Considering running a weekly market stall

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fifasy
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15 Apr 2017, 5:21 am

My local town in Northern England where I live has a weekly market. It's £30 for a full day's gazebo.

I'm considering selling health food products I personally use and believe in. I would have large pieces of paper taped to the table they were on explaining the health benefits.

I doubt I would make any money. I think I'd even be lucky to cover losses. However I believe in it. I think better health could transform all our lives. I think too many people take looking after their body for granted.

I'm hoping I might meet likeminded people by doing it. I tend to dislike joining social groups because I find there is too much bitching and small talk. If I was my own boss I think it would help my confidence.

The thing that worries me is the other stall owners, I fear they would try to talk to me and would make me nervous and irritated. I'm also not sure how the public would be to deal with.

One thing I can say is since I'd be selling health food products I'm fairly confident I'd at least attract a reasonably nice crowd. Generally more intelligent people I would think.

So what do you all think? Would it be worth a shot or would the social aspects grind me down?



Chichikov
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15 Apr 2017, 6:01 am

I'd probably be wary of the legal aspects. Whilst you might think these items provide health benefits without even knowing what you sell I don't doubt there isn't any scientific proof of the benefits so you have to be careful what claims you make. You can't claim something has a medical benefit unless it is proven.



CockneyRebel
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15 Apr 2017, 12:19 pm

I've been thinking of doing the same thing at a flea market in the next town from where I live.


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Dear_one
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15 Apr 2017, 12:21 pm

Walk the market during set-up and slow times and I think you'll find the other stall owners preoccupied with their own affairs and friends. However, I think you'll also see them being quite pro-active at greeting anyone who pauses to read. It might work non-verbally if you pretend to be mute, not just reluctant. I am generally not drawn to health food promoters who don't appear very healthy themselves, unless, perhaps, they post a really horrible "before" picture.
Another way to approach the opportunity is to place small ads on bulletin boards and sell out of your home or by delivery. You can also see about doing a small display either inside or in front of an existing store that carries or would carry some of the same products. People may not have time to read your display, but will often take copies of it as leaflets. If there are possible legal traps from the poison purveyors, make it a habit to say "I recovered from X while using Y," not "because of Y."



fifasy
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15 Apr 2017, 12:35 pm

Dear_one wrote:
Walk the market during set-up and slow times and I think you'll find the other stall owners preoccupied with their own affairs and friends. However, I think you'll also see them being quite pro-active at greeting anyone who pauses to read. It might work non-verbally if you pretend to be mute, not just reluctant. I am generally not drawn to health food promoters who don't appear very healthy themselves, unless, perhaps, they post a really horrible "before" picture.
Another way to approach the opportunity is to place small ads on bulletin boards and sell out of your home or by delivery. You can also see about doing a small display either inside or in front of an existing store that carries or would carry some of the same products. People may not have time to read your display, but will often take copies of it as leaflets. If there are possible legal traps from the poison purveyors, make it a habit to say "I recovered from X while using Y," not "because of Y."


Thanks that's some helpful advice. I will take a walk around it next time it's on to observe.

You might be right about the health advice. If I say these products helped me and I explain how I think they did, instead of claiming they will for everyone, that should hopefully cover me legally from the accusation of making false representations.



fifasy
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15 Apr 2017, 12:38 pm

CockneyRebel wrote:
I've been thinking of doing the same thing at a flea market in the next town from where I live.


It's good to know someone else is considering it. What would you sell?



Dear_one
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15 Apr 2017, 12:54 pm

I once was in a craft co-op store that was saved from general bankruptcy by a booth at a weekend street fair. It was a glorious experience, except that every time I got thirsty from the hot sun, I bought a Pepsi from the booth next door, and so had to sleep the next week.



fifasy
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15 Apr 2017, 3:49 pm

Dear_one wrote:
I once was in a craft co-op store that was saved from general bankruptcy by a booth at a weekend street fair. It was a glorious experience, except that every time I got thirsty from the hot sun, I bought a Pepsi from the booth next door, and so had to sleep the next week.


:lol: I'm partial to a Pepsi too.



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15 Apr 2017, 4:51 pm

fifasy wrote:

So what do you all think? Would it be worth a shot or would the social aspects grind me down?


You never know,unless you dip your toes,nothing ventured,nothing gained.

The benefits are,that you'll attract like minded people,that are health conscious wise and can relate to and visa versa.

Giving it a go,negating your fears,has it's own rewards.

Good luck.: )


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