Urban Art Association

Yes, you can negotiate.
Sometimes, if you want to establish a relationship or if the art is already too cheap, it's good form to not haggle.

But especially since you are buying two, it's understandable you ask for a slight deduction.

I wouldnt mention you know they have had them for a while. They already know, so it might seem disrespectful.

I would ask for 15% off and settle for anything between 10 and 5% off.

I have never paid full price from a gallery, when all is said and done, it's a business and times are rough.

What type of discount you can get is an entirely different matter, everything above 15% and you are starting to cut into their core-profit.

Personally I would ask them directly what their lowest price was, considering you are buying both and that you are aware that they have been unsold for 8 years. Almost regardless of what price they then give, I would write back politely, that I had envisioned something a bit lower and that I was going to have to pass on the offer. More than likely, they will write you back with a different offer, trying to secure the deal.

I do this all the time, and on my last 3 purchases from galleries, I have had 20-30% discounts, and these where from artists that sell out fairly quickly (Roy Lichtenstein, Barbara Kruger & HuskMitNavn).

If they are not willing to give you any kind of discount, they are either really bad at doing business or they have some motives that go beyond just selling the art, for example if there is some prestige involved in having the art/artist represented.

if i sell a canvas at a gallery there is always room for price negotiate mostly arround 10-20%, especially when someone buys more than one. dont feel bad for the gallery they will share the loss with the artist. if i sell art direct i always give a discount if i got ask for it. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...

The gallery would/should contact the artist and ask them. I'm suprised they have hung around for that amount of time so normally a "sold" label always looks better for both parties. What's the worse they can say "no"?

Discount for cash

If I'm picking up something in a preview and it's high demand, even multiple pieces, I don't ask.

Otherwise if early in a show I ask for 10%
Later in show 20%
After the show comes down 30%

8 years later, unless the artists cache has risen I'd go in at 40%
If the artists cache has risen then that rule is off.

Buying multiples I ask for 20%
If I'm buying a large piece I ask for 20%. (The market for larger pieces is limited)

After 8 years, is check with the artist direct unless I'm concerned about a long term relationship with the gallery. Even though they told you they were in inventory, I wouldn't assume that this is true.

I never haggle,

I just pay the asking price.

Thanks all. I think I'll contact the artist and chat with him a bit first since I've got a good relationship with him. I've chatted with him before about these pieces and I get the impression that he considers these a lesser quality than the work he does these days. I know he is looking to round up some extra cash for a project he has going on so a good sale of some old inventory will surely help him out. If he would be willing to deal, I can have him contact the gallery and approve the discount.

there are literally more than 10 answers to your question if you just scroll above.

just ask the gallery.

do grown adults have a fear of communication now? or is it a fear of rejection?

No shit, that's why I posted in this thread before opening a new one.