posted on August 18, 2005 06:46:20 PM
Is it tacky to ask brick and mortar questions on this board? I sell on Ebay but also have a booth rented at an antique mall. I am new to selling in a booth and have questions at times on how I should handle things. Is there another board out there which is more appropriate? The problem I am having is that the owners have all but given up on advertising. My sales are consistent but I think they could be better. I know the obvious answer is move to another shop but the location of this one is two blocks from my full time job and it is very convenient for me to pop in on my lunch hour or on breaks and stock inventory, etc. So I would really like to see this shop make a go of it. However I keep watching other renters gradually leave. The owners are new to having an antique shop and started out “occasionally” placing an ad in the newspaper, then when that didn’t instantly bring riches, they decided to save the money and quit that. I have tried talking to them about it a little bit, but they are convinced it is not worth the money! Should I place some small ads on my own? I guess I am asking for advice from other booth renters on how they promote their booth within a mall, what works and what doesn’t. Any help would be appreciated even if it’s directing me somewhere else. Thanks!
posted on August 18, 2005 07:56:48 PM
If you have the booth rented already, I don't see why you couldn't do some advertising yourself. Small ads wouldn't hurt, or cost much either. You could also advertise (I think so any way!) on craigslist for your area, and for free.
posted on August 18, 2005 08:31:06 PM
hammerchick,
I was a buyer for a company that operated several Antiques Malls in various parts of the country. That company is letting their malls close as their leases run out. They were not afraid to spend money on advertising but business just got slower and slower.
One thing for you to think about. I am betting 99% of your stock is geared to sell to middle class people. Most likely most of your stock is priced under lets say $1,000 dollars. If my guess is right I will tell you this from a guy that has been a full time dealer for over 40 years. The middle class American is finding themselves with less and less disposable income. They cannot afford to buy items they don't really need. Plus people need money, so millions of people are selling anything they can get their hands on. The market is flooded. My phone is ringing off the hook with people calling trying to sell almost anything they can to try and raise money. Now having said that when I find items that are rare and expensive that people with money buy I can charge more than ever and get my price.
The reason for this change in the Antique market can be debated for ever but that is the antique market in 2005.
Without knowing all the details again I am betting your problems are not caused by anything you are doing or by anything the Mall is doing its the poor economy for the middle class that is changing the market. Of course there are other reasons the antique market has changed for the worse but I believe the poor economy is the driving factor.
Don't feel alone Malls and Antique stores are closing over the entire country.
posted on August 19, 2005 12:49:02 AM
Bigpeepa, I was wondering about how antique consignment shops stay afloat. Sure , the owner gets rent every month but the individual dealers don't seem to be doing very well. One reason, I think, is unreasonable prices. When I dig through a bunch of junk and come up with a dust covered item with a faded price tag, I expect the clerk to OFFER me a discount just for FINDING the damn thing
But they don't, and just a couple of dollars off and they could have a sale??????
I frequent antique stores in my area and see the same stuff on shelves for YEARS ...change merchandise = make sales.
AND, when they DO have sales...excuuuuse me but anything less than 25% off is not a sale.
I also avoid the shops that mix old with new shabby chic crapola....and smell like incense and perfume.
My favorite shops are the ones where I find MY stuff that I sold at my garage sale with outlandish price tags! Hell , if I couldn't sell it on ebay for 9.99...they aren't going to sell it for 49.99 in a shop!
posted on August 19, 2005 04:47:19 AM
Thank you so much, I think that's exactly the kind of feedback I need. I do take new items in once a week and have them priced reasonably and I think that's why my sales are still going. I have a base of customers who know what day I usually do that, and they check in on that day. I agree about the mix of old and new, I don't care for it either but I've been seeing articles that it is the "latest thing". I had to laugh, Mingotree, at another shop there are several items they bought at my rummage sale when I first moved to the area about eight years ago. They were bought from me cheaper than dirt, big price put on and the price has never been lowered. There they sit! I will pop over and check out OTWA now.
posted on August 19, 2005 05:37:27 AM
Mingotree,
Your right quality and price is important in todays market. A lot of dealers at malls feed off each other. If lighting strikes and somehow a $300.00 desk gets sold for $600.00 you will never see a desk like it being sold for $300.00 again.
Lots of malls call themselves "Antique Malls" but a shopper has a hard time finding a real Antique in the whole place.
Mingo, there will always be a Antique business but right now a big flushing out is going on in the business.
It used to be a joke among seasoned full time antique dealers that the only people making money in a mall is the people that run the mall. Today even the mall operators are having a hard time.
If a person like hammerchick that is new to selling wants to work hard,learn,while taking her share of licks and making her share of mistakes. After years she will become a professional dealer. No one without experience will able to call themselves a antique dealer any longer.
posted on August 19, 2005 07:39:46 AM
I'll be honest with you, I don't bother with Antique Malls or shops around here anymore.
For all the reasons Mingo said and the outrageous prices knock me on my ass. The last few times I remember going around thinking...are you crazy, I can get that on Ebay for half the price and in better shape... even considering the cost of shipping.. I'm better off buying from Ebay with a world wide selection...
Like Mingo said it looks like their stuff never sells and then if you do find something that you want to haggle for a good price...they can never get hold of the seller...and 10% isn't going to cut it...No.. Antique malls are out for me.
Mingo I had to chuckle at your description of the incense and perfume smelly shops...
