Be ready for the Craft Show Cheapskate!!

These are the people, who come to a craft show to get as much free stuff as humanly possible!.. they want to barter, talk to you like you will not survive without their purchase.. when really you would love nothing more than to launch them out the door!

Your gracious manners are being tested to the limit, and you still have to smile and nod, but still be firm on your price.. he/she will bug you, linger around your booth, disrupt business until you give them the deal they are looking for.

At this point you can keep ignoring them, or break down and give them a deal... DO NOT DO THIS!.. this feeds their ego!

You would be surprised how many are out there.. they will even pay an admission to a show, and then annoy as many vendors as possible to get their "deals". In a well organized show, there will be security, and if after negotiations with this cheapskate, you realize you are getting no where, and he/she is lingering, send your craft partner, or relief person, for security.. as this is not accepted at shows.. This is not a bartering show, its a arts and crafts show.. and if you give this person to good a deal, he/she will be back again. You have to firmly tell them.. this is the price, and unless you are going to buy in quantity, then this is where the price remains! Other customers will understand your firmness. I even had a customer let a cheapskate know where the door was.. and he promptly left!

My craft partner was selling handmade Christmas ornaments, for $3.00 each, when a lady insisted on paying .30 cents!.. as she felt that is all they are worth!.. so my friend said.. "dont buy them then, go to the dollar store.. you won't even get them there for .30 cents! and she left.

When dealing with the public in your arts and crafts business, you have to prepare yourself for the cheapskates of the world.. they are out there just waiting!.. have an idea of how you will deal with insulting people without losing your cool!