Craft Fair Tips - Part 2
Introduction
hope that part one was of interest and that is why you are back for part two! Sorry if these tips are too basic for a lot of you, but I am trying o cover all the bases for the beginners among us. If you have any further tips that you would like to add or any points that you disagree with, please let me know! That's why we have to message forums and I would love to hear from you. Anyway, read on!
How much should I be selling my goods for?
To work out the price, you must take the cost of the materials and work out how long it took you to make. Pay yourself a reasonable hourly rate and divide it to come up with the cost per item. Add the materials and work costs together and then double it. That is how everyone tells you to do it.
Personally I add the costs, double it and then think what would I pay for it? If the amount that I think reasonable is more than the doubled price, then sell it for the higher one - you then have a higher margin for negotiation! If it doesn't sell at that price, then you can drop the price without losing as much of your profit.
However, do not be too greedy, I prefer to sell 10 items at £2 than 2 items at £10. Also the more you sell, the quicker your stock change is. I get bored of looking at the same stock all the time and am happy when I sell things (aren't we all?! ) because it means that I can now make something new!
If however, you have doubled the price and the price that you would pay for it is lower, then you have to re-think things slightly. How much lower would you pay? Does this new price then make it worth making? If the price is only slightly lower then put the item on sale for the full doubled price - you can only try, if it doesn't sell then you drop the price, if it then doesn't sell, don't be too down hearted, not everyone has your impeccable taste!It is usually is the piece you hate most that sells first!! I have to say, it is all trial and error in the end.
What happens at a show?
hey can all vary very much. At a small school fete type of event the organisation and facilities available will differ greatly to a large event.
Allow yourself enough time is the main rule. Know where you are going. If you don't know the village or how to get to it, look at the map the week before, plan a route and if necessary drive there before the day, just so you know where you are going and how long it will take you to get there. Then you need to add in your set up time. I know some people who can turn up 10minutes before the start time and throw their stall up in seconds! It takes me a good hour and even then it may not have all the prices on before the doors open!
Personally my stall seems to go together totally different every time I lay it out! If you can, try out at home first, play with the display. Do you need lighting? If you do, you need to remember to state this on your booking forms. It may be an extra charge or just that the organiser will need to put you near a socket!
Remember that height is important too, variety in height draws the eye around the stall. So basically, calculate your travel time plus set up time and then allow yourself 10-15 minutes extra for those unforeseen sheep on the road or the driver in front who can't find the accelerator pedal!
Once you are set up, then add your prices, if you are half set up but priced it looks worse than being totally set up but people have to ask the price. Also remember to price everything visibly as people do not generally like to ask too much.
Then comes the waiting time! You can never predict how busy you are going to be. Some days you will be rushed off your feet, others you will just wish that you were no longer on your feet and be bored stiff! Sometimes there are lots of people but not buyers. The time of year will affect things too. The beginning of the year is dead, it picks up around Easter a bit, then muddles through until around September/October time where it starts to take off, building to a crescendo in November and December! There may be refreshments available at the show, but it is always advisable to take something with you to eat and drink.
One fair I do is only a small school one, but they provide the most wonderful bacon rolls for breakfast! But this is not always available at all venues so take your own is the best advice!
One point to remember is that all of us stall holders are in the same boat, and if the event is lousy, we are all probably feeling as low as you. Packing up early and giving up is not the solution. People packing up and leaving early simply makes the hall look awful and a bit of an amateur shambles and affects the sales of others as the customers will look in and think that it is too late and we are all leaving, so don't do it! It is discourteous to both the organiser and also your fellow stall holders.
At the end of the day, you have already paid for the pitch, your day is mostly gone so why give up now? You may not make any more sales but what would you have done with that extra half hour or so? Try to make the most of it, discuss with other stall holders what the problem seemed to be. Was it just the weather or was there a major problem that the organisers need to be alerted to for next year?
When you do pack up, try to gather all your rubbish together and either dispose of it there in a bin or take it home, don't just leave it behind the table for someone else to deal with. Be civil and you should find that most treat you in the same way. Be a really great stall holder and you will be invited back, be a pain and you may not find that booking form coming through your door!
If you do have a problem, find the organiser and get it sorted out as soon as possible, don't let it fester!
What should I take? As I have said above, take some food and drink. Sometimes something sugary helps! You can also take a small emergency kit, something along the lines of head ache pills, plasters, tampax, throat sweets, scissors, cellotape, pins, pen, price stickers, tissues, blu-tack, paper. All of that can fit into a pencil case and you will surprised how often it gets used! Not just by you either! There is often a plaintive cry going up for " has anyone got any scissors?" around the hall!!
In the hot weather I also take a small hand held fan and a small spray tin of Evian water. When sprayed on your face in the heat, this is a great reviver!
What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will be on your feet all day so wear sensible footwear! The rest of your clothing will depend on the time of year but layers are sensible as you can then take off or add a bit at a time. In the winter I like a large fleece with big pockets to keep things in.
What about orders?
hat about orders? My personal rule is payment up front with the order! If you are going to have to post the item remember to add on postage charges. If the customer is not happy with that then suggest that they pick it up from you - YOU SHOULD NOT LOSE OUT on this transaction. If they are not willing to pay delivery charge, then lose the sale, they are not worth it. Why should you lose out on your profit margin? It is better to sell the item to someone else instead. If they are happy to order and pay the extra, remember to give them a receipt and a contact number for you. Also get their full name, address and also contact number in case you have a problem and need to get in touch with them. Also if the order is to be personalised, that you can only take things back if the item is defective due to a manufacturing fault, or you may end up with the odd order to Ermintrude left in your stock cupboard!
ooOOoo
Well, I hope that this has covered most of the most frequently asked questions and has given you a bit of an insight into being a stall holder! It can be a lot of fun, but it can also be as boring as watching paint dry, you can never tell! So, I hope I have helped and maybe I will see you at some future events! Enjoy your work and then it's not a chore!
Jude
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