Do you do vintage fairs but not drive?
- Thread starter Magpie
- Start date
I used to do this a lot, within London. You are in London too right? People were always amazed how much I could bring, on a bus or the tube.
I got packing to fine art and concentrated on smaller items, jewellery, scarves, etc, so I could bring the maximum stock in the minimum cases, though I did bring clothes as well. I had two big wheely suitcases, with a small rail taken apart and put in one of the outside pockets, sticking up. I would pull a case in each hand, then I'd have a small back pack or cross body bag as well. If I had to get on an escalator, I got good at getting one suitcase behind me and one in front. Sometimes, I'd just take jewellery in one suitcase, which was fairly easy.
I would only do it if I could find a good route to the fair. Generally buses are easier than trains, less walking and less stairs. If you use TFL journey planner, you can specify that you need step free access, and see if there's a route you can take (you can even say that you can use escalators but not stairs). There is also a site for disabled people that gives you specific information about every train and tube station, eg exactly how many stairs there are at any point, to get from the platform to the surface, or to change trains. I'd allow plenty of time for the journey so I didn't get exhausted!
It was hard work, I've got to admit, but if you pack right and get your journey worked out, it is doable.
Of course, the other option I sometimes did was take a taxi. It adds to the cost of the fair, but if it's a good fair and nearby, it was sometimes worth it.
I got packing to fine art and concentrated on smaller items, jewellery, scarves, etc, so I could bring the maximum stock in the minimum cases, though I did bring clothes as well. I had two big wheely suitcases, with a small rail taken apart and put in one of the outside pockets, sticking up. I would pull a case in each hand, then I'd have a small back pack or cross body bag as well. If I had to get on an escalator, I got good at getting one suitcase behind me and one in front. Sometimes, I'd just take jewellery in one suitcase, which was fairly easy.
I would only do it if I could find a good route to the fair. Generally buses are easier than trains, less walking and less stairs. If you use TFL journey planner, you can specify that you need step free access, and see if there's a route you can take (you can even say that you can use escalators but not stairs). There is also a site for disabled people that gives you specific information about every train and tube station, eg exactly how many stairs there are at any point, to get from the platform to the surface, or to change trains. I'd allow plenty of time for the journey so I didn't get exhausted!
It was hard work, I've got to admit, but if you pack right and get your journey worked out, it is doable.
Of course, the other option I sometimes did was take a taxi. It adds to the cost of the fair, but if it's a good fair and nearby, it was sometimes worth it.
Magpie
Registered Guest
Thanks Ruth. Yes, I'm in London too.
It's good to see it can be done. I think I've previously made the mistake if trying to take too many clothes, especially as last time I sold mostly accessories and home wares. Will try again and load up on smaller items. Need to buy another wheely case though (I mostly have vintage trunks)
Great TFL search tip.
Anyone else got more tips?
It's good to see it can be done. I think I've previously made the mistake if trying to take too many clothes, especially as last time I sold mostly accessories and home wares. Will try again and load up on smaller items. Need to buy another wheely case though (I mostly have vintage trunks)
Great TFL search tip.
Anyone else got more tips?
I love using vintage suitcases, but they aren't much good for this kind of transport.
I also used to have cheap lightweight rail from Argos, that wasn't brilliant as a rail, but was light enough to carry.
I also used to have cheap lightweight rail from Argos, that wasn't brilliant as a rail, but was light enough to carry.
Pinkcoke
Alumni
For years and years we travelled using normal old suitcases and those old folding wheelie frames which are brilliant. (silver good quality metal with two child's pram style wheels on the base, a small fold out foot and a long U shaped handle that folds down halfway) If you could get hold of one or two of these (do ask your older relatives/neighbours who probably still have them) , you could still use your vintage suitcases for display and save room on storing your storage at the venue.
pauline
Registered Guest
There is great scope these days for been able to take photos and other information in a digital form of items which cannot physically take to fairs, and still be able to sell and take money on the day, especially if they are hard to find and rare. I found it's just a matter of getting people to have confidence in you that when they paid for something you have not taken and is still at home that the first thing your do is post it to them.
This might not work for clothes as they might need to be tried on ... there must be load of things which it would work for.
This might not work for clothes as they might need to be tried on ... there must be load of things which it would work for.
Vinclothes
Alumni +
I have flown to a show, bringing part of my stock as luggage, and sending the rest by UPS to the convention center office. I then made arrangements (generous tips) for the convention center office to mail the unsold items back to me. It took a lot of coordinating/arranging, but it did work.
Marian
Marian
tickeryboo
Alumni
how about trying to pair up with someone who has a car, so that you go together and much more fun anyway! you could share petrol costs and load the car till it's bursting at the hinges! have a chat to other traders next time you go and see where they have come from, or print off a little flyer and hand it round. good luck