Last Minute Open House: Ideas for a Successful Event with Cash n Carry Items

[missiemom]

This is my first thread so please bear with me. My son's baseball tournament was canceled for this weekend & our town is having a village wide rummage sale. So last night I decided to throw together a last minute open house with some items as cash n carry. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas to help me make this a sucess? This is my third month and it's not looking to good. My first month was awesome, the second month I only had 1 show & so far I have nothing booked for this summer. I am waiting for 2 people to get back to me about a show. My director is awesome she's supplying me with her stuff for cash n carry, but I am not sure how that will work. Do I just give her the money I make on her items or do I reorder her items with whatever I have to order? HELP!!!!

 

[DebbieJ]

I am waiting for 2 people to get back to me about a show.

It's not their job to call you back. It's YOUR job to follow up with them!

Get on the phone, girl!

 

[Jules711]

As for the cash n carry, it's kind of up to her. If it's stuff she's trying to get rid of, she'll probably just want the cash. That doesn't help you a ton and it is nice to be able to replace them to increase your order. Good luck and definitely keep following up with people b/c they aren't thinking of you all the time. PC is your job and on your mind, but it's a fun thing to them and not high priority.Put out a drawing for a product or gift certificate (I saw on here recently...$10. Turn into $20 free at your show). That way you get new contacts.

 

[chefann]

be aware, however, that people who are shopping at a rummage sale are probably looking for a bargain and won't buy cash 'n' carry unless it's marked down a lot. But if you talk up the "get free stuff" aspect of hosting, you may get several bookings.

 

[missiemom]

I have been leaving messages for those 2 people but I don't want to be too pushy & call them more than once a week. I was planning on doing a thing that if they book June or July they'd receive an extra $20 free at their show. Also considering a drawing for the extra Trifle Bowl I have. Right now I'm printing up sheets for Theme Show Ideas to have hanging up.

 

[Jules711]

Some people LOVE buying PC right on the spot though vs having to order and wait, especially if they can avoid s/h & tax. I've had people buy MY products that I've used b/c they just DID NOT order things. She spent about $100!! I told her that they'd have to be full price since I'd have to replace them. Of course, this was at a booth. I haven't done anything with rummage sales since my last one was when I FIRST signed up, but plan to do it next weekend. Oh...and people love gift packages. So putting a few things together with a slight discount go fast.

 

[missiemom]

I like the idea of putting a few things together but I don't have much backstock or giveaway stuff. All I really have are Season's Best & TwixIt! clips. I guess I'll have to see what my Director all has for me when I stop after school. Thanks!