Need some advice on starting a small retail business

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
76
I want to get started doing some retail sales without investing a great deal of capital. I would'nt mind doing it online but the competition is so fierce (and I don't have any money to build a site anyway) that I'm leaning more towards doing some sales locally. This weekend I plan on visiting some of the local flea markets in my area to get a feel for some of the products that people are selling there. I think it only takes a few dollars to setup a booth at some of the markets here in Chicago, so that might be a way to go for me.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to sell products locally? Is Craigslist a good option?


The products I'm selling are high end apparel and accessories. (Burberry, Armani, DKNY, etc..) So my target consumers are going to be people willing to spend a bit more on their clothing.
 

MixMasterTang

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
3,167
176
106
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I want to get started doing some retail sales without investing a great deal of capital. I would'nt mind doing it online but the competition is so fierce (and I don't have any money to build a site anyway) that I'm leaning more towards doing some sales locally. This weekend I plan on visiting some of the local flea markets in my area to get a feel for some of the products that people are selling there. I think it only takes a few dollars to setup a booth at some of the markets here in Chicago, so that might be a way to go for me.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to sell products locally? Is Craigslist a good option?


The products I'm selling are high end apparel and accessories. (Burberry, Armani, DKNY, etc..) So my target consumers are going to be people willing to spend a bit more on their clothing.

People willing to spend "a bit more" on their clothing don't shop at flea markets or on craigslist.

Edit: and they are probably going to think it is fake / counterfeit
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,691
6,571
126
Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I want to get started doing some retail sales without investing a great deal of capital. I would'nt mind doing it online but the competition is so fierce (and I don't have any money to build a site anyway) that I'm leaning more towards doing some sales locally. This weekend I plan on visiting some of the local flea markets in my area to get a feel for some of the products that people are selling there. I think it only takes a few dollars to setup a booth at some of the markets here in Chicago, so that might be a way to go for me.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to sell products locally? Is Craigslist a good option?


The products I'm selling are high end apparel and accessories. (Burberry, Armani, DKNY, etc..) So my target consumers are going to be people willing to spend a bit more on their clothing.

People willing to spend "a bit more" on their clothing don't shop at flea markets or on craigslist.

lol very good point.
 

Henrythewound

Senior member
Oct 25, 2002
477
0
0
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I want to get started doing some retail sales without investing a great deal of capital. I would'nt mind doing it online but the competition is so fierce (and I don't have any money to build a site anyway) that I'm leaning more towards doing some sales locally. This weekend I plan on visiting some of the local flea markets in my area to get a feel for some of the products that people are selling there. I think it only takes a few dollars to setup a booth at some of the markets here in Chicago, so that might be a way to go for me.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to sell products locally? Is Craigslist a good option?


The products I'm selling are high end apparel and accessories. (Burberry, Armani, DKNY, etc..) So my target consumers are going to be people willing to spend a bit more on their clothing.

Do you see a problem here or is it just me?

EDIT: someone beat me to it
 

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
76
lol

I figured one of you guys was gonna make that comment :D


I really don't know where else to go to sell goods like this unless I go online or I establish some kind of word of mouth type of situation
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Originally posted by: Arkitech
lol

I figured one of you guys was gonna make that comment :D


I really don't know where else to go to sell goods like this unless I go online or I establish some kind of word of mouth type of situation

B&M consignment store?

Until then eBay