I am considering having a tack sale/swap at my barn next month to clean out my tack room. I’ve been to lots of sales as a buyer but never hosted one. For those of you that have hosted or had a table at one, could you please give me some pointers, tips, advice etc?
I have space for parking and for setups, plus I have tables I can rent too. I’m used to throwing yard sales so this really can’t be much different, right?
Our local horse group has done this a few times. My husband refers to it as the day we all sell our crap to each other…
We have done it both ways, where we provide a table and where you have to bring your own. If you call other stables they may want to participate. You could charge everyone $10 for a space, or not view it as a money earner that way and just open it up to everyone. Its fun.
If you are making people run their own tables so you only deal with the stuff you have for sale then you are correct, it is just like a yard sale.
If you are taking in stuff for others that you will sell for them then you have to develop a system to keep the sales and money straight. This can be a challenge.
Be sure to get the word out there that you are having the sale. Since a tack sale is a specific market make sure your advertisements get to that market.
You’re likely to get more inventory if consignors don’t have to be there all day to handle sales, but I would take a cut of the sale price. A flat fee is not in your favor, because one person may have 10 boxes full of little crap that will take more work than another person’s two saddles.
Lots of people will negotiate prices at a tack swap, so you sh discuss with consignors if there is a no-sale “floor”. Since you’re taking a cut of each sale, that’s a good balanced incentive for you to get as high of a price as possible, but at the same time be willing to haggle in order to get the item gone. Towards end of day, I’d take just about any offered price (except on big ticket items like saddles). Chances are you’re not going to sell that $50 bridle on ebay, or you already would have. So if they offer 10, counter with 20 and be done with it. The price cut is worth it to avoid he hassle of storing it again, keeping it clean, listing on ebay, etc.
Give consignors a standardized labeling format for their price tags–Consignor #, then item description, then price. Having lots of variety in the tags, where you have to search the item for the right info, will lead to mistakes if you get busy.
I would advertise as Cash / Credit Card Only, no checks. A Square card reader is super cheap, and people will really appreciate being able to use credit card on big ticket items.
Yes, I will make everyone in charge of their own stuff. I was thinking of charging $10/space if they bring their own table and $15 if you rent one of mine. I do want to invite the area farms/barns/stables but I was thinking of mailing them an invite/announcement. Plus I’m going to post it up on FB too now that I’ve started creating our farm’s page.
Would it be rude to ask my local tack shop if I can put up an announcement?
Why not invite them too? They may have older inventory and welcome the chance to take advantage of the foot traffic.
That’s a good idea HungarianHippo! I will invite them. They are actually cousins to my neighbors lol
If you want things to really sell, I have a secret, that no one else ever catches onto: CLEAN the stuff you want to sell. I spent a long evening cleaning up all my old stuff, and all the clean stuff sold, fast. Meanwhile, tables full of probably decent stuff that was grubby just sat there. It always amazes me.
Make sure to invite a variety of people and or barns. Nothing worse as a seller than spending a day trying to sell, say English tack and clothing, to a barrel racing crowd.Ask me how I know, lol! As a seller, you will do better as the previous poster mentioned if your items are clean and in good repair.
Good luck! Oh, not sure if you are aware, but there local equestrian Facebook pages that you can advertise on. That’s how I learn a lot about what’s going on in SWPA.
It’s been awhile since I have been on FB. I just joined it again. How do I find horse related FB so I can join them and invite them to come?
Do you guys think that doing it on the 13th is too soon?
Also, when I announce it, should I email a flyer or snail mail one? I think personally calling might be a bit intrusive on the barn’s phone answerer. I know I hate when the phone rings while I’m in the middle of doing barn chores. I’m a texter/emailer during the day lol
Snail mail saves them a step, since they don’t have to print it in order to post in the barn.
I think the 13th is too soon. People need time to clean their tack, decide what to get rid of, etc. I’d give 30 days advance notice
Good point HH. I think I will do it on the 20th. Mr. C is oncall that weekend but I guess I don’t really need him there if he gets called out. he’s already said he doesn’t want to be around that many crazy horse woman lol
Put out a free table with stuff that needs repair, is not worth your time to clean, old books, horse magazines for the kids to rummage etc. It’s cleansing!
and a note of caution - since you will have the public there don’t set up near your tack room/barn areas where anyone can scope out what you do have there.
No we are actually going to set up in one of the fields. Tack room will be locked but I do also want this to be an opportunity to raise awareness of my barn too, like a sort of meet and greet in a way. That’s not the main reason for wanting to do this but if it happens, it would be a nice side effect
[QUOTE=Chachie;7725255]
No we are actually going to set up in one of the fields.[/QUOTE]
include a Rain/Snow date (the mention of snow in Sept should draw attention)
but you need an inclement weather date
Clanter, how dare you say the “s” word?! :eek:
Lol yes, there will be a rain date.
I’ve never been to such a thing. Do people bring just tack, or is there often stuff for riders as well? (Boots, half chaps, those breeches that never get worn, etc.)
It depends on if the swap allows clothing. Ive been to one that did not allow it, but I don’t know why they didn’t. Tack swaps are addictive and fun, and you must go with money. And will power! Lots and lots of will power lol
So my swap is on. I have it posted on CL, and on FB. Tomorrow I go plaster the area with flyers lol I’m getting a lot of responses to it but so far, no one wanting to sell.
What can I do to generate more response to selling? If I don’t have people that want to sell, I will have to cancel it. In all of my announcements, I have said that selling space is $10/ spot and if they need to rent a table, they can for an additional fee.
Any suggestions?
Will you have expenses in hosting the sale (is that what the $10 sellers fee is meant to cover)? If not, and since this is your first one, maybe there’s no fee for sellers if they provide their own table. As you said before, you’re not managing anyone’s sales, so all you are providing is a field.
