Craft Show Blues?

[Woodbutcher68]

I just got home from a two day craft show near my house. Booth rent was $50.00 for both days and I sold $150.00 and won $71.00 in a 50/50 raffle on Saturday. Today, Sunday, many vendors were asking for a refund, some even had a form that another vendor had made up. They had the poor girl in the office in tears. Some people said that if they filed for a refund, they would not be allowed to be in this show again. Others said that this would be the last time this show would happen so who cares. Two years ago at this same show, I sold $0.00 the first day and $150.00 on the second day. The girl I shared the booth with sold $175.00 on day one and ZERO on the second day.
I did a different show two years ago that cost me $50.00 for one day and sold $57.00 on that day. They also charged people $1.00 to get in and buy. Lunch at the show cost me $4.00 and I donated $2.00 to the band boosters who were putting on the show, so I made $1.00, not including gas to get there. One of the vendors who was crying the most today, was at that show two years ago and bragged how he sold $400.00 that day. Last year at that same show, I sold over $200.00. This year that show is costing me $75.00 and there will be close to 200 vendors.
There's a guy who does alot of the same patterns I do out of Baltic Birch and under cuts my prices big time. Mine are cut from solid 1/8 hardwood. He even lowered his ornament prices from $1.00 each to 3 for $2.00. I discounted nothing. I have had people ask me why his were $1.00 and mine are $3.00-$9.00. I explain the difference in material cost and tell them to compare his craftsmanship to mine. I let them be the judge and it usually means a sale for me. I also make sure that I do not knock his product.
Theoretically, if he stack-cuts 5 at a time in 15 minutes and sells them for $1.00 each, he could make $20.00/hour. If I do the same and charge $4.00 each, I could make $80.00/hour. I'm not out to get rich doing this, but I'm also not going to sell myself short.
The couple next to me said that this was their first show and they hoped to do good. I told them not to be disappointed if they didn't sell alot. They said they had a website that they sold on and did good there so they had experience. They had handmade children's clothing and stuffed toys. Most people thought that they were doll clothes, since they had no signs explaining otherwise and walked past the booth. Those two now think that they are experts on craft shows and were complaining as much as some of the others. The woman behind them spent more time away from her booth than she did in it. (Another first timer.)
You show veterans know that a show can change from day to day and year to year. The economy, weather and demographics can and will have a big impact on your sales. To those of you starting out, don't expect to get rich your first time out, enjoy it for the experience and hope to sell more than your booth rent. Also don't get used to selling more each year at the same show, it may not happen.
I look at it as every show is a crapshoot, you pay your money and hope for sales. The promoter did advertise, but can't make people buy your product.

[Janette]

Sorry to hear about your show. This year has been especially tough - with the uncertain economy, gas prices and who knows what else. I didn't book any shows for the holiday season this year. I plan to catch up on commissions etc. Prospects don't look great for next year either unfortunately but it's not a science and you just never know.

[MikeDingas]

Interesting post, Fred. I've only done one show (recently) in which I made $40. I didn't see a lot of brisk sales at my event (any booth) but it coincided with a lot of Halloween events. So I don't feel too bad. One poor girl sat there all day without a sale. I did learn a few things, though.

I hate pushy salespeople and so usually gave folks a brief "Hi, let me know if you have any questions". But I made one sale of a letter opener that had I not showed her how 'sharp' my blade was in comparision to a metal letter opener would have been lost. So it pays to get off the stool and talk it up. I also regret not having order forms for the photo jigsaw puzzles I make and the photo portraits. Some did take a business card but I wish I had that form for them to take away.

I'll try another show again and if nothing else hope it makes locals aware of my work. After all, I've gotta do something with the stuff I'm making.

[JohnB]

G'day Fred,
You just can't please some people.
I'm glad you did all right though. You're right about never knowing what the day will bring. I've been doing the local monthly markets for about 5 years now and for 4 years a certain month will be a beaut, so I prepare for it and for some unknown reason it turns out to be a bummer this year.

