craft fair

[mick the pen]

what have i done wrong? there was a fellow wood turner who took his pens of display when he saw mine could not belive the quality of finish, and all i could sell was 7 slimlines all weekend and the event was ram packed.

 

[Terry]

Unfortunately that is the curse of craft fairs Mick. Better luck next time!!!!!

 

[silver]

All I can say is well done... at least a fellow wood turner has spotted the quality and the high standard of finish of your pens.

However it might have been better for you for him to have left them on show..

But I'm afraid that this does happen.. not sure what you can do apart from persevere and it should get better

 

[Grump]

Mick I feel gutted for ya, that is a wonderful display mate and the fact the fellow turner took his off is a huge testimony to your quality.
Get a gun and make buy mate is all I can say.

 

[Jim]

I believe it be an area thing, look at Alex, he made plenty of sales at his fair, seeing you pens Mick, it certainly isn't anything to do with them as they are quality .. Just the same around these parts where i also can only sell mainly slimlines with the odd Baron or JR rollerballs .. Best wishes for next time Mick ...

 

[bellringer]

Ye it all about the area and also there are a lot of people that go and just look and dont buy

 

[paulm]

The first fair I went to was in bath... I was already on the phone ordering a Ferrari but had to cancel when I got home after selling only 4 pens. I was disheartened as Bath of all places should make me rich. I've since done MUCH better in little school fairs. Its all about location, time of they year an luck I think. I'm doing 2 fairs again next week so I'll be back on to the Ferrari dealer next Monday

Don't give up Mick. With the standard of your pens they're missing out... put the price up.

 

[dotslad]

Mick having done a few small local church hall type craft fairs I know it can be hard going it seems that you get lots of lovely and beautiful but not a lot of sales and people seem to like the Slimlines for shape and price I now don't bother with them but just stick em on ebay get my costs back and buy more pen kits for me it's just a hobby not a business

 

[silver]

I now don't bother with them but just stick em on ebay get my costs back and buy more pen kits for me it's just a hobby not a business

At some of he prices on e-bay they aren't even covering their costs, even if you take out the labour, just include material cost then they must be loosing even as a hobby.

but whatever happens, as long as we have people selling pens at a loss then you will never sell pens to even finance a hobby..

 

[Buckeye]

At some of he prices on e-bay they aren't even covering their costs, even if you take out the labour, just include material cost then they must be loosing even as a hobby.

but whatever happens, as long as we have people selling pens at a loss then you will never sell pens to even finance a hobby..

I have to disagree, I have never done a craft fair or approached retailers, but I price my pens at the price I want for them. I was shocked last week when someone I know who make & sells pens said that he was going to be making quite a lot of bolt-action bullet pens and was going to charge £17.50 for them. I have sold 6 so far at £45.00 each, Streamlines start at £29.00 and fountain pens from £45.00. The best price I have achieved is £210.00 for a watch parts pen. I love making pens, but I will not sell them for less than I think they are worth. I don't sell lots every week, but I have a client who will buy every pen I show him, I only show him one per month at the most, they are usually fountain pens which I have cast in clear PR like the watch parts pens or the copper and aluminium clad pens.

If you sell cheap pens, you will become known for selling cheap pens. I would rather sell relatively few at my prices than to try to compete with those who don't value their work.

Peter

 

[Doug]

Must be soul destroying Mick, best of luck with the next one.

 

[silver]

If you sell cheap pens, you will become known for selling cheap pens. I would rather sell relatively few at my prices than to try to compete with those who don't value their work.

Peter

Couldn't agree more...

 

[stevenw1963]

Shame but been there done that & got the t shirt.

I don't do craft fairs any more & only sell at a couple of Christmas fairs in the village I live in, I'm not after making a living from it so whatever I do sell is a bonus to me and helps fund some of next years work.
Sierra's and Pristinas went well last year but so did a lot of the little stuff like key rings etc, in fact, I didn't have enough of those, so got a few more this year.

Next time you'll sell 50 pens at the same fair Mick, think it's called sods law, so don't give up. Just take something to read to while away the time

 

[Woody]

Bountiful display shame there all to tight but that is the way it goes at times keep it up it will all come together one day

 

[bellringer]

I found people liked the Sierras more then any thing else
Also which ever wood the customer has in there hand say it one of your favourites

 

[bluntchisel]

Good luck next time, Mick - I had a day just like yours last month, where I just about recovered my outlay. Yet at the same event last year I took over £350! I think we're in the lap of the gods, matey!

Bob.

 

[paulm]

I have to disagree, I have never done a craft fair or approached retailers, but I price my pens at the price I want for them. I was shocked last week when someone I know who make & sells pens said that he was going to be making quite a lot of bolt-action bullet pens and was going to charge £17.50 for them. I have sold 6 so far at £45.00 each, Streamlines start at £29.00 and fountain pens from £45.00. The best price I have achieved is £210.00 for a watch parts pen. I love making pens, but I will not sell them for less than I think they are worth. I don't sell lots every week, but I have a client who will buy every pen I show him, I only show him one per month at the most, they are usually fountain pens which I have cast in clear PR like the watch parts pens or the copper and aluminium clad pens.

If you sell cheap pens, you will become known for selling cheap pens. I would rather sell relatively few at my prices than to try to compete with those who don't value their work.

Peter

I agree entirely. I don't sell my pens quite as much as this but I do think that if you sell them cheap people think of them as cheap pens...