Do You Shop at Craft Shows?

[va32h]

And if so, what do you like in terms of display, sales interaction, etc.

I've been doing the craft show circuit off and on for about three years. Some shows are a big success for me, and some (like this weekend) are a total flop, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

What do you like? A booth you can walk into to look around, or one you walk past? Products stacked on a table, or arranged in little vignettes and displays, on multiple levels. (Everyone thinks my displays are gorgeous - and thus they refuse to touch anything for fear of messing it up!)

Do you want to be totally ignored until you are ready to buy something, or do you appreciate some pleasantries and small talk?

Does a professional look impress you (printed signage & price tags, accept credit cards, company logo and or banner) or do you like feeling that you are dealing with an individual (handmade signs, written receipts, etc)

And the burning question I wish I could ask one particular customer - why did you gush over that item, show it to your friend, call your mom to tell her about it, spend 20 minutes going on and on about how it was cute and perfect and you loved it and the price was reasonable, and then NOT buy it!

 

[Charade]

Must be something in the air. We (dgf and I) were at a local one today and it was a total flop. The lady next to us said she sold about $30-40 or but she usually does about $200 to $400. I think the problem was with the promotion and it being on Sunday.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Sometimes I shop at craft shows. I prefer the displays that are on tables stacked, with some items in front of the counter. I don't like to feel cornered or pressured into buying anything, so if it looks like the seller is going to come and talk to me, then I'll just pass by.

I'm trying to think about what attracts me to a booth. A smiling face, a seller who looks like maybe he/she is working on something - an idle seller can pounce on me, or engage me, so I may pass, unless it is something I specifically like.

Also, if I'm going to pay for a craft I want something that identifies it as being local. That is important to me, too.

 

[TinkNH]

I also sell at shows..so subbing to see what ppl say

 

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

Accept CC - please, please, please, I would even be willing to pay a little more for the convenience of using one.

I hate carry around the checkbook (I am not good at remembering to write everything down and DH doesn't like me to use it), and I don't want to carry a lot of cash.

So when I love something - and want to buy it breaks my heart to hear that you don't take CCard - particularly if the item is a little on the pricey side - if I am carrying cash it is no more than $50.

It happened at a sale not more than a few weeks ago to a friend of my and myself. We both want to buy some of her jewelry - made of old silverware... I wanted a $35 dollar bracelet and a $20 ring, and maybe a pin. my friend was going to get a bracelet, ring and pendent. But she didn't take credit. There wasn't anything we could do but walk away - sad and disappointed.

Other than that - I like someone to acknowledge me - say hi etc but stay seated or back a little bit or you will scare me.

Hope that helps some -- I love craft shows - maybe I have seen you

 

[va32h]

Well I do take credit cards. All of 'em! But believe it or not, I have had people think that's a negative - too slick or retail-y.

I'm trying to think about what attracts me to a booth. A smiling face, a seller who looks like maybe he/she is working on something - an idle seller can pounce on me, or engage me, so I may pass, unless it is something I specifically like.

I definitely think you are onto something with the "working on something" angle. It's a talking point, makes you look busy, but interruptable, and if nothing else, you get something done while waiting for sales.

The nature of my craft is not such that it would be labeled as "local" though.

 

[miss missy]

I was big into this years ago. Not anymore since I know am toning down the house and getting rid of things.

But

What do you like? A booth you can walk into to look around, or one you walk past? Products stacked on a table, or arranged in little vignettes and displays, on multiple levels. (Everyone thinks my displays are gorgeous - and thus they refuse to touch anything for fear of messing it up!)

Doesn't matter. If I see what I like either way I will look.

Do you want to be totally ignored until you are ready to buy something, or do you appreciate some pleasantries and small talk?

Hate being bothered while I am looking, but if I have a question, I will ask.

Does a professional look impress you (printed signage & price tags, accept credit cards, company logo and or banner) or do you like feeling that you are dealing with an individual (handmade signs, written receipts, etc)

CC are a must. I don't carry much cash anymore. Other than that it is the item that will sell, not the nice sign or receipt.

And the burning question I wish I could ask one particular customer - why did you gush over that item, show it to your friend, call your mom to tell her about it, spend 20 minutes going on and on about how it was cute and perfect and you loved it and the price was reasonable, and then NOT buy it!

I dunno. Not enough $? Someone talked her out of it? I dunno

 

[Imzadi]

I've sold at craft shows in NYC & L.A. & shop at them all around the country. I attend some of the biggest & most prestigious like the bi-annual juried one at Lincoln Center here in NYC that cost $600+ for one weekend to exhibit and bring in true artists from all over America - not just local; to some tiny local ones that cost $35 to display (non-juried.)

Even when I shop, I always talk to the vendors to see how they are doing. It really depends a lot on the merchandise, the advertising by the promoters, as well as the economy at the time, sometimes the weather, and the reputation of the fair - how many years they have been doing it and what kind of clientele they usually get as vendors & customers. And whether it is really a CRAFT fair, or family entertainment to take the family for the afternoon & get a sausage hero & a funnel cake.

If it's a newer craft fair with no built in reputation, or close to flea market level, where there is no jurying so your high end items sit next to garage sale level "crafts" at the next booth, or the "fair" provides more entertainment value - no one's going to make much money if your craft is high end. People have actually insulted many vendors I know by offering a cheap flea market price for something worth 5 times the value. People just aren't there to spend at those, no matter how much they ooh & ah. You're part of the afternoon's entertainment. Or they just want a cheap deal. They have no real appreciation of something being handcrafted.

