6

The Goodie Basket of Impulse Purchases

by Pam Baker.

I followed your tip awhile ago on having a goodie basket at my booth. I’ve done two weekend shows so far this year, and put out a little narrow bread basket with a bunch of older earrings, quickies that I wanted to clear out. You know the inventory that just won’t go away! 😀

These were just on cardstock, each in a ziplock for easy rummaging (and keeping clean!). My first events were not craft shows, but just small town street fairs, more about greeting neighbors and funnel cakes than spending money.

Almost 40% of my sales over the first weekend came from this basket, and while expecting little, the weekend took in $500 – huge for me!

I had far more items than the basket would hold, so just kept a “refill” box to restock the basket as space permits throughout the season. $10 is low for sterling components, but exceeds wholesale, and sure beats carrying the inventory for another year.

Customers loved the bargain. My little sign simply read, “Any Item $10, This Basket Only”. I placed the basket right where customers would stand while I wrote up their sales.

Some would stroll by, glance in, and even when the main display didn’t draw them in, they would catch sight of the $10 sign and stop! Or some, while waiting for me to write up their purchase, would notice the basket, and end up adding an item or two to their ticket! (Impulse buys, just like Walmart! :D)

I started last year with a larger box, but it took too much table real estate.

This smaller one actually seems to be more effective for some reason. It is about a foot long and narrow, placed it sideways with three “rows” of ziplocs standing upright like a deck of cards, for ease of flipping thru.

Some pickier shows frown on “Clearance” or “On Sale” signs, so my sign still abides by the rules, yet really seems to work!

The best part so far, has been that people seem to have a bit to spend this year, unlike last year. Even at my second event, basically miserable drizzly and cold both days with little traffic, I still took in at least a respectable amount in sales.

My hope is that this may be some indicator about the general economy looking up.

Pam Baker
Pear Tree Jewelry
Pear Tree Vintage

Comments:

The Goodie Basket Technique
by: Rena

Thanks so much for sharing how well this idea is working for you, Pam!

I think it’s especially great at the type of events you mentioned, where people are there to eat and see friends but shopping isn’t their top priority.

It’s also a good way to rack up some sales with quick-to-make impulse purchase jewelry or older inventory that you need to clearance. Although I don’t usually put it out at shows where people are interested in purchasing my higher-priced items, I can nearly always count on a goodie basket to at least cover my booth fee (and often much more) at a lower-spending event.

Great to hear how well you’re doing!

Targeted Marketing
by: Pam

Thank you, Rena, for posting this! You always manage to show us in such a nice light!

I just wanted to mention that I like your tactic of keeping your bargain box/bin to the more casual venues/shows. It suits those events well, but I can see where it could actually be a deterrent at a higher end show, or true art show, where the standard is higher, and displaying this type of thing could actually lower the sophistication of the table. Kind of like the difference in marketing strategies between Saks and Walmart. Each has its own type of marketing strategy.

smart
by: pat barden

hey–inever saw the tip onthe goody basket–so im incredible excited youve written of it.
at shows ihave pieces on sale–but i just mark them in red over the original price, not separating them from the other pieces.
i also think its quite smart to put them in plastic–being that they obviously will be handled more.
i particularlly like the $10 sign idea.
as much as ilike promoting my jewelry as “eye-catching”–im kidding meself to think the pieces are more eye-catching than a sale sign, eh?
imean, ipromote my 50% off clearance bin athe artfire shoppe all the time online, iguess it is only smart to promote the sale items athe shows also. ijust didnt think of it.
im doing a street fair in two weeks–im definitely incorporating your ideas–thankye

Goodie Basket
by: Sue

What a great idea. Thanks for the tip.

Me, too…
by: Sally V

I adopted Rena’s Goodie Box selection also. I use a cute “hatbox” style container with lots of earrings in small ziploc bags. These earrings are truly NOT the highest quality — no sterling, I usually use pre-made surgical steel fishhook wires, and only a bead or two on each (often “leftovers”). They are 1 pair for $6, 2 for $11 and 3 for $15. Customers almost always buy three pairs, and I sell a lot this way.

great idea which I will test this weekend
by: Helenka

Love the idea of having a goodies basket.Thanks for sharing.Last weekend I bought a cute little box I want to fill with goodies up to £6 items (I am living in the UK, so no idea how that translates into $$)for a craft fair with very mixed crowd. So fingers crossed the items will sell,so I can make room for new stock.

I have tried this…
by: AmyV

but it hasn’t worked too well. 🙁 I have a small, round but not deep basket and have earrings in small plastic bags. The sign reads “Earrings $3”. In it I have a mix of polyclay earrings and my older beaded earrings that haven’t sold and that I basically am not as crazy about (ready to see them go).
People will look through them, but I am just not selling them (or my regular priced earrings, for that matter) like I thought I would. I have thought about going up to $5 on them. Mine are not as neatly organized (not standing up), so maybe that has something to do with it. ALSO, I live in a very poor area & the times are especially hard here, and just began this year, so, I don’t think I have ever experienced a “good show”. LOVE the tips & advice, thanks everyone!!!

Thank-you
by: Kathy

Hi Rena,
I just wanted to pause for a few minutes to just say THANK-YOU! And the same big thank-you to all the people who unselfishly share their tips and great ideas!

I realized I have been getting your tips as long as I can remember and I just wanted you, and all your readers to know how much its appreciated. People don’t take enough time or can’t slow down their pace.

Due to health issues I don’t even attempt to do big craft shows. I’ve had an Etsy site for about a year and sold my 2nd piece today, LOL But thats okay! The first 6 mos from opening I found it overwhelming to get started and the Fibromyalgia doesn’t help, it causes concentration issues. Sooo, the last 6 mos I have been pushing myself and really putting my heart and my talents into it.

Anyway, I won’t get into my life story, I just to express how helpful you and everyone here has been to me. In fact I keep a file called
“Rena Tips” and I save all your newsletters to refer to anytime I need to.

Blessings,
Kathy Sciola

If anyone would like to critique my shop I’m opened to suggestions!
www.LilacMoonJewelry.etsy.com

Worked for me, too!
by: Anonymous

This worked great for me last year and I intend to do it again for this year’s sales. I placed all of my sale type jewelry on revolving earrings racks with a large 2-sided sign attached to the top. I did not include any sterling silver components on these pieces so that I could keep the price very appealing.

I also handed every browser a little flyer with business card explaining that they would receive a free item from those racks with minimum purchase of $30 or $40 (can’t remember). It slowed browsers down so I could tell them the deal as I handed them the flyer and they almost always stopped to look, and yes, buy from the rack and from my regularly priced pieces.

Thanks for this truly great newsletter!!!!

free with purchase
by: Pam

I like the idea of the rack of items that go free with purchase of another item at a set price.

I got a bulk pack of Sunshine cloths and quartered them, then put in little ziplocs. Every $30 sale comes with one of these free.

In this economy, I think we are all putting on our “creative marketing” hats, trying to keep things rolling!

Pam Baker
www.peartreejewelry.com