Customer service

If you genuinely like people and are not too shy you will have no trouble selling at a crafts show. By selling we the act of helping the customer and changing the money, not hawking or the "hard sell".

It goes with out saying that your wares should speak for themselves but some potential customers may be shy and hesitant to ask questions, even for the price of an item. Always make sure the items are marked clearly with a price tag. If you are busy with a customer you can not easily answer questions about price.

If your goods are to speak for themselves they should be properly tagged and marked with a price. If the function or all the features of the items are not obvious then a "romance tag" should be attached with a good description. A good tag will also have contact information. We frequently get orders after the show from loyal customers. Some customers will follow you for years!

It is up to you as the sales person to help break the ice with customers who enter your booth. Greeting a customer who is in or just entering your booth is not rude and a warm, friendly "good morning" or "good afternoon" or "how are you folks today" can help them feel welcome and relaxed. Most will return your greeting. Some will not. Smile and be friendly but never loud and pushy. Also, remember you have neighbors and the only thing between them and you may be a few feet and 2 sheets of 10 ounce vinyl, and sometimes even less than that!

The first rule about talking to customers is they must be just in or directly in front of your booth and making eye contact. Never, ever, call out to anyone who is not making eye contact or actually in your booth. It will never, ever help sales and most likely hurt your and your neighbor's sales as the customers hurry off to avoid your unwanted intrusion. You should never ever stand in front of the booth confronting people who are obviously not interested in you or your goods.

You want to be a barker? Join the circus. There is no place for this type of rude and audacious behavior at a crafts show. If a customer seems puzzled you might ask if you can help them, again with a welcoming friendly tone to your voice. If a customer asks what seems like a stupid question then answer it without any tone of sarcasm.

Put the name of your hometown on your sign, you have a nice sign right? This is a good idea, especially if you hale from an obscure locality. When a customer asks where your town is located then you can open a friendly conversation that may bring them into your booth. Always answer with reference to the largest city nearest to you, even if it is 30 miles away. This is not 20 questions and there is no reason to make them guess.

Simple light conversation makes it easier for the customer to ask you more questions about your goods. Customers who can linger for a minute will have more time to look. Do not be tempted to try and push a sale. Pushy vendors never do well. Answer their questions truthfully but briefly and offer them help in a cheerful manner.

However resist the temptation to engage them in a lengthy conversation. You may loose other customers if you have a booth clogged with people just passing the time of day. It is rude to chase a chatty person from the booth but you don't have to encourage them either. Let the conversation lag or interject with a friendly, do you have any questions? If not then wind the conversation down and wish them a nice day.

If you are going to interact with customers you need to be up and in their line of vision. Or at least where they can plainly see you and you can see them. Don't hide behind the booth unless you are eating or visiting with friends. Some one should always be available for questions and sales. And be smiling. No one likes to see vendors sitting round with long faces or their noses buried in a book.

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