Here we go. I'm dipping a toe into the Antique Mall sellin' waters! I just got word that a space had (finally) opened up here at the Green Shag Market after putting an application in months ago. This is also the location of the upcoming Green Shag Parking Lot sale where I will setting up on June 2nd. Don't worry, I'll probably remind you a couple of times (a day).
Is this gonna be where I'll be set up for the big 'ol lot sale?
...Or maybe here? I don't know! It could be anywhere...well anywhere on the lot, right?
...Maybe over here. I do kinda hope it's next to the little grassy patch. That would be nice. I
actually popped for another "lot" space today so I'll have THREE lot spaces to fill. Oh wait...
that's three lot spaces AND a Booth Space Inside! Yup, I start selling inside that same weekend!
At first I thought I was slated to take #27 shown above, but while I was taking pics to show
everybody where I was going to be setting up I was informed that it was NOT #27 that I was
getting, but instead I had a choice of two other booths.
This is #28, right next to #27. It's opening up a little earlier than my other option so I could get
things going a little earlier here. But then I got to thinking about it...
...this booth is also opening up. It's just inside the front door (off to the right)! Easy access! I
totally can't remember the booth number at the moment but rest assured, You Will Know It soon
enough! It's too bad that it's not open on the end like #27 but them's the breaks, yo. At least I'll
be right next to the front door. I went in this afternoon just before work to pick up the paper
work (and shoot these pics) and was given the choice of the two booths. I wasn't prepared for
a choice. I hadn't really given any thought to the pros and cons of booth location so I told them
I'd get back to them. By dinner time I thought I better call and make a choice, lest the choice be
made FOR me! I chose the booth near the door. What do you think, good choice? It's close to
the register too! Any other good advice for a newb?
Congrats! I've already been visiting Green Shag on a fairly regular basis and now I have extra incentive to check it out A LOT! The husband's guitar fund is going to have to watch itself. I think a spot by the door is a good decision -- I always end up going through an antique mall the same way each time (to make sure to not miss anything) and it sounds like your booth will be one of the first ones I hit! Cheers - CT
ReplyDeleteHi CT. My instinct is to go through any "trap" the same way each time but I try not to be predictable. Fate can play games so I try to keep it guessing. Plus, it's too easy to get into a rut like that!
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming business arrangements! With the inventory you have, I know you'll be wildly successful! And if I ever get to St. Louis, I know where I'll be shoppin'!
ReplyDeleteOne thing about booth locations and speaking as a shopper...when I go into an antique mall, I tend to ignore the booths that are by the entrance because I am wild to get in to see what's there. I slow down as I approach the middle and then start to leisurely look around. Maybe think about how you tend to shop a mall like that and place yourself accordingly...anyway just my take on it...also I have an Atomic Starburst clock post...please, check it out!
I have the same shopping patterns at an antique mall. I also think people by the entrance can be a little pricier becuase they are more high profile and their items are in a higher traffic area. I feel like I find better deals tucked back and away in not-so-obvious places. But on the other end, a seller might tell you that places at the front ARE that much better becuase of more traffic. Pros and cons to both.
DeleteI agree, I always walk faster by the first booths at the front. Usually they never have anything that interest me and are higher price. But I know Modtomic will have stuff I will ogle over, maybe even buy. I was thinking about going up there tomorrow, I live not far away from the Green Shag, perhaps I'll swing by there later today for funsies. XD They do have some cheap stuff!
DeleteHi Crystal. Your clock is so genius! But I gotta say, My first thought when looking at the top photo was, "Those look like the ends of Fondu forks!". Still, pretty darn clever and it works so great! But as for shopping at antique malls, I scour every inch of every booth space as best I can with the time I have. I really don't think about where it is!
DeleteHi BrendaG510. Until Thursday I had never given any thought at all to where a "good spot" might be at a mall! I think that since there will always be about the same amount of pros and cons buyer wise that I made the right choice since there are more pros than cons for me with it being close to the load in door!
DeleteHi Anony. I'll keep ya close to the front when I get my stuff in there! You'll be like "Oh crap...I just spent all my time and money up here and didn't get a chance to look around!" Coming to the Parking Lot Sale Saturday, June Second?
DeleteThat is so exciting! I can't wait to see all the awesome stuff you'll have. I think near the door is a good choice- it will be easier for people to find and easier for you to refill! Any tips on convincing the husband to go on another road trip?
ReplyDeletePick some other activities he loves, offer to pay, offer to drive, make a bargain for a trip you've been dreading. . .The same way you convince him to take out the trash, but go big; you know him so you will know what makes him tick. Just don't nag!
