07-09-2006, 05:25 PM
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
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