Selling gift hampers

raggydoll_2

Thankyou for the replies.
Finefoot, thanks for the pm i will be in touch soon

My OH thinks its a terrible idea and won't work but i really think theres an opportunity here. I think i need to use every opportunity to make them for people and hopefully word of mouth will do me well that way.

I think the reason they don't sell on ebay is the postage costs. Doing them to order would be the easiest but not sure how much you would realistically be able to make that way. Advertising locally in local papers etc seems a good idea.

It wuld be good to support each other in this new venture and share hints and tips along the way.

she_grinch

If you are making pamper hampers etc is there a legal issue about using branded goods without the permission of the Company?

Dizzie77

tru wrote: »

Dizzie, Catherdral Florists? I use them. Very handy for me - they're within walking distance of my house

They wanted proof of self-employment (I just took a letter from the tax office) and minimum spend is only £10. I didn't need a trade account, I just pay as I shop.

Tru - Yes, Cathedral! They're great, aren't they....!
I don't have a trade account, nor have I ever been told about a minimum spend (but usually spend over £10 anyway) and I've never had to prove that I'm self employed....
My sister (qualified florist, but doesn't actually work as one!) got her own wedding flowers from there last summer and did her own arrangements - lovely they were too!!

They're really helpful too, and they don't mind you bumbling around browsing for ages....! Just avoid the early mornings when the florists get their stuff and you'll be fine!!

Dizzie77

raggydoll wrote: »

Thankyou for the replies.
Finefoot, thanks for the pm i will be in touch soon

My OH thinks its a terrible idea and won't work but i really think theres an opportunity here. I think i need to use every opportunity to make them for people and hopefully word of mouth will do me well that way.

I think the reason they don't sell on ebay is the postage costs. Doing them to order would be the easiest but not sure how much you would realistically be able to make that way. Advertising locally in local papers etc seems a good idea.

It wuld be good to support each other in this new venture and share hints and tips along the way.

Also keep an eye out for school fairs, church fetes and ladies pamper nights - these usually charge a minimum and if you go armed with some hampers and a load of business cards, I'm sure that you will pick up business this way.

Good Luck!

raggydoll_2

she_grinch wrote: »

If you are making pamper hampers etc is there a legal issue about using branded goods without the permission of the Company?

I was planning to but the contents of the hamper wholesale (direct from other small local businesses where possible, such as the lady in town who makes and sells bath bombs etc.) so this shouldn't be a problem. Buying in bulk will make this even more cost effective. I'm not sure there would be a problem anyway unless you were trying to pass them off as your own.

she_grinch

Good idea as I was wondering about making some items for selling myself, I hadn't thought of sourcing local crafters or business':T

Teresa60

Would you have to spend a lot of money for the intial outlay such as baskets and cellophane and the contents?

raggydoll_2

You can get 250 business cards for postage only from vista print, think it works out about 3.50 ish, would be a good start. I was thinking of costing up making about 15-20 different baskets, 1 super duper delux type one and a range of others that i could take to a small school fayre. The baskets would be for sale but would be more of an advertisement for the type of things i can do so that i coud take orders and deposits from people at the time for custom made ones. So i'm going to decide on the 20 i will make and cost up doing this and producing a really impressive display of them. Will let you know what i come up with.

In the meantime i am going to make a simpleone for my friends wedding on valentines day and make sure all my friends see it and also do a small valentines day one for the office to show people what i can do. Any opportunity to show off and get potential orders and see what interest there is really without spending too much initially.

candice56

This sounds like a great idea, Il watch this thread too so please keep us updated on your progress :-)

[Deleted User]

Great thread:T . Loving all the questions and answers, really learned a lot so far.

But:

Finefoot wrote: »

market stall definately not a good idea though!

I must be thick or something but don't understand why you said this Finefoot. Unless it's because people who shop at markets tend to expect lower prices and may not be prepared to pay what hampers are really worth . Please could you explain?