designing a safe booth for our current situation - question

[Puzzleguy]

Ok -pretty much all our shows have been cancelled -we have two ( possibly )

that are hanging in their - and we want to be safe from the Corona virus ( etc. )

and i know my current booth set up has to be simplified - things need to be covered with

plastic -stuff that sells has to be in a zip lock bag -plus im thinking a plastic sheet with a hole in it to take

money and charges - and something else just came up -people are hording change -cant get any from the bank -

so prices will have to be even dollars -with tax included -- absolutely seems crazy doesnt it -

what are you doing ? maybe share your set up and how your doing business at shows -

anyones opionions are welcome  - but also need a solution -- i cant find anything like this on the net so far !

Thanks in advance .. Im sure this will help other people besides myself -so please share !

[dgman]

I’m playing it safe this year, I’m not doing any shows, but when I do shows, I always charge full dollar amounts. This way I don’t have to worry about change. I pay taxes on the total amount. Most folks pay by credit card anyway. I do sell on Etsy. Since I’m back to work now, I don’t have as much time as I would like to spend for Etsy though, so I’m not selling much. I do expect to sell more once the holidays come around. One thing that is for sure, I will have plenty of stock for next year!

[ike]

i MAY HAVE 2 SHOWS THIS YEAR AND i MAY NOT. aNY WAY i WILL BE MASKED AND EVERY THING IN PLASTIC. i WILL ALSO HAVE PLENTY OF SANITARY BOTTLES AROUND FOR MY CLIENTS TO USE AND i WIL  USE THEM AFTER EVERY SALE AND WILL REQUESST THEAT THE BUYERS HAVE A MASK. ACTUALLY AFTER TYPING THIS IT DOESN'T SOUNL LIKE A FUN PLACE TO BE.

IKE

[kmmcrafts]

You could always get a Hazmat suit..  No seriously probably not much trouble with folks in a "good craft show venue" but around here we have people arguing about having to were mask..people refusing to wear them.. people calling mask wearers sheep or other things.. people been getting shot for mandating mask in stores and it's just crazy.. I guess I don't understand what the big deal is about wearing one or not wearing one..

A well organized craft event in my opinion should have it set up to where people check in through the entrance and no mask no shopping... also should mandate the vendors to wear mask.. there should be sanitizer bottles throughout the venue for shoppers as well as other vendors..   

[ike]

I guess that most of us will have plenty of crafts for nest year and hopefully this thing will be in the past, and we will be doing every sale that comes around.

IKE

[amazingkevin]

If they keep sending the checks I'll keep wearing the mask!!!

[Puzzleguy]

Sounds kinda crazy doesnt it - We live in New York State -

our govenor laid the rules down fast on what we have to do , masks social distancing etc.

pretty much we are doing what we were told -we know it keeps us alive -

its very common around here to see a sign on every door -

MASKS ARE MANDATORY _ DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOUR WEARING ONE _ PERIOD

You feel safer - just cant understand the stupidity of taking the chance without one .

Basically they tell you to leave - seriously . This you have rights to do what you want garbage doesnt fly around here.

 

We basically shop once a week -wearing a N-95 mask , and glasses

stay 6 feet apart - any place we dont feel safe -we dont go .

 

Think this best to see how stores are doing this - Ill reach out to a couple

 

Edited July 22, 2020 by Puzzleguy

[Puzzleguy]

On 7/20/2020 at 8:58 PM, kmmcrafts said:

You could always get a Hazmat suit..  No seriously probably not much trouble with folks in a "good craft show venue" but around here we have people arguing about having to were mask..people refusing to wear them.. people calling mask wearers sheep or other things.. people been getting shot for mandating mask in stores and it's just crazy.. I guess I don't understand what the big deal is about wearing one or not wearing one..

A well organized craft event in my opinion should have it set up to where people check in through the entrance and no mask no shopping... also should mandate the vendors to wear mask.. there should be sanitizer bottles throughout the venue for shoppers as well as other vendors..   

i know you mean well my friend -something like that would scare away people - My wife called another artist she knows who is doing the show

seems they have been doing farmers markets their and are are very strict about Masks ( they have protocal established -- but they are thinking about cancelling it )- 

we are going to put up only two displays -with no work just sitting out ( some maybe in plastic zip lock bags ) plus get a big bottle of hand santitizer etc.

more to it than this -just wish they was some one whos though this threw - so were not learning on the fly -maybe their is -guess ive got to keep asking

friends etc.    -- Again thanks my friend !

[Puzzleguy]

On 7/21/2020 at 8:27 AM, ike said:

I guess that most of us will have plenty of crafts for nest year and hopefully this thing will be in the past, and we will be doing every sale that comes around.

