Pull numbers out of the nether region...

Just giving something a try that I have flirted with but am absolutely clueless about. For quite some time a couple girls have had a flea market in town that is called Junkfest. (Look it up on the interweb, lots of neat stuff.) Usually attendance just at the market is around 3000, with the everyday population of town at 2000 they are doing quite well. However, I am giving it a go and rented a vendor booth. Selling some of my barnwood creations and rustic crafts that one of the owners of Junkfest has told me to market after seeing some of the items I have given as gifts. How in the #€££ does a person know what to charge for stuff you make for flea markets, I have never even really went to one let alone sold stuff at one???? I think I should get an award just for doing this, as I am so anti-social that I am having concerns about dealing with that many people besides selling stuff to people!

 

Just a couple things that will be sold on Saturday.

 

Spalted birch candle set, $25
Gas can round table, $150
Rustic coatrack, $50
Barnboard peg rack, $25.

Just my 2¢.

 

That's a good place to start. If they sell quickly, without much haggling, then you know you can go up on the price.

Your candles - have different colored ribbons, to change with the season .

 

That spalted birch should go up in flames pretty quick if the lower 2 candles get a draft like someone opening a door or walking by.

 

It has LED tealights, battery powered. No flames.

 

Thanks! Your prices were right around what I was thinking. This sets my mind at ease a bit. I don't want to give away things but unfortunately I am too honest for my own good and would hate to be overcharging people. Thanks again!

 

yeah,but....someone like Eric VW will put candles in it.

 

Midwinter 's pricing is right about what I was thinking too.
All that is quite creative.

 

I understand your sentiment, but would offer up this..

1. Can you actually overcharge someone?

If they are willing to pay the price you ask, then you are certainly not overcharging them.

2. In certain cultures, haggling over price is customary.

If you price something, and someone haggles you down a few dollars, as long as you still make enough to cover raw materials and your desired labor rate, then it's a win/win.

They feel like they got a deal, and you pocketed some extra coin.

Bottom line, you can price things too high and sell nothing. But if someone just has to have that candle set at $50, did you actually overcharge them?

Worst case scenario, you set prices too high, nothing is sold and you have to load it all back up and take it home.

I am not advocating ludicrous pricing, just wanted to point out that each individual has a certain price range that they consider good, and it can vary widely.

I'm no afficienado of yard sales or flea markets, but I'd imagine some Google time could yield similar objects with varying price ranges.

If the flea market brings in the touristy types, higher prices are not often a deal breaker.

Wish ya luck on the sales, most of all, try to enjoy the experience.

 

Thank you sir.

 

I've set up at shows and I can give you a few tips. The pricing Midwinter suggested looks good.

Figure in time, material, set up cost, mileage, time packing the vehicle, wear on tools, etc. A lot goes into it.

Engage the potential customer so they get the story about your work. See if they keep looking at a particular piece or picking it up. Something is flicking their Bic.

If you are willing to do custom work, make a little sign and let folks know. Someone may like your 3 peg coat rack but want a 4 peg one.

I've only negotiated pricing if the customer is buying more than one item. Art work and handcrafted goods usually aren't negotiated like someone selling an old 8 track player. If a customer likes your work, they will buy it.

I'm with Skeeter on the candleholders, minimize anything that could come back at ya.

Have fun, selling goods will hopefully inspire you to create more.

 

Including Patriots Season in the cards hut?

 

Red Sox , Patriots , Bruins , and Celtics !!

 

I will try to remember to take a pic of the booth Saturday morning once it is all set up. With this being my first live run I am trying to be cautiously optimistic and financially tight wad, so the booth is going to be simplistic and very hillbilly injuneered. If things go well next year I will maybe put a little more coin into booth background presentation. For a test run I didn't want to eat any potential earning before I even get out of the gate.

 

Dress like you’re Amish and charge twice what Midwinter suggested!

 

Out of curiosity, what's the vendor fee or is it a percentage?

 

Truth