tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post4415269130356557777..comments2024-03-18T05:30:49.420-04:00Comments on Vanessa Alvarado: Dear Reselling Diary: Still Tempted to Quit my Antique Mall Booths & Other ConfessionsVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-14167048409302115842014-08-21T10:38:25.674-04:002014-08-21T10:38:25.674-04:00I'll answer this in a future blog post for you...I'll answer this in a future blog post for you. Look out for it.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-73555201437125991622014-04-10T23:19:24.142-04:002014-04-10T23:19:24.142-04:00I am in my 24th year of selling in antique malls/f...I am in my 24th year of selling in antique malls/flea markets. Very, very rarely I have not covered rent. My problem right now is that I am having a really hard time dealing with some of the employees at one of the shops I am in. The rent there is the highest I pay anywhere and maybe that is partly why I am so annoyed at the workers. They stay on their iphones all the time, ignore customers, are rude to vendors. When I am working on my booth I always wind up being the person the customers come to. The owner is nice but too busy with other business ventures to show up much. This shop is not an integral part of my business model, but it does contribute to my profit. I have been there for 7 years and am ready to just move on. Does anyone have suggestions on how to know when it is time to leave a shop? And if so, did you give written notice. . .did you tell the owner the problems you faced or did you just quietly leave? Thanks for any input.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-5560070940861556662014-04-03T11:24:56.531-04:002014-04-03T11:24:56.531-04:00Thanks for sharing your earnest experience. Sales ...Thanks for sharing your earnest experience. Sales are back, things are looking good, and I'm working on continuing on building up my other incomes sources for when/IF reselling is the pits again ;DVanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-29022798822845444422014-03-28T14:30:00.564-04:002014-03-28T14:30:00.564-04:00January, Feb & March have been brutal for EVER...January, Feb & March have been brutal for EVERY re-seller. eBay is the only thing keeping me alive, and even it's pretty slow. I've had to list pretty much every expensive, awesome thing I have just to pay the rent. It's not normally like that for me, so I'm hoping and praying it's temporary. It probably is. But in the meantime it's hard not to get scared and think about closing down. I start to think... well, I'll start looking for a full time job, and if I get a good offer, I'll run this shop on evenings and weekends till I can at least clear out the big stuff and put the rest in my garage. :) But then something good happens, I have a big sale or my husband decides to buy me another ginormous display case. (sigh)<br /><br />Re-selling isn't your only income, right? Me either. Sometimes I justify having the shop by calling it the "writing/editing office's front lobby." Because I do the other work in the back office when I'm not waiting on customers. Which is most of the time and that's really picking up for me. The great thing about having two freelance jobs is that if one is going crappy, it might be time to focus on the other one for a while. And wouldn't you know it, just when one takes off and you're busier than a one-armed paper hanger, the other will get revved up too so you REALLY go crazy. I'll take that kind of crazy, won't you? Good luck!Lamplight Antiques and Vintagehttp://www.lamplightantiques.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-7894647336178201062014-03-25T19:06:09.310-04:002014-03-25T19:06:09.310-04:00PS. There are 30 MILLION less people with jobs tod...PS. There are 30 MILLION less people with jobs today than when B.O. Took office. (Hint,)Linda Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16584023045957941418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-59757078876685454452014-03-25T19:04:16.761-04:002014-03-25T19:04:16.761-04:00Advice: Never make a decision based on fear. Think...Advice: Never make a decision based on fear. Think it through. Make a decision. Stick with it. Trust your inner wisdom. Linda Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16584023045957941418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-55032168501803304092014-03-24T21:16:19.818-04:002014-03-24T21:16:19.818-04:00Yeh I feel the pain on the booth trashing/stealing...Yeh I feel the pain on the booth trashing/stealing, I want to stuff it fuller but I fear more breakage if I try. The only thing keeping me in now is how difficult it would be to get back in if I left. I may give it some more earnest effort first.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-18632917007411565292014-03-24T21:15:00.967-04:002014-03-24T21:15:00.967-04:00I had the same problem with my booth, many will on...I had the same problem with my booth, many will only buy the freshest finds forcing me to hunt more and then hold on to any of the fresh bits that don't sell so it piles up, rinse, repeat.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-49080438289301409012014-03-24T20:51:03.336-04:002014-03-24T20:51:03.336-04:00Face the truth. The economy has been trashed by th...Face the truth. The economy has been trashed by the Powers that Be in the Government. Nobody has a JOB. Nobody has any $$$$ to spend!!! Remember to vote the BUMS out in the future!Linda Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16584023045957941418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-42074966227294238412014-03-24T20:38:18.363-04:002014-03-24T20:38:18.363-04:00Sorry, it stalled out on me! My online business w...Sorry, it stalled out on me! My online business was born. I got tired of working all month just to pay booth rent and of customers trashing the place and stealing from me. I will never go back to it. But if you do have a booth at least you dont have to work as much on each item to sell it and service the sale. So you can charge less thats the law of supply and demand. If they arent buying it is because the price is too high. Nice thing about Ebay is that everything can sit as a Buy It Now until someone decides it is worth the price!Linda Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16584023045957941418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-77700348924335216782014-03-24T20:34:42.754-04:002014-03-24T20:34:42.754-04:00I closed my mall booth years ago when I figured ou...I closed my mall booth years ago when I figured out that I could make more money selling online. The customers only bought when I brought in brand new inventory and the other things just sat. I had to find somewhere else to get rid of them, thus my onlineLinda Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16584023045957941418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-18887110835052872722014-03-22T12:37:56.151-04:002014-03-22T12:37:56.151-04:00I wanted to do the same with a shared shop, for my...I wanted to do the same with a shared shop, for my experience setting up wares in the field sales/response were great! Iy's one of those things: seeing the person there and spread out wares communicates your brand better. I loved interacting with customers, too! Miss that element, it's so fun. Congrats on your shop, maybe you can let me write about it sometime ;) your booths were always gorgeous, I bet the shop is, too. And you're right, yep, gotta have tireless passion for what you're doing to succeed in this.