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When “Sew Pretty!” Isn’t Enough, Hook ‘Em With Candy
When I took the girls to the weekly Fulton Street Artisan’s Market last Sunday I wasn’t able to visit with vendors for very long because the good behavior clock was running. There comes a point during every outing where the kids just can’t take it anymore. They’re 2 and 4, so this is completely expected.
My goal every time is to get through as quickly as I can before reaching the point where the girls lose patience. However, the clock ran out on me last Sunday. By the time we were headed back to the car, the girls had lost interest in the art show and whining quite a bit, and I was feeling frazzled.
Then we got to Karin’s “A Window Into Whimsy” booth and the girls perked right up. I thought wow, my girls have great taste and appreciate the lovely handbags displayed beautifully in the booth. How fantastic is that?! I know, sometimes I just let myself go with these crazy notions. Then, I finally clued into the candy dish that had captivated my daughters. Ah, yes, candy. Those suckers worked like a charm to revive Amelia from her wilted flower state and Abby seemed more agreeable with a sucker in her mouth.
I don’t normally use candy to revive my children at art sales, but this happenstance occasion made the car ride home a little more pleasant and probably helped Karin make a sale – which brings me to the point of this post.
I had been meaning to make myself a key fob for some time, but hadn’t gotten around to sourcing the little metal piece that makes the fob complete. I’m busier than ever, so I realized that I’d probably never get a key fob if I didn’t buy one from someone else.
Karin had a great selection in her booth. However, I probably would have had to pass if she wouldn’t have had that candy dish. Without that candy distraction, my kids would have continued to melt down, making me want to continue my rush to the car. While I know candy bribes are a clear violation of perfect parenting rules – and not something I recommend on a regular basis – the candy bought me enough time to buy a $5 key fob.
In the end we all won. Karin made a sale. My girls were happy to get a treat. And I finally got a key fob. (It works great, by the way. I used it all week and didn’t misplace my keys once. I’m beginning to thing this little fob is magic or something. : )
So, I’ve been thinking about this “free candy” thing all week and wondering if having something free for the taking in your booth actually increases sales. Or, does this tactic only work on desperate moms? What do you think? Have you had success luring people into your booth with chocolate and doubled your sales? Or, do you find that people take the free stuff and keep on going? You’re invited to weigh in on the discussion and share your tips below.
Posted: August 23rd, 2008 under Art Shows, craft business.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from Karin
Time: August 23, 2008, 1:24 pm
Can I just say that the best part of that whole thing was the smile on your younger daughter’s face? That was better than the sale! :) She went from “I’m done” to “Let’s rock” in about 5 seconds.
Honestly, I’ve never set anything out before, but I will from now on. :)
Comment from Karin
Time: August 23, 2008, 7:07 pm
I forgot to add that I found it very funny to see the difference between children and adults with the candy. I saw multiple adults take one and walk away without a second thought. All of the kids asked if they could have one, and seemed to feel bad about taking it without paying or buying something, or whatever. It made me smile. :) Sometimes we need to be more like our kids. :)
Comment from Catherine
Time: August 23, 2008, 8:07 pm
Ditto that last comment Karin. I took a big bowl of holiday chocolates to a show last year. I had adults come in and take handfuls (yes, handfuls!) and walk right out and EVERY child asked before taking one (and every little gal or guy that took a candy said something sweet about my jewelry).
Gotta love the little ones!
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: August 23, 2008, 8:33 pm
Human behavior is so interesting. I forgot to mention this in my post, but the fact that my daughters were eating candy provided by the vendor made me feel like I should buy something from the booth because the free candy was a nice gesture on Karin’s part. I’m sure on a subconscious level this was also a way for me to rationalize the purchase from a “want” to a “need” to be nice to someone who was nice to my kids.
It’s sad that some adults were helping themselves to the candy without so much as a thank you. That’s totally rude.
Comment from Dawn Elizabeth
Time: August 24, 2008, 4:15 pm
We never offer candy because we watched a friend’s candy get raided by non buyers. It made her soooo mad, she gave it to all the vendors! Plus depending on what it is, it could potentially ruin the art or crafts around.
Comment from Rachel
Time: August 24, 2008, 5:18 pm
If you have freebies at your booth, keep them by the cash box so only people making a purchase will see them. Then you can guard the candy stash!
Comment from Dee Bellini
Time: August 25, 2008, 1:48 pm
Jenn, it was great seeing you there on Sunday.
I know what you mean about patience levels in kids. My two youngest are 4 and 7, and there’s no way they would be interested that long. Heck, I had Nick and Zack (18 and 16) there this past weekend, and had problems with them!!!
Thanks so much for all your support. The arts and crafts community loves you!!!
Comment from Amby Barnes
Time: August 26, 2008, 8:58 pm
I think having candy out helps. Most people will take a piece and stop and give my table a “courtesy” browse. I figure something might catch their eye and that’s better than if no one stopped. I also agree that it kinda guilts people into buying something! haha
Comment from chris
Time: August 31, 2008, 10:45 am
i’ve tried putting out little superballs out, so the kids can have something to distract themselves. they’re not too expensive and adults don’t seem terribly drawn to them, either. i also have a candy bowl the comes in and out, depending on the sun. i think the further “in” you keep the candy the less likely the boobs are to grab gobs of it.
Comment from Maaike
Time: September 3, 2008, 5:48 am
Being from the Netherlands I can totally agree with the free goodies trick. It works as a charm on us: we Dutch are notorious for our thriftiness and our dislike of spending money. So while normally any sales item will be labeled ‘too pricey’, as soon as the sales person is kind enough to offer you free stuff at his booth, we immediately reason that he/she apparently doesn’t want to make any profit. In that case the prices can’t possibly too high, so we buy something.
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