Teach Soap

Two day market, brand new market, not very good parking, adequate signage, nice venue overall.
8 x 10 space with one table and 2 chairs for $30, which was very cool.
About 25 assorted vendors, all handmade.
Very slow both days, probably cause of Black Friday going on at all the big box stores and we were downtown where black friday is no big deal, also, huge football game on Saturday.
Anyway, I did really well. I sold 60 bars of soap, learned a lot, had fun and would do it again. Problem is, two of the other vendors were complaining about me because I sold a lot more than they did. One said I got preferential treatment because I had a corner space, then other was another soap seller and said that I was taking away from her sales. The event coordinator told them that I could probably sell ice to Eskimos, but that there were three other corner spaces and they weren't complaining about them, and that maybe they should take note and improve their salesmanship! At any rate, is this the way these smaller events are? Seriously, I am astounded that people think it's somebody else's fault that they aren't selling! My soap was priced at $5 per bar (about 5 oz. bars), which was actually a little higher than the other lady's, so I certainly wasn't undercutting other vendors. I had one of every fragrance unwrapped and out in a baby bathtub for people to hold and sniff, and all the bars I was selling were simply wrapped in self sealing cello bags with simple labels.

Be proud of yourself and don't worry about them. It sounds like total sour grapes on their part and it sounds like the event manager realized it. I love your idea of a soap in little bathtubs! Where did you get the bathtubs? If I can find them, would you mind if I used your display idea? I'm planning on a huge show in May, but I have to supply my own tables.

Again, congratulations! With everything you were up against (Black Friday, football, etc.), you did superbly.

I agree with jillybeansisme. Don't give them a second thought. You did GREAT! Congrats! I hope your next event is just as good if not better!

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Congrats on your sales! I wouldn't worry what the other vendors think.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Certainly feel free to use the bathtub idea! I'd post a picture if I could figure out how! Actually what it is, is a little bitty (about 22-24 inches long by 12-14 inches wide, 10- 12 inches deep) galvanized feed trough that I snagged at the farm store. I can't tell you how many people come up and tell me that they got baths in one just like it when they were kidlets! I put some quilt batting scraps in the bottom to raise the soap up to look almost overflowing (Covered the batting with a nice piece of fabric) and it looks very inviting to folks when they stroll by. I have one bar of every fragrance I have available in the tub, unwrapped, with the name scratched in with a scribe. Right now, that's about 35 bars, so they're only about two layers deep, and the customers don't have to dig all the way to the bottom. They decide what they want, I give them a nice fresh wrapped bar and everybody is happy, especially me when I'm stuffing their money into my little bag or patting myself on the back for getting that little gizmo that reads credit cards!

As for the cranky old broads at the market this weekend, they were the only two who didn't sign up for next years market, so that problem kind of took care of itself! The event coordinator is great and makes it a fun event even if it's gets slow. Life is good!

Which credit card reader did you get? I've been looking into them because I'm going to do a big show in May -- but I don't have a smart phone or tablet. One of them (can't remember at the moment which one) will give you the tablet to use. Anyway, are you happy with your service?

I use Square Up and so far it's been great.

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I have the intuit swiper. They have great customer service and processing times.

_________________

Dawn

Congratulations on your sales! Unfortunately, sometimes people let their disappointment and sour grapes show instead of figuring out how to improve. Keep on soaping!

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

We use Square Up because my girlfriend uses it and I knew if I needed help, I could ask her and she wouldn't laugh at me for being so "challenged"! However, it has been absolutely a no brainer and gets me sales that I otherwise wouldn't get. I did find out that since it plugs into my speaker jack, I can't talk on the phone while it's plugged in. Also, the big office supply stores sell several different card readers in case you ever lose yours and have to have it immediately.

I use Square Up as well, but it doesn't work with all phones. You might want to check out Propay.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I have to get a new phone to get a card reader or use a system that sends the tablet. I've heard that Square Up holds your money a long time. Have you had any issues with that? I hope not.

I haven't had any problem with them holding money. If you look at their website, it will give you the processing times for transactions.

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.