How to Diagnose and Fix a Problem in Your Antique Booth Business -- Antique Booth Tips
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- Опубликовано: 10 янв 2023
- So I've got a problem in my antique booth business, and I'm gonna try and fix it this year!
When something isn't working well in your booth, it can be hard to not take it personally and get discouraged. I get it--I'm there myself right now!
But rather than getting down and giving up, it's SO much more helpful to look at your business objectively and take action steps to fix the issue.
In this video, I do just that-- share with you how I am evaluating an issue in my booth business happening RIGHT NOW and what steps I am going to take to get it back on track.
Thanks so much for joining me today-- I hope this video helps someone out there!
Melanie :)
Shop my "Vintage Life" t-shirts in my online shop:
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How to Diagnose and Fix a Problem in Your Antique Booth Business
If you own an antique booth business, you know that it can be both rewarding and challenging. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may notice that certain items or categories of items aren't selling as well as you would like. So, how can you diagnose and fix a problem in your antique booth business? In this post, we'll walk you through some tips and strategies to help you identify and address the specific issues that are affecting your sales.
Step 1: Identify the specific problem
Instead of making vague statements like "my booth isn't doing well," take a closer look at your inventory and identify the specific items or categories of items that aren't selling. For example, you may find that your furniture paint and brushes are selling well, but your vintage decor or redesign transfers aren't moving as quickly. By pinpointing the specific areas that aren't performing, you can start to develop a plan to address the issue.
Step 2: Be honest about where you may be lacking
It can be difficult to admit when we're not doing a great job of managing certain products, but being honest with ourselves is the first step in fixing the problem. Take a hard look at the items that aren't selling and ask yourself whether there are any areas where you may be falling short. For example, are you pricing your items too high? Are you not displaying them in an appealing way? Are you neglecting to promote them on social media or other channels? By identifying where you may be lacking, you can start to take action to improve those areas.
Step 3: Experiment with different strategies
Once you've identified the specific problem and areas where you may be lacking, it's time to start experimenting with different strategies. For example, if you find that your redesign transfers aren't selling, you may want to try displaying them in a different area of your booth, or offering a discount to encourage customers to give them a try. If you're not promoting your items on social media, you may want to start posting more regularly and using hashtags to increase visibility. The key is to be open to trying new things and to track your results so you can see what's working and what's not.
Step 4: Stay positive and stay the course
Finally, it's important to stay positive and stay the course. It can be discouraging when certain items aren't selling as well as you would like, but remember that every business has its ups and downs. Keep experimenting with new strategies, and don't be afraid to ask for feedback from your customers. By staying focused on your goals and committed to improving your business, you can overcome any challenges that come your way.
In conclusion, owning an antique booth business requires a combination of creativity, resourcefulness, and determination. By taking the time to diagnose and address any problems that arise, you can continue to grow and succeed in this exciting industry. Happy selling! 
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I doubled my sales from 2021 to 2022 and I think it’s because I’ve gotten a lot better at displays. If I have a few days of down sales I go back and rearrange
It's crazy how just moving things around and freshening it up can stimulate sales. Congrats on your sales increase too!
I worked at a second hand shop a number of years ago and we noticed that as soon as we would pay attention to a particular area in the store, we inevitably would sell like crazy from it. It's definitely an interesting phenomenon!
Regulars are drawn to things that are different from their last visit. I've had a "boring" white with just a tad if pink rose botanical print sitting too long on a high shelf. Relocated in easy reach with other honestly prettier pink things for ♥️day and SOLD
As always good advice. I am in the process of evaluating my sales for 2022. I gave inventory numbers to products by categories like a Dewey Decimal system; 100 paper; 200 Furniture; 300 art;
400 records; 500 what nots; 600 toys; 700 textiles; 800 Christmas; 900 clothing. Those are general and then I will break them down further when necessary. Because I was a Children's Librarian, this system works for me.
I love that! Fantastic idea!
That is a great idea!!!
Oh my gosh 💕. I'm ADHD and my overwhelmed brain explodes when faced with keeping up with inventory and sales. My mall just enters the brief description on my tag when an item sells but then forgets to add all the words. "Clear vase" 😑. Numbers it is!
I go tomorrow to set my fislrst booth. I'm nauseous and I'm so anxious
You can do it! Start slow and grow at a pace you can maintain. My first booth was tiny and cost $60 a month in rent. I spent $250 to start it :) You don’t have to dive in with a giant space to start
Thanks so much for your helpful advice and encouragement! I was told many many years ago by an antique store owner that the more you "work" your booth, the better your sales will be. That has always held true for me. I'm not comfortable with using social media, but it is my goal for 2023 as I feel sure it will help me get more exposure and sales. Thanks so much again! I love your videos!
