Sam (crazy candle person) ✦ on Warpcast

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Sam (crazy candle person) ✦ pfp

Sam (crazy candle person) ✦

Hey foundooors, need some advice. I have an opportunity to be in a consignment store near me. Rent is $200/mo at a 3mo contract. The problem with other retailers is that candles are so saturated, so unless I’m first in the shop, most consignment stores will not accept me. It is in a semi popular mall but I’m uncertain of the food traffic and if it’s the right demographic because it’s mostly upper/middle class/young professionals/families. I do feel the urge to physically get in front of customers though to work on my messaging, but the alternative is that I just booth at craft markets (each craft market is around $150-200 a day anyways). What questions should I ask the owner to make sure it’s the right fit?

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YES2Crypto 🎩 🟪🟡 pfp

YES2Crypto 🎩 🟪🟡

@yes2crypto.eth

Are you open to me paying the $600 and just having you do it, no strings?

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shazow pfp

I'd think of it through the lens of "increasing luck surface area". Maybe the right person needs to stumble on these things, or something else will come of it. Can you think of better ways to spend $600 to increase your luck surface area?

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Melissa Burr 🍓 pfp

Melissa Burr 🍓

I know you've probably considered this but I've bought countless candles from friends I've met here online. Is it possible to spin up a frame and pay in degen tips? I'm sure many of us would buy in support around these holidays etc. This wouldn't be in place of your consignment deal here but a supplement. Please let me know how to purchase regardless. I'm a candle buyer 🔥

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Chinmay 🕹️🍿 pfp

Chinmay 🕹️🍿

Yes, do it, if you can financially afford it. Being in front of customers will not only get some sales but will also speed up your product market fit. Just make sure that it's the right audience. You might be able to ask about their 1. Foot traffic. 2. Avg purchase size. 3. Household income. 4. Other basic demographic related questions. One last suggestion, keep a flyer ready for a 50-100 order that gives a "gift basket" style vibe. The gifting season is near and a lot of businesses (like accountant and lawyers)will be sending out something "unique" to their clients. This might be a perfect gift for them.

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Ben pfp

+ to what cam said already: - how many months would I have to pay for up front to guarantee there are no other candles sold here ? - what sort of marketing do you do to promote your location to consumers? Can I see examples? - what made you want to start a consignment shop? - why did you select this specific location for your store? Answers will reveal a lot about their own business savvy v shooting from the hip and leaving all the risk to you.

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brileigh pfp

Would be ideal if sooner, but the month leading up to holidays could be a good time to be in a mall as they’re more likely to have ppl outside their usual demographic looking for gifts. Curious if the store would also post about your products on their socials? If there are other candle vendors typically there, could you ask the store or the other vendors directly if they have a history of candle sales at that location? And is it just the rent? Make sure there are no hidden terms like x% commission or whatever unless that’s something you’re okay with!

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accountless.eth pfp

accountless.eth

@accountless.eth

hard call. being in the mall tho gives you some regularity maybe ability to get regulars. including people that work in the mall.

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Kristin pfp

Here's my perspective since i'm in a shop right now: Pros: - access to new customers organically - they can actually smell your product be more inclined to purchase if they fall in love with the scent (hard to do online) - 200 per month is actually not a bad cost for the shelf space and place in the store. usually i see around $300-400+ for a month, depending on the location and city Cons/Things to think about: - are you will to eat the cost if you don't break even? - i do see a lot of candles in these stores, so there's more competition - it is hard to get data on the consumer because you don't really know who's shopping there (unless you do an exclusive offer at that store, i.e. a sign up bonus with a specific code [just thinking off of the top of my head here]). - if you are not in the store right now, but get the offer in january, that would be a time of the year where sales are slower because it is after the holiday season.

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Cameron Armstrong pfp

Cameron Armstrong

- Do you have any monthly breakouts by category of goods or product type in the store (not just candle, but any related products that might inspire a micro-batch product for humankind) - Where exactly in the store will they place your products - Can they share contact info for any of the other consigners that sell products in the store (the longer the better) - Do they run special holiday events/decorate the store/change it up? - Do they do deals/will they give you better placement if you can create deal + bundles for their customers (3 candles = free candle holder etc) I'd also scope out other stores in the mall to look for similar things and talk to the sales staff there about home good stuff (does a certain product type always sell out, etc). Staff over management is more likely to not give a fuck and tell you stuff

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@colonel-brayan

If it's worth it do it

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