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Suggestions! I'm having my first stall at a fair..
Discussions : General discussion : Suggestions! I'm having my first stall at a fair..
HandsOn wrote:
Hi everyone,
I am in the process of booking myself in to do a stall at a local fair (anyone in Sydney??? it's at Kellyville Homeworld for anyone interested - it's part of the Orange Blossom festival. I'd never heard of it before..ill post it in the events forum also) but as i have never done one, i thought i'd seek some suggestions from here as to what i should do, and what i need to take...
My basic list so far is:
* small gazebo (im required to provide shade)
* 1 or 2 tressel tables (i'm thinking one at the front, and one at the back of the stall to show a display of felt boards on as if i stood them at the front i wouldn't be able to see over them!!)
* A bumbag / cash tin with a float (what do you thinks safer? i'm going for the bumbag so far as its always on me and it cant be stolen as easily... ) Also how much float do people recommend? $100??
* Flyers & Catalogues (i'm going to laminate a few catalogues and attach them to display so they don't walk as they aren't cheap enough to give away freely to everyone who walks past..)
* Business cards & postcards with business details on it
* Stock - of course!! I am in the process of deciding what sells best and how much of everything to take....
* Order forms - if i dont have stock on hand, i will take orders and post/deliver the items.
* Water (for me!!)
And there is other things i've thought of but right now i'm having a mental blank... what has everyone else found works? doesnt work? any suggestions or things i have forgotten to list??
Your help is really appreciated - with your help i can make this fair a sucess!!
(items added or suggested by replies):
* Chair(s)
* Comfortable Shoes
* Pen & Paper
TAS replied:
SENSIBLE SHOES.CHAIR IF U GET TIME TO SIT DOWN.SOME FOOD.THE BUM BAG SOUNDS GOOD BUT WILL MONEY GET ALL MIXED UP AND WHEN GETTING CHANGE SOME COME OUT? SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT OTHER THINGS COVERED.HAVE A GREAT TIME AND GOOD LUCK.
TRACY
HandsOn replied:
Hi Tracey,
Thanks for your reply - yeah thats why i am between a bumbag or a money tin. Money tin is much more organised, but is it likely to get pinched?? Perhaps if i keep it in a box on the back table where noone can get to it or see it - hm. that's an idea. Anyones experience between the 2 is appreciated!
downunder replied:
I always use a small money tin ( but not too small) with a coin tray as it's easy to handle change, with something small and heavy to weigh the notes down in case it's windy. I tuck my tin behind a 4 tier A4 brochure holder so it's out of site and not easy to anyone to grab while easy for me to access. Make sure it is not near either end of the table.
Have some back-up as well , either a bum bag or good pocket and regularly take out large notes from your money tin so there is never a lot in there. Usually I can have my car nearby and lock my handbag in the boot for excess $$. If you can't do that or if you get too busy, a backup is essential. I remember one show where I couldn't get to my car, it was so busy, even though it was only 2 steps away. I had excess money stuffed in every pocket, down my bras and everywhere else I could think of.
Also consider having a table down the side rather than behind you. Depending on your lay-out, it will be harder for the public to access but easier to see and also for you to be able to watch your entire area at once.
Julie
downunder replied:
Also - weather protection.
No matter what the weather forecast is - be prepared. A jumper or jacket and cool short sleeve top and sunscreen because if you aren't comfortable,you won't enjoy the day.
A couple of small, cheap coloured tarps. They fold up to nothing but can be used for any weather, extra shade, wind protection, rain, back drop for displays or to cover odd spots & extra stock etc. Thow in some hooks (get them at the garden sections of hardware stores) and occy type straps. Always handy to secure anything on a slope or wind. If you get the hooks to fit over your gazebo bars, you can hang stock on them too.
Julie
HandsOn replied:
Thanks Julie, some GREAT suggestions there. I will keep them all in mind. How much of a float do you usually take with you, would $100 be enough??
downunder replied:
$100 should be enough for general change, but I recommend having an extra $100 in $20's as most ATM's spit out $50 notes - it depends on the prices of your goods. I find early in the day I will $50 after $50 notes - Murphy's Law says you will keep getting those until all your change is gone. Then later in the day I get all smaller notes and coin.
Also don't forget some card and large markers and/or a blackboard and chalk to write up an instant sign if you want eg: run a show special or special offer you may not have thought of before you went. Display at least some of your prices prominantly - if the customer can't find the price, many will walk away or assume they are expensive.
Julie
HandsOn replied:
Was thinking of perhaps creating either an A4 sign with some basic prices, or putting labels on the packets that i display and then when they buy something taking the stock from under the table in the boxes to avoid labeling everything... what way to you find best to label items??
Will also see if i can get my hands on a childrens chalkboard - or definately take some cardboard and textas.
Does anyone have ideas for fancy displays?? Rather than laying everything flat... what can i do to make people want to come and have a look?? (if you want to see my range for an idea, go to my website: www.feltboardstories.com.au)
Thanks downunder - more great suggestions. I will definately take note of what you said about change as this is my biggest fear - not having change and therefore losing sales. I will also be able to accept credit cards on the day (hopefully) with thanks to head office providing a credit card swiper.
ExMember148 replied:
I just saw the REJECT shop catalogue, and I am going down there tomorrow to have a look at a folding screen made of lattice. It looks interesting and possilbly good for 'hanging' displays. I am wanting to see if I could easily spray paint it my company colours.
HandsOn replied:
were you meaning the $10 "expandable timber trellis" on page 2??
(http://www.rejectshop.com.au/downloads/catalogue/69/69_August07.pdf)
What a good idea! Perhaps on the back table i could display stock on it... hm.....
Another idea CK Cath gave me was the black shoe rack in the catalogue for $23... she put the shelves on backwards, so the ledge was at the front, and used it to display stock!!!