That is great advice as well! The effort you put in usually leads to a better result :)
Thanks for the info, Melanie! We have to constantly look at our businesses (and our booths) with a critical eye. I have found that I stop 'seeing' what others are seeing because I see it all the time. Great tips!
You are so welcome!
Stumbled across your videos. Thank you so much for these. You've helped me with my booth.
I'm so glad!
Great advice, thank you
I like this! Be honest with ourselves!!
Great video love this very helpful 😊
Just caught this video.. so very helpful in many ways for a booth rookie.. and saved me from restless sleep trying to figure out strategies and a plan that works.
Great video with some good tips. I too have some under performers in my space as well. You are not alone my friend!
Great video! Thank you for the good tips! Bummed Boot Camp is closed, it was on my “hope to do” for this year, but glad you are still giving us these great videos on RUclips! You always inspire!!
Thank you! Yes, it was a tough decision to close Bootcamp. The management of it though just wasn’t feasible moving ahead. Sometimes it’s time to say goodbye !
Thanks for these great suggestions, Melanie! I always appreciate your practical advice!
You are so welcome!
So very helpful as always. Thank you for making this video Melanie!
Glad it was helpful!
Great info for all businesses! Thanks!
You bet!
Thanks for this! Very honest and helpful.
My pleasure!
Thank you for this ❤
You're welcome 😊
This was an answer to my prayer. Thank you Melanie. I didn't make rent last month!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Another fantastic video...I even took notes! I've said it before, and I will keep saying it...because of you and the advice you put out there I have consistently increased my sales. Thank you for that! This month may be my best month yet!
You rock! That’s so awesome to hear!
I so enjoyed this video, it definitely gave me steps in my power to improve my sales.
Glad it was helpful!
This is all so helpful and honestly good advice for other areas of life as well. Thanks for sharing from your personal booth. I am really looking forward to learning and growing my business more in this new year. My booth sales have continued to grow and I’m hoping for more growth in this my second year! I’m kicking around some ideas to help people know how to use the items that maybe sit a little longer than I’d like. Thanks for all the tips, Melanie!
Glad it was helpful! I hope you have an awesome year :)
❤all the information, we had a booth and now have a vintage boutique, you must put in the work to grow/XO from Southwest Louisiana 🐊🦀🥰
Absolutely!
You've put your goals and intentions out into the world and now we are going to hold you to it. Which is a good decision on your behalf. Go get'm ! 🙂 Thank you!
Yep, when I share them out loud, it helps me be accountable 😊
Thanks! You brought up some things to try that I think will help me- I have 3 booths at our local mall and have always done really well but business has slowed up & my sales are down a bit - I have made a lot of physical changes to my booths & they have helped but I see where breaking down certain areas & items that aren’t doing as well as others will definitely help even more-
Glad it was helpful!
Wonderful suggestions!
Glad you think so!
Amen love ❤️ this
We forget we're sticking and arranging for shoppers - their desires and convenience. I can craft a doggone gorgeous display with popular items at a perfect price point, BUT if no price is visible or if the desired picnic basket is at the bottom is a stack resembling the Tower of Babel, it's not worth the effort to many shoppers and they'll walk away. I also have non-sellers that when reset with like colors in a different location they're gone in a flash. Fill glass items with thimbles, seasonal candy, craft supplies and watch 'em disappear
Yep! If I can’t easily see a price, I pass an item up
Hi! I owned a Flea Market and Antique Mall so I have a different perspective. You are experienced and do very well because you pause and think about things. One thing I think may do well for you is make it a booth JUST for people that like to DIY so your paint and things that need painting. So the crafter can come to your booth and buy the Paint and an item they can upcycle themselves!
Thanks for sharing! Yes, that would be the ideal solution :) But for me realistically, I don’t have the bandwidth for more than one space and the other spaces available in the mall are all large… gotta work within what I can pull off :) But I agree that would be a good way to better manage the customers!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thank you
We use every square foot. From high on the walls to the ground. We have a step stool available so staff at the store can get something down for the customer. We also make sure we either have new products every week or at least change around things so it has a new place. You wouldn’t think it works but it surprisingly does! One last thing, I use fluorescent color poster shapes and write… “SALE!” or “REDUCED!” and place them on older items that don’t sell very quick.
