity to showcase work from less well known designers, to see how the customers like the work before they commit to buying from new designers. It also enables them to change their stock on a more regular basis. Galleries of course take the risk and foot the expense of the high shop rentals and all the costs that go with this which the designers don’t.

From the designer’s point of view, sale and return can be both a good and bad thing as there is no initial income and if providing new stock, costs can be incurred in providing the gallery with a selection of a new product range. On the other hand, if a designer has stock stored in the workshop it is better to have it on display to the public than stored awaiting new orders. Once a good and ongoing relationship has been forged with a gallery, providing them with sale or return items on a regular basis can become a reasonable source of income.

Many designers complain that work is sometimes returned slightly damaged, for example with silver having scratch marks and needing repolishing or with items being returned without adequate wrapping. The best way to avoid this is to ask the gallery if they are happy to provide you with the name of a designer who has previously provided work to them in order that you can obtain a reference before providing them with your work.

It is, however, important to note that a contract is signed with any outlet taking the goods on a sale or return basis.

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