From Jim Awrey
What about donated pieces for future events and fundraisers? Right now, most of the artists proofs are given to sales rep groups for their display showrooms. We actually order our Harbour Lights through one of these sales rep groups, instead of through Harbour Lights directly. These sales rep groups are then allowed to do as they choose with the artists proofs. Most sales reps will sell them to the older, long-time Harbour Lights dealers, who will then make big bucks auctioning them off. Our proposal would be to make these sales reps RETURN the artists proofs to Harbour Lights after the next set of new releases is announced. These artists proofs could then be donated to regional events, in-store events, and fundraisers.
My understanding is that this policy has already changed, although different from Jim's suggestion. In the past, Reps with showrooms received APs of all the pieces being introduced. Beginning with the mid-year introductions this year, APs are provided to Reps with showrooms ONLY FOR THOSE LIGHTS THAT ARE IN THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL SERVICE AREA. Otherwise, they will receive a numbered piece, not an Artist Proof.
So, for example, the Rep that serves Texas would receive an AP of the Galveston Jetty, but for all other introductions in that group, the Texas Rep would receive numbered pieces.
The number of APs being made is thus many fewer. From about 12-15 in the past to 4-5 now.
