As an individual, can I order something directly from COMPARTE?

COMPARTE primarily works with wholesale orders, selling handmade products to wholesale and retail buyers who then resell the products to individual consumers. We encourage individual buyers to visit or contact one of our retail clients - Contact Us and we will be happy to help you find the retail outlet closest to you. However, as part of our mission and ongoing efforts to promote Chilean handicrafts worldwide, we are always happy to respond to questions or orders from buyers who wish to support Chilean artisans by purchasing their products.

Does COMPARTE participate in any trade shows?

To date, COMPARTE has participated in international trade shows in the United States, Europe and Japan. In the future, we plan to expand our presence in these markets by increased trade show participation. As we finalize the dates and locations of the shows in which we will definitely participate confirmed, we will be sure to include that information here on our website so keep in touch!

What are COMPARTE's order terms and processes?

In general, COMPARTE seeks to maximize our sales through payment conditions and ordering procedures that facilitate the process for our clients, while meeting the need and limitations of our artisans who create the high-quality products we offer. Details of pricing, ordering, delivery, and payment procedures that we adhere to can be found in How to Order. In addition, we welcome the opportunity to work with current and potential clients to ensure that buying and promoting Chilean handicrafts is an easy and worthwhile venture, so please do not hesitate to Contact Us with specific questions or requests regarding or terms and conditions.

How do I request special orders or design changes?

COMPARTE's Design Center was specifically created to meet the needs of our clients who wish to tailor a product to their particular consumer market, explore new designs for existing products or products or introduce completely new products. We see these requests as excellent opportunities to collaborate with our clients, and match our artisans' skills with market trends and demands. There are several ways in which we can work together to continue creating new and exciting Chilean handicrafts, and as always, we welcome your ideas and input as to how we can provide the best service possible in this area.

How does COMPARTE select the artists it supports?

COMPARTE supports artisans that are technically and manually skilled in producing high-quality crafts, but may lack management skills or production volume to maximize opportunities to export their products. They often lack working capital to finance large orders, or require additional training in operations, financial management or design, to increase the efficiency of their shops. COMPARTE's goal is to help these talented artisans grow their workshops to increase employment opportunities and offer handmade Chilean products to the world. In selecting the artisans with whom we will work, it is critical that they are committed to producing high quality handicrafts in safe working conditions and to working with COMPARTE to improve their products, marketing efforts and/or management skills as appropriate.

To what countries does COMPARTE export?

Most of our clients are based in North America, Europe and Asia. In these regions we have exported to the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, England, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Cyprus, Wales, Spain, Malta, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan. In addition, we work with clients in Argentina, Uruguay and Costa Rica. We are always looking to expand our reach even further to new regions, countries and cities in order to further our mission and promote Chilean handicrafts worldwide.

Does COMPARTE have a shop in Chile?

Not at this time. We recommend that individuals interested in purchasing Chilean handicrafts while in the country visit one of the shops managed by one of our partners on the Chilean Committee of Handcraft Trading Companies. Once such organization is Artesanía de Chile, located in Santiago. Contact them at Antonio Varas 475, Providencia, (56-2) 235-5375 for more information.

What shipping alternatives are there for sending/receiving products from COMPARTE?

COMPARTE offers several shipping options for your order, including DHL door-to-door service, sea or air transport. We work with our clients to determine the best choice for each order, considering cost-effectiveness, shipping and receiving deadlines. Review How to Order or Contact Us for more information.

Where can I find out more about the artisans whose products COMPARTE exports?

Many artisan profiles are included in our Online Catalog. For additional information concerning a specific artisan, or to find an appropriate artisan for a specific project, Contact Us.

What is the economic situation of the artisans COMPARTE supports?

Chile's various regions have different economic circumstances, depending on the employment opportunities, natural resources and infrastructure that exist in each area. In recent years, Chile has experienced a high rate of growth, but with a poor distribution of income. In many cases the gap between the rich and the poor has widened, creating economically marginalized groups and underemployment in many communities. COMPARTE's beneficiaries vary in their economic situations; many receive at least the national minimum salary of US$160 per month, thanks at least in part to orders we supply for export. However, a significant number of the groups we support, approximately 35%, do not achieve this minimum income. This is often due to underutilized capacity and difficulty in finding appropriate markets to fit with the products the workshop offers. Thus, COMPARTE considers product development based on market trends and demands a critical part of the service it offers these artisans in order to grow volume, provide additional employment and improve the living conditions of our communities.

Where does COMPARTE obtain its financing?

COMPARTE is a self-financed non-profit organization, meaning that our annual operating expenses come from the minimal fee we include in the export (FOB) prices quoted to our clients. This financing allows COMPARTE to continue to provide value-added services to our client buyers as well as fulfill our mission to improve the lives of our beneficiaries, the artisans, through the promotion and sale of their products. In addition to this ongoing source of funding, COMPARTE receives program-based sponsorship from partner organizations such as ProChile and SERCOTEC, who seek to work with us to build the market for Chilean handcrafts worldwide.