Little Sal Posted December 22, 2003 Report Share Posted December 22, 2003 I would appreciate any advice anyone can give... I am planning on attending several trade / outdoor shows this spring for the first time, and was trying to decide on my packaging. I will be taking mostly hand tied flies, a lot of electroplated and painted beads, dumbells, and cone heads, and some other tying supplies. I know my prices are good, but how should I package them... Flies: (in clam shells) how many per box??? 4, 6, or 12 Beads, dumbells, or coneheads: (in plastic bags) 20, 25, 50, or 100 Prices would be: 20 = $0.99 25 = $1.25 50 = $2.50 100 = $5.00 I do not want to have a lot of different package choices, as shows can be a bit crazy, and hopefully cut down on any confusion. Any imput would be helpful. Even if you've never set up at a show, which would be more tempting for you to buy. Thanks, Little Sal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 22, 2003 Report Share Posted December 22, 2003 Personally, I would lean towards 6 flies per clam shell if those are the only choices (4,6,12) Those things (clam shells) are expensive. I would think you could go with 25 for the beads etc as plastic bags are only a few pennies each and I like to break up small parts when using them. ( If my kids get in a bag of 25 instead of 100 I'm much happier) just my 2 cents good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavu Posted December 22, 2003 Report Share Posted December 22, 2003 Speaking of trade shows, where can one get a list of trade shows in FL, AL & GA for 2004? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonefishindd Posted December 22, 2003 Report Share Posted December 22, 2003 I've set up next to guys selling flies over the years and one guy had a nice setup. He had all his flies in devided wooden display cases. For people interested in buying the flies he would give them small plastic cups,like you find in restrautant supply store or sam's club and a pair of tweezers and let them have at it When they were done ,he would add up the price snap the lid on the cup and that was it.He had a large variety of patterns and sizes and a good knowhow of what worked on local streams.As far as beads,plastic bags are best and cheap. Consider making some tabletop displays out of peg board sheet to display them. I think the most important thing to remember is rental cost is your biggest overhead at the show. Let say you rent two 8 foot table at 30 bucks each,try to get your stuff on one table and you cut your overhead in half.When you sell small ticket items it make a big difference. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Sal Posted December 23, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 Thanks for the help guys! I think I am going to just box the flies up in either 4's or 6's. I think I will have too many flies and too many people moving by to have them loose. I am planning on having a big pegboard display behind a table that will have most all items for sale. The plan is to have a display and samples of everything on the table, and have the people place an order. I could use some suggestions on how to build a nice display case that is simple and will fit on a table top, and hold around 200 flies and small jigs. Gonefishindd, do you have any idea of how well the man with the flies next to you did, and was it a big show? Cavu: just do a search on Google.com for fishing shows, and you should find some, I did. Little Sal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legendary Lures Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 Here's my 2 or 3 cents worth: - Prepare to take orders, but have lots of stuff to satisfy the impulse buyers. - Watch out for pilferage. It helps to have a helper. At least you'll be able to get away for a few minutes or spend a little extra time with a customer. - Have something for kids, like wrapped candy or little cheapy toys. The kids will want to keep coming back and they'll probably bring an adult with them. Google "Rhode Island Novelty". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonefishindd Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 I live in eastern Pa. The shows we used to do were Fisherman's flea markets.In this area you can do one almost every sunday thru winter and spring.That show drew about 1500 people in about 6hrs . This is a guess,but he had do $300. His display bins were 2'x2'x3" . He took 1/4 in.plywood for the bottom and 1x3 in. pine boards for the outside frame, and made divider about 2 inches sq. inside.Just picture a large divided box with out a lid. When the show was over,he stacked them up on his buggy,put a piece of plywood over the top one and went home..We talked about tying and fishing and he told me his biggest seller were small dry flies which he did a very good job on . I guess their are a lot of tiers like me, poor eyes and fat fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Sal Posted December 23, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 Gonefishindd: I am hoping to do 2 shows out your way this spring...Harrisburg, and Fort Washington's Fly Fishing Expo. Little Sal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonefishindd Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 I will be visiting both shows,Harrisburg is the BIG one, in feb 7-15. I will kept a lookout for your booth . Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
