Just Opened a Physical Location to Compliment my eBay Store; Velvet Vintage Flamingo
I just opened up a little store (booth) in Altamonte Springs, FL ; The Mercantile Antiques & Uniques (D107)
I advertise my eBay store and sell things that are too complicated to ship.
How many of you also compliment your eBay business with a physical location?
16 comments
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·2 years ago@velvetvtgflamingo
Would love to see photos of your booth! And how are you advertising your ebay store? Business cards, signs? Posters?
velvetvtgflamingo
OP1 year agoH! The Mercantile does really good with advertising the store. The employees are really helpful with advice for staging my items too! (I don't have a very good design skill) So it does make it easier. Also some of my items are just so amazing in person, and are hard to photograph for eBay to reflect how nice they are. So those things are my best sellers!
I will work on getting a photo of it!
Stephanie
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoBest wishes for the new venture!
We did it the opposite way, using eBay as an adjunct to our decade old B&M shop.
As others have said, the greatest challenge is keeping inventory up to date, so that you take down all B&M sales as soon as possible from eBay.
We had one employee who crosschecked all sales and took down sold items as her last task before going home. An absolute treasure.
velvetvtgflamingo
OP1 year agoYes, I have realized that there is a very different market for in-store and eBay. eBay is best for the rarer and specific items, where the store its easier to sell "cute" things. Also, the store is a blessing to save me from shipping all those big, fragile items 🙂
gloryglorygifts
·2 years agoCongratulations! That's how we started originally back in 2008 and then created the website in 2010 so that people could still buy from us if it was an off day and we weren't at a booth. That was so much fun and a great way to get repeat customers. I miss not seeing them in person but many of our repeat customers are still with us.
My suggestion? If you are selling the same things that you are on ebay, bring your device and update your inventory right away on your store, or do it immediately when you get home. We used to use receipts to track sales. Hopefully you can have someone else with you to watch and/or help your customers. Unfortunately, there are people that will take a five finger discount from you. I had one put a rosary in her pocket while right in front of me. Had a vendor at the next table pocket some of items too, so be diligent in watching out for those people too. Just be aware.
I do wish you luck and many sales!
velvetvtgflamingo
OP1 year agoThank you! The employees at the The Mercantile are fantastic. So far, nothing has been stolen... and they are very aware of everything that goes on. I hope that stays true, as I can see how easily can happen. I have found me not cross-listing on eBay and the store as much, due to my laziness factor 🙂 As soon as I start doing that I will take your advice for sure!
Stephanie
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·2 years agoCongratulations on expanding your business, and best wishes for success! While online buying isn't going away, I do think in many places, buyers want the fun of B&M shopping---especially this type of shop, and flea markets, pop up shops etc....some are searching for something very specific, but many just enjoy the thrill of discovering something they didn't even know existed. And I'm guessing that your mall is in a good location.
I assume you are not putting your ebay-listed items in the mall? That makes it much easier to keep track of things. At the same time, advertising your ebay store in your mall booth can supplement your booth sales (especially if you can offer local pick up at the mall for ebay-sold items). And, while you can't advertise your booth space in your ebay listings and store, you CAN advertise it in any ebay packages you ship out. That is ebay legal.
If I were younger, this is something I would consider. (I did malls and flea markets years ago). One thing I also like about malls is, if you pay attention, you can get a sense of what's selling, what's trending, etc.
Again, best of luck to you!
squinkercat59
·2 years agoI have several booths in a large antique mall, where sales have been very good. I sell vintage clothing and accessories (hats, gloves, etc) and the mall has a very strict no returns policy, which is great for that kind (or any kind) of merchandise. I also sell larger, heavier items, like furniture, large signs, small farm equipment, that would cost a lot to ship; and glassware, coins and delicate items I wouldn't want to mail either.
I have had my own store, in the past, for many years. When you factor in the costs like utilities, insurance, security, employees and more, and all the time it takes, renting booths or selling on Ebay is a real bargain. But when I had my own store, I enjoyed it. It's nice being your own boss. I'm glad I had that experience.
toysaver
·2 years agoMy experience has been the real money made in renting out booths is by those that are doing the renting. It is still head over heels better than opening a stand alone B&M location.
chevymontecarlo88
·2 years agoThat is the truth. I know some of the owners of such establishments and some are doing well. Good point.
silverstatetreasureboxes
·2 years ago@velvetvtgflamingo
Congrats, that sounds charming. I've been a successful boother for years and like poster Chevy states " keep good records of your inventory ". I used an old fashioned ledger and write in description, price and what I paid for item which helps at tax time.
There is several YouTubers out there that share knowledge about tips & sourcing, the turned leg is one as she is major in that venue.
Best to you!
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·2 years ago@silverstatetreasureboxes Thanks for the tip about The Turned Leg. I just subscribed to her YT channel and will watch some videos when I get time.
silverstatetreasureboxes
·2 years ago@my-cottage-books-and-antiques
Absolutely! I think you will like her. She's also a school teacher, hails from Michigan and carries her own paint line. Her voice is soothing and her booth spaces are larger than my home!
velvetvtgflamingo
OP1 year agoThank you for the kind words! I will definitely check her out. The physical location is a LOT more work, but it is kind of my "happy place"
eBay is fun, but I also love the displays! Cant wait for the holidays!
chevymontecarlo88
·2 years agoCongrats on expanding your reach. Have done this in the past with success and it is great for larger items that can be difficult to ship as you mentioned. The only suggestion i would add is to take some precautions to your Ebay listings is that the items are listed locally for sale. Many consignment shops do record what is sold but rarely contact sellers once items do sale. Staying on top of what sells locally and pulling items that are listed on Ebay can be a little challenging and would say keep an eye on your inventory. The local consignment shop i was using would also list on Facebook Marketplace (which i would do as well) to entice locals who may not see your items unless they visited the shop.
Congrats and good luck
edit. translated lack of coffee sentence to english
velvetvtgflamingo
OP1 year agoThank you for the kind words! Yes, it has saved me from shipping nightmares for sure. I love it, and is kind of my "happy place" Not as profitable as eBay, but definitely more fun and interaction.
Stephanie