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-50467024531159036802014-03-22T11:18:55.937-04:002014-03-22T11:18:55.937-04:00I had a pretty good size booth for 4 years and alm...I had a pretty good size booth for 4 years and almost alway covered rent and more. February was alway my worst month for sales. In October I moved to a shared shop. I now have room for vintage clothes and a few MCM furniture pieces. The shop has a boutique feel and sales have been so much better. The higher rent was scary at first but has not been a problem so far even with terrible weather this winter. You need a lot of passion to be in this business but its so rewarding. I especially love connecting with customers now when I working the shop, something I rarely got to do at the mall. Everyone's business changes go with your gut and be fearless!Jolene Forresterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157316142991716807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-59168536874831876702014-03-20T09:19:49.164-04:002014-03-20T09:19:49.164-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Viking Translationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07337167951629901024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-6430003710719037222014-03-20T08:44:24.680-04:002014-03-20T08:44:24.680-04:00I don't think we have one of those but I did l...I don't think we have one of those but I did look into STARTING things like that. It's too expensive to rent space around here but I'd still like to try and host group sales.Thanks for the tips/encouragement.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-88514399161177715092014-03-20T03:01:25.601-04:002014-03-20T03:01:25.601-04:00You might want to try renting space in an occasion...You might want to try renting space in an occasional sale space. In my neighborhood there are a few buildings (one is a house, one in a retail store) that only have sales one weekend (Weds-sun) a month. I believe you rent a space like any antique mall but you only stage it one week a month or so. Then if the place has a strong following people who like it come and see all the new stuff. I don't know if it'd actually be an improvement but It may be something to try if you have any near you. <br /><br />Don't get beaten down on people not buying your wares. It's definitely not a reflection of you, you have a lot of cool things in your shop. A lot of factors go into whether or not someone buys something. Personally location plays a role in my buying habits, I often find things I like in shops but they are often also breakable things and generally I don't really want to risk the items breaking in transit. As an avid thrifter if I buy vintage online it generally is an well priced item that I collect and that is harder to find. Also sometimes it just takes a while for someone to buy something. There are a lot of different shops i'd like to buy from but I just can't afford to all the time. Zorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06292668381439644756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-74926622653535425312014-03-19T22:56:06.390-04:002014-03-19T22:56:06.390-04:00Thanks :) I really appreciate it. The overhead can...Thanks :) I really appreciate it. The overhead can be a bitch because then it feels like I sacrificed good items I could sell online for more to make no profit- but I'll give it another good try. The traffic's there, I just have to learn to convert 'em.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-51160369243879149682014-03-19T22:55:07.688-04:002014-03-19T22:55:07.688-04:00Thanks so much for the kind words and comment Nico...Thanks so much for the kind words and comment Nicole :) I've been holding this post back for a while because I feel embarrassed by my honest feelings but I know it helps others. It helps getting it off my chest, too.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-86915574244934607742014-03-19T22:50:09.440-04:002014-03-19T22:50:09.440-04:00I can see why the Antique Mall would be frustratin...I can see why the Antique Mall would be frustrating - so much overhead involved with that too if you have an off month. Whatever you decide to do - we support you 100%Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-9220019551303114232014-03-19T22:31:18.724-04:002014-03-19T22:31:18.724-04:00Oh and I've noticed the same thing with ticket...Oh and I've noticed the same thing with tickets, slow and then bam, sales pick up near the end.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-15186751293226200522014-03-19T22:30:51.744-04:002014-03-19T22:30:51.744-04:00Thanks for the kind words :) I've had that hap...Thanks for the kind words :) I've had that happen too- had things sell after 2 years and such. It's crazy! It's just hard to predict.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-25397041793246819372014-03-19T22:29:48.832-04:002014-03-19T22:29:48.832-04:00Carla invited me to a yard sale in front of anothe...Carla invited me to a yard sale in front of another local antique mall and I did really well that day, need to go to more of those and host more of them, too. Love your ideas! I have been trying to make time for group local vintage sales with fellow sellers to help us unload and get the local face-to-face interaction.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-28261623583161400352014-03-19T22:26:44.554-04:002014-03-19T22:26:44.554-04:00Thanks for the feedback! I wasn't ready at the...Thanks for the feedback! I wasn't ready at the time with my larger space but now feel more confident in being able to stage a large space now that I have a much clearer idea of what I want my brand to be. I did feel limited in that larger spot as well, though. I didn't consider at the time what I have now- that I could try to add all my current merchandise to it and see what happens. I'd love a large space so more of my stock could get local exposure. I'd love to put in some large items but everything's working against me on that front: no space to store, truck to tote, etc. I've barely been able to give the booths a lot of thoughtful attention with everything else I'm doing so like they say, I may be getting what I'm putting into it- not enough. I may give it another hard fair shake but it's not feeling right. I've never made exceptionally good sales at it like I do online.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-59969292781401054602014-03-19T22:22:46.129-04:002014-03-19T22:22:46.129-04:00When I was selling my wares for less it was workin...When I was selling my wares for less it was working out nicely for me in the antique malls, but with raised prices and less time I'm not sure about it anymore. I think online is definitely a way to go for a large audience.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-78421623984324569542014-03-19T22:13:43.854-04:002014-03-19T22:13:43.854-04:00Definitely do think it's time to either narrow...Definitely do think it's time to either narrow focus on get way ahead on work so I can do all my other craziness guilt-free. I can't imagine how busy moms do it all, in awe of that, I can't get ahead and my only responsibility is a cat.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.com