Done with the Farmers Market

[Wichman]

Well Sat was the end of year meeting for the farmers market vendors, and the last time I will have to deal with the FM

I've been associated with this FM for 20 years, I've been on the board of directors, the market manager, the president of the board; and now I'm done.

This year saw a drop in Sales of $200 for the year. My average sales for a weekend (Sat 9 am to 1 pm)was $63, a vendor must make $83.30 just to keep ahead of the $5 minimum daily (6% of daily sales, $5 min) fee.

My plan is to find 4 craft shows and focus on one per quarter.

Thank goodness this isn't eating money, but just "mad money".

[Joe W.]

I hear you.  
Compared to 2022, this year for me also saw a significant drop in people buying.  And one Farmer's Market increased their space rental price.
So, I'm following a similar path as you and cutting back next year.
Fortunately, word of mouth and repeat customers have kept my cutting skills up. 

[BadBob]

I don't see this changing for at least a year or two. I have gone from steadily increasing sales to a steady decline since February 2021.

[rafairchild2]

I mentioned this in another thread here.  Inflation is eating away at household income.  People who are going to farmers' markets are most likely looking for things to stretch their budgets. Discretionary purchases are falling by the wayside. For example, getting some local produce/meats at a hopefully better value than in the grocery stores is what I look for at my local FM.

Sadly, for many people today, if they were in the market for a child's puzzle or toy, for example, your handmade 12-piece puzzle/toy for $15-$25, can be beat out for the 3 for $10, made in China CnC MDF stuff delivered to their door through Amazon. Add to that people are just plain cutting back on discretionary purchases.

Many of these same people are also purchasing needed household budget items on credit cards now, with carry-over balances.  Not good. Interest rates for CC's are at usury rates. 

[BadBob]

It may be a long time before we start making money again.

 

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, BadBob said:

It may be a long time before we start making money again.

 

I agree with this.. I'm still making profits but they're down 40% which is a lot when you already don't make a huge amount.. I've been doing a little more side money making with auto repairs again and just all around handyman type work.. also have taken time to learn the laser and hope to be able to get more involved with running projects on the CNC... Selling ornaments pretty good the last couple weeks which is kind of given me a little hope that the sales from those may end up recouping some of my 40% loss.. I have a lot of new designs to offer and I think it's safe to say that having bought this laser and learning to operate it over the last couple years is what will keep me in business ( lots of personalizations request for laser engravings on my ornaments etc.. ) ..

[BadBob]

My expenses for October were more than my revenue. That's two months this year 2023. This never happened in previous years.