I just always think that what I miss on the Merry-go-round I'll pick up on the round-a-bout

[will8989]

Well, my shows have been as well as last year, or better, and this past week-end I had a complete sell-out by 1 pm on Friday & it was a 2 day show! Boy was I scrambling! Hubby had to come down & replace me so I could get home and finish up the items I had for this coming Saturday and take yesterday. Now I'm in the hole for this week, but I have a week to catch up. Do any of you take credit cards? I started them this year and my sales have just jumped off the boards! I had about $500 is credit card sales alone this week-end. It's really worth looking into. Also, be very very picky about your shows. I only do the truly juried shows. Most cost $100+ per day but are well worth it. I do one show that they only allow one crafter of a particular type in, ie, if anyone else wanted to participate that did the baskets I do, I have to approve them first. Never ever do I do a Sunday show. I did a Saturday show this past summer, at a place where I am currently doing 4 during the holiday season, and I didn't want to be there at all. It was hot, 90+, outside under a canopy with the dust blowing, in the middle of a field with a county 4H fair going on. Cows mooing, chickens clucking, whole works. I didn't want to bring my all my tables, just set up one for my boxes and the rest of the baskets I just plunked on the ground leaning up against each other. SOLD OUT!! Couldn't believe it! So one just never knows!!

Hang in there!

Betty

[guitarman]

I have found more success in the smaller shows. I did one show last month where there were only about 20 venders and It was a great success for me. I made around 700.00 dollars on that one. A couple of weeks later I was at a even smaller show with about 15 or 16 venders and did better than 500.00. I've also been in much larger shows and did very little so I'm sticking with the smaller ones. I visited a very large show this past weekend in Greensboro N.C. with over 500 venders. It was a three day thing. In all of that I only found one scroller and he did good work. I had a problem with his prices though. They were a little high I thought. He had a lot of pretty pricey frames so I guess he thought he should charge a lot more. He did a lot of cuts that I do and he was charging 3 and 4 times what I do. Again maybe it had to do with the frames. I don't know. Anyway, the smaller shows are for me anymore. Just thought I'd throw my 2-cents worth in. David

[Forester21]

One thing I have learned is to Never complain about a show while you are showing. Think about all of the potential customers walking by and only hearing complaints from the vendors.
As for asking for a refund - that should be spelled out in your contract you sent in to be in the show. Because you don't sell anything is not a good enough reason to ask for your money back. Do you offer to pay more for your booth if you make more than expected?
(these are just general thoughts Fred - nothing specifically to you!)
As you stated, shows can and do change from year to year. It is up to the vendor to check the shows out before hand though, to see if it is worth going to.
Theresa

[Rolf]

I did a small show a couple of weeks ago, it was my first time outside my local territory, the table was $60 and I thought for a while I wouldn’t make that. The turnout was low and the Girl scouts were selling laser cut ornaments for a 1$ a piece across from me.
I ended up making the table plus $400. Most of my sales were items in the $25-$35 range not too many in the $10 range.Needles to say I was pleased.
While I was there I was approached by a promoter looking for “Quality Crafts” for a high end show at the local Mariot ($400 a table for 2 days) I declined. My wife and I went to the show Saturday just to check it out. The vendors where ticked off big time, sales were horrible across the board and some were demanding refunds. The promoter had juried vendors next to people hawking mops, what a mess. I am glad I did not do the fair.

I usually do only one show a year at my church( $900 last year). I think that was a fluke and won’t happen again. It is coming up this weekend, it is only $40 a table and even if my sales are off I really enjoy doing this fair. It is a very warm friendly Christmas spirited environment and my sisters have a table on each side of me.

I agree with Fred, you can bring the people in but if they buy or not really depends on the product and a bit of luck. I try to put unique and quality items on my table.

[Jediscroller]

I've heard people complaining at shows this year ad nauseum. The fact that they've been selling the same things in the same places for 20 years doesn't seem to register with them. If your stuff isn't selling, perhaps it's time to change what you're offering or change venues. I've had a great year, much better than last. I have the opposite experience though from David. I prefer shows with attendance figures of at least 10,000 and with 75 or more vendors. Most of the ones I've done where there were very few vendors have turned out horribly. There are a couple of smaller ones I do just because they're cheap and I usually do fairly well. I've never sold out at a show, not quite sure what I would do if I did. I know I couldn't make up 15K of inventory in a week. One last thing, I don't sell on price, I have seen a few folks trying to do this and it works in low-end shows but in higher-end type venues people wonder why you're so cheap. Some of my best shows have been when another scroller is there and tries undercutting my prices.

[Rolf]

Kevin you are absolutly right. I work very hard to have new items every year.
15k of inventory, wow that is a lot of product. What is your average price?