Torus Gallery business model....
While Torus is not an artists' cooperative gallery, we have devised a business approach which contrasts with that of 'brick and mortar' art houses in very significant ways. Since we are an on-line gallery, operating expenses are miniscule compared with conventional gallery enterprises. Our commission structure, for instance, is radically different: rather than the standard practice of charging the artist 50% to 60% of sale (and sometimes more), Torus asks only 10%, which goes toward the design and maintenance of the web site/gallery. Obviously this benefits the artists, and makes it possible for them to devote more of their precious resources to the production of further work. Pricing is also affected to the benefit of the purchaser. Everyone wins.
As well, we use a networking model, not standing as a somewhat opaque middle-man between artists and their audience. In this regard, rather than actually handling and shipping art pieces, we put the potential customer directly in touch with the artist. Arrangements for mounting, stretching, framing (or none of the above) and delivery of the work, can then be made mutually, and to the satisfaction of both parties.
Torus Gallery does not receive funds on behalf of artists. Purchases are a direct transaction between the buyer and the artist. The mode of payment we encourage is Pay Pal. Purchases can be made by credit card through Pay Pal and, in addition to the speed and convenience of electronic transfers, buyers are afforded the card-holder buyer protection offered by their credit card company, as well as the purchase protection program offered by Pay Pal (https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/Marketing/securitycenter/buy/Protection-outside). Also, if the buyer holds a Pay Pal account (free, secure and confidential) linked to their credit card, there is no need to supply the credit card information over again, as Pay Pal stores that information securely so that it can be conveniently used at the many merchants who offer Pay Pal. For the vendor/artist, with whom involved business transactions may not be a specialty, setting up a Pay Pal account is vastly less complicated and expensive than arranging to process credit card payments. Funds can be exchanged electronically between any two Pay Pal accounts, and even without Pay Pal accounts funds can be sent between any two email addresses. Other modes of exchange are, of course, possible by mutual agreement between the purchaser and the artist.
There are, to our way of thinking, clear benefits to this approach. The low overhead makes possible a more relaxed pricing structure. Both the artist and their potential customers can enjoy and benefit from the exchanges made possible in a more personalized relationship. Visiting the gallery is as easy (and environmentally friendly) as turning on your computer, and we have no closing time.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY:
Payment:
Under all circumstances, the purchase price plus shipping charges must be forwarded to the artist before work will be shipped.
Shipping:
As mentioned earlier, shipping specifications will be mutually agreed upon between the buyer and the artist. Shipping costs are in addition to the price of the work. Shipping costs will also include insurance of the work for the amount of the price of purchase.
Buyer's approval period:
The purchaser will be accorded a grace period for approval of work amounting to 10 days from the date of shipping. If, during that period, the buyer determines that the art work does not meet with their satisfaction the work may be returned for a refund. The artist must be informed of the buyer's intent within the 10 day grace period. There are four stipulations which apply to the return of work: 1. Work must be returned in perfect, resalable condition. In the case of original art (not reproductions such as giclees or prints from digital files) there will be no fee charged for production costs. 2. Returned giclees, and prints from digital files, however - which are most often made to order - will be subject to a fee equaling 75% of the artist's production cost (this includes scanning and printing expenses). That fee will be deducted from the refund amount. 3. The expense of return shipping will be born by the purchaser, and must include insurance equal to the purchase price (it is recommended that the original packing materials be retained for the length of the approval period). 4. A refund will be made when the art work has been received by the artist, and has been determined to be in proper condition.
Images and descriptions:
Please keep in mind that images and descriptions of work displayed here, including size, media, kind and quality of materials, and pricing, are the sole responsibility of the artists. Torus Gallery publishes the artists' photographs and summaries as presented to the gallery. Inquiries regarding these specifications will be forwarded to the artists for reply.
Anyone seriously viewing art on a computer should note that, among the many brands and settings of computer monitors, there may be variations in brightness, contrast and coloration between what is seen on screen and the final, delivered, work. While these differences are usually relatively minor, a suggested way to minimize this phenomenon is to use a monitor calibration device such as one of the Spyder tools: http://spyder.datacolor.com/product-mc.php, or monitor calibration software such as QuickGamma, which is free, fairly easy to install and use, and may be downloaded at: http://www.quickgamma.de/indexen.html.
Of course, we welcome inquiries and feedback. Simply email us by clicking here >>> confer@torusgallery. IMPORTANT NOTE: "The 'subject line' of your email message should automatically read, "Torus Gallery Message." If that wording doesn't appear, please type it as the subject manually. You will receive an automated response first, and a more detailed one ASAP.
If you enjoy directly supporting artists rather than a top-heavy gallery industry, and you find work here which is appealing, then this is the place for you. Well, that's it. Return to the Torus Gallery main page and enjoy the exhibitions.