Do you sell things in person via Shows, etc?

@KrauseHome (36448)
United States
March 20, 2007 8:31am CST
I know there are many who might have tried Ebay, Yahoo Auctions, have a Business site online, or sell via Craigs list, but do you Sell offline like maybe doing Shows, Yard Sales, Flea Markets, etc? Do you do pretty good with it, or do you find this to be Slow? What is the most Creative thing you have done to get Business? Is anyone here supporting themselves via offline sales? Just curious what others do here to Earn money besides Selling online, or online Businesses.
7 people like this
6 responses
• United States
20 Mar 07
I have been going nuts trying to promote myself online- I am sick of paying ebay fees and not getting anywhere with all of the work I do online. I made more money in one day at a yard sale than I have made in 5 months of promoting my stuff online. When I start participating in online parties I know I will make more money- I just have to get up the courage to do them! As for offline sales- I am going to do yard sales, flea markets and in the future when I have the money I will do fairs and events like that. There are tons in my area but they are just sooo costly! The other week I spent 2 hours going around town promoting my one business. I am hoping to get some parties or open houses out of it. In the next few weeks I am going to be getting together with some other direct sales reps to organize a charity event. We will keep some of the profits so we are still making money but will donate around half of our profits to certain causes that we choose. I am thinking that in person is the way to go for sales!
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Mar 07
Interesting ideas here... Some of these could really be worth considering and looking into also from here.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
20 Mar 07
We have a Swappers day/ flea market that we are vendors of. Every year for Labor day we get a 20 by 20 spot and set up 2 carports. One is done up as living quarters since we are there for 5 days. Cots, sleeping bags, solar shower, and a kitchen. We have coolers and buy only a few goodies that we can't go and do without. The other carpot is full of what we sell from books and movies, toys, games, shoes, some clothing but not much. Garden produce and electronics, purses, knick knacks. We make lot rent by the Saturday and anything left over is spending money. Eventually we will go to the local flea markets. During season that is what we really want to do. Getting known is a key for increasing sales. A regular spot really helps too.
1 person likes this
@limitup (324)
• United States
21 Mar 07
That's a neat way to earn offline. Do you get these items from flea markets to re-sell, or are these items you already own? I have never done this personally, but I know of a local husband and wife wood-working team that sells wood-working products for fairly high prices. Their method of woodworking is called intarsia, which is basically detailed scroll saw work w/ different woods/wood textures/wood colors. This couple is very good at what they do and they charge up to $2,000/product depending on how long it takes them to make and how detailed the project is. Most items are less than $100, but many of their patterns make them around a few hundred dollars per piece. This may seem pricey, but you have to consider that the wood is more rare and expensive and the finished product is incredible after the cutting, sanding, and finishing. Of course the work is tedious, but it's a good way to earn a respectable living from the confort of your garage or basement. Though they admit, they do it more for the love of wood-working than for the money. I have seen the finished products and I personally do not believe they charge enough. They do not do it for a living but I'm sure that they could. They sell at craft fairs/shows, but I'm sure Ebay or local craft stores could bring in good sales as well.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I used to do the Local Swap Meet here until they closed it down, and had a lot of Fun doing it. The only one left in this area is about 45 mins from us, but we are thinking about going and checking it out to see what it would cost to sell there, since I have a storage full of stuff I need to somehow sell.
• United States
21 Mar 07
Actually ..I just do little things..I am not a "big thing" kind of person..and it's the "little things" that get me a little check every month..I found a nice affiliate program..I choose some of their banners..I join some program and then offer them to others and leave the rest to fate.. I dont have time for flea markets, ebay or other..I work full time during the day..so I must rely on sites that do the work for me:)
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
21 Mar 07
I no longer do this, but I used to do home shows with Home and Garden Party. I enjoyed doing it, but I found that I made very little money with it. I don't believe that I was pushy enough to do it. I think at times you have to do things that you feel uncomfortable with to get the sales and shows that you want when you do that kind of business. My daughter and I are doing some online sales right now with a couple of companies and I am really hoping that one of them take off so that I can get out of my part time away from home job. I hate it!!
@pearl23 (243)
• United States
21 Mar 07
I tried a flea market for a short time. I found it it takes consistency to make it work. I thought it was fun. I sold some ebay items and it gave me a chance to sell homemade crafts. It's interesting to see what will sale at times.
• United States
21 Mar 07
I run a small booth at a flea market one weekend a month. I have been doing this for a few months, but I haven't even made enough money to cover the rent on the booth.