Lazy Crafters
Sunday November 11, 2007
How do you feel about crafters who read, watch TV or otherwise ignore customers at show? It seems that most crafters do not care since it creates more business for them when another crafter seems to be "lazy" when it comes to waiting on customers. Obviously when a crafter more or less ignores people who come into their booth it will hurt their sales. But do you think the overall appearance of vendors at a show can hurt other crafters or only themselves?
Comments
I think it hurts the crafters themselves more than the other craft vendors around them. Of course everyone should be at a show to sell, put their best game face on and so on. That is why we make and sell things right? to earn money - whether it is a living or extra money on the side?
It may not hurt other crafts people indirectly but it does hurt them because we all are there representing the show, if one looks off it does reflect on the others in the show - maybe not as much as others, but it does. What message does that send to customers if half of the people at a show are falling asleep or would rather have their nose buried in a book then look up and ask “If you have any questions, I am available to help.” No one likes to be ignored when at a store ESPECIALLY if you are ready to be checked out yet the check out person is slow, chatting with fellow employees about their social problems and this, that and the other. In a nutshell the way we all behave at a show should be with professionalism as if we are at a regular job.
I won’t patronize a vendor or small stores that do not acknowledge that I am there to shop. To me if they can’t speak or find out if they can help me then they do not want my business.
I recently was at a craft show at a local mall- there was maybe 40 crafters there- of all i talked to only about 4 were focused on what I was saying- so many of the crafters seemed liked they did not want to be there-I would look at what they had to sell and ask questions about the product- only a few gave me answers I was looking for. I sell art that I make myself and I do more business when I talk it up.
Oh, you bet the vendor by all means needs to at least say “Hi, how ya doing?” to me or I just move on down the row. Things are so commercialized these days, and to repeat what my Mom and Nana always said, “I wish the days of courtesy and kindness would come back to us all!” Y’all have a great holiday season*
I quite agree. I used to have a baby shop so visited trade shows. Many tim es the stall holder was a) absent with no one “KEEPING A LOOKOUT” or reading a newspaper.I used to say to another stall holde,r further down the line, “tell Stand No XX that they have missed a sale”
I have to agree with all of the above comments and add that is I am in a store trying to ask a question or purchase something and the clerks are too busy talking about their recent date or boyfriend, I will put what I wanted down and go on. This happens a lot with the young clerks. Also, noticed that the seniors are ignored a lot too. Do they think we are too old to want anything or that we don’t have money to purchase anything. They’d better wake up to the fact that in the not to distant future they will be old.
I think that everyone who has commented has the right idea. I think that the essential problem is that “crafters” who want to be perceived as valued professionals with a valuable product to be sold need to realize that they can’t have it both ways. To run a business properly means to make a determined effort in ALL aspects of the product — from conception, to creation, to sales. What makes my craft different from the booth next to me? I do. I am as much the product as my beadwork is. In fact, we are inseperable. I can’t sell beadwork that people feel good about until they feel good about me. Never mind the fact that I am thrilled that there are people who appreciate my craft so much that they are willing to buy. Maybe, if the joy isn’t there for them, they should explore other avenues of expression. Thanks for listening!
Aknowledgement is everything. Some people at small stores and craft fairs forget that evryone who enters wants respect as a customer not just their friends or previous customers. Some bead stores in particular are kind snobby. I have friends that will not go back due to rude treatment by staff. What’s the goal sell and have fun or pretend you’re better than your customers?
I’ve been both a craft seller and buyer. As a buyer, I prefer to be greeted cheerfully and told that if I have questions or need help to let the seller know. Then I want to be left alone to do my shopping. As a seller, I always greeted customers as noted above. Then I tried to quickly observe my buyer to see if they wished to carry on a conversation. If not, I usually worked on one of my crafts, which in itself was a good ice-breaker and often led to additional sales. But ignoring a looker, buyer or even someone just wanting to “pick” your brain is inexcusable. I’ve left many a vendor’s booth either because I was ignored, or pushed and talked to death and never given a minute to shop.
At times, if you approach a customer, they think you are pushy. I always look at the person, but allow them to speak first. This way, the customer realizes that you acknowledge that they are there, and you are free should they have any questions. I have had more people walk away from my booth or table when I do say something.
If they are not interested in me, I am not interested in them.
I can be sure of that. But I do feel that they should be available yet unavailable. Many times I really want to be left alone and admire the piece of creating without having the load of someone waiting on me to ask for anything. But sometimes I want to go deeper and ask some questions. I believe that there whole job should be that the customers who come to visit will be comfortable.
I think that if you have time to be reading a book at a show, you either have the wrong items to sell or you are at the wrong show, or both.
Although I have been to only one show and am very new to this, I was able to refine my approach to p[eoiple visiting my booth. I would give them a few minutes to look around and then go over and introduce myself ( with the sunglasses OFF)and tell them that all my pieces were vintage and no reproducables. AND….if there was something special that they were looking for and couldn’t find, to let me know. Then I’d leave them alone….if they left, I’d thank them for stopping. If they picked something up, I’d tell them a little about the piece. I sold a lot of stuff at that first show and looo forward to next spring.
Dave
From Dave’s Vintage Magazine Ads
Also, on looking your best: You can’t look ike a slob. Khaki’s and a nice short-sleeved shirt and a hat work well. Never go grubby!! It reflects on you and ultimately, your booth and products as well.
Dave
From Dave’s Vintage Magazine Ads