Craft fairs- what would mm do?

CuriousKiddosMama · November 2014

Disclaimer: I am not trying to break TOS so I will not identify the direct sales company I work for. I think that makes this ok- but I will delete if the board doesn't like this.

Last month I started working for a new direct sales company. I love it and I have been doing fairly well. I've gotten my kit paid for and paid most of my craft fair fees by my sales already. I am looking at craft fairs in December. I'm not sure that I will be able to guarantee shipping by Christmas. I am thinking of buying product to sell in these sales. I've run the numbers, if I spend $700 I would earn commission and hostess credit and assuming I sell everything I would double my money.
I'm not dumb enough to assume that I actually will sell everything in a month- it may take longer than that but I'm thinking its a risk worth taking. If I end up with too much product left over I can always discount it and make a smaller margin, or have fun Christmas presents for my friends and family.

So what would mm do?

Xstatic3333 · November 2014

As long as you have good savings and buffer in your income, which I know from your other posts you do, I'd go for it. I do know that, as someone who does a lot of Christmas shopping at craft fairs, I am there to walk away with gifts in-hand and wouldn't want to order something. I also don't shop for myself that close to Christmas, so I wouldn't order for myself for later. I also know that my friend who sells Jamberry has been having good success at craft fairs lately, just in case that's your company. Good luck!

CuriousKiddosMama · November 2014

That's why I was thinking about doing the risk. I love craft fair shopping too, but think I have only once placed an order. You want the stuff now at an event like that.
And I'm not jamberrynails- but I love their wraps!
Thanks xstatic!

brij2006 · November 2014

I'm a fellow DS consultant too, and have always find that I sell much more when I carry inventory at events like that. People don't want to order things (even if you have free shipping), and they want to take them home that day.

However, my rule is that I only order things I sell a lot of. Mine is food, so I mostly order what I am going to be sampling at the event. So I never order the things that "might" sell, only the things that I know for sure will sell.

Another thing to remember is that you will NOT sell every bit of it at the event. So I always make sure that I break even and use the ratio of only selling 50% of what I order. That way if I sell 60% of my stock, I'm profiting. If I only sell 50% of it, then I break even. That's my cutoff. Usually if I tell people that I do not have something there, then they find something else to buy instead. Or I will offer for them to order it and have it shipped directly to their door.

Good luck!

Another tip from one DS to another. Set up a sign up at your booth. Have it be a drawing for 1 small item, but have the slips get their name, phone number, e-mail, address, and have 3 questions on it. 1. If they would be interested in earning free products by hosting a party. 2. If they would be interested in creating some income by becoming a consultant. 3. If they're interested in anything else the company offers (i.e. ours offers fundraisers and freezer meals so I have those listed). This is the best way to get leads from those people who may be interested in doing a party, but that day they were only focused on buying a Christmas gift.

uncreatedsnow · November 2014

I'm in direct sales too. I would definitely rather have cash & carry at a Craft Fair than try to take orders.

My rules of thumb are, I only buy extras of things I would be ok using myself(either for myself or as a gift) and I only buy enough at a time to maximize my personal benefits. Example: I get XYZ for putting in a $600 order or party, but only get XYZ+$5 in credit for a $700 order, I'd stick with the $600 order in that case. I totally just pulled those numbers at random but you get the idea.

If you have the extra money and are comfortable doing it then go for it!

CuriousKiddosMama · November 2014

Thanks ladies, I'm going to do it. It's just a lot to get started I guess. I think I'm going to try to replenish the stock after every event, so whatever I sell i use 50% to repay myself and %50 to buy more until I've almost paid myself back. I just think it makes more sense to do it this way.

Wulfgar · November 2014

I think you have a very good plan. This is what I usually see others do at craft fairs.

CuriousKiddosMama · November 2014

I placed my order this morning! And looking at my calendar I have 2 events in November it should be here in time for, and 6! In December! If I sell some in November im going to have to reorder for my December shows. But that is a lot of events so hopefully this works great!
Thanks everyone.

uncreatedsnow · November 2014

That is a LOT, good luck!

blondie42107 · November 2014

My sister has done this on a smaller level. When people shop at craft/holiday fairs, they seem to prefer getting the product right there verses ordering and waiting for it.

Craft fairs- what would mm do?

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