Working hard this week... wish me luck!

[rodneywt1180b]

The last antique sale my family and I walked thru every vendor we talked to had one.  We didn't mind paying the 3% over cash price when we bought from them.

[YinTx]

41 minutes ago, garypl said:

Yin, I noticed you have a cash only sign on your table.

Had expected that might influence things, but there was an ATM 10 feet away if anyone was truly interested.  A lot of the vendors here were dealing in cash, and the ones near me assured me that it wouldn't affect my sales.  I figured if there was enough interest in my items, I'd get a card reader in the future.  This is a small show, so maybe 40 people walked through by the end of the day. They'd look at my stuff, say how nice it was, then panic when they saw a price tag!  The things that sold were all $5-$20 items, of which I had none.  So, tonight I put these together with some of my "prototype" veg tan leather.  Coated in my neatsfoot oil/beeswax mixture, trimmed and punched, day planners and note books ready to go.  $12, $12 and $20, going to test out the other end of the pricing spectrum.  What do you think?

 

4 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

Yeah, some folks don't do cash -- tough to find me with more than coffee money most days.  PayPal will give you a free card reader, and they certainly arent' the only one.

They got some empty tables in the back.. was it not filled up with vendors? 

And, did you get the phone number of that girl at the table next to yours?

 

Understood, and expected as much.  Will eventually do a card reader, but wanted to test the waters first.  All the tables were full, this was early morning during set up time.

Avoided that other trouble, btw.

 

YinTx

[Clintock]

Yin your stuff looks good. Sometimes folks don’t realize what it takes and what leather products costs. They think a good wallet will be 10 or 15 bucks. If I were you I wouldn’t worry it about too much. Keep your head high. You do some amazing work!

[Rockoboy]

The average person has no idea of the difference between a mass produced leather item from China and a handmade leather item from your workshop.

Your items are well worth the price point you have described, but 40 people per day? That is not many. The odds of one person in 40 looking to buy quality leather goods is a pretty remote possibility. You need a market with 80 - 100 people per hour checking out your quality goods.

[YinTx]

Weeeeel, it seems yesterday was day one of hunting season for Turkey, Duck, Goose and DEER here in South Texas, so of course no one showed up to the GUN Show!

 'Splains a lot, I think.  However, I did see one seller moving holsters like hotcakes for $85-$200 each to the folks that did come.

Second day was a bit better, sold 3 items - 1 card holder, a small ladies purse, and a mystery braid bracelet.  Managed to pay for the table space and the gas to get there.

I think maybe another 100 folks meandered in during the day.

YinTx
 

[JLSleather]

Progress!

[ScoobyNewbie]

Huzzahhh!

[YinTx]

19 hours ago, JLSleather said:

Progress!

Hoy, that it was.  Starting from zero sales though wasn't hard to beat!

14 hours ago, ScoobyNewbie said:

Huzzahhh!

Wasn't exactly jumping for joy, but was happy to have not lost money on the deal!  Here's to better luck next go round, when every one isn't out huntin... instead of shoppin for my stuff!

I was happy with the interest expressed in my pieces, although not a single person picked up a rifle sling, which was the whole intent behind attending a gun show.... with *rifle slings*!  Most everything else was admired, even the simple leather covers, tho they didn't sell.  I'll try a couple more venues that have higher traffic counts and different demographics before I decide whether or not to continue down this path.

YinTx

[rodneywt1180b]

Are you doing any internet sales too?  With Thanksgiving and Black Friday just around the corner it might be a thought.

[YinTx]

7 hours ago, rodneywt1180b said:

Are you doing any internet sales too?  With Thanksgiving and Black Friday just around the corner it might be a thought.

I did internet sales some time ago in Etsy, but only sold a very few items, not enough to justify continuing, especially when they wanted my bank acct info etc. Plus, I have a several month backlog - mostly because I am Sloooooowwwwww.... - so I haven't had a great need for additional sales.  But I did want to try a new venue because I'd like to make more than purses and wallets for sale, and I thought it'd be nice to make a small run of items instead of one at a time, to try to be less slow!  It worked, I made a lot more items in a shorter time, but not a one of them sold.  Just some other items I had on hand.

YinTx