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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,599 |
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New Member
Malaysia
31 Posts |
Hi, I am a colelctor of coins, banknotes and stamps.
I have recently set up a stall at a flea market to sell / trade these items; with the hope of opening a shop sometime in the future.
I have a full time job, so my opening times are on Sundays only. The flea market is locted within a mall, lighting is moderate and there is air conditioning. I brought 2 desk lamps and made sure my area is brightly lit.
Since I started this some months ago, sales has been OK and it is adequate to cover the rent and make a small profit.
My question is - how do I improve sales at my stall? Anyone here is or used to be a seller / trader? Appreciate some tips and tricks on improving visibility and boost the sales.
FYI - I have tried giving out flyers, doing Facebook adverts but the results are not quite encouraging.
Thanks!
*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
The biggest thing for me is to provide an 'inspection area.' The area should have good lighting and have magnification equipment. There's a very nice guy who has a setup at a flea market that I frequent. The problem is that he's got all of his stuff in display cases that don't give browsers a good look.
The next important thing (IMHO) is to display your prices with the coins. It's frustrating when the counter is busy to get someones attention, just to ask for their price on a coin. They have to take time away from other customers and you're suddenly faced with a go/no-go decision on buying the coin.
Good luck... direct sales of coins is a dying art.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
 Good advice. I would also just give it some time, as in let the word get out about your business and more people will come check your space out. Every now and then, maybe run a special, or make a small bag of common date stuff like wheat cents and Buffalo nickels to give to kids as starter sets to get people looking at your business in a very positive light. You could also consider making little deals with customers who frequent your business. They'll keep coming back and maybe bring friends who bring their money too. My local dealer has "grab bags" ranging from $10.00 to over $100.00, and he puts random coins, supplies, books, loupes, etc. in them. Maybe something like that would help to generate interest. |
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New Member
 Malaysia
31 Posts |
Thanks for your views, advice and tips BamaBlue and SkyShark214!
I will certainly give it a try and let you know the results.
I currently have 8 folders layout at the desk and each folder have about 20 - 30 pages Vario 3C pages for clients to flip through and checkout the notes. I have 2 folders of coins and they are heavy to carry around! I put them at the front as well. My table is only 6ft by 3ft, I have 2 lamps with extendable arms on each side, using white light at about 1300 lumens each, making it very bright. But when it gets crowded, it will be difficult for customers to flip through the folders. Good idea about the inspection area - guess I will have to fit another light and add a small table & chair!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
Orion.... How is the flea market working for you?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
I am wondering about how this is as well. There are collectable/antique flea markets close to me. I know that one table had coins but many other things as well. The coins were totally overpriced. The dealer told me that the coins were not meant for a numismatic. He obviously was looking to overcharge the general public. I wonder how well they sold.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
It might not hurt to have some kind of eye-catcher or "magnet" merchandise to draw customers to your stand. I saw a post in an another forum where
the writer said kilo-size silver coins work very well as a draw to his table at coin shows. Hope all goes well for you and good luck with your enterprise!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Some of the problems with selling coins at a flea market is:
1. Type of people going there.
2. Hours open.
3. Theft
4. Advertising
5. Taxes?
6. Location of flea market.
And these are just a few things to think about.
By me there are many large and small flea markets. The larger outdoor ones are usually a problem with theft. I've known some dealers that got robbed and never came back to that flea market due to the loss.
If your in a flea market where the type of people are just not coin collectors, very difficult to get any buisness at all. The advertising if mostly word of mouth for a coin dealer at a flea market and flyers seldom reach the right people.
Make sure your there when they open and close. Many dealers loose customers that come early or come late due to numerous reasons and if your not there, they may never come back. Hopefully your flea market is in a place that is easy to get to. Try to carry some miscellaneous coin collector products as well as coins. 2x2's, plastic tubes, some folders or Albums, etc. This is tuff since at most flea markets you have to bring in so much and leave with so much.
At one flea market, no longer there, one seller of coins had a permanent location and stand. Also, a large safe he kept there all the time. That worked fantastic for him until that place closed.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,599 |
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Posted 03/28/2013 7:03 pm
