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Post by traveler on Sept 30, 2010 17:40:27 GMT -5
 Well, here we are, 7 days into the fair... This is nothing like I thought it would be!!! I don't know where the "7 million +" people are, but they aren't walking through the tent we're set up in!!!! Let's just say that in 7 whole days, I have not made back my 2300 for space, 974 for RV space, 500 in fuel to get here, 210 for insurance, 46 for the drug tests we were required to take.. ETC ETC!!! In fact, I haven't even made "just the space rent" back. I've talked to some old timers for rides and shuttle service that say that they have never seen it so slow in their life! Now, the OU vs Longhorn game is in a couple days, and 200,000 people are in there. Many others say that you simply babysit the space for the first 10 days, and then all heck breaks loose for the last 14 days. I hope so. But meanwhile, 12+ hour days of sitting in a non air conditioned building, to bring in a few hundred dollars?!?!?! Here is a picture of the space. Does it look CROWDED!?!?! It sure is! We can only come 5 feet out on the grid wall sides, so that leaves alot to be desired when it comes to what can be displayed! I will keep you all posted on the outcome of this weekend, but at this rate, I will be lucky to break even!  Attachments:
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Post by davejs on Sept 30, 2010 18:13:33 GMT -5
Well, here we are, 7 days into the fair... This is nothing like I thought it would be!!! I don't know where the "7 million +" people are, but they aren't walking through the tent we're set up in!!!! Let's just say that in 7 whole days, I have not made back my 2300 for space, 974 for RV space, 500 in fuel to get here, 210 for insurance, 46 for the drug tests we were required to take.. ETC ETC!!! In fact, I haven't even made "just the space rent" back. I've talked to some old timers for rides and shuttle service that say that they have never seen it so slow in their life! Now, the OU vs Longhorn game is in a couple days, and 200,000 people are in there. Many others say that you simply babysit the space for the first 10 days, and then all heck breaks loose for the last 14 days. I hope so. But meanwhile, 12+ hour days of sitting in a non air conditioned building, to bring in a few hundred dollars?!?!?! Here is a picture of the space. Does it look CROWDED!?!?! It sure is! We can only come 5 feet out on the grid wall sides, so that leaves alot to be desired when it comes to what can be displayed! I will keep you all posted on the outcome of this weekend, but at this rate, I will be lucky to break even! Oh my gosh. First of all, your booth looks great. Is this a 10x10 space you have? I hope that you can kick some royal ass before it's over with. These shows can get very agonizing especially when you have to make well over $4,000 to show any kind of profit. Hang in there and let's all hope they break down the walls to get in the next couple weeks. I would believe what the people say about things picking up, but it might not be as sensational as in year's past since we are in this #(*$#^# ing Depression. Keep your hopes up. I can imagine that it's pretty hard to sit there day after day with minimum sales, but they will come. Be glad you aren't here in Kalifunkia. Pretty bad for a high percentage of vendors. Best of luck. |
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Post by caricatureartist on Sept 30, 2010 23:55:00 GMT -5
12+ hour days of sitting in a non air conditioned building, to bring in a few hundred dollars?!?!?! Exactly why I quit doing county and state fairs 2 years ago. You just sit out there doing nothing for 12 hours a day, waiting for the busy days...Sat. & Sun. After about 3 fairs I said never again. You have to compete with too much. The huge carnivals and lots of food booths. Everyone makes a Bee-line directly to the carnival once they walk through the gates. They most likely pay for parking, entrance fee, then only have enough left for food and rides. Then they go home. Me personally, I do way better at a 2-day art & wine fest than a whole week at a county fair. Still, hope you will "kill" them with sales like your fellow vendors say will happen. |
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Post by traveler on Oct 3, 2010 13:08:22 GMT -5
HI again. Thanks for the compliment, Dave.
Caricatureartist. I am beginning to know too well what you mean! I would have thought that the #1 show in the Nation would have been different, but I am beginning to feel like "this isn't the right type venue for us".
Yesterday was the "Cotton Bowl" football game. Oklahoma VS Texas. 200,000 people at this venue. It was so packed that you could literally not even walk down the road! Would you believe that I didn't even make FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS?!?!?!?! People were staggering around holding 2 or more $5.00 beers, but wouldn't buy a switch plate cover.... EVEN AFTER THE GAME! This is depressing! THIS was T.H.E. day. Incredible! & I wasn't the only one that was astonished that the sales weren't killer.
I know that location is Key. I heard other vendors in other tents are making pretty good money, but my location isn't that bad.
Will keep you posted more as the show goes on.
