I don't know what to think anymore. I had a very disappointing show yesterday, sold one pen, that's it. My prices are not high, most around 40 - 60 dollars. People barely even look at them. There were a lot of people at this show, very steady stream of people. As far as I know, I was the only pen maker there.
Quite Discouraged
- Thread starter KenB259
- Start date
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duncsuss
Member
That must have felt bad. I can't think of any reason, other than the trite-sounding "sometimes it's like that".
montmill
Member
Given the economy, I'm not surprised.
We have an annual watermelon fest in a town a few miles from us. My daughter and son-in-law have a little business selling western wear and knives. They set up this past summer, so I put a bunch of my stuff out. I priced most of my pens at $25 and some up to $40. I never sold one pen. No one really even looked at them. I wound up selling a leather knife sheath I made and 2 duck calls I turned. Last time I do that. Not worth my while. The daughter and son-in-law did ok but nothing to brag about.
sorcerertd
Member
Those would make nice trinket holders for Christmas gifts.
I haven't yet but plan to at my next show.
leehljp
Member Liaison
A consistent observation here is that a few show stoppers - two or three pens of $150 - $200 value, and other higher priced works tend to draw people in, and then the lesser priced objects sell better. Designer Cutting boards draw people in. Your recent engraving could be a good draw. And of course what Jeff said.
Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
I've done two shows so far this year and pens have not been a big seller sold more ice cream scoops bottle openers Pepper, Mills and cheese slicers than anything else
Todd in PA
Member
It's been rough in my area too. Most of my shows have been down and that's discouraging. Just two left to go this year for me. I only sell pens.
randyrls
Member
A suggestion; Sorry; if OT for penturning. There was a video I saw where I guy make small boxes from crown molding.
I genuinely feel for you! My wife (mainly) and I have been buying and selling antiques for 46 years. Things come and go. What used to sell for thousands is barely selling for 10's now. Why? I have no other answer other than tastes change. And for us, in a few things, imports are coming in at a lower price. Why pay me for the real thing when they can get something (in their mind) close for a lot less money? Another thing is a fundamental change in consumer attitudes. It's less about the product now and more about having a good experience (in their minds, a good experience encompasses the full range of human imagination). It is also somewhat about apathy. People no longer seem to value craftsmanship as much as they once did. Their vision of value differs significantly from mine - I'm 69 years old. Your $50 pen holds no value to them - unless it can elicit a "WOW" from those around them. Even if they do write with an instrument, they can get one for free somewhere or for little of nothing at some big box store selling stuff made overseas. Diamonds and gold hold little value - a piece of silicone is enough for them. Furniture made of beautiful wood used to hold value, but nowadays someone is likely to buy a wardrobe or chest of drawers out of beautiful cherry or walnut, or "you name it", and paint it blue or do an omber painting, Memphis style, decoupage, decals, etc.... The wood that God gave us holds no value. Just something they can use for a little while and throw away. My wife has had to reinvent herself and her business many times over the decades. Don't like it, but it is a fact of life now. There are too many options for people to spend their money - or, rather, use up their credit. Big business has always found a way to get the little people out of their way!
Woodchipper
Member
If I could tell what would sell in the way of pens, I would buy a lottery ticket. One never knows who will pass by my display and what would catch their eye. First pen sold was a Slimline with a cutting board maple blank and colored blue with a Sharpie. It would be good to offer a variety of pens. A fellow who dealt in pens only said he could get $40 for a pen in one market and $50 in another market. Ever notice that Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce dealers never locate in Podunk Holler? Wonder why.
I chuckle at the ladies that think my pens are expensive, believe me, they're not, as they hold tight their coach purses.
Woodchipper
Member
While sipping a $5 cup of coffee. They arrived in a $70 foreign car. My Keurig coffee cups cost about 20-30 cents. I can have a variety of brews and even flavors. Favorite is butterscotch.I chuckle at the ladies that think my pens are expensive, believe me, they're not, as they hold tight their coach purses.
RGABEL
Member
Ken, I have had the same problem selling pens in today's market. I have learned that the need to diversify the product offerings at my booth is essential. My typical booth has Pens, kitchen kits, bowls, boxes, CNC carvings, and laser engravings. The pens I sell typically come from customers that saw something else catch their eye to bring them in. At the front of my booth I usually have a large segmented bowl, large last supper carving, and some basket illusion pieces. If all I had were pens most of these customers would just walk by. My last (2) shows I have sold 2 pens. One to a nurse that described herself as a pen addict, one bolt action to a young boy that was amazed by the pen.
Twist&Click
Member
I was afraid that I was the only one. I have sold 3 pens this year in 10 shows. The scroll saw cut items have been selling better but all of the shows have been down from last year.
randyrls
Member
People don't have "spending" money. My thought is, "If I don't absolutely need something, it doesn't get bought!"
