Thread: Pens at Markets

I have not done the markets (for selling) yet. Can be a real challenge to get a suitable one. Sadly there are those that sell them way to cheap which makes it harder to get a decent price.

I saw a market at 'The Rocks' near the harbour bridge for those who dont know Sydney. He was selling pens for $20. He had bought these pens off someone to re-sell. Imagine the how cheap they were before his mark up.


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Have you ever wondered what drives people to buy pens??? You can get a 99 cent bic pen in any stationary store that does the same thing. Now is it the fact that some people have more cash than needed??? The pens I sell are usually custom made blanks or acrylics. I at times want to just ask the customer what is it that made you buy that pen?? I always felt a little insecure to do this though. Figuring heck what do I care as long as they buy it. But it could be a neat marketing tool if you can get honest answers. Has anyone ever done this type survey???

I did some research had an online survey at one point and have spoken to customers.

Generally I guess it falls into 3 main reasons

1) like the feel of wood (I did not do acrylics)
2) like something hand made
3) like the unique shape (many of mine would have a bead or different shape about them)


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

I did some research had an online survey at one point and have spoken to customers.

Generally I guess it falls into 3 main reasons

1) like the feel of wood (I did not do acrylics)
2) like something hand made
3) like the unique shape (many of mine would have a bead or different shape about them)


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

If I could also add,

One size does not fit all hands - fat / thin - heavy / light
I prefer a finger rest near the pointy end for comfort and stops my wet fingers [perspiration] sliding down or having to have a gorilla grip just to be able to write
Ease of or ability to keep the outside but replace the inside when/if necessary - new ink, change colour, fine, medium or thick line.

One of the down falls of selling things too cheaply. People get used to it and they expect it all the time. It will also effect the seller of the pen kits, their profit will be lower as less people will want to purchase the kits.

Plantagenon; How many times have you been at this market and not sold anything?

Greg ! Just got home from Broadbeach Markets ,it was a bit cool in the wind,but the sun was nice hehe, I had what I would call a quiet day today , sold 5 pens and a Razor in a nice box ,but I did come home with $285 dollars ,talked to a lot of people and a few will be future customers, If I had Eftpos I could sell more as not many people walk around a Sunday market with a pocket full of cash hehe. But from what you are saying about costs you have been quoted you would have to sell a lot of pens to break even ,usually my first sale pays my rent ,the second sale pays for petrol after that I start to get a bit ahead of kit costs and materials for the day, so for me at my modest prices ,between 5 + 10 pens per market makes me happy hehe. Cheers ~ John

I will be watching this thread my wife and me are thinking off doing the market thing.
But unfortunately for now I have nothing to offer )

i have tried markets... around here they are all TRASH and treasure (not much of the treasure)

people go to spend $5 on some crap or to buy plants and clothes

i have tried to talk a couple of people into organizing a Art Fair but with no luck, i told them i would spend good money on a stall at one of these rather than $10 at the junk market... people go to a Make It, Bake It, Grow It, Sew It market knowing that there will be better items around

heres hoping someone will try to organize something in the area soon, i would but time is a problem when you only get 1 1/2 days off a week

MIK