I sold the Christmas right after 9/11 when people felt so guilty for celebrating Xmas. The people who did buy, really made an effort to buy something handmade. In fact, they went out of their way to get my card to include with the gift. They wanted their loved ones to know "LIFE made this item, and as you are special in my life, I am giving you a gift made by a person - not made by a machine." We all learned how precious life was that year. Many other craft artists I know had a good year too. Better than we all expected. People actually sought out their work for the same reason.

The following year when the economy was dismal all year, most people I know did badly.

In L.A, with the exact same merchandise, I sold in different neighborhoods each weekend, I did well or badly, depending on the neighborhood.

I've known many vendors who've sold for years at Lincoln Center & other highly reputed, juried shows, again it's different from year to year. Most people I know come back each year, because even if they did all right that one weekend in June or Sept, find that the advertising they get by people signing their mailing lists or taking their business cards, more than makes up with buyers deliberately seek them out at Xmas time.

I agree with most of what Mary Jo said. except, any display works for me as long as it's professional, polished, items accessible to be touched (except high-end jewelry, of course,) & organized & some thought went into it. It also depends on the level of the fair.

I acknowledge people with a friendly "Hi!" when they walk in, let them know I'm available for any help, & tell them to feel free to touch anything. It's meant to be touched. Then I get "busy" doing something else. I hate being monitored, so I don't want to do it to customers. I gauge each one to see how much talking or listening they want to do. Sometimes "Hi" is enough, sometimes that might even scare some away. So I don't say anything & get real "busy".

I've also found I do better sales when I have a line waiting to buy. I used to rush through wrapping the item & dealing with the money to get to the next person, but I've found when people see one person buying, they want to jump on the band wagon & not miss out. Someone else gave us their

At really slow fairs, it helps to become friends with your craft neighbor. Sometimes we'd stand inside each other's booth and browse as though we were customers. It always drew other people in.

I use Propay.com as my credit card merchant. They have a $35 annual fee, with a per transaction charge, but no monthly fees. Great if you only do a few shows a year. I leave one or two well-placed MasterCard signs and that's it. Also, the credit card machine is out in plain sight.

I print up signs on my computer in a nice calligraphy. I don't want to appear like a fly-by-night operation where I've handwritten the signs the night before. I charge too much for my work for a lack of professionalism.

Again, the perception is on what you are selling. If you sell hand stitched dolls clothing, a handmade sign might seem more appropriate & charming.

You didn't mention what you sell. But one of the best books I've read was: How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business. Even if you don't sell gift baskets - I don't - well actually I do include some now, her chapters on finding out what your target market is, is worth the whole book. I can't say enough about understanding that concept. It changed the whole way I market, display, what type of shows I will only sell at, what customers I want to target & what price to set to get those customers. I've even honed in on what specific pieces to make now.

Hope this helps. I, too am interested in reading what other's experiences are.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as well. DW MeanLaureen and I have just started out doing some local craft shows over the past year and for the most part have done okay. So far we have done about 10 shows and have only walked out of one in the red so I guess that's a good thing.

Question for the people that say they don't want too much interaction from the vendor - when people stop at our booth (pet related craft) we usually greet them, ask them what type of pet they have and if they seem interested in the product to the point that they are handling it, we explain how its made to them. Do you think we are being too forward?

 

[Imzadi]

If they are picking it up & handling it, then no, you're doing fine. It's when they seem to get that deer in front of headlights look, make a non-descript mumbling sound about what you've just said & back away really quick, that you should worry.

I think your product - pet related - is more of a personable nature. It's also very specific. You know your "target market." The people willing to come into your booth & actually pick up the item are already more invested in their pet & may actually buy something. That's different from someone who stands in the aisle, peeking in & listening from out there. They may be interested in hearing what you have, but not invested enough in their pet to spend money on them. OR, they may be the xmas shoppers, the ones who will buy later, when spending is okay. Just leave cards for them on how to reach you later in the year. They don't want the whole sales pitch at this time.

Also, people go up to people with pets even if they just greet the pet. It's just part of having a pet. So they are used to it. You & Laureen probably also give the feeling that you care about pets & want the best for them, so you're informing the owners about something to help care for their pets better too. That's different from the feeling someone's trying to "sell" them something.

Like, I love jewelry, but I really don't need the sales person pointing things out to me, unless we've already started a dialogue & she knows I'm looking specifically for rose quartz earrings. Someone just randomly pointing out different items, amethests, garnets, etc., when she doesn't know my taste or if I'm interested in earrings vs. a necklace, is trying to "sell" me something (as well intentioned she may be actually being.)

 

[RNMOM]

I like shopping at craft shows but haven't been able to for a few years until I got my mobility scooter. So I want to add that I like booths that show me out front what is available. I can get off and walk in for a short time but to stand in a line and then not even be able to see the items makes me just give up. Put your items up front and if you have other sizes, colors, etc have them in the less accessable areas.

I appreciate using credit cards. I appreciate clear signage and prices. I like interraction with the vendor but not being pushed. I often will ask questions and like chitchat. I like seeing them work on items too.

I would love to have a board where those of you who sell items you make or have stores could post a link to your websites or some way to see your products.

ETA: I don't mind being asked if there is something specific I was looking for as there might be a different size or color not on display and I would hate to not know that. I will say no if that is the case. I am good at walking, or scooting, away if I want to.