Selling at the Market

Selling at a Farmers market or craft festival is a lot of fun and a lot of work as well.  If you are thinking of doing that, here are some tips and ideas that I have gleamed from my years of selling.

Before you start selling, make sure you have all the fees or licenses needed.  Some communities will require that sales tax be collected and paid.  This means you need to fill out the proper paper work with your city, county or state (usually it is just one form).  The same may be for business licenses.  Each city will have different regulations so check what is required by the city you live in or for the market or festival where you will sell.

Using a canopy or market umbrella is always a good idea, especially in the hot months.  It makes it more comfortable for you to be there all day but also give a little shade for your customers.  Weather can be unpredictable so make sure your canopy or umbrella is secured.  If you do not have it staked to the ground, then make sure that there are weights on each leg of the canopy or on the stand for the umbrella.  For example, a wrought iron stand that weighs 25 pounds is not enough to keep a market umbrella in place on a windy day.  I had one big wind tip my umbrella over at an outdoor event and pull it about 8 feet away.  Check again with your event rules as to what is required.  Usually the requirement is 30 pound weights on each leg of the canopy and 50 pounds on an umbrella stand.

Dress comfortably.  If you are going to be standing on your feet all day, wear shoes that don’t pinch or hurt.  If the event is outside, I think the customers will forgive if you have on tennis shoes. And dress for the weather.  If it is cold or rainy wear clothes that will keep you warm and dry.

If you are doing a sale alone, make sure you have something to eat and drink. It will be a long day without any refreshments.  Often times your market/festival neighbor will keep an eye on your booth area if you have to go to the restroom so make friends with those around you.   

Make sure you have more than enough money to make change.  If you think you need $50, bring $100.  And be prepared to have someone hand you a big bill for a small priced item.  If you can, get a credit card reader.  If not, be willing to accept checks.  In all the years I have sold crafts, I never have had a check bounce.

Try to have various priced items.  You will be more likely to sell many lower priced items than one big priced item. And you will be more likely to get people in your selling area if you have a variety of items.  Do you paint?  Have little 5” x 7” canvases as well as a big 18” x 18”.

I found that if I was making something at the booth, people would walk up to see what I am doing.  So if you can, create something while at the sale. If customers see you making an item you also sell, they can see the work involved and know that you actually do the work.

When someone comes close to your booth area, start a conversation.  Say hi, ask how they are doing that day, offer to show them something on your table.  Let them know YOU are interested in them.

 If you were a Boy or Girl Scout, then you remember the motto “Be prepared”.  Have emergency items such as a first aid kit, tools needed to fix a table or canopy, duct tape and twine, office supplies (paper, pens, markers, etc) a plastic tarp if it rains and don’t forget the business cards.

And finally, have fun.  It is a lot of work and you might enjoy the making of your craft more than the selling but selling can be fun.  You meet a lot of interesting people in the customers and the other vendors. And you gather lots of wonderful memories and, oh yeah, you make money.

©2017  Cheryl Fillion