How to Set Up a Vendor Booth At The Swap Meet

This article will instruct you in setting up a vendor booth at a swap meet. These will be general suggestions that should work for everyone.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Schedule
• Tables
• Chairs
• Canopy (for rainy or really hot weather)
• Cash box with $20 or more for making change
• inventory (something to sell)
• Price tags
• Notebook

1. 
    
   Check the newspaper to find listings for events

   Research. Constantly look for swap meets or outdoor flea markets. Make a schedule of the events. List when the event will happen, where the event will be, and how much it will cost. Add new events as you find them. Decide how far you want to travel to get to the event. If the event is several days long, decide where you will stay. Do they allow camping? How much will a motel cost? Can you make a profit after expenses?

2. 
    
   Go to the swap meet and talk to peple. Ask questions, talk to other vendors.

   Once you find a swap meet, go there. Check it out. Talk to the person in charge. As any questions you have now, such as, "How large will my space be?" Find out as much as you can. How many vendors? How many people attend the event? Any rules that you need to know about. What can you sell? Talk to other vendors. Visit there space. Check their prices. This will give you a general range for what you have to sell. See how they set up. If you like what you see, book a space.

3. 
    
   Expand your inventory

   Prepare for the event. Start early. You want people to think you know what you are doing. You can start your sale with stuff from around the house. De-clutter. You'd be surprised what you forgot you had. Find a niche. I sharpen knives. That's my niche. I expanded to also selling knives. I attend a lot of motorcycle events, so I started expanding my inventory geared for those events. These items also sell well at swap meets and flea markets. So now, I've expanded.

4. 
    
   This canopy sets up in less than a minute

   Buy or build tables to hold as much inventory as possible. Some items will have to sit on the ground. Furniture, tall lamps, heavy items, etc. Buy or build a canopy. Some items shouldn't be in direct sunlight, extreme heat, or shouldn't get wet. You don't want to have to either. It also presents your booth better. People can see a canopy from a long way off. Put up signs around your booth for items that you want to feature. This will get people to your booth. Then it's all up to you.
   Set your prices above what you really must have. this gives you a chance to come down on price. If someone really likes an item, they'll like it better if they can get a deal.

5. 
    
   Pack everything for the swap meet on the day before

   On the day of the event, arrive early. Pack up everything that you can on the day before. Pack the last thing out first, and the first thing out last. Set up your canopy. Set up your tables. choose a location to sit so you can see everything that you are selling. Have a safe place to keep your cash box. I like to take a helper. One can collect the cash. The other can mingle with the customers, and watch the merchandise.

6. 
    
   Don't rush to pack up. You'll probably get several more customers

   At the end of the day, don't rush to pack up. a lot of people show up at the end to haggle for a bargain. Don't sell below your minimum unless you just don't want to have to take it home. Whatever you don't sell today,may sell later, and you still have inventory.

Tips & Warnings

• Reinvest your money into more product if you choose to set up regularly. Expand your inventory as much as you can handle.
• If you follow the above instructions, you have a good chance of making money.
• Be friendly and courteous
• May sure you leave your space clean. Pick up everything. The promoters will be happy to have you come again.
• Ask when the next event will be, or if there are any other events coming up nearby.
• Make as many contacts as you can. they might sell you inventory at a bargain or let you know about other events that do well.
• Take photos of your booth. If your setup works, this will give you a guide to set it up again.
• Stay out of direct sun on really hot days. Stay hydrated. A busy day in the heat can exhaust you

Resources

• How to Start Your own Business Sharpening Knives
• How to Sharpen Knives With a Sharp Shop Belt Sharpener

[nancyjwagner]

on 12/1/2009 Great article! Very informative and detailed.

[rakhib]

on 11/10/2009 gr8 article.well written.5* and a rec

[gbabyevans]

on 11/7/2009 We have a local swap meet that we rent a booth in every month. It is a great way to make some extra money. We only have to pay $12 for one of the best booths. It is covered and provided with tables and because it is local, there is no travel or hotel cost. It has become a monthy tradition and a income supplement. Great tips!!

[pen-to-paper]

on 10/27/2009 Excellent information and very well written!

I have been thinking about setting up a vending booth to sell my vegetables for years. Some years we have way too much.

[jimmienew]

on 10/24/2009 Good Info. I have done it myself with Farmers Markets for a game we developed. It's a lot of work, but fun too. You get to meet "all kinds" of people.