I usually avoid this stuff outright, but this time I must have had my guard down and gave my email for a demo. Then I did bother to read the reviews online and found much of what you're all saying above. Only artists (one never knows online) claiming they did sell already had a purchasing following and they used ASF to simplify their back end. Those starting out to sell (like me) found it an expensive waste where they tout their advice on marketing for info you can get for free online, while you still do all the work and not much if any results in sales.
So I wrote them hoping they would agree to take me off their calling list, knowing that it was unlikely.
Got a note back from "Patrick" agreeing to take me off and asking nicely why. I realized any response from me would elicit more unnecessary sales contacts. But despite Patrick's agreement, I'm getting the calls and emails, so just delete them.
For any creative pursuit (I write books too) I'm finding a host of online services that want to sell you, but don't do any real selling for you, which is why many of us show interest in the first place: creatives want to spend time creating, not selling.
Unfortunately, only blind luck or connections will break you into any markets without that sales effort yourself. The mythical "good agent" largely doesn't exist, I'm afraid.
Ayin, you earned your chops the usual hard way, as you've told us. Many do. Most don't do as well, but that's the route.
At my age I have no desire nor need, much more so the years left, to go the art fair, pounding the pavement, post card sales, etc. routines. But that makes me susceptible to pitches for an easier route, I must admit.
Thanks folks, as always.
