Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
It sounds like it'd be a blast, and I could probably make some money, but before I commit to something that I'd have to fly to (I really don't want to drive from NY to TX, yeah?), not to mention ship all of my stuff to...I'd like to know if anyone has any experiences selling tees there.
I've emailed some people that have sold tees at this show, and obviously the person with the show who invited me had good things to say about it, and it's not that I think the promoters are pulling my chain or anything, it's just that if I have to drop the cost of a plane ticket, PLUS the cost of shipping my stuff (I am going to check EVERY BAG I CAN, though!), PLUS the cost of the show itself (which is actually way reasonable), I want to hear second and third opinions, because I'm trying to save up money for MAGIC or POOL or UNITED next year, not blow money just to see my friends in Austin (who will hopefully let me and a few hundred tees crash on their couch!) and sell five shirts.
__________________ SEIBEI - put a monster in your closet.
least you can eat some great food while your there in austin! lol
but i really seeing you have a better success rate at Pool or United.(magic if you have the $) .. ill be going by the United show this month while at Magic... to see how it is.
oh I definitely want to do one of those; this is a retail craft show though not a trade show. just another opportunity to sell and get my stuff out there one shirt at a time.
__________________ SEIBEI - put a monster in your closet.
I sent in my application last week and got a reply today. I was rejected. I don't really mind, since I understand that they need to have a wide mix of products and that other T-shirts might be better suited to the type of event they want to put together.
However, I am a bit annoyed that $20 of the $75 application fee was non-refundable. First, I have to say that this was made very clear on the application, so it was not a surprise. Yes, I know it takes time to review the applications, and time is money. But I seriously doubt that they spent even five minutes reviewing my application. Moreover, this cost should be built in somewhere else, rather than used as a topping for a pile of rejection.
It just seems like a very bad idea to me. They said that they only accepted 1/3 of the applications. This was surprising, since they had actually extended the application deadline. I guess they were trying to amass the highest number of rejections possible, since rejections are an easy way to increase the bottom line.
So, 2/3 of the people that applied were not only hit with a rejection, but they were charged for the privilege. Nearly 35% of their booth fees were collected from people who were actually rejected. If it were me, I would give a full refund plus throw in a couple of free admission passes for those rejected.
But I guess they are more interested in squeezing out every possible nickel than in promoting good will. Seems pretty short-sighted to me.
STITCH AUSTIN experiences? 
