Thanks: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 9 of 9
Thread: Pens at Markets
-
3rd May 2014, 10:02 PM #1
Pens at Markets
I just wasted my day at my usual markets. Sold 2 cheap pens and made next to nothing - in fact a loss when the market fees are taken into account. Very few people attended and there were less stall holders there since last time. There will be one more less at the next markets.
So I am on the search yet another market with a high volume of people walking through. I am checking out a few and will find somewhere. One I looked at wants $220 for ONE fold-out table space. Apparently, it has a very high turn up rate and mainly people with the big bucks. Trouble is those sort of people buy Rolexes and Mont Blancs, not cheap kit pens. Maybe I could start my pens at $500 a piece to entice them to buy.
Another market wants nearly $100 a year membership fee and almost the same for each market day.
On a better note, people at the markets today said there was a pen maker at the recent Bris - Gladstone Race Fair Day at Sandgate or Redcliffe. Apparently, pens were selling left, right and centre. Whoever it was certainly picked the right spot and made a tidy little profit. Good luck to you.
I did see on FB that a beginner pen maker down south was claiming to be selling huge numbers of pens at expensive prices. This is the same person who continues to ask for basic advice on pen making. I have a very good idea he is holding more than a pen.
-
3rd May 2014 10:02 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Age
- 2010
- Posts
- Many
-
4th May 2014, 12:28 AM #2
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
-
4th May 2014, 01:20 AM #3
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???
-
4th May 2014, 01:33 AM #4
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
-
4th May 2014, 01:13 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Location
- Queensland
- Posts
- 2,947
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.
-
4th May 2014, 04:12 PM #6
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?
-
4th May 2014, 04:57 PM #7
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
G'day all !Enjoy your stay !!!
-
4th May 2014, 11:56 PM #8
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 )
-
5th May 2014, 12:16 AM #9
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
MIKNo Result Without Effort
Mecha Blanks now on Facebook - Miks Blanks
Mecha Blanks now Available at Perfect Pens and Pencils
Find me on Facebook - Pens by MIK
Similar Threads
-
Bullet Pens for the Markets
By Dorno in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNINGReplies: 11Last Post: 23rd January 2013, 11:04 PM -
Pens for markets
By plantagenon in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNINGReplies: 6Last Post: 7th June 2012, 11:14 AM -
off to the markets
By weisyboy in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 38Last Post: 25th September 2008, 08:28 AM -
Advice on Selling Pens at Markets
By PenTurner in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNINGReplies: 29Last Post: 28th November 2006, 07:43 PM -
markets
By rocabig in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 3Last Post: 18th July 2004, 04:49 PM