Selling in workplaces

mancunian_lady

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of going into workplaces to sell my greetings cards and photo prints. Has anyone had any experience of this, in particular the following:

- if I were to leave the products for a couple of days, would there be a named person to take charge of the money safekeeping
- how likely, do you think, items would go missing
- do you think it would be better to stay with the items over a lunch/other break
- what would you think would be the best opportunity - lunch breaks or morning/afternoon breaks
- do you think it would have to be these breaks or if I would be able to go during other times of the day

Any other useful info and all comments would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Best wishes

Mancunian Lady

pickledonionspaceraider

mancunian_lady wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of going into workplaces to sell my greetings cards and photo prints. Has anyone had any experience of this, in particular the following:

- if I were to leave the products for a couple of days, would there be a named person to take charge of the money safekeeping
- how likely, do you think, items would go missing
- do you think it would be better to stay with the items over a lunch/other break
- what would you think would be the best opportunity - lunch breaks or morning/afternoon breaks
- do you think it would have to be these breaks or if I would be able to go during other times of the day

Any other useful info and all comments would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Best wishes

Mancunian Lady

sounds a great idea,

If it were me, I would laminate the sample products into a ring binder, or a photo album something like that. That way they won't get pinched

leave an order form with the samples and then only give the finished products on collection of the order and monies

Generally the person you would deal with is the receptionist at any company - you would have to speak to them about it

I think leave the products for a week - in large offices - folk don't always get the time to browse on any particular day

Staying with your products is a sure fire way of making this a hassle for the employers of these offices - and a surefire way of them asking you to stop coming. If you turn up at lunchtime, if any of the staff are even aware you are there and come to look, you will be creating a market stall in their reception, no office manager is going to agree to this. Even worse if you expect to turn up whilst staff are working - people are not going to risk getting in trouble with their manager to come and look at a greetings card whilst they are supposed to be working

From what I can see, the only way to make this work is to make a sample portfolio, leave it for a week, along with an order form and money up front - it is hassle free for you, and hassle free for them

Serendipitious

I imagine you would need permission to do this from the companies concerned. Also many offices and workplaces these days require staff to use security codes/passes to gain access.

It's a lot to ask someone to take charge of the money, especially when they are working at their job. And staying yourself might not be an option for security/insurance purposes.

Have you considered a website, or facebook page, or asking shops to stock your items? Or having a stall at community-based events? Summer fairs will start after Easter and tables could be available there. Also coffee mornings, and other social events where people have time to browse.

lincroft1710

I think the only way you'll find out if this works is if you actually do it, following the advice of posr. You may find that you get more orders from females than males.

shopbot

I don't think you'll have any luck with getting a designated person to look after your stock/money unless they are a personal friend. It just adds a potential headache for them to deal with.

My former workplace had a snack box that worked on an honesty system with the proceeds for Charity. In the end it was ended because it was more hassle than it was worth.

IMHO the best way of selling your items would be with a manned foyer in a really big workplace display at the start and end of the day and at lunchtime.

I personally think social media might provide you with a wider reach for your products.

mancunian_lady

Thanks all for your comments, they have been very helpful and given me more to think of.

pickledonionspaceraider - I like your idea of laminating prints as a sort of portfolio to order from, I had not thought of that

I already have a website, photography Facebook page and Etsy shop and I have successfully sold a couple of prints and quite a few greetings cards/note cards at my own place of work.

This year I want to promote my photography prints and cards more and try to make some 'face to face' sales as it were without incurring any extra costs.

Craft fairs have the added cost of tables/stalls and public liability insurance - all of which would wipe out profit from any sales I would make. Also photo prints / cards are not bargain/low cost items so, without meaning any disrespect, my target audience are not visitors to car boot sales / school craft fairs - they quite rightly are looking for bargains.

Any further comments, suggestions or advice are very welcome

Many thanks

Mancunian Lady

shopbot

Some people do well on Fine Art America. You'll want to do some research on it though to see what's successful on there.

mollymunchkin

I work in a school and we often have people dropping off book club boxes. They drop off the box of items with an order form, leave it for a few weeks and then come back and collect the order form and money, then straight away drops off the items. In return for having their items on site and collecting the money the school receives commission (sorry don't know how much though) which we plough back into the school.


A similar system works at our local council offices too. The book clubs sell more than just books though, lots of gifts, etc. Hope this helps!

Gurj247

A person recently did this at my work place.


Originally they contacted the company and got permission to hold a little stall at lunch time (11:45 to 1:15).


Once agreed they were allowed to put a few posters in the office to make people aware that they would be having a little stall in advance, this also had contact details so people could make contact in advance and place orders for collection on the day.


Also be sure to make sure you are very clear about what you require from the company (a table etc) or bring everything yourself as they don't like last min changes


Good Luck with it.