Thread: advice wanted

Hehe ! you could write a book and still get it wrong , my advice is be yourself and be enthusiastic , most people love to chat about what you do ,share with them how the pens are made ,try and get them to hold a pen and write with it get them to try a rollerball as most folks never have . Set your prices fair for you and the customer , I usually have a few interesting blanks to show folks how a pen starts off ,don't try and sell pens .just assist when required ,one question comes up all the time , about refills ,hard to get etc, I always offer a free refill with each pen sold , and a small discount on multiple sales The main thing is enough people stopping by, its a numbers game like all selling you will get lots of lookers ,but a few will buy . One thing I always do is be at the front of my table with the customer ,not behind like a shopkeeper ,keeps it more personal and friendlier . Try and have a raised shelf at the back of the table ,so you can have a layered effect .like 3D hehe makes it easier to display and seperate the pens either by price or catagory . I think I have posted a photo of one of my displays early on ,one table and an umbrella worked well hehe. Hope some of that helps ,its a bit of a dip the toe in and test the waters cheers ~ John

thanks john
since you do heaps of markets many thanks for your input

i would have thought i would have gotten more responses as alot of members probally do some markets and are from different areas of OZ so its not like im going to be stealing your spot at your market

Troy ! a lot of useful info in this thread ! cheers~ John

Hi there........Congratulations in making the step and going to the markets. I would love to do the same but around my area there are markets galore and there's already someone selling. Not sure if they do well with sales but the best you are doing is giving it a go. Follow suggestions from Gawdelpus (I think he's experienced) I have found that people like to know a bit about the piece of wood name/origin. I've sold probably around 10 pens since starting and a couple of people I know that have bought asked if I had a case. I purchased some from Timberbits and keep as spares when someone requests one. The Timber ones are very very nice. Have some on display to test the waters. Mother's Day is coming up so maybe put up a Pretty Sign simply made out of cardboard with a few flowers and butterflies stuck on it stating "Great Unique Gift for that Special Mum". Maybe do some Acrylics which Mums will just love.............I know I'm one and want to keep every one I make. Hope that helps from the other gender........I would love to hear how you go. If I was closer up north I would come for a sticky beak............lol

i will be posting some pics from the day showing my table and maybe me

Troy this is my basic setup 3 yrs ago https://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/xm...veland-109241/
still use the basic setup but under a gazebo these days hehe,and a lot more stock to show off ,you'll note a picture board of the basic steps to making pens , it gets a lot of interest I find information is the key ,if people are going to spend the dollars, they like to know what they are getting for it ,good luck with your efforts cheers ~ John