keep paying for shows and they keep refunding me my money .

[Puzzleguy]

Kind of a strange year - got into some great shows -but they are cancelling like dominos

get my refund ( thou they all keep their jury fee  ), then another show sends me a bill , it gets cancelled -they send me my refund -

feels like im in the movie -" Groundhog day " 

 

'

[wombatie]

You are.  (the closet I could get to ground hogs )

Marg

[WayneMahler]

The wife and I are going through the same thing.  We got a call today that our show for the beginning on June was canceled and they are sending our check back. So far this year we have done one show, it was in February and it was a total flop . A lot of our big weekend shows have been cancelled also in the summer. I think everyone is afraid of everything going on. I'll just add I am not real comfortable with this stuff either. Hoping things will turn the corner soon, but willing to wait till it is honestly safe to be out and about. Trust me Tony you are far from being alone in this. 

[kmmcrafts]

The online markets have been flooding with new sellers.. Most will drop off in about 3-6 months though when they don't get much for any sales because they don't know how to do any of the online stuff.. persistence, patients,  and the willingness to learn the ins and outs will get them all into business in about 5-8 years.. most aren't willing to put in that kind of work for that long of a period either...

I honestly feel bad for everyone that only does the shows.. will certainly be a tough few years ahead of you.. I feel like even after the threats of this is over... many folks are going to be afraid to go out still.. 

[Puzzleguy]

Wayne and Kevin - thank you both for the nice thoughts sent my way .

Kevin i will work on the online -i know our stuff is nice but some of the requirements

online sites have is crazy -

Im scared about selling face to face , being at shows means people in my face handling our merchandise

over and over again , basically no social distancing -yes they crowd the booth -

dont see a way out of this unless we just close shop for the year - 

 

Wondering -how someone could sell at shows safely using masks , glasses etc-

adapting my booth - being able to keep my stuff clean- maybe someone out their has some ideas

to make it safe -I even though about putting plastic around my cash out with a window

but it just sounds to scary for a normal person to accept - maybe maybe not ?

even handling someones credit card feels creepy -----

Edited May 18, 2020 by Puzzleguy

[kmmcrafts]

For certain I would at minimum have lots of hand sanitizer on my table.. Not sure how it would / could work.. personally I'd want to make everyone wash hands before touching my stuff but at the same time.. doesn't seem too practical either, LOL  Plus probably make a lot of customers not want to do business.. I wouldn't want to pack up everyone's germs and bring them back home though..

However the virus only lives on things for X amount of time.. if you pack up and take the things back home.. leave them out for a few days before bringing them in and unpack them..  Leaving them in a hot car would shorten the virus time.. 

I'd definitely think about going online.. but yes there are a lot of things to learn and requirements to get going as well.. It is tough to get going and will most likely loose money the first few years..

Best of luck with whatever you do.. any questions about online stuff feel free to ask or PM me.. I don't know it all. but I've been there done it for a long time..and probably could give some credible advice and tips..  

[dgman]

My feeling is it’s better to be safe than sorry. I have pretty much ruled out any shows this year. I do rely on the money I make every Holiday season, but I have resigned myself to not making anything this year. I do sell a little on Etsy, but not enough to make it worthwhile at this time. I understand all that is involved to get my store known, but that will take years. I use Etsy as advertising for my show customers to look at after the show is over.

With all that has happened to the world this year, I have decided to come out of retirement and go to work for a plumbing Co. as a trainer. I will be training a couple of technicians the fine art of Leak Detection. I will not have to interact with the customer as a sales rep will always be there, nor will I have to do any lifting or physical work as the trainee will be doing all the work. I know all of the safety requirements necessary to be as safe as possible. This will be a six month contract after which I will decide if I want to stay on. My choice. In the meantime, I will continue to build stock for next year. I suppose with all the stock I will have, I may do more shows next year.

[Puzzleguy]

Sad to say a couple of our cancelled shows consider the show fees a donation ( which they are not )

but its probably better to see what happens 

 - their are a few craft organizations which will go after these shows for us 

legally -but were hoping they do whats right first . they act like were here to help their local charities ,

when we ourselves are basically in need with no income ! 

[jbrowning]

Luckily we don't do shows over the summer. Our first show is the first weekend in November. Hoping things settle down by then and there isn't another spike at that time. Still up in the air if I should work on items for the shows or not.

Jim