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Post by suktexas on Oct 3, 2010 18:50:56 GMT -5
i do believe location is important, but the products you sell is also important. if you sell beer or food, then i guess you can make a lot of money?? how many people go there is a factor but if you sell adult stuff, only teenage go to this game, then the chance of you selling the product is low. i have sold in Dallas First Monday, ...... example but most people go there buy things for their homes and my neighbour sell scenses candle like hot cakes but the rest of the other vendors are very slow. she still complain that the show is slow for her. so, i guess she sell more even more somewhere else. even in swap meet, people will spend $5- $6 - $7 for a beer, and they bargain $1 - $2 discount on a $10 item for 30 mins. they spend $2 entrance fee per person, and $ on food,....? it is hard to say in general. i do believe that the number of people go there is important, but the most important is the right type of number of people go there, not just total number of people go there in general. one vendor sell good does not mean the other sell good. HI again. Thanks for the compliment, Dave. Caricatureartist. I am beginning to know too well what you mean! I would have thought that the #1 show in the Nation would have been different, but I am beginning to feel like "this isn't the right type venue for us". Yesterday was the "Cotton Bowl" football game. Oklahoma VS Texas. 200,000 people at this venue. It was so packed that you could literally not even walk down the road! Would you believe that I didn't even make FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS?!?!?!?! People were staggering around holding 2 or more $5.00 beers, but wouldn't buy a switch plate cover.... EVEN AFTER THE GAME! This is depressing! THIS was T.H.E. day. Incredible! & I wasn't the only one that was astonished that the sales weren't killer. I know that location is Key. I heard other vendors in other tents are making pretty good money, but my location isn't that bad. Will keep you posted more as the show goes on. |
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Post by traveler on Oct 4, 2010 10:48:01 GMT -5
Hi Suktexas. Yes, products are quite important for the area as well. I honestly didn't know what the Texans liked, so I brought alot of different stuff, got a feel right away and placed orders afterwards to keep the stock on hand. Now I see that Dr Pepper, Corvettes and Harley Davidsons are HUGE here, and made certain that I had enough Longhorn and OU street signs, Parking signs, switch plates, and license lates. They did alright, but it was such a madhouse of people, they just were almost hearded through. There is a possibility that THIS is not "THE" venue for us. You just live and learn I guess. I heard of First Monday in Canton.... But I was confused as to the "side" to which is a better place to try to sell. (One is private and one is city owned, or something.) I've been encouraged to try to sell there. Can you lend me any pointers? Talk with you all again! i do believe location is important, but the products you sell is also important. if you sell beer or food, then i guess you can make a lot of money?? how many people go there is a factor but if you sell adult stuff, only teenage go to this game, then the chance of you selling the product is low. i have sold in Dallas First Monday, ...... example but most people go there buy things for their homes and my neighbour sell scenses candle like hot cakes but the rest of the other vendors are very slow. she still complain that the show is slow for her. so, i guess she sell more even more somewhere else. even in swap meet, people will spend $5- $6 - $7 for a beer, and they bargain $1 - $2 discount on a $10 item for 30 mins. they spend $2 entrance fee per person, and $ on food,....? it is hard to say in general. i do believe that the number of people go there is important, but the most important is the right type of number of people go there, not just total number of people go there in general. one vendor sell good does not mean the other sell good. HI again. Thanks for the compliment, Dave. Caricatureartist. I am beginning to know too well what you mean! I would have thought that the #1 show in the Nation would have been different, but I am beginning to feel like "this isn't the right type venue for us". Yesterday was the "Cotton Bowl" football game. Oklahoma VS Texas. 200,000 people at this venue. It was so packed that you could literally not even walk down the road! Would you believe that I didn't even make FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS?!?!?!?! People were staggering around holding 2 or more $5.00 beers, but wouldn't buy a switch plate cover.... EVEN AFTER THE GAME! This is depressing! THIS was T.H.E. day. Incredible! & I wasn't the only one that was astonished that the sales weren't killer. I know that location is Key. I heard other vendors in other tents are making pretty good money, but my location isn't that bad. Will keep you posted more as the show goes on. |
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Post by caricatureartist on Oct 4, 2010 14:57:08 GMT -5
Traveler, I wonder if you would do well at the Forth Worth Arts Festival in April. Sounds like you have some good products. I'm hoping to maybe do that one next year. Its 4 days, and draws about 400,000. I called them a few weeks ago to talk to them about it, and it sounds like it might be a good one. Because of my distance, if I break even thats fine with me. I'm also going as a vacation of sorts to see some sights in Dallas I've always wanted to go to. I remember doing the various county fairs! Afterwards, you feel like you're ready to be sent to the Bates Nut Farm!