I'll tell you what my favorite places to window shop are...the ancient homes converted into shops, each room decorated with the antiques they are selling..a dusty musty old wood smell, with the sun shine cutting through the windows making streams of dust particles sparkle.. those places make me feel like pulling up a chair and having a cup of tea and a raisin scone...LOL
posted on August 19, 2005 06:40:44 PM
Me too, Twiggy, I haven't had a good old fashion scone in an age... I used to bake them all the time when the kids were little.. I don't have any sour cream...wonder if a teaspoon of vinegar in milk would substitute??
posted on August 19, 2005 07:32:02 PM
I rent at a Peddlers Mall which is about the same thing. Same problem advertising sucks,Dealers moving out every month,many dealers not even making booth rent. My business booms during the Christmas and Memorial Flower season. The rest of the time I make it through the best I can. I think an Antique Mall is a waste of money,most people didn't want the stuff new and don't want to pay 25 times the price now either for something that is totally useless. I hear people all the time grip about antiques being where I'm at,and that is the very dealers that don't stay because they can't sell. Now that people can't put that crap on E-Bay for big money,it day is done...Forever.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on August 20, 2005 04:36:18 AM
When you have a shop of any sort, you will wind up with a clientele apropriate for the level of the shop. If you carry bargain-basement, you will get that. If you are consistently high-end, you will get that. When you are in an "antique" mall, no matter what your space is like, your clientele will be at the level of the mall in general. Since the benefit (to sellers) at a mall is the lower startup and ongoing costs (compared to a shop), the level generally will tend to the low side, and while some of these draw in large crowds, particularly on the weekends, they are not buyers of antiques. So, without knowing your stock, if you can find low-cost items, you may do ok. If you are bringing in really good items, you may sell them to dealers if the price is really low, but will probably not have much retail business if the mall has "the smell of death" or is just a low end amusement.
posted on August 20, 2005 02:41:08 PM
You guys and gals need to understand the Antique business better. There has always been and always will be a market for Antiques.
What most people that call themselves antique dealers don't understand is the Antique business is complicated and takes years to learn and lots of hard work.
What we all are seeing is the old flush out of people that know very little about the Antique business. In the last few years of people starting new career's, lots of those people thought the Antique business was easy to get into and thought the money was good.
I know dealers across the country that have been in the business for years made a good living and will remain in the business until they physically can't do it any longer the business is in their blood. When that happens many of these old dealers have already passed their knowledge and good business ethics onto family members.
Just last week I sold a few thousand dollars worth of stuff to a Antique Dealer from Atlanta. As a young dealer learning the trade I bought and sold to his grandfather. This guy was just a kid at that time but was always around this grandfathers business helping and learning. That kind of business takes years of hard work to built up.
Now after 42 years of being a full time dealer I am slowing down. My 25 years old son is starting to run with the business. I say good for him he will soon become the 3rd generation Antique Dealer in our family.
I don't believe unless a person is willing to go through years of hard work,learning and making mistakes they will ever be a real antique dealer. Renting a mall space is never going to give a person the title of Antique Dealer.
Sure I sell on Ebay but the really good stuff is sold from a small warehouse that is not open to the public or to dealers I don't know and respect. If I have something that hasn't sold in a couple months it goes to a couple auctions on the east coast. Can you all see the work real dealers go through.
I am not bragging nor am I smarter than anyone else. As a matter of fact my business on a scale of 1 to 10 is around a 4 or 5. All I am saying is my business is like any other business it takes years to learn and the work never goes away.
posted on August 21, 2005 10:55:24 AM
mingotree, you would be WELCOME ANYTIME. I have always respected people like you that have the honesty and guts to say what they think.
posted on August 21, 2005 11:06:31 AM
Bigpeepa, you are too kind! And what a great trip that would be...I've never been to PA. Maybe when the gas prices go down (haha) I'll give you a call
If you are ever in MY neighborhood...I know the best places for a good "hunt".
I had a great weekend in northern Wisconsin, couple of auctions had some good deals on furniture but I can only get "smalls" because my car's not that big. We would've picked up an antique clock but it went for about $150.00 more than it would at a store!
Any country auctions in PA? Does stuff sell well ?
posted on August 21, 2005 11:55:21 AM
I couldn't agree more, Bigpeepa.
Another thing I would recommend, is to streamline your sales. Instead of having a bit of everything, try just specializing in a couple of lines. That way, your customers will know that's all you sell so no matter where you go, they'll know who to contact.
posted on August 21, 2005 03:40:09 PM
Kraftdinner, you are so right specializing in a certain market is a very smart way to do things. I was always the dumb one trying to be the jack of all trades and master of none. LOL
posted on August 23, 2005 07:55:33 AM
Bigpeepa - agree completely with the flushing out of what I call the 'Roadshow' dealers - they see people with the overpriced valuations on the Roadshow and they think - I can do that. They go to yard sales, triple the price and throw it in a booth.
It does take years to learn the business - I've been at it for over 10 years, and just when I think I have it figured out - I realize how much I DON'T know.
I'm giving up my space at the Brick & Mortor mall - the quality has gone so far South that it's starting to look like a junk yard. I'd rather sell it on Ebay for less than pay $2.50/square foot for that space.
By the way - the Craigslist advertising was a GREAT idea!
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Caroline
[ edited by carolinetyler on Aug 23, 2005 07:56 AM ]
Caroline