IKE

Got ya - more important to stay safe -when this isnt fun anymore -thats when i start looking for a part time job 

( but not in a store etc. )

[kmmcrafts]

22 minutes ago, Puzzleguy said:

i know you mean well my friend -something like that would scare away people - My wife called another artist she knows who is doing the show

seems they have been doing farmers markets their and are are very strict about Masks ( they have protocal established -- but they are thinking about cancelling it )- 

we are going to put up only two displays -with no work just sitting out ( some maybe in plastic zip lock bags ) plus get a big bottle of hand santitizer etc.

more to it than this -just wish they was some one whos though this threw - so were not learning on the fly -maybe their is -guess ive got to keep asking

friends etc.    -- Again thanks my friend !

I was kinda jokingly saying that about the Hazmat suit as Scott posted a photo of one a while back..

Not really knowing what you are selling I guess maybe the ziploc bags may work to protect things.. Since your screen name is Puzzleguy I thought maybe puzzles.. I think the shrink wrap bags like I use would protect the wood and they also keep the puzzles together. Just need a heat gun or hair dryer to seal them up in the bags.. Maybe a sanitizer or two on your table.. 

 

[Puzzleguy]

Hi Kevin , i take no offense - ( been doing this full time for many years )

I have a professional shrink wrapper -but its a p.i.t.a. to use ( sometimes they fog over on the inside -dont use it for outdoor events )

hot and its not fast -I'm thinking pro zip lock bags -  I have checked out a couple of farmers markets -

seems no one in our line of work has any experience -have even asked on some of the bigger sites-

keep getting the phrase ( all our shows are cancelled etc-like a broken record )  I do have this show,

thou its at a farmers market like scene - i think i have this handled -thou honestly i dont want my wife their.

No real help via the net -feels like a dead zone !

 

I appreciate your help- THANK YOU !

 

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by Puzzleguy

[kmmcrafts]

I wonder how effective those Plexiglas shields are.. Most of my local stores have a Plexiglas shield between the customer and you

[Puzzleguy]

Well today i found out - no show - only two left on the schedule that have not cancelled 

but i bet they will be !  But their both a bit out their yet -they will keep people hanging on and then cancel .

 

Kevin my thoughs about plexiglass is that its good - I bought some vinyl clear sheet plastic -( wally world )

thinking if i had to I could make a cage out of vinyl pipe and cover them with the sheet plastic

using small wood clamps etc. thinking keep the weight down -and the pipes go together with joints

- i made a golf ball toss game last year , easy peasie -they come aprt easy -could easily make a support simalar

and wrap the plastic around-- low weight easy construction would be my goal !

 

Edited July 28, 2020 by Puzzleguy
spkelling

[edward]

I had two  Spring shows cancelled and  November and Decembers shows are iffy as they are in the schools and thing are getting worse  here so I believe the shows are done for the year, I have plenty of stock for next year if it happens.

[ike]

I JUIST HAD MY LAST SHOW CANCELLED . i WON'T HAVE TO WORK NEXT YEAR. i AM LUCKY THIS YEAR i  HAD PLENTY OF WOOD LEFT OVER AND ONLY BOUGHT $250 THIS YEAR i GUESSS i WILL HAVE TO GO ON ET6SY OR FACEBOOK MARKET.

ike

[kmmcrafts]

20 hours ago, ike said:

I JUIST HAD MY LAST SHOW CANCELLED . i WON'T HAVE TO WORK NEXT YEAR. i AM LUCKY THIS YEAR i  HAD PLENTY OF WOOD LEFT OVER AND ONLY BOUGHT $250 THIS YEAR i GUESSS i WILL HAVE TO GO ON ET6SY OR FACEBOOK MARKET.

ike

Sorry to hear about the cancelled out shows.. 

I'm not sure how I feel about etsy these days.. while I do good business with them.. they seem to have pushed people to be more of a what eBay used to call "power sellers" they want to push people into moving a lot of product at cheap low prices with free shipping.. and that's not how handmade works.. They tell people to do free shipping and suggest prices etc etc.. I'm in the etsy thing as I've been on there and have quite a large following on there with many repeat customers so it isn't hurting me too bad "yet" anyway.. and I just ignore their selling suggestions.. because they don't know what goes into a piece to know what I should price it at, LOL... But I'm not sure I recommend them as a new seller anymore.. I guess it's worth trying but etsy isn't what it once was.. 

You might look into the new Free Facebook stores that they just rolled out a couple months ago.. I haven't looked into it yet so I have no idea what it is about...   

Whatever the case... I wish all you craft sellers the best of luck for the remainder of the year.. It's not looking very good for you all... Getting online "right now" would be optimal to get into the searches in time for holiday sales.. Online selling you need to be working 3-6 months in advance to get ranked into search engines etc.. so I'd say anyone thinking about it for this holiday sales season... you better get on the ball and roll with it fast.. if you're doing etsy or other venue type selling.. 

