[Jewelry making - Article 00847] - Re: [Orchid] Vendor at outdoor craft show

[Downey]

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>         Hello. I'm just starting out ~ was accepted as a vendor at an
>     upcoming outdoor craft show and have a few questions: 

    There are others here with much more experience than me and my wife
    but here are my thoughts FWIW; 
 
>         1. security: should I really invest in locking cases unless an
>     item is priced over $60? Or just keep a close eye on my
>     merchandise? 

    Many jewelry and related items are more easily sold if they can be
    easily handled. It also depends much on the type show and other
    factors. Many outdoor shows are free to the public. That usually
    means 3 things are more common than indoor or shows with an entrance
    fee 1. drinking 2. kids  3. lookers .  You will need to be diligent
    about 'stumbling drunks' that can knock stuff off/over. Sticky
    fingered kids. And be on the lookout for big open bags/purses where
    items can be raked off a table into. Not common but I bet others
    have seen this. I've even seen an old geezer pretend to cough so a
    ring could be dropped into a popcorn bag he had near his mouth! 

>         2. pricing: I'm thinking of just charging a flat rate and
>     later figuring "out" the taxes for reporting purposes. Is this a
>     mistake? Also do people prefer to pay $9.99 or $10? 

    In my state, only vending machines are allowed to 'include taxes'.
    That said, I've never known anyone to get busted for doing it. Be
    careful. Lots of research indicates that those kind of prices DO
    matter thoug I admit we rarely use sub-$1 prices. We will
    occasionally modify our prices such that we have items under the
    'gift threshholds'. under $20, under$25, under$50, etc. Seems silly
    to have a lot of unsold $26 items to haul around for years when they
    might sell at $24, 

>         3. credit cards: the archives strongly recommend I accept
>     them, however I am SO small and only plan to do maybe 4 shows MAX.
>     per year - and am already way in debt over supplies. Anyone know of
>     a place I can RENT a manual credit card swipper for a day?! 

    I'm told research indicates an average increase of 17% in sales if
    credit cards are accepted. If this is true it MAY be worth doing
    DEPENDING on how much the merchant account and equipment cost. If
    the gear is $300 and the account costs 6% doesn't seem worth it.
    Just work the numbers. If you maintain a website there MAY be a way
    that's easier. Others here will be more help I'm sure. 

>         I think that's it for the time being. Love the archives and
>     all the great info. Thanks. 
>     Shannon

Carl
1 Lucky Texan


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