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.
I have been thinking about going to flea markets, not just some weekends, but regularly.
I have met several people that are making a living with their flea market business. I like how they manage their time and how they have most of the week off and only work a few days during the week and one or 2 days on the weekends.
This is why I went to 2 of the biggest flea markets in my area to see how they were. I went looking for products, how was the environment, how much people bought and stuff like that. I also went looking for my competition and this is what I found:
T-shirts: Everybody had the same thing - Counterfeit Ecko, Billabong, Volcom and Puma shirts. How did I know they were fake? 1. Price 2. Printed on Gildan, Hanes and Fruit of the Loom shirts.
Decals: There was nothing original there, there were a few sellers and they all had the same thing - Roxy, Jordan, Puma, Bob Marley, Che Guevara and more. There was only one guy making decals on the spot and he was way to EXPENSIVE.
There are advantages and disadvantages in my findings.
Advantages:
I will be having original designs which will make me stand out of the others.
I can beat the guy making decals on the spot, as I can surely charge half his prices and still make a great profit.
Disadvantages:
People are looking for the same stuff Roxy, Jordan, Puma, Bob Marley, Che Guevara, etc. I have to make people want to buy my original "unrecognized" stuff.
Competing with famous (but counterfeit) products. I dont know if I will be able to match the prices of counterfeit products they sell there, then that makes me think if I will be able to sell my original designs when there are "brand" items for the same price or maybe even less.
So this is my plan:
I can have simple designs on shirts and sell them @ $9.99 and use this to attract people. The more complicated and cooler designs I can have from $12.99 and up. Then I can have something for all kinds of budgets. I was thinking I could get another cutter and make text designs on the spot. I can also have some templates ready and just personalize them.
Before, I was against having a cutter on the spot and doing stuff as I thought I was going to reveal all my secrets, but if I think better at it, it can be really good.
I believe I can do good in flea markets, I just need good designs and prices. Im willing to risk somethings to gain others.
I already built a display for my shirts and cant wait to try it.
What do you think?
I have read what people think about branding on flea markets and how some of you think this makes the product look cheap. I have thought about it too, but I think I can have several markets. Maybe I can have some designs for stores and others for flea markets, or maybe I can have 2 brands. I have been thinking that with the economy being as it is, flea markets are the way to go and that it is better to get $5 profits many times than $10 profits a few times.
Joe,
My .02.
My Dad always told me " itf it was THAT easy, more would be doing it.".
Some of your ideas are great. But keep in mind, people that go to flea markets are looking for the cheap knockoffs. Thats why there is such a huge market for that stuff.
The decal thing. I just put together a 18 trailer, with all the fixins'.
Embroidery head, heat press, cutter, stock transfers,etc. SO im looking to go mobile myself.
But keep in mind. The other decal guy is charging what he does becasue he has no compititon and he can. Dont think for a second, he wont cut his prices if you come into town. You both know the profit in vinyl, and what you make for profit. Just be aware.
I am curious your weather year round, because up here in New England, we dont do fleas year round.
Good luck, i would love to see your setup for tees.
I will try and post some pics our of trailer this week.
Are you having some one work with you or are you planning on doing the selling, taking the money , keeping your stock merchandized and creating all by your self--I have never worked a flea market but I can tell you people tend to come in groups and one person doing all of that is going to be hard
Not to discourage because I wish you the best.
But we did a flea market for 3 months and got out, sit there for 8 hours a day on weekends for not much.
We printed on demand, no transfers, but people at our flea markets were looking for yard sale junk.
We mad a few contacts but not worth siting there all weekend when I could have been doing something else.
What has really helped us (in my opinion) is we opened a store front. I am not sure if people think your are more legit when you do that or not but we have seen an increase in business because of it. Although we now have rent etc. I think it will pay off in the long run.
I am not saying it will not work for you because we are in Ohio and you are in Puerto Rico, so I am sure it s not the same.
Well, I know people that are making a living selling only in flea markets, none of them sell shirts though.
Thats why I want to try, because there's no direct competition, doors are open for me in that field. So I guess I just have to try and see. If it is not worth it, then I will do something else, but I just dont want to wonder "what if".
Im going with my partner. We have two different business but I think we make a good combo. He sells purses, watches, sun glasses, and accessories. So his people might be interested in my stuff or my people can be interested in his stuff as well. I think it is good as we will have a variety of stuff and people might want to check what we have.
Not to discourage because I wish you the best.
But we did a flea market for 3 months and got out, sit there for 8 hours a day on weekends for not much.
We printed on demand, no transfers, but people at our flea markets were looking for yard sale junk.
We mad a few contacts but not worth siting there all weekend when I could have been doing something else.
What has really helped us (in my opinion) is we opened a store front. I am not sure if people think your are more legit when you do that or not but we have seen an increase in business because of it. Although we now have rent etc. I think it will pay off in the long run.
I am not saying it will not work for you because we are in Ohio and you are in Puerto Rico, so I am sure it s not the same.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Where did you open your store? The mall? A strip mall? My plan is to open in the mall, but first I have to make a big enough profit to make the jump. Thanks for any info!
Hi Joe . . . the hubby and I have been working out of a Flea Market for 3 + years now . . . it has its up and it has it downs . . .
we have 3 different sections . . . candles/tarts/fragrance lamps and fuel and fragrance oils in one section . . in the 2nd section -- is all my awareness items, I have item for Autism to Down Syndrome to Kabuki Mask Syndrome --- then in the 3rd section -- is where I do all the personalized items ---
transfers, litho prints, poetry, etc . . .
there is a vendor that is moving out at the end of this month --- so there won't be anyone near me with a heat press . . . -- so after they move out . . I will be purchasing another heat press for t-shirts and picking up where they leave off with ball caps . . but I am setting up the ballcap section for my grandson . .
so, I say . . go for it . . .
when I first moved in the market place . . the norm out of peeps mouth was . . . "I'll be back"
so I made --- my own "Official I'll Be Back" laminate card (biz'ness size) --- and if they came back-- they got a discount
and recently . . . I give a discount to school age kids . . . 10% off if I can guess correctly what grade they are in ---- or 15% if I am wrong . . so either way the kid wins . .
believe me . . people remember discounts . . and they love the word FREE --
example . . . with the purchase of any large fragance lamp -- they get a 16oz bottle fuel - FREE
so think of your discounts and what might bring the buyers into your store . . and keep them coming back for more . .
make flyers now for the upcoming holidays . . . make discount coupons and put them in the shopping bags . .
don't know about PR . . but here in NE Florida . . peeps start their holiday shopping in late August . .
just my 50cents worth
Diane
;o)
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Great post Diane. I'm also looking to start in a flea market. Thats for the heads up. I never would have thought of the "I'll be back discount cards" great idea!
Flea Markets: I am going to give it a try 
I never thought of the "I'll be back discount cards", thats clever.
