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Taking the plunge

May 30th, 2013 at 03:36 pm

Well, we did it. DH and I have discussing this for a few months and we have been buying items very reasonably and ... we put down rent for a booth in a local antique mall.

I am both excited and frightened. My folks always did something for extra money. When I was a kid they had a furniture store and when we moved they had a small antique shop. I am, by no means, an expert on anything, but I am hoping we can make some money as well as have some fun buying and selling.

Our booth is very small and therefore fairly reasonable. I have a variety of items, priced differently. DH has argued with me over this one item...it is a very large candle with a primitive beaded ring around it sitting on a glass plate. He says it is too ugly and I say for $2.00, someone might buy it just for the candle and the plate. We shall see.

We set it up this afternoon. The place is supposed to have a flea market on the grounds this weekend so hopefully it will bring in more customers. I hope we have a nice weekend for it.

Any suggestions for a successful booth?

Wish us luck!

5 Responses to “Taking the plunge”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1369927356

    I ran booths for several years, first in North Carolina and then in Indiana. I would say the most important thing is to rent space in a high-traffic venue. And I hope your rent is low. I will tell you frankly that most months I did not meet the rent, which is why I'm not doing it any more!

    But I hope for better luck for you. Keep good records. If you do make a profit you will need to declare it for tax purposes. So keep records on what you spend on inventory, gas etc., as well as rent, so you have a true picture of your profit. I had a spreadsheet with each item listed -- a description, inventory #, purchase price, sell price, date entered, date sold.

    Don't buy anything that you can't sell for triple the price, or you won't make ends meet. Estate sales/auctions and garage sales are your best bets. Flea markets are already priced at value; don't buy there.

    Keep little things in a locked case, as well as the most valuable things.

    Don't overstuff your booth. An attractive display is worth more than a lot of inventory, because it will invite people in. Move stuff around a LOT so it always looks fresh. Dust!!!!

    And enjoy yourself! You don't have to be an expert. You will learn as you go. It's major fun!

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1369930168

    Good luck! I like booths that have a nice mix of items. Maybe look at other booths that YOU like and try to figure out what you like about it and if possible set up similar. Sure put the candle out for awhile...if it doesn't sell in a set period, take it out.

  3. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    1369930747

    This does not sound like a risky plunge, the costs will not likely be more than the income. The profit may be small, if any, especially if you let the first half year or so be A LEARNING PERIOD! What to sell, how to show, price and such takes experience.

    Ditto on the moving things around every 6 to 8 weeks. It is absolutely true that it makes things look NEW.

    Group like things together, such as putting silver in one area or old things near each other. There can be more than one 'group' of like things, just don't mix up everything in a mish mash.

    Use fun inexpensive 'props' such as putting vintage dishes on paper doilies (cheap at the craft store). Put old jewelry or small things on squares of felt to make them really pop, use black, red or white felt (cheap at the fabric store).

    Definitely make fun the priority and do NOT obsess on the income.

  4. PNW Mom Says:
    1369944225

    Good luck!

  5. rob62521 Says:
    1370201689

    Thanks, everyone!

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