Advice for vintage traders

Things we learned at a recent vintage fair

We’re really delighted that just over a year since we started trading we’ve had our best ever fair — The Manchester Vintage Home Show www.vintagehomeshow.co.uk

We were pleased partly because we think we presented our best ever stand, with the best range of items so far. And partly because, frankly, we took more money than ever before — which it why we’re doing it, of course (our love of the things we sell notwithstanding!) This was down to the quality and enthusiasm of the customers, which was down to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the organisers of the fair. Back-slapping all round, then.

So it’s a good time to list some simple concepts we learned from this fair (we’ll expand on these in later blog posts).

1. Always make your stand look as good as you can.

2. Don’t ignore the little old lady — she might be a collector of mid-century Scandinavian ceramics

3. Choose your fairs well.

4. Buy stock you’d have in your own home.

5. Do your bit to publicise the fair well in advance, and publicise your best pieces at the same time.

6. Don’t put a chair behind your stand — you might be tempted to sit on it.

7. There’s no coffee or lunch break if you’re on your own.

8. Talk to customers, but not at the expense of people who are waiting.

9. If an item is handled a lot, but not sold, consider revising the price.

10. Smile, damn it!

You can see the kind of thing we do at www.facebook.com/snyggstyle and follow us on twitter @snyggstyle