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I think that Lee DeJongh's advice is very good, but when he says that deciding whether to touch a customer is "very tricky," that is an understatement of the difficulty involved. I know that Alice hates having to deal with the unnecessary pain caused by some stranger innocently touching an arthritic shoulder, and many other people also have disabilities which are invisible to a stranger. The probability of some such disability is greater with older customers, but far from unknown in young adults or even in some cases children. It is one thing to touch someone you know, but much safer to avoid touching strangers unless you are really sure that doing so is okay with them. After all, the last thing you want do to a customer is to hurt him or her.
Howard
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I would bet that off-the-wall excitement is the key. Case in point, traveling to coastal communities here in Maine during the summer months was always fun to watch what people would pickup at the same time it became obvious that year after year it was the same old stuff, BORING, and people where walking around empty handed. Then one year, someone went out on a limb and presented little bags of Seagull Poop, sealed with a cardboard tag that said Real Maine Seagull Droppings or some thing to that effect anyway. The best part was they were priced between 1.50 to 3.50 depending where they were, closer to the water, on a pier covered with the stuff, etc. It was and probably still is amazing just how much of the stuff sold but interestingly people would buy something else as well so it didn't appear they were only buying crap. I believe there are many such other ideas as well that could create excitement. It sure has been a big hit in Maine . Maybe small packages of lava with a sign IF YOU DARE.....or little gray balloons blown up labeled, VOG.... 
All kidding aside I would think t-shirts of each subdivision/community I know I would buy a few that said Hawaiian Acres  )
Aloha HADave
Aloha HADave & Mz P
Hawaiian Acres
The best things in life are free.... or have no interest or payments for one full year.
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Howard you are absolutely right about the touching part and I hesitated to mention that but it does work. But when I say touching I mean a finger on the forearm, a very light touch not some great slap on the back or such. still as you say, very tricky and you have to read people. People have a personal space they don't want invaded.
Some people do well with flamboyant costumes.
one thing that could make cards special would be to tie them with TI leaves.
How about learning to make TI flowers (roses)
and putting a safety pin in back for a pin. Could sell cheap to tourist.
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What a wonderfull assortment of grand ideas! Great thread! Now even I'm contemplating being a vender!! LOL, really though many good suggestions here. What spirit we have. What a wonderful community is developing.
I like the Ti roses hand made with a pin glued to the back. Small simple elegant and travels home easily. It is something you could do on the spot and keep hands busy while working also! The travel aspect of size and durability, to get things home is important also as it is something I do consider when looking for gifts for friends, things that have to travel in luggage.
Aloha, Mella
mella l
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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Just met Tony at the Maku'u market this morning. (He's hiding in the back, fighting off the trade winds so they don't blow away his beautiful cards.) As we were browsing and chatting Tony was kind enough to give us a punatic bumper sticker so, of course, we felt compelled to buy some of his cards. All kidding aside, our "impulse buy" was driven more by the beauty of the cards than the guilt.
Aloha
Tim
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
Maku’u Market Round 2:
In a brilliant maneuver by myself I managed to stay up all night and then go to the market.
The good news is I managed to get a number since I left the house at 4:30 am. When I arrived at about 4:45 am there were already 19 cars parked along the side of the road on the makai side pointing toward Keeau. It was pitch black out there.
At maybe 5:15 a woman came walking down the line of cars and handed out the numbers. I was 20. Yippie I thought, let’s see what this means.
At 5:30 or so we all proceeded to drive in, park and head over to the desk for the 6:00 check in.
When my number was called I thought I had a clear idea where I wanted to be but that area was not available already! So I ended up on the back side in a booth near where vendors park and set up their own tents which, by the way, is not free.
My instincts had told me that it was gonna be a less than desireable day to set up but I did it anyway. Next time I listen to them.
As you can guess it was a battle versus the rain and wind blowing in constantly. This forced me to the back of my booth space, which doesn’t work well in my case.
There were people wandering around but it wasn’t very busy. Many of the folks that ended up in my booth were forced in by the rain, not a bad thing really.
As to the numbers and arriving early I was told that the numbers help keep order so that there is no question as to who gets first dibs on the prime spots. These people must have started waiting at around 3 am! No way!
A vendor set up next to me said that she has decided it really doesn’t matter when she arrives anymore, getting a good booth if you aren’t one of the first 10 or so is more a matter of luck and who does and doesn’t show up. She has arrived at 7 am and gotten better locations than she got arriving early today.
And the end profit is $12.50 after set up and product costs. Not real motivating but a profit none the less.
Sold six stickers and one tshirt this time. People seem to be warming up to the Punatic concept down there.
In the end I have to call the day rather disappointing.
The good news is I was more proactive about making sure I stood up when/before customers walked by and greeting them and took the opportunity to talk about my stuff with people that took interest letting them know I had created the products.
Met Punafish and his wife. Brad and his wife. John Dirgo dropped by again and Frank B stopped in to say hi. Thanks guys for showing your support! If nothing else this market is a great way to do a little networking and looking for opportunities.
I will review the suggestions in this thread for my next setup and see what I am able to come up with. Not sure if I will be down next weekend, I may give Hilo a try on Saturday.
Thanks to everyone for your support both at the market and on the forum.
Worthless Movie Quote:
"I'll be takin' these Huggies, and, uh, whatever cash you got." - Raising Arizona
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Tony, I will increase your sales next week since I will be going over to Leilani on Saturday. Please let me know where you will be, Hilo on Saturday or Makuu on Sunday.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185
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We wanted to increase your sales Tony but couldn't find you anywhere yesterday! Well, maybe next time.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185
Posts: 40
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Joined: Mar 2006
Aloha Tony,
Are you going to set up at Makuu this coming Sunday, the 23rd? I was planning to stop by for a t-shirt or two and some cards. Just wanted to know whether to search for you or not
Hope to see you Sunday.
Paula
PunaPaula
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Hi Tony!
Not sure how expensieve or difficult it would be but have you thought of getting a really large (like xxxxxxx...) tee-shirt to put in the middle, much like a sign, really? There is a shop in the mall that has the biggest pair of bags I have ever seen and even though I don't shop there and my husband gets his at Orchidland or Hilo Surf, those bags (mens swimtrunks) never cease to draw my attention. Also, you might want to emphasize the uniqueness of your product...somehing like, "One and ONLY Punatic shirts"...use that vivid imagination. Also, just like internet sights, you want to provide information on at least one of your sights. Instead of spending 10 minutes explaining what a punatic is (and possibly missing out on potential sales in the process), print out the meaning, origin, etc. People on vacation are always looking for something unique and local. No offense to other countries, but most people don't want a souvie from HI that was made in China, Japan or Tim-buc-too. Those shirts and your photos are about as local "kine" as it gets. Won't be finding those in the local Walmart or Macy's (just the thought in Macy's makes me LOL! Tony you are on the right track and I dig your entrepreneurial spirit. Your a hell of a photographer and your talent alone will sell. Just be patient and steady-on. G/luck and when I have time...someday...maybe I can help in some way. Right now, we have a house to start building! YIP-EEEEE! pj
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