I’m always on my own setting up & selling at local craft fairs.
Much of the time, I’m quite busy selling & sorting customer queries. My pet accessories involve helping ‘would be’ customers with sizes for their pets - particularly with collars and dog jackets. I show them laminated size guides to help.
But, whilst I’m distracted with a customer, I have others helping themselves without paying! All my hard work & time for nothing! It puts a real ‘damper’ on my day!
I always do stock take the day before the event and note what I sell on the day, so I know what goes missing. This is becoming alarming but I can’t prevent it from happening. Does anyone else have this problem & how can it be prevented?
I adore going to local craft fairs. They can be rewarding and great fun. It’s a real pity this sort of thing goes on but I guess that’s just life!
Could you perhaps take a friend or relative with you to help out and keep an eye on your stall when you are busy with a customer? Craft fairs can be more fun too when there’s two of you.
That is dreadful, out of the hundreds of fairs I have done never had stuff pinched.
I’ve been lucky and rarely have things go missing. If possible a stall buddy would be ideal (but I know that’s not always possible and I’m usually alone at craft fairs) but otherwise maybe put out just one or two display models of each item and put notices up saying other sizes/fabric designs available and keep them behind your stall or underneath the table.
I’ve created a facebook group called Craft Fair Share. If anyone wants to join, post about fairs in their area, then find someone to share with, feel free to join and post. There might be other groups out there but I’ve set this one up for those who just want a place to do this. I’ll see how it goes.
This sounds good. Thanks for setting up. I need to get organised with craft fairs, but dragging my feet with it. X
Do you have a photo of your stall set up so we can make suggestions of things to try to make it more secure? Could you make it more obvious what breeds/ size dog the items are suitable for so people can choose for themselves with less input from you? I normally have a stall buddy with me which I’m sure is a big deterrent, he also happens to be very good at engaging with kids so the parents are free to browse.
Hi Sasha,
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I can’t get a craft buddy to help me at my stall.
I have laminated sheets printed & on display for size & dog breeds for collars, jackets & harnesses. Most of my goods are fully adjustable too!
As for my stall, I push the table back against a wall, which is possible most times, & stand in front.
I have about 50 dog jackets & do keep some behind my stall.
In one of my xmas fairs, I was serving a customer but noticed 3 young girls approx 8-10yrs. They had their backs to me & I went over to ask if they were o.k. They acted more than little ‘shifty’ with one of them quickly tucking something under her arm. All 3 fled before I could do anything! I always do stock take before fairs & write down all I sell. On checking box of bandanas - 3 of them were missing!
Don’t know if I can get pic of stall … I’ll try.
Thanks for your concern. Hopefully my post will warn others of this happening.
I would only have one of everything out. The boxes mean people have to hunt through hence why they ask for help more. If one of each size them they can understand the sizing more. Perhaps samples of the fabric you have made up in that size.
Also having boxes at the front makes the store harder for customers to get close to the stock at the back. You also need a floor length cloth to hide the underneath of the table.
Sorry if I sound picky but have done US shows in the UK and every table has a floor and side cloth, they were very strict.
Great idea!
So sorry to hear that happens to you. I don’t think that has ever happened to me but thieving is something that I’m aware of.
Sorry that this happens to you.
I’m fortunate that we normally go to fairs double-handed so this is unlikely to happen.
As a deterrent, could you put a cheap webcam at one of the high points of your displays? It need not be connected to anything - just as a deterrent.
Hope you find a suitable solution
Unfortunately I think theft is a problem in all retail settings - I used to volunteer in a charity shop and we had lots of things taken from there too.
Usually people on the adjoining stalls are quite happy to watch out for yours if you need to nip to the loo, etc. But if they are busy, then this often doesn’t work out. I think two people are really needed to have a stall for many reasons.
Every stall I’ve done has required full length cloths to the floor on the table. It looks more professional, I guess.
I came across these photos of my stall when I used to sell soap many years ago.
. One of the things that puts me off a stall is when it’s too cluttered and confused. I just walk away. When I see a stall that’s easy to read with my eyes, attractive and interesting, it’ll draw me in. It’s just shopper psychology, I guess. The other thing I like is to see prices clearly displayed. I hate it when I have to ask the price of something.
I do a lot of craft fairs on my own & have been lucky not to have anything stolen. I would agree with other comments, keep the amount on display to a minimum. It does make it easier to keep an eye on what is going on. Also if it is only happening at one or two venues, do you really need to do that one.
Brilliant idea, I have just joined. Thanks for thinking about it.
Totally agree …… just the way life goes these days! Unfortunately petty theft in stores etc is the least in priority of crimes for police. They have far worse to deal with!
I have an elderly friend who has stall in car boots & he witnesses gangs of certain people who constantly go round car boots distracting sellers & helping themselves to goods! Absolutely nothing can be done about it sadly.