Good evening folks. Sorry we missed posting our Sunday Vintage Dealer interview. We are doing things a little bit different now with the interview process. In case you missed our post on Facebook earlier, we are now asking any vintage dealers or shop owners that are interested in participating in the interviews to go to the appropriate category here on the blog. We have posted two sets of questions. One is for dealers and the other one is for shop owners. Simply fill out the questions, cut and paste them back to us in an email to: BoothCrush@gmail.com please see instructions on the bottom of each page.

http://www.boothcrush.blogspot.com/2014/08/antique-shop-owner-interview-questions.html (Shop owner)
http://www.boothcrush.blogspot.com/2014/08/vintage-dealer-interview-questions.html (vintage dealer)

Today, our first response was from Tammie Beckner. She doesn't have a booth name or FB page. But she did share the FB page of the antique mall she is in. Links below. Thank you, Tammy for your info. Enjoy!!

1 . How long have you been a vintage dealer?  It will be two years this coming October.

2. What type of setting are you in?  A mall.

3. How many booths do you have?  Two

4. What size booth/s do you have? Two 10 x 10's

5. What do you sell? Vintage kitchen utensils, dishes, cupboards, cabinets, tables in one booth and primitives in the other.

6. What do you find sells the most in your booth? Painted cabinets/cupboards.

7. What do find sells the least in your booth? China dishes.

8. Why do you think your booth has been successful? I try to offer unique items priced modestly.

9. How often do you refresh your booth? 2-3 times a month

10.  What mistakes have you made and learned from as dealer? Buying things I'm unfamiliar with, which often leads to over paying.

11. What advice do you have for someone just starting out? Start small with items you know the value of. Have seed money to buy inventory in the beginning, if you are doing it right, the hobby/business will soon support itself.

12. What do you think the number one mistake is that unsuccessful dealers make? Not keeping their booth fresh (even if that means rotating items in and out if necessary). Not removing items that don't sell but take up valuable space. Not "working" their booth enough.

13. Do you do this full time? No

14. Do you stick to a specific color scheme with your booth? No, but I do display same color items together.

16. What is an average month in sales for your booth? $600

17. How do you break down and come up with your prices? I usually double my purchase price, with a bit of cushion added for discounts.

18. Where do you find your vintage goods? Auctions, tag/estate sales, other dealers/malls.

19. Do you change your booth out to reflect the season and or holidays? Not the entire booth.

20. Do you swap out stale merchandise or do you reduce it for a fast sale? Both

21. Do you think booth location is important? If there are multiple floors, I feel the main floor is best. Otherwise, a nicely kept, well lit booth is more important than location.

22. Do you use any kind of inventory software for your personal use? No

23. Do you market your booth/s outside social media? No

Do you have any other advice tips or info you would like to add? Keep your booth clean, neat and inviting, allowing for room to walk around without bumping into items. Over head light enhanced with lamps or spot lighting. Have clearly written price tags, that do not fall off.


I don't have a name for my booths.
I'm located in: Norma's Antique Mall
1715 Stone St.
Falls City, NE
402.245.4338
http://normasantiquemall.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NormasAntiqueMall

I've seen different variations of this sign over the years while browsing antique shops. Recently, we had a customer ask us about it. She had seen it too, but couldn't remember the wording. So we got to thinking about it and decided it would be fun to make a printable for our vendor readers. Be sure to click on image to enlarge. It is a 5x7, but I think if you set the printer to a 8x10 it will enlarge without pixelation. Wouldn't this look great in a shabby white frame or barn wood prominently displayed in your booth? We like to think of it as a gentle reminder for your customers. :-) Enjoy!!

We are thrilled to be included in the 10 Awesome Resources for Creative Businesses by Refunk My Junk.
Be sure to head on over to her blog and check out the rest of the article. She has a terrific blog and Facebook page. I don't think you will be disappointed.