DeleteHi Allie. True...it will be easy to direct buyers to my booth space. I plan on using the space to drop off items for buyers who can't make it by the house when I'm available or want to pay with a check or credit card. The spot being close to the door will make that so much easier. Remember, I'll still be utilizing craigslist to sell! There may be some things around the St. Louis area that the Hubby might be interested in checking out while you do some bargain hunting. Unfortunately the Cards aren't in town that weekend. No Baseball game. Check out STLtoday.com for ideas.
DeleteHi Anony. Good ideas! You must be a woman. Men are never manipulative (phfff! ::barely contains a laugh:: ).
DeleteI'm very excited for you! Congrats on your very own space!!
ReplyDeleteHi Illuminate1. It seems like it was inevitable. Remember this next time you wanna team up for an estate sale! It's a slippery slope!
DeleteTake the spot near the door; you are more likely to be seen, both, when people enter and when they leave.
ReplyDeleteHi bopfish. It's done. I did! I ended up calling the proprietors and solidifying my spot at about 6:30pm Thursday after stopping by earlier that day to pick up the paperwork. I didn't want anybody else making the decision for me!
DeleteYou're going to ace this! I'd be visiting your booth once a week if I lived near. And hmm..I have to agree that I usually zap past the booths at the front to see what else is next but if a booth is really, really good then I think about the items in it while I'm shopping the rest of the mall and contain my buying so that I can go back to the first booth.
ReplyDeleteHi E Kitsch. The spot is up front but it's on an interior row so it won't necessarily be one of the first booths that people will see. I never really thought about that. How I maybe sometimes do that too.
DeleteThe front of the store has lots of natural light. I didn't realize how important good lighting is until I got into my booth. It's not very bright, and I'd love to trade, but I keep forgetting to ask.
ReplyDeleteHi Stacy. Well, I'm not in the "front" of the mall. Not out there where the consignment area is. That does get tons of great light. I'll be by the cash register and the sliding door on the side of the building. I'm thinking of hanging lots of saucer lamps for light.
DeleteI agree: I usually walk past the first booths...BUT if they are stunning, if they're arranged around a color theme or decor theme--like yours will, right? ;-)--then, instead, they stop me in my tracks, and tend to fill me with hope that the rest of the store will be good,too (so, you'd be good for business, overall--maybe they'd give you a rental discount, once they see how much traffic you draw. Also, can your booth be seen from OUTSIDE? BIG plus, if you keep it well staged and un-cluttered. Some of the most amazing Retro MCM staging I've seen is happening tonight, at the grand opening of a store in Des Moines. Look at these pics; maybe they'll inspire you: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=386738938039651&set=a.386734511373427.84370.339298456117033&type=3&theater
ReplyDeleteHi Becky. No, the space can't be seen from outside, unfortunately. But I'll try to be sure that people notice the spot as soon as they walk in. I need a sputnik chandelier to hang high up above the booth walls!
DeletePersonally I'd skip the front door spot. I've noticed people have a tendency to walk by the first couple of spaces in the shop. And I tend not to spend much time near the front door in shops either.
ReplyDeleteHi VH. It's already a done deal. I took the front spot. I really should have asked about all this earlier!
DeleteAs a MCM hunter in any "antique" mall I fixate my sites on sellers of the same. Here in my neck of the woods I've found most antique dealers have little love for MCM stuff and you can pick up some deals. Being close to the door is likely an advantage as if potential customers pass on the first go round you are there again on the way out if they didn't score. If you price to sell, you will likely do great!
ReplyDeleteHi A Mod. Pricing will be a challenge. I'll learn as I go. It's all just an educated guess anyway! I'm lucky in that I've already learned a few lessons like not relying on sites like 1stDibs for value!
DeleteI'm so excited! The chance to just... peruse the collection of Mr Mod himself? You are always showing off the most beautiful stuff; I don't see how you could possibly fail to make money. And by the door seems great to me. People might rush past you on the way in, but they'll have two chances to see you - coming and going. My location at Kenrick never gets seen twice, tucked 3/4 of the way down a middle aisle. I should see if I can get a relocation, actually. As for you, on the way out you're right by the register, like gum at the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim. Yeah, I'll be trying real hard to keep the selection fresh. It'll be such a small space that I obviously won't be able to fit much in there at any given moment and as you know...I'm always acquiring more! Even if I don't sell everything, things will be changing up often. Count on it!
Deletecrazy about the Green Shag and people will go directly to your booth space b/c of your blog.
ReplyDeleteit's good to have an "identity," that's how you create your customer base.
been in the business for over 30 years, lots of different booth spaces.
advice: work it like it's a job you love...keep it clean, make arrangements or "themes," rotate your stock, give your customers ideas and info, your excitement and joy will create customers. have fun!
Hi Anony. The Blog should prove advantageous for the Green Shag, the other dealers AND myself. I'm hoping to get to bump into readers there now and then. Actually, that has already happened! I was in a hurry but I had a moment to say hi to a couple of readers Friday when I stopped by to pay for my space and drop off the paperwork!
ReplyDelete