[Puzzleguy]

Hello !  ( its me again )

Were opening a facebook store ( hopefully be done by today or tomorrow  -our daughter is helping us )

fees are not that bad -their waved for a month or so -think all in all its like 5 %

were doing that so our shows can post it for their virtual shows - and going from their to etsy ( maybe )

thou Im looking into a couple of other ways to sell - This Sunday my wife is doing a small outdoor event in buffalo -

not going for bear -just get our feet wet -  i also got a Square with dock- and a auxillary battery ( again something new and different )

We bought some plastic sheeting and working on a way to display and sell without people touching everything - 

will be interesting -- keep your fingers crossed for us !  Alot of though has been put into this .

 

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, Puzzleguy said:

Hello !  ( its me again )

Were opening a facebook store ( hopefully be done by today or tomorrow  -our daughter is helping us )

fees are not that bad -their waved for a month or so -think all in all its like 5 %

were doing that so our shows can post it for their virtual shows - and going from their to etsy ( maybe )

thou Im looking into a couple of other ways to sell - This Sunday my wife is doing a small outdoor event in buffalo -

not going for bear -just get our feet wet -  i also got a Square with dock- and a auxillary battery ( again something new and different )

We bought some plastic sheeting and working on a way to display and sell without people touching everything - 

will be interesting -- keep your fingers crossed for us !  Alot of though has been put into this .

 

Good Luck with it all.. I'd be interested in seeing the sites once you get things up and running.. I've been looking at the FB stores myself a little bit but haven't set one up just yet... Maybe they changed their mind on fees? It was my understanding it was to be free.. or is the 5% for the credit card fee? 

Etsy is 5% too but you also have to factor in the $0.20 listing fees and whatever else they throw at you, LOL

Amazon is 15%.. but really isn't much different from etsy by the time you pay etsy credit card fees and whatnot.. as amazon is 15% for everything no listing fee etc.. 

[new2woodwrk]

I haven't done a show yet, but I can say we still have outdoor farmers markets going strong.

Some people with some without masks, no one getting bent out of shape if you don't have one

Saw another scroller at one of the markets, had some really nice stuff - no mask, no biggie.

No one using plastic to cover anything, there are hand sanitizers at the entrance and exit. Some use it, most don't

We have a bandana we use for stores that require it. Most here do not except for the big box stores. Even of those only Walmart won't let you in without one.

Home depot, lowes and harbor freight have "recommended" and "thanks for wearing" signs but only a few wearing masks.

That's pretty much the state of our area at the moment.

Just thought I'd pipe in. Hoping do a farmers market when the heat cools down

Parked and reading....

[Puzzleguy]

On 8/24/2020 at 8:46 PM, new2woodwrk said:

I haven't done a show yet, but I can say we still have outdoor farmers markets going strong.

Some people with some without masks, no one getting bent out of shape if you don't have one

Saw another scroller at one of the markets, had some really nice stuff - no mask, no biggie.

No one using plastic to cover anything, there are hand sanitizers at the entrance and exit. Some use it, most don't

We have a bandana we use for stores that require it. Most here do not except for the big box stores. Even of those only Walmart won't let you in without one.

Home depot, lowes and harbor freight have "recommended" and "thanks for wearing" signs but only a few wearing masks.

That's pretty much the state of our area at the moment.

Just thought I'd pipe in. Hoping do a farmers market when the heat cools down

Parked and reading....

I agree -the less the better when it comes to just about anything .

But being what things are ( im a bit paranoid -) we have scalled down what were going to do

figure we have to jump in and do a few farmers markets or smaller venues ( doing one on Sunday in Buffalo -at Canal side )

very small -but good to learn the ropes . Were going to put  plastic  that covers individual box's ( not as bad as it sounds -actually looks nice )

with a string going across the booth -with a sign says - Let us help you -tastefully done -yes we'll have masks on -

but plan on going easy on people -- hoping that " LAURA" doesnt  have any side effects in Western New york - and the venue is still their .

 

 

[Puzzleguy]

On 8/24/2020 at 6:34 PM, kmmcrafts said:

Good Luck with it all.. I'd be interested in seeing the sites once you get things up and running.. I've been looking at the FB stores myself a little bit but haven't set one up just yet... Maybe they changed their mind on fees? It was my understanding it was to be free.. or is the 5% for the credit card fee? 

Etsy is 5% too but you also have to factor in the $0.20 listing fees and whatever else they throw at you, LOL

Amazon is 15%.. but really isn't much different from etsy by the time you pay etsy credit card fees and whatnot.. as amazon is 15% for everything no listing fee etc.. 

Hi Kevin !

Sorry it took so long -she hasnt posted it up yet -just trying to work out some of the bugs .

