Memorial Day craft show results

[Doug B]

LMAO Boodrow! ;D

Thanks for the kind words Monty, Jerry, and Mark!

[sdb777]

Okay Doug, you've had a few moments to think.

What would you have done differently....if anything?





Scott (learn us somethin') B

[Doug B]

I have been really trying to come up with something that might be helpful for others that I would do differently. As far as my setup, it is really the way I want it now, and most of what I would like to change is probably not possible to change easily.

I have a couple of "pitches" that I use and try to determine which one to go with when someone walks up and I wish I was better at that. And I really got tired of telling the same thing over and over and over for 3 days in a row, so I'd recommend you have something that is really interesting and that you can use some variety with. "Show and tell" items like "in progress" examples are always really helpful.

I also suspect that some of the most curious guys that seemed to want to know some very specific things were possibly other turners that were trying to figure out how I made some things. I don't really mind that at all, but I wish they would be up front about it instead of trying to be sneaky. But heck, I know I did the same thing a time or two before I started doing craft shows. Now that I have done a few craft shows I realize that it is kind of irritating to make a "pitch" to someone you think is a possible customer when you could just talk shop with them and enjoy it a whole lot more knowing that is what it was.

Also, I'd like to figure out a way to make some parents control their kids a little better. Kids are really attracted to the bright colored pens and they really want to touch them. It can sometimes be a very uncomfortable situation for me, but I don't know what I can do to change that.

I guess one other thing I've learned is that you never know who is going to be a serious customer and who is not. I have really been surprised by some people who bought from me that did not seem likely to make a purchase.

I also need a better way to close a sale. I had several very interested customers (or at least seemed to be) that just could not pull the trigger for some reason. Maybe they were just trying to get a better deal, but I never lower the price on anything other than my standard $5.00 off each additional purchase after the first item.

[boodrow]

Doug Im with u , I give discounts on multiple purchaces. I rember last year when me and Cody were in Edom , a couple from dallas bout 7 stoppers from me , I knocked off 10 dollars.
The last day I will start to haggle a bit , but lots of it depends on the customer , if they are arses , I wont budge a bit. Id rather take it back home than see them think they screwed me.
The way I haggle the last day is kinda like u said , I will knock off 5 if they buy 2 stoppers.
Boodrow

[sdb777]

If you can figure out a method for the 'controlling the kids' thing, you really need to share that. While some parents have a pretty good handle on it....most don't! The don'ts far out-weight the do's!!


One thing I really like about your set-up is there is some height to it. The stoppers with the wine bottle display is wonderful...and well worth every minute you and the 'boss' put into it.
Any plans to make a light pull cabinet of some sort?



Greeting customers has been pretty easy, after my three year Archery Tech/Manager position at Gander. I've always noticed it's not what you say, but how you say it. Everything said to a possible customer should be formed as a question that requires an answer. Not just a "Howdy" or "Hello", but more along the lines of, "Perfect day to be walking around isn't it?"


Scott (most people will respond, even if they don't really want too) B

[Doug B]

I do have a plan for a display for the pulls I'm not sure exactly how it will come out, but I know I need to have at least some of the pulls hanging like they will when in use. I'm thinking maybe something that will look like a miniature ceiling fan and hang the pulls from the blades. That is something I have to work on fairly soon - I have 2 more craft shows coming up in the next few weeks.

I have been surprised at how many parents let their kids paw the merchandise. Some try to control them and don't succeed, and then there are the very few who are very strict and their kids listen to them. I figure that is just part of the business and I make sure that I don't put the higher end pens on the row closest to the customers.

Funny you should mention the thing about asking a question...I never thought about it, but I usually do that without thinking about it. First I make eye contact, then say something like "Good morning, how are y'all today? Sure is a nice day today isn't it?" I usually get a smile in response followed by a reply to my question. I like to follow up with "So, where are y'all from?" Then try to say something about where they are from like "Sure is a lot cooler up here than in Lubbock isn't it? We're from Las Cruces so we are enjoying this nice cool weather too." People like to talk about where they are from and where you are from and sometimes you even end up know some people that they know as well. Part of what I enjoy about doing craft shows is that interaction with the customers.

Boodrow says he calls the old ladies "young ladies" but I haven't been able to be quite that obviously sucking up to the customers just yet...maybe when I add some snake oil to my display I'll start doing that too ;D

[Ruffnek]

I'll tell ya, Boodrow is a master at BS. He greets the ladies with flattering words, starts describing the different woods as they look over his stuff and generally just keeps up a running line of talk the entire tiem. They evidently like it because he sells a lot fo stuff.

Last year at Edom, there was a young couple that came in the booth on Sunday after the "Horns had put a whupping on Oklahoma. They were both wearing OU sweatshirts.

Boodrow greeted them with a cheerful "How are you folks doing this today?" I piped up with "they're in mourning."

If looks could kill, the one that girl gave me would have knocked me stone, cold dead. The guy replied sarcastically, "you just had to say something, didn't you."

They didn't even come over to my side of the booth. But, it was worth it to hook a couple of Sooners. ;D

[Doug B]

LOL! Anytime someone is wearing a cap or shirt with a NFL team other than Dallas I always tell them I have a special price for them...whatever is printed on the card...just double it! Triple it if they are Eagles fans ;D

They always laugh and if I can talk a little about their team it always makes for good conversation. People are generally very good natured about their sports teams. Luckily, most of the folks in this part of the country are Cowboys fans.