<rant_mode on>
There is a dichotomy in the United States these days. The reports say the economy is doing well but people report the economy sucks.
The Economy (Big-E) is doing well for multi millionaires that have large stock portfolios. They are adding billions to their net worth (that they didn't earn!)
The economy (Little-e) sucks because prices keep going up and quantity keeps going down and wages are not following suit. The company that hires people will fire them to save a nickel while CEO's get millions in bonuses so they can build another vacation home or buy more rental properties to over-charge their tenants.
This will not continue. A pipeline has two ends. If the pipeline at the near end (Big-E) is large and the pipeline at the far end is smaller (little-e) only a little will come out of that end of the pipeline, no matter how much pressure is applied. Have you noticed that restaurants and grocery stores that were once full to over-flowing now always have empty tables and fewer customers? People who once said to themselves, "Maybe we need that _____" are not doing that any longer. They buy ONLY what they absolutely need and nothing else. I make a list and stick to it, buying only what I absolutely need, and nothing else.
<rant_mode on>
There is a dichotomy in the United States these days. The reports say the economy is doing well but people report the economy sucks.
The Economy (Big-E) is doing well for multi millionaires that have large stock portfolios. They are adding billions to their net worth (that they didn't earn!)
The economy (Little-e) sucks because prices keep going up and quantity keeps going down and wages are not following suit. The company that hires people will fire them to save a nickel while CEO's get millions in bonuses so they can build another vacation home or buy more rental properties to over-charge their tenants.
This will not continue. A pipeline has two ends. If the pipeline at the near end (Big-E) is large and the pipeline at the far end is smaller (little-e) only a little will come out of that end of the pipeline, no matter how much pressure is applied. Have you noticed that restaurants and grocery stores that were once full to over-flowing now always have empty tables and fewer customers? People who once said to themselves, "Maybe we need that _____" are not doing that any longer. They buy ONLY what they absolutely need and nothing else. I make a list and stick to it, buying only what I absolutely need, and nothing else.
Its called a K-shaped economy. In other words - bifurcated.
Woodchipper
Member
For me the economy seems to be good as my portfolio is the highest on record over the last 23 years. No, not a millionaire, either, just made a wise investment.
was out a fair on saturady (Lori and I go to about one a week). there was a turner there with about 1000 pens - all between 20 to 40 (even steampunks). he buys all of his kits from Temu and just wants to make enough to keep turning more pens. While I was there, he didn't move any. However, at the same fair, folks were buys $25 candles (which I also make and give away as gifts - my cost is 3.50 to 4.50 for the same size as those being sold)) and $9 bars of soap (4 ounce size). The restaurants are packed and folks are bringing the kids to places where they don't serve chicken fingers. Like Woodchipper, my investments are at an all time high. Even when the tariffs hit my portfolio lost 7% and more than recovered since then. I lost my job in July and picked up one in September as a Controller of an electronics distributor (I thought I was going to retire, but the jobs are there espcially for CPAs I guess). I am a 62 years old, so competing with an the youngin's and I am no genious. There is plenty of wealth/disposable income out there especially for our stuff. We aren't selling "lamboughs". And when people do cut back they treat themselve to lesser expensive "luxury" items (pens, candles, etc. instead of fancy overseas vacations). There was another guy with cutting boards taking custom orders. In fact, Lori wanted one, but I was too lazy to wait on line. I would chalk your experince up to ONE day where the crowds on THAT day just weren't into pens. Nothing more than that. My town is upscale, but these fairs were hosted in lower-middle to middle class towns with folks of the same "class" and of all ages. Two weeks ago, we were at a small church fair and ran into 2 fellow woodworkers (one was Mike Peace of YouTube). He was selling a good amount a wooden Christmas ornaments next to some even older lady selling her crocheted blankets. Attend enough and they will sell. I learned this economic theory in college; it was remamed the liptick effect: Substitution Theory
Woodchipper
Member
Tony:, one never knows when the worm will turn. Email showed I sold a copper Slimline yesterday; sat on the shelf since July. Go figure. Drive by a car dealer and look at the extensive inventory on the lot. Offers a wide variety of colors, models and options.
I subscribe to Mike Peace on YouTube.
I subscribe to Mike Peace on YouTube.
RGABEL
Member
Surprisingly the shows I have been at have all done better than the previous year. At my last show I did very well (for me) and was pleasantly happy. The vendor next to me (quilted items and tote bags) may have had $100 - $200 in sales. With a $110 booth fee she was not happy. To be fair though, she has done the show for at least the past 2 years and always has the same items.
It is hard to say how a show will do. I have been to a show where the attendance was measured in the thousands (needed traffic control, onsite medical, etc.) and my sales were only $300 - $400. OK considering it was only $45 booth fee. Then I have been to a show that maybe hit 800 in attendance and my sales were over $1000. Considering 75% of my items $25 and under I was happy with that.