Thanks for sharing what works for you :)
Happy New Year!
Same to you!
Thanks!
You bet!
My sales are all over the place but I realize that furniture I paint and put a transfer on is a slow sale. So I’m going to just paint and do a little distressing, since that’s what is selling. I love adding transfers but I’ve reconciled that it’s not popular in this area.
That’s a wise observation! And thinking like a business owner 😊
Thanks for the video. :) It's helpful knowing that I'm not the only one that needs to be honest with themself! And your videos always help me to remember to see it as a business and not take things personally. I'm wondering, where do you sell your antiques online? (Etsy? Shopify? Ebay?) It kind of sounds like online is the best place to sell antiques from what I've heard. (I'm in Arkansas also)
Yep, we have to try and step back and keep our emotions out of it (as much as possible! I realize that’s hard 😊). I do FB live sales, sell a few items on Etsy, and also have my own online shop. I’ve got a video on the Antique Booth playlist that talks about FB live sales and also one that compares Etsy and Shopify (you’re own online shop), those me be a helpful resource for you :)
Super helpful!! Thank you
What paint line do you sell?
You’re welcome! Fusion Mineral Paint is the line I carry
I really do try to keep my booth nice, full and well displayed, but my sales aren’t where I’d like them to be. The crazy thing I’ve noticed, when I work the register at my vintage mall, is how much the cluttered, random booths sell!!! It’s so frustrating to see my beautiful curated items sit and sit (I do move and rearrange often) & then the cheap hodgepodge stuff fly off the shelves in some of the messiest, most cluttered booths😂😂😂
That is frustrating…. Could be an issue of being in the wrong type of mall for what you’re doing? That happened to me… my first location was set to appeal to “garage sale” customers, not higher end decor shoppers. They are different customers… changing malls made all the difference in the world. Just a thought!
This issue might be with the venue. Some stores are antique/vintage. Some are antique/vintage/garage sale. These attract a different type of shopper.
I know exactly what you are saying. The booths that seem to be cram packed with hodgepodge ,and not even clean, seem to be selling things all the time! I hear customers talking about the booths that are pretty and straight and look nice, and how much they enjoy shopping in them. I try to remember that this type of store bring this in a variety of customers and and I can’t cater to everyone.
I think you are either in the wrong type of store and/or the wrong city/area.
Hello, just found you today. I live in Rogers.
I love to thrift but not yet into a booth and all the rules and requirements that ebay and having a booth requires.
You mentioned "Selling on line". Briefly, how do you sell "on line"...
do you have to use PAY PAL. I want to start small.
Thank you.
I THINK YOUR BOOTH IS WELL DONE.
My booth is the exact opposite as yours. It isn't that my paint doesn't sell, it is that my profit margin is so low. All my other items have at least a 100 percent mark up. I am retired and would love to minimize my labor but my labor intensive products are my most profitable items.😁
Yes, my margins on paint are way less than my margins on my found items! Can you up the price of your paint by $1 or $2?
I have recently rented a booth in a new local location. The rent is $245 a month plus 12% and cc fees. I hope I can make enough to make it worth my time and effort?? I’m worried the rent is to high?
How big is the booth?
We have 2 booths in a local thrift store. We worry every time we get a new area or new booth. I think it takes a couple few months at least to attract customers so they keep coming back every month. Also, use every square foot. From high on the walls to the ground. We have a step stool available so staff at the store can get something down for the customer. We also make sure we either have new products every week or at least change around things so it has a new place. You wouldn’t think it works but it surprisingly does! One last thing, I use fluorescent color poster shapes and write… “SALE!” or “REDUCED!” and place them on older items that don’t sell very quick. Hope this helps! 🙂 and good luck!
My 10 x 10 booth in a high traffic antique mall in Coastal Virginia is $220, and 12.5% fees, so that sounds like it's in line with you. I sell antique/ Vintage items, some Mid century (hot in my area) and a little farmhouse primitive - never sell less than $800-$1000 in total sales per month. You should be fine!!
Mine is 8x8 for $240 plus 10% commission. I will be moving to a 14 x 8 in a few weeks. I'm hoping to do well in the larger space 🤞
That’s right in line with normal, but be sure to pay attention to your numbers! What is your average profit margin? Average monthly expenses? Also, your booth is just the springboard to the rest of your business! Use it as a way to build a customer base and then find other ways to serve them-personal shopping, teaching workshops or craft classes, decorating, etc :)
Thanks!
Welcome!