Selling Pics on Street in Toronto, legal?????

10/18/2008 06:58:57 PM · #1

Hi, I have some pics that I have enlarged and had put on a Plack... I think that If I set up a little stand Downtown Toronto I Could make some money selling them... Do I need a lisence to do this in Toronto? If so, what is the fine? Anybody have any ideas or advice???

I can get a 12x18 pic printed and put on a plack for under $22, i figured If i sold them for $30-$40 i could make some cash... either way, it would be cool to know that my pics are hanging in someone elses house...

Anyone else done this before?

let me know, thanks

ralph

Nikon Z9

10/18/2008 07:15:48 PM · #2

ummm..
what does your stand cost ? rent ? what is the vendor permit cost ? are you already a company ? taxes taxes taxes . initial investment 10 plaques , 100, 1000 ?? up front cost vs expected return ? look at what others are selling are you low balling or out of range ?

there is a street vendors permit requiered as well as a valid retail tax # needed
//www.toronto.ca/licensing/pdf/chpt315.pdf <-street vendor permits info ..

looks like 200$ for the permit (non refundable)
don't recall weather its a business # or the tax # but it was 60$

your mark up is to low
aim for a minimum 3x-5x original cost or you will be bankrupt in no time ...

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/18/2008 07:21:53 PM · #3

hmmmm, interesting... well.. this would just be me bringing 10 palques in my trunk downtown, laying them out on a towel on the street just for fun...

This wouldn't be any sort of full time job or anything... just something to do for fun and some extra cash on a saturday or sunday afternoon...

I'll have to look more into this lisence/tax #

Thanks for the link

ralph

Nikon Z9

10/18/2008 07:42:14 PM · #4

you get caught without a business license they(bylaw officers/ police)
confiscate your plaques
you get a ticket (hundreds of dollars ..)

not worth it ..

better to
1) get a tax license (sorry .. it really is a must!)
2) show your stuff to local gallery owners
3) get represented
4) profit ..

ok .. small profit / in little bits at a time
BUT your not frezzing your butt on the street corner
doing have someone else representing you does a few things
- tell you what your doing wrong / right -
- pays the taxes (you still need a number otherwise they won't lookat you in some places )
- let them schmoose the customer
- your images get hung in a gallery
- they will help you on the price

- bad part __ they take a cut __ 15% to 75% __
_ never! ever! pay to have your work shown !
_ join carfac - definetly worth the fees

look for submissions in smaller local venues/resturants till you get a track record -
it takes time & patients & alot of rejection

bucket

Canon EOS-30D

10/18/2008 07:47:32 PM · #5

just say sorry if you get caught...(Canadian bylaw #117)

10/18/2008 07:58:51 PM · #6

hmmm... i think I will try taking some of my prints into some galleries... it doesn't hurt to ask... they might like them =)... and I will look into getting a tax number to make things official,.,,

thanks for the advice =)

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/18/2008 08:39:02 PM · #7

umm... does anyone know any art galleries in toronto (or within a 1 hour radius) that i could try? i looked online but most places i found don't look like they would consider me... i'm looking for small places with a bounch or prints from different artists that might consider adding one of mine to their wall for sale...

let me know if anyone has any suggestions... I Think I saw one in yorkville... but other than that, i'm lost...

snaffles

Nikon D7100

10/18/2008 09:18:34 PM · #8

Ummm maybe try some small community-centre galleries? They may show your stuff...either that or fnd where Joey's got a current exhibition on and piggyback...;-)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/18/2008 09:38:59 PM · #9

hahaha, he's too busy for me =) I don't want to bug him.... i don't even think he knows i'm a member of this site...

Apple iPhone 5

10/18/2008 10:32:12 PM · #10

Originally posted by Shutter-For-Hire:

umm... does anyone know any art galleries in toronto (or within a 1 hour radius) that i could try? i looked online but most places i found don't look like they would consider me...

Try these places anyway. Visit them in person. Don't forget to wear black clothes, a beret, and talk a lot about the angst of being an artist. :-D

What have you got to lose?