Selling at vintage fairs Q

C

cloudsofviolet

Registered Guest
Hi,

I'm pretty new to selling, and thinking about selling at fairs in addition to online. Would you say that people at fairs have expectation of lower prices? And approx how much lower? EG I have a Titanic era dress listed for $125 (due to damage, but it is a reasonable price I feel) and I wouldn't let it go for lower than $100. Would people at a fair expect like $50 or 60? that seems unreasonably low
 
My experience was that at a regular flea market or fair that sold a variety of goods, one would expect to find prices set at a more reasonable amount or to find bargains as well, especially on damaged goods. If the fair is a specialty fair, just for vintage fashion, the prices would usually be set higher at market values. This is, of course, my experience and others may have different experiences.
 
A good thing about face-to-face selling is that minor flaws tend to feel less relevant when the buyer sees them in context.

A negative thing is that buyers want to try thing on, and in the process, things can get damaged. One smart strategy I have heard is to keep a cloth measuring tape around your neck and head prospective buyers off for (discreet) helpful comparison numbers before they head into the try-on corner.
 
I think a lot will depend on where the fair takes place - a fair in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, London, or other major cities, will command higher prices than a fair in a smaller city or town.

I've talked to dealers at Northern California fairs and they all tell me they make the most money at the Alameda Antique Fair across the bay from San Francisco.
 
You mentioned your Titanic dress has damage. What someone might offer you on a $125 dress with damage is going to depend on the damage, where it is located and the extent of it, how costly to clean or repair (if it even can be repaired). For $125 I might expect minimal damage, even for a dress of that era unless it is a special dress, lots of great trims, or a special label. Of course, your dress may be worth what you are asking even with the damage.
 
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catseyevintage said:
I think a lot will depend on where the fair takes place - a fair in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, London, or other major cities, will command higher prices than a fair in a smaller city or town.

I've talked to dealers at Northern California fairs and they all tell me they make the most money at the Alameda Antique Fair across the bay from San Francisco.
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yeah, I've heard that one is the best for a variety of reasons but not likely they will re-open soon. And i just saw you're in Central Valley! I was there like a week ago (for vintage) haha. So I'm trying to feel out some other fairs. Have crossed off the one located 1.5 hrs from me, thankfully as I keep on hearing from estate sales there that even they can't get their clothing to move so I probably couldn't, at least not for my prices haha. I'm thinking to head to Marin which is only about 1 hr or maybe a bit less from that fair. It's smaller but likely to have people who would have otherwise gone to alameda. I'd love to sell at a fashion-related fair but I think I better start off with a less investment first and see if I can sell off some of my lower hanging fruit.

I am a bit anxious about prices. Thanks for all the responses guys!! I heard very casually from another fair reseller that most people are not willing to pay more than $40 but I'm hoping they mean just regular non-vintage people.
 
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Not sure how that seller came up with a $40 limit. Many of us collectors and dealers are more than willing to pay good prices for something we really want or love. It is getting harder to find inventory now due to the situation, so if I found a nice market with lovely things for sale, I personally would spend and not haggle (well, not TOO much).
 
cloudsofviolet said:
yeah, I've heard that one is the best for a variety of reasons but not likely they will re-open soon. And i just saw you're in Central Valley! I was there like a week ago (for vintage) haha. So I'm trying to feel out some other fairs. Have crossed off the one located 1.5 hrs from me, thankfully as I keep on hearing from estate sales there that even they can't get their clothing to move so I probably couldn't, at least not for my prices haha. I'm thinking to head to Marin which is only about 1 hr or maybe a bit less from that fair. It's smaller but likely to have people who would have otherwise gone to alameda. I'd love to sell at a fashion-related fair but I think I better start off with a less investment first and see if I can sell off some of my lower hanging fruit.

I am a bit anxious about prices. Thanks for all the responses guys!! I heard very casually from another fair reseller that most people are not willing to pay more than $40 but I'm hoping they mean just regular non-vintage people.
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I guess you know about the Vintage Fashion Expo - the next one is scheduled for October at the Hall of Flowers in San Francisco.

And the Vintage Fashion Faire that occurs at Alameda (a separate show than the Antique Faire) a few times a year? Also closed for now.
 
catseyevintage said:
And a Current Affair S.F. which takes place in Richmond?
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Yes! There's also a new one up from LA that was supposed to happen somewhere in SF called Pickwick Vintage. The thing is, I have 100 or less pieces, and a number of those, while good solid pieces at a regular antique fair wouldn't be good at a fashion faire.

Another Q: should I wait till I have well over 100 pieces? a lot of my better pieces are in need of a wash (like it's noticeable)
 
Pickwick here in LA just announced an outdoor show for the first time so they can keep the venue going. It's a great show and lots of film folks and designers shop there. Fun to meet and greet and look around. The Vintage Fashion Expo is much MUCH smaller than it used to be when at the Ambassador Hotel years ago. I had done that show and did OK, but 10-15 years ago it was $4o0 and up to reserve a space plus expenses, and it was a lot of hard work bringing it all in and out again. Last time I went to shop and look was 3 years ago and it was a great show, lots of fabulous things and good sellers, but so much smaller it was kind of sad to see. Maybe it will grow again after all the is over.

Yes, dealers will expect garments to be clean, unless you want to give them away at cheap prices or it is something rare.
 
Rue_de_la_Paix said:
Pickwick here in LA just announced an outdoor show for the first time so they can keep the venue going. It's a great show and lots of film folks and designers shop there. Fun to meet and greet and look around. The Vintage Fashion Expo is much MUCH smaller than it used to be when at the Ambassador Hotel years ago. I had done that show and did OK, but 10-15 years ago it was $4o0 and up to reserve a space plus expenses, and it was a lot of hard work bringing it all in and out again. Last time I went to shop and look was 3 years ago and it was a great show, lots of fabulous things and good sellers, but so much smaller it was kind of sad to see. Maybe it will grow again after all the is over.

Yes, dealers will expect garments to be clean, unless you want to give them away at cheap prices or it is something rare.
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Yeah, that was the feel I got from both, esp the websites. When you say "clean", do you mean as in actually washed / dry cleaned, or just free of soiling, stains? I wash what I can and dry clean some, but not all are washed
 
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