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Post by traveler on Oct 4, 2010 17:35:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the lead! I will check it out. I have just talked to the people who do the Fort Worth Stock show in January. This year they hope to get 1 million people in it. They LOVED the stuff I offered, and have no vendors with what I have, but they have absolutely zero inside spaces. They promised that if any spaces opened up, I would be the first one called. It is a 23 day show, and would run around 1,200.00 for the space. Now, depending on where I am hibernating, it could be a 1,000 mile trip, but if there is money to be made, I wouldn't mind it! I am dragging my feet so badly about going back to Quartzside AZ. Not that the management was bad, but the economy is so desperately strangled there that it is nearly an insult to sit day after day. Oh..... the Bates Nut Farm.. Yes, I've booked my reservations there in advance!  Thanks again for the leads! |
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Post by suktexas on Oct 4, 2010 18:16:29 GMT -5
i would suggest to try for the private first not the city one. first you have to try to go there and check out the site first and stay there friday and sat and sun and see? do you want to go there every month? i stay there 3 - 6 months to try out all trade days, and flea markets,..... i do not know if it is worthwhile just to drive there and do a show for 3 days? how much money can you make in 3 days, $2000 the most ( sometime only $1000 )? after all gas, time to drive there 4 days to and back, gas, ..... is it worth it? you decide yourself? Hi Suktexas. Yes, products are quite important for the area as well. I honestly didn't know what the Texans liked, so I brought alot of different stuff, got a feel right away and placed orders afterwards to keep the stock on hand. Now I see that Dr Pepper, Corvettes and Harley Davidsons are HUGE here, and made certain that I had enough Longhorn and OU street signs, Parking signs, switch plates, and license lates. They did alright, but it was such a madhouse of people, they just were almost hearded through. There is a possibility that THIS is not "THE" venue for us. You just live and learn I guess. I heard of First Monday in Canton.... But I was confused as to the "side" to which is a better place to try to sell. (One is private and one is city owned, or something.) I've been encouraged to try to sell there. Can you lend me any pointers? Talk with you all again! i do believe location is important, but the products you sell is also important. if you sell beer or food, then i guess you can make a lot of money?? how many people go there is a factor but if you sell adult stuff, only teenage go to this game, then the chance of you selling the product is low. i have sold in Dallas First Monday, ...... example but most people go there buy things for their homes and my neighbour sell scenses candle like hot cakes but the rest of the other vendors are very slow. she still complain that the show is slow for her. so, i guess she sell more even more somewhere else. even in swap meet, people will spend $5- $6 - $7 for a beer, and they bargain $1 - $2 discount on a $10 item for 30 mins. they spend $2 entrance fee per person, and $ on food,....? it is hard to say in general. i do believe that the number of people go there is important, but the most important is the right type of number of people go there, not just total number of people go there in general. one vendor sell good does not mean the other sell good. |
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Post by traveler on Oct 22, 2010 1:46:42 GMT -5
Well, the fair has wrapped up. It was sort of a fizzle. I only had 3 days of "over a thousand dollars", and never really ANY days that I was so busy that I was stressed out. I did well enough that I will go back next year, but now that I have a good idea of what is sought after and what to leave at home, I hope to do better. MANY vendors had mentioned that they had never seen it as slow as it had been this year. Just the economy for you again!
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Post by zirconcat on Nov 9, 2010 20:49:11 GMT -5
Canton is overrated. TONS of vendors. If you've got junk, you might make a few bucks. If it's not cheap, don't waste your time going there.
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Post by traveler on Nov 9, 2010 23:50:53 GMT -5
Zirconcat. Thanks! That is sort of what I was beginning to believe, though I had people nearly DAILY at the fair who would ask if I sold at Canton. I thought if I were in the area, I might stop in and look for myself, but if there are several people already selling signs, you are right, it would be a waste of time. I have a large selection, but I don't need to wholesale it to try to get some money back out of it!
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Post by traveler on May 25, 2011 18:27:54 GMT -5
Well, here we are, getting ready to get it going again for 2011. Unfortunately the lady that has run the vendor section ~forever~, died of Cancer right after the Texas fair, so they have some new blood in there. They are "running behind" according to the new director. SO, they sent me a contract for a double space and essentially gave me LESS THAN 11 days to get them 2370 (half) to secure the contract. I called them today and told them that I had funds coming that I cashed out as soon as I knew that I was going to go back, but was still in process, and was pretty well told that if I don't have it to them in a couple days, they'll release the space to someone else. (NICE, huh?!?!)
So, deep breath.... Let's see what happens now!
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