My daughter told me its only a 5% fee- guessing thats the credit card fee -which is fine .

We have a merchant account ( which i want to drop ) and a square with dock -which will probably be the new norm

going to use the square this weekend in buffalo ( if hurricane laura doesnt cancel the venue )

Im looking into shipping options  - ill start with us postal priority and see where that goes --

I want to go to something like etsy or something different from that - my concern is the vast number of people

doing the same thing and fighting for small sales with a high cost -so other options will be explored.

theirs a couple of online show sites -i have to check out .

Nice talking with you !  Tony

 

[kmmcrafts]

58 minutes ago, Puzzleguy said:

Hi Kevin !

Sorry it took so long -she hasnt posted it up yet -just trying to work out some of the bugs .

My daughter told me its only a 5% fee- guessing thats the credit card fee -which is fine .

We have a merchant account ( which i want to drop ) and a square with dock -which will probably be the new norm

going to use the square this weekend in buffalo ( if hurricane laura doesnt cancel the venue )

Im looking into shipping options  - ill start with us postal priority and see where that goes --

I want to go to something like etsy or something different from that - my concern is the vast number of people

doing the same thing and fighting for small sales with a high cost -so other options will be explored.

theirs a couple of online show sites -i have to check out .

Nice talking with you !  Tony

 

I did a write up on shipping and also posted a link to a blog that a etsy seller wrote up some years back that really helped me when I first started out.. The topic is somewhere here in this business forum.. from a couple years ago.. 

In short.. the priority flat rate boxes are a rip off.. but it's convenient so many sellers go that route.. The small flat rate box last I knew was nearly $8 and isn't big enough to ship but maybe ornaments etc.. But I can ship ornaments for $3.. so you need to learn the ropes of shipping with online so you can be competitive with pricing.. Also give the option to the customer for priority or overnight.. this way if they need it in a hurry they have the option to get it faster.. Think of yourself as a shopper and looking at shipping options.. Alot of people don't like to add so offering free shipping for your cheap shipping is a great idea then offer paid shipping for priority mail.. Most my smaller items are shipped first class.. which is the cheaper option so long as it weighs less that 16 ounces.. You'll need a small scale if you don't have one.. 

Go look at the postal website.. They give away a lot of free priority boxes.. etc.. just make sure it's not the flat rate ones.. There maybe some there in the sizes you could use.. I get the 12 x 12 x 8 ones for my clocks.. but I cut them down to 12 x 12 x 6 ish ..  

I'll check later on to see if I can find some of my write-ups on shipping and the blog post and get the links posted here on this topic..

Best of luck.. 

  

[kmmcrafts]

Here is the bog I mentioned in my previous reply.. 

I thought I had put this out as a main topic but couldn't find it doing a search here.. Katheryn has spent a lot of time to put this together with lots of links in her blog to take you to yet more info, LOL She has quite a lot of info on etsy too.. see used to keep this all updated with new changes etc but I don't know if she is still doing that.. Either way there is a tin of good info from shipping - taxes and about everything in between..

Enjoy the reading... there is lots of it here

https://gotogreatpanes.com/blog/shipping/

[BadBob]

I've never seen shipping as any big deal. I only ship by USPS, and 99% of that is first class. I let my customers choose what level of shipping they want. No one has ever chosen any priority mail. The one percent is for the few customers that buy multiple items that weigh more than 16 ounces. These need to ship at the next level, priority mail. Occasionally I have an international order.

I put all my packages in the mailbox for pickup. I can foresee the day when this might not work. Then I'll arrange for pickup or get a larger mailbox.

Figuring out how to package your items for shipping is a whole different subject.

[Puzzleguy]

On 8/27/2020 at 7:32 AM, BadBob said:

I've never seen shipping as any big deal. I only ship by USPS, and 99% of that is first class. I let my customers choose what level of shipping they want. No one has ever chosen any priority mail. The one percent is for the few customers that buy multiple items that weigh more than 16 ounces. These need to ship at the next level, priority mail. Occasionally I have an international order.

I put all my packages in the mailbox for pickup. I can foresee the day when this might not work. Then I'll arrange for pickup or get a larger mailbox.

Figuring out how to package your items for shipping is a whole different subject.

I guess im not the trusting kind - I had a customer a few years back insist on cheap shipping ,and I

went along with it -she didnt want to pay for tracking - and a few days latter she emailed me and said she didnt get it

( which probably was a lie ) which meant i had to ship it again at my cost for free -so basically if they want something it goes 

with tracking - or it doesnt go at all - 

 

Before i forget -our first event ( last weekend ) went well -not much money but

we learned a lot - we were safe as well as keeping our customers safe ( took a gallon of hand sanitizer with us )

we were the only one who did this - 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Puzzleguy