6 replies to this topic

[reverie]

So a friend and I have said forever that we should get a table at a show sometime for the fun of it- and we're finally going ahead with it this coming weekend! It'll be a small place, and we're splitting the $40 table fee. Has anyone here ever set up at a convention? Any tips, input, or things we need to think about? I'm really looking forward to it!

[TheHSBR]

what are you going to be selling?

[reverie]

Mostly figures, but I've also got a long box or two of comics (cheapies for the most part), and probably DVDs. That's the bulk of it. I could do the card things too, but that seems like a big hassle for my first outing. Plus, sharing a table there won't be *that* much room!

[TheHSBR]

my only experience is garage sales and you want sufficient change especially quarters if you going into uneven pricing. Id also have a clear idea of how to display the stuff. Rack hangers seems to be the trend in convention displays so that the figures hang vertically and can be seen from a distance. Bags are always good. Most important wear a cool Trek costume to get people to notice your stand!

[reverie]

Is it sad that I was wondering what t-shirt will be worn that day? It's down to the obvious Serenity one, or a Hillbilly Casino one, cos I like giving those guys exposure whenever I can.

I was thinking something behind to hang or display would be nice, but I don't think either of us has access to anything like that. Aside from the fact my car will probably be filled with toys! I've done a handful of flea markets before, but that was mostly for housey junk. I wonder if you play conventions the same way... I usually price stuff higher expecting to be talked down on it. I'm sure that's the way most are, but I could be wrong!

I've got the bags covered, and I plan on going to the bank this week to get some random change.

It's actually going to be my friend's birthday that day, so I'm thinking of making up some kind of sign that says so and to buy from him because of it. Granted, it'll be torn down the second he sees it anyway.

[TheHSBR]

thats a tough call because the comic conventions ive gone too dont really get haggled too much. Usually what happens is the first few days sellers stay hard on the price and then on the last day are able to be haggled with because they dont want to pack the stuff up. For a one day show I would say price competitively because buyers have the cash right there and are probably willing to spend it more quickly than a 3-day event. For rare items you can go high and then be chewed down but for the more common stuff id go right below what everyone else is doing.

[reverie]

Well, we had our table yesterday! It was a good first time, but the only downside was there really wasn't a lot of people at all. I paid for (most of) the table since it was my friend's b-day, and since I did that he lost $5 on the day and I basically broke even (after accounting for cost of items & table). So that was the bare minimum of acceptability for me. We both want to do it again, but I want to try a different place since I wasn't overly impressed with the amount of people there. It just comes down to an affordable table somewhere (our limit is around $60). Still had fun though!