How to get started selling

topic posted Mon, March 15, 2004 - 7:38 AM by  Marisa
Hey all, I need some advice/hints/tips on how to get started selling your goods.

I'm hoping to start selling sometime next year (I think I'll have enough to sell by then!). But I really have no clue as to how to get started. Well, I have a few clues, but they're so general...

Any tips on:
Tax ID's
Shows/Fairs
Stores that sell your stuff for commission (how much commission is the norm?)
online selling
etc..

Anyone have good/bad/learning experiences to share?

Thanks!!
posted by:
Marisa
Austin
  • Re: How to get started selling

    Mon, March 15, 2004 - 8:12 PM
    Getting a tax id is easy... you just go to the comptroller's office which is downtown around 9th and Trinity and fill out some paperwork... You might be able to do the same at the County Clerks office which is on Airport between hwy290 and 53rd St... you might want to call them first before making the trip. It always seems like there are lots of little bazaars going on in this town... one of the first ones that I did was the South Austin Bazaar Bazaar, you can call Amelia's Retro Vogue for information or at least that used to be the connection...Lots of stores are willing to sell stuff on consignment/commission and the going rate seems to be 50/50, though it should be more like 60/40...by selling stuff yourself at bazaars and such you can make more be cause you're not paying anyone else to sell it for you, although you have to pay for the booth and take the time out of your schedule to sit around for a day or two...hope this helps!
    • Re: How to get started selling

      Tue, March 16, 2004 - 6:11 AM
      Wow, 50/50! I found a listing on craigslist for an online consignment that was 60/40. I've also heard general art galleries (paintings and such) usually do 70/30 or 60/40...I didn't expect 50/50. I had a few bracelets in a university art shop many years ago, and they only took 10%.
      • more options...

        Mon, April 12, 2004 - 12:26 AM
        You should try Q on North Loop...Suzy sells local stuff and is really nice...I think she is 70/30. She used to run the bazaars at Cafe Mundi. Last I heard, Ruta Maya only takes 10% if you set up a table there. You could also check out Rubypearl at S. 1st & Mary...Sunny is the sweet girl who runs it and makes slip dresses.

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