USADOGART.COM PRICING PHILOSOPHY AND POLICIES
usadogart.com
Pricing Terms & Policies
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usadogart.com
Copyright 2009-2010. Anne M. Hier. All Rights Reserved.

Contact:
annemhier@usadogart.com
    USADOGART.COM PRICING TERMS and POLICIES
    Pricing Categories for ART:
    1. Private Party Portrait Commission TERMS
    This category includes all privately commissioned pet portraits for personal use. The
    customer is purchasing the physical artwork only.  The artist retains copyright because
    these works are not for commercial exploitation by the purchaser.
          
    Prices for each type of artwork (watercolor,colored pencil, and so on) are listed in each
    category on the website and on the customer order form. Prices include FREE
    SHIPPING in the USA.  All international shipping costs will listed on the site.

    Payment Terms: Customer must submit full payment with order. This may be done
    online through PayPal, or, at the customer's option, payment by check or money order
    through the mail.  Upon completion of the work, the artist will notify the customer via
    email that an image of the work has been posted on USADOGART.COM for review and
    approval. Upon customer approval of the finished work, USADOGART.COM will ship the
    artwork.

            
    100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE. All portrait commissions are to the satisfaction of
    the customer.  If, for any reason within 30 days of receipt, you are not satisfied with
    your portrait, simply return the artwork undamaged for a full refund of your purchase
    price. How can USADOGART.COM offer such a guarantee? Because we value our
    customers and are confident in the quality of our product.  We appreciate your
    business.
    Please scroll down this page to learn more about USADOGART.com Pricing Policies.

    2. Illustration, Graphic Design, and Corporate Commission TERMS
    This category includes all work specifically created for commercial use such as book
    illustrations and other graphic design for products to be sold by the customer.
    Ownership of original art and copyrights are negotiated individually with each client
    with a written contract. I do not do "work for hire" projects and grant only those rights
    specific to your particular project. Each project is different in complexity and
    requirements. Please contact me for a quote: annemhier@usadogart.com

    Payment Terms: For new clients, 50% of the total price is due with placement of the
    order. Balance due upon completion and before shipping. If the project warrants the
    approval of roughs, then 1/3 of the total is due with the order, 1/3 after client
    approval of roughs, and 1/3 due immediately upon completion, prior to shipping.  Prior
    customers may make other payment arrangement agreeable to both the customer and
    artist. All shipping charges are paid by client. Additional charges are added for digital
    media copies of original work.  Kill fees may be assessed for cancellation of the order
    after the roughs are approved. Any kill fee amount will be specified in the contract.


    How Commissioned Canine Portrait Art is Priced

          If you have decided to commission a portrait of a beloved pet, you are in luck!  
    There are literally thousands of pet portrait artists who have web sites showcasing
    their artwork.  This gives you, the customer, the opportunity to take your time and
    decide which artist's work you prefer.  I encourage you to do so.

    Each artist sets his or her own prices.  But, can you make any sense of the prices you
    see?  I sure can't and I've been painting commissioned works for 40 years!  

    Some artist's charge a flat-rate fee based upon the square inch of the finished piece.
    This fee includes materials, overhead, and the artist's rate.  This method makes sense
    if the artist only works in one medium.  However, it may take considerably longer to
    complete an oil painting than a pastel or ink drawing of the same size.  Additionally,
    the material costs can vary greatly from one medium to another.

    But, at least the above method makes sense because it can be computed and
    calculated. Too many artists have prices that are difficult to explain.  For example, it
    would appear that some artists have surfed the web and decided to charge exactly the
    same as other artists whose sites they have visited, regardless of the quality of their
    work by comparison.  A few  artists simply undercut everyone else's prices.  On that
    topic, 19th Century art critic John Ruskin put it best:

    "There is nothing that some man can't make a little worse and sell a little cheaper;
    and the person who considers price only is this man's lawful prey."

    Some artists take the opposite approach and set their rates significantly above all
    other artists, regardless of experience, reputation, or quality of work.  A few are worth
    the price.  Too many suffer from delusions of grandeur.

    Remarkably, too many artists think their work will appear more exclusive if they don't
     list any prices at all!  This means the prospective client must contact the artist and
    negotiate a price. While negotiating price and rights is a standard practice for
    commercial work, I believe that for commissioned portraits for private use this practice
    is inappropriate and unethical. The commercial buyer is in business and knows the
    going rate of artwork in the marketplace. The pet owner does not.

    This tactic puts the customer in a decidedly unfair position because most pet owners
    have no idea how much art supplies cost, what is a reasonable artist's fee, or how to
    evaluate prices from one artist to another.Don't be fooled by this sliding scale
    approach to pricing that is designed to allow the artist to charge as much as possible.   

    At USADOGART.COM the pet portrait customer is told - UP FRONT - what the
    price will be for a commissioned artwork.

    The general principle for determining the price of artwork is that the price be related
    to the value of the intended use the buyer will make of the artwork.  Commissioned
    pet portraits are for personal, non-commercial use.  As such, a professional artist's
    rates should reflect his or her skill level, reputation, time needed to complete the
    work, the number of commissions, the cost of art supplies and other normal business
    overhead.

    MY PRICES ARE BASED ON A FAIR HOURLY RATE FORMULA THAT INCLUDES THESE
    FACTORS.  

    USADOGART.COM PRICES ARE ESTABLISHED TO GIVE THE BEST VALUE TO THE
    CUSTOMER FOR THE QUALITY OF ARTWORK PROVIDED.

    You may notice that some portraits are listed at different prices in different media -
    even if they are the same size. That difference is generally based upon time of
    completion.

    Finally,  some artists actually state on their websites that their rates are "subject to
    change without notice."  Are they kidding? Unless you are commissioning a painting
    with a lot of gold leaf added to the canvas, it is hard to believe the market rate on a
    painting or drawing will change "without notice."

    USADOGART.COM rates are reviewed and adjusted on an ANNUAL basis.

    AT USADOGART.COM THERE ARE NO PRICING SURPRISES!

    Evaluating Quality As It Relates To Price

    The most important consideration in selecting a portrait artist is your personal
    preference.  Do you like the artist's style and technique?

    But, beyond that, how do you make a determination from what you see and read on a
    web site?  An important consideration is the materials used by the artist.  Professional
    artists use quality materials so that your artwork will last for many years. If you don't
    see information about the materials used, ask the artist.

    Some artists also offer additional services with their artwork that may or may not be
    included in the price.  These services might include matting and framing, the
    opportunity to purchase notecards or additional prints of your portrait to give to family
    members, or free shipping.  Get out your calculator, compare the work of different
    artists and make a confident decision.


    THANKS FOR VISITING!  
    COME BACK SOON!
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