Selling At York

Mike.......at your stage in life, with only abbreviated stints at York.......I would say: don't do it.....if you want to do a table, do First Frost or Spring Thaw....a much smaller commitment (time and expense)........just my 2 cents!

Peter

I'm pretty sure you need a tax number to sell at Allentown.

-Dave

Correct, you need a tax id as the gov't is always watching - they want their sales tax. 

I've done a table solo for 3 of the 4 last meets.

It's possible to still see things, but it's much more challenging.  What you can see also will hinge on where your table ends up. You can of course go to the dealer halls once the member halls close, but there is only 1 1/2 hours now to do that on Thursday and Friday (pretty sure a few years ago there was a 2 hour difference)

If possible (though I've not done this), it might be good to try to get together with a friend to have tables next to one another(there is instructions regarding "groups" in the registration packet).  That way you guys can agree to watch the others table for a bit while the one of you explores. 

You also may make friends with people at the tables next to you and across the aisle.  Lots of times This can work for short breaks like for the restroom or to get some food.  (I've packed a lunch from home for Friday and Saturday so I don't actually have to leave the table).  This also of course involves some level of trust, and it would also depend on how big your neighbor's table is.  I've had relatively small tables right next to me, so it's been easy to temporarily ask each other to keep an eye on your table for 5-10 minutes (also leave your cell phone # on a card/note in case someone wants to deal, so you can know to return).  I've been on both sides of this.  It would be more of a challenge to have confidence your neighbor can watch your table as well if he's already watching 5 of his own.

I will say it's harder to see member halls, obviously.  During 2 of my adventures I was lucky to have a friend (or his wife in one case) offer to sit at my table for a while to give their feet a break!   I was in Red Hall, and this past meet I was able to go over to see White, and I also ventured over to Black to see the layout (I had checked a large part of my own hall for maybe 20 minutes at the end of the previous day by asking my neighbor I had previously covered for to keep an eye out for me.)  I did miss Blue and silver in their entirety this meet.  I would have liked to get over there just to say hello to some friends I normally chat with at their table.  I also missed a fair amount of Orange, as I had my sights set on some specific tasks when I was in there.

It's obviously much harder to "shop around" when you have the table and you are alone.  You need to know if something you see is a good enough deal for you (not necessarily the "best price" at the meet) and jump when you see it.  I bought a piece of somewhat collectible rolling stock this meet that I noted was in decent condition and at a price far less than I had seen it over the last 15 years.  Do I know there wasn't another elsewhere?  No.  But I know I was comfortable with what I paid.

It's a different way of life when you get a table, that's for sure!   Other things to consider, make sure you bring bags for customer's purchases, a table cloth/sheet for the table, and if you want to, some small shelving to make more of your space.

As to passing the time, it passes quicker than you think.  I brought a stack of magazines in my back pack this meet, but I didn't open them once.  I was kept busy talking with customers or possible customers and chatting with neighbors when they were not busy with their own customers.  As you have undoubtedly witnessed, lots of people end up sitting at their table reading, playing on a computer, etc.

The good news is, you have lots of time to think it over before the next registration is due!   Hope this helps.

-Dave

Find another forum member to share a table with. Personally, I'd go nuts being "chained" to a table for 3 days.

This past York was my third as a table-holder.  My brother and I get tables together so we can spell each other off.  I wouldn't do it solo.  Even with having someone to keep an eye on the table(s), it is still hard to be able to do any serious hunting.  Passing the time is no problem if you talk to the people around you (other table holders, shoppers, etc.).  For the slow times, I have my iPad with me for a little amusement.  Some people bring books and magazines to read.  Picking up the latest MTH catalog also helps pass the time.

Don't get me wrong, it is a rewarding experience, but it is different from attending York as just a buyer.  It also has the added benefit of generating extra cash that can be easily spent when you get away from the table.

Andy

I had tables at York for over 30 years. I haven't had a table in about 7-8 years. It's much more fun without a table. I sell all my stuff on Ebay now. My ID is, derekedwin.

I've done both the April and October Meets every year since and including 2005, in the Orange Hall as a "dealer" ("cottage-industry" guy:Layout Refinements.)

My advice/perspective would be:

+Do not attempt the venture alone. You never know what can happen. For example, a friend who is a vendor in the Orange hall fell upon setting up early one morning and broke his wrist. He needed his friends to help.

+Judging from your avatar photo and your input on this forum, I have the impression you are a high-energy guy. Thus, you will need a good night's sleep at the end of every day. Sleeping in a tent on the fairgrounds (as you have said you did) is not going to be sufficient.

+Bring a comfortable, fold-up "director's" type chair (see photo of my booth set-up); do not depend on the flimsy folding-chairs provided - they get tedious real fast.

+bring beverages, and plenty of them, such as Ensure. You will need the hydration and refreshment, often. I kept a back-up supply in my vehicle and went to sit quietly there for 5-15 minute breaks, occasionally, to relax and refresh myself.

+the days get long and tedious.

+Regarding your experience at a Meet being profitable, I factor-in: motel; meals; gas. For me, that has always come to approx. $1,500 (I pay for my assistant's room and meals). If you discover (and have planned) that you have a well-accepted product which sells, add up the potential aggregate sales, and see if you will, ostensibly, make a profit. (My earnings range was usually 3 - 5 times my expenses, at each meet.)

+"Free-time" always meant down-time, which means I spent the entire Meet at my 10'x10' booth, only venturing out for a few minutes to explore, but that was mostly because I knew my clients and prospective customers wanted to see and converse with me, not my assistant or a friend, nor even my wife (who came for one of those meets,) the craftsman. For my "product," that personal contact and interaction became absolutely essential because, after all, folks were taking my work home to their personal layouts in their homes (or in the case of unique customers like Ben of NJ Hi-Railers, to their clubs,) so they seemed to want to get to know me a bit, and I them. (I don't know if what you are going to present for sale is of that type of product, Michael.)

+ From the very first Meet in 2005, for me, I took upon myself the outlook that every single person who stepped into my booth was a privilege for me to greet and, perhaps, experience walking out with one of my Insta-Ramas in-hand. A privilege. I imagined my booth as a brick-n-mortar, actual store. Anybody who stepped through the "door"was an honored guest. (This may be the best advice of all that I can offer you, sir.)

FrankM.

Layout Refinements, Orange Hall.

The only times I have sold at York was when my wife was with me.  She had done many shows with me, so the main difference was not being behind the table.  She was a huge contributor and had no problem doing the table while I shopped. 

Today, my preference would be to sell on the internet and go to York to buy.  For me this is especially important on used merchandise that I would prefer to see in person to assess the value.

I had tables at York for several years, on the Fairgrounds and at the open shows,

but gave it up.  People going with me tired of sitting at the table, and I was missing

stuff not being able to leave the table.  I quit setting up at local shows, too.  Now I just go to shop.  Obvioulsy, if nobody sets up, there will be nothing to shop for.  (I had a problem with the 2:00PM Sat. rule with a long drive back, too). "eddie g" about

describes it.  If you are actively looking for trains, I'd say no table.  If you have everything you'd ever want, set up, socialize, and relax, without the interhall hiking

blisters.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! You've given me a lot to consider before next York.