Terrible craft sale

I had a very bad first craft sale experience this morning.
It was very exciting when I got there... . Once people started looking around they didn't even glance at my table! Tons of people stopped at the two stalls on either side of mine, but they never looked towards me. I just wanted to sell a few things, make a bit more money than how much the table cost. But I didn't. I lost money.
Only a dollar, but still.
I sold 3 items, two to people I know.
This sucks.

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13 replies since 6th November 2010 • Last reply 6th November 2010

Reply #1:

Im very sorry about your bad experience.It happens, I have had that happen.I always did better selling to individuals.I go lots of orders that way, when I went some where I took my stff in a bag and would have something I was working on would take out one or 2 and look at them and people just ordered like crazy, I got so many orders I was over whelmed by them.I never did good at sales places or boutiques
Hope your next experience is much better..smile..

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Reply #2:

Aw that sucks! Maybe the people walking around couldnt really get a good look at your crafts. Maybe next time you should try to make displays that are visually actractive. Set your stuff up in a way that looks really cool and you'll have people flocking to your table even if they didnt want.... knitted hats.. idk lol.

Or maybe it was just a bad day. Maybe next time will be better!

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Reply #3:

Aw, that sucks... was it your first one or have you done this in the past? Maybe it was just a bad day, or that particular group of people wasn't shopping for what you made on that particular day?

I agree with PJ--I've never sold at a craft market, but I don't get much from my online shop, though when people see the things I'm wearing that I've made, they go crazy and order up! Maybe wearing our own items is the best policy?

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Reply #4:

Aw, that sucks... was it your first one or have you done this in the past? Maybe it was just a bad day, or that particular group of people wasn't shopping for what you made on that particular day?

I agree with PJ--I've never sold at a craft market, but I don't get much from my online shop, though when people see the things I'm wearing that I've made, they go crazy and order up! Maybe wearing our own items is the best policy?

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Reply #5:

This was my first craft sale...
I'm probably just in a bad mood because of it, I will most likely try it again. It might have been the customers, I guess what I had to offer wasn't what they wanted.
I might have to just try selling to individuals like PJ said.

Happy

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Reply #6:

It really works for me..I don't take stuff with me very much any more.I don't want any more orders at this time.I hope it works for
you.Good luck..smile

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Reply #7:

Sorry you have had a bad experience. Don't be put off. Check out what kinds of crafts others are doing. Sometimes certain craft fairs seem to have a theme. Make sure you are selling in the right kind of craft fair otherwise you won't reach the people who would be interested in your crafts. It's difficult at first to work out prices, set up your stall and just talking to people can be scarey too.
Get to know other stall holders who have more experience. Most are happy to help new people.
It's really weird how sometimes you make stuff and really like it and it doesn't sell.
Other times you can make stuff that you think is ok but not your fave and people will rave about it. There really is no way to know what will sell and what won't.
Ask people what they think works/doesn't work with your stall and use the feedback to get noticed.
Sometimes 'less is more' so don't try to put everything out in one go. You can always say 'I have other colours......' and then get a item from under the table. It strikes up a conversation and people are more likely to stay and maybe buy stuff.
Good luck and be proud that you have taken your first steps.

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Reply #8:

crafting is an unpredictable buisness sadly, home made things often loose their charm to people these days, things aren't as sentimental as they used to be. I did a charity bake sale at school. I wanted 50p a cake for charity and some teacher said 50p hmphhhh im happy with the 25p toast. Things like this break your heart but dont worry hun Happy buisness will pick up before you know it, i bet your a fantastic crafter, sometimes you just get a tough break with a snooty bunch but no worries no 2 craft fairs are the same

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Reply #9:

I'm sorry you had a bad experience, i know exactly how that feels. I love doing shows so now I am very picky about where I send in an application. My advice is NEVER do a vendor show- ever! A vendor show is where not only handcrafts but also home businesses like tubberware and avon set up. Also research your shows beforehand to see what kind of market will be shopping there and if the show was successful in the past.
good luck next time Happy

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Reply #10:

Oooh that sounds really nasty! Your projects are great, so I'm certain it's not the quality of your pieces that is putting people off. Maybe it was just the wrong crowd, like people have been saying. $1 is not so much to lose. You sometimes have to lose a bit while you're starting out. I did free/ charity gigs for 6 months when I was a dancer. Then after I was established it helped to pay me through uni. Sometimes it is worth it in the end. People might not have bought from you, but did did they pick up your business cards?

Hannah - I really hope that stingy teacher got handed a 25p piece of toast and then charged an extra 25p for butter Happy

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Reply #11:

Sorry to hear about that...My first fair was the same or even worse...
I worked on my stuff for months,and I ended up sitting at a table for 2 hole days and didn't sell a single item!!!nothing!And it was so humiliating...everyone walked by my table but nobody looked at my stuff.I was really feeling down and didn't craft for months...

But this was 3 years ago and after a few months I bounced back and got crafty again.But I didn't have the courage to go to a fair again until a few months ago where I sold all my pouches and made good money!So don't be like me hun,don't let it bother you as much as it did me-just try again make a few different items and you will see what people are interested in.It will get better! Happy

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Reply #12:

It's a tough world out there. Writers get their stories rejected all the time. Actors don't get parts for stupid reasons like their religion (seriously this happens), Artists can have their work hanging in a gallery for years before it sells and even huge Hollywood movies can totally tank.

I guess what I'm saying is that if you're going to be doing something as unsteady as art you have to be willing to hit a dozen dead ends before things work.

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Reply #13:

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. It's really helpful and reassuring. Sounds like everyone has to deal with this kind of thing.
It just felt terrible...
But I won't stop crafting! NeverHappy

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