Pedlars R Us

[jonsay]

Okay, so that isn`t my company name, but it is something I`ve been researching.

I have been looking for different ways to sell my wares, and originally I was looking into a street traders license. I already have a full time job, so was just looking for extra pocket money, that`s the reason I won`t be renting a shop etc...

I didn`t even know what a pedlar was until I contacted my local council. They suggested I try a pedlar`s license as the wares I`m selling are small, and I wouldn`t need a stall/trolley.

The law states a pedlar is a person that carries their goods on them, and can go from town to town or door to door selling their goods. The conditions are as follows:-

A pedlar must keep moving and can only stop to make a sale once they have been stopped by a potential client. They must not set up pitches, or several way points as if they do they are breaking their license and at this point the police can seize the goods the pedlar is carrying.

How do you get a pedlar`s license? First, get an application form from your regional police force, then you need two witnesses who will vouchsafe for your honesty. Appliations charge £13.50 <- yes you read right. If your application is successful, you can trade on streets up and down the land for only £13.50 a year. I`m currently getting ready to apply for my first pedlar`s license.

 

[Pocket Money Designs]

What will you be selling? I'm aware they are usually used to sell novelties etc.

 

[jonsay]

My wife and I design fashion jewellery using semi-precious minerals etc...

As you can imagine the items are small so a few extra pockets would be enough to hold upto 100 items on my person and a lightweight briefcase held open across the chest is a good shop window alternative. I know pedlars can get a bad rap, but someone who is open and honest should be able to make sales this way.

 

[mitch@volume]

am i the onlyone with this image in my head ....

 

[jonsay]

haha quite right, but it doesn't have to be that way. For myself I would only be selling my own products, and there is another reason why I'll be trying this. I can advertise my website as I walk. Just think of the number of people who would see the ad on a busy saturday. Besides for only 13 and a half quid its worth trying. I could be the next del boy of lincoln. How cool is that? Just need to find a good sheep skin coat.

 

[jonsay]

Well, its official. I am now a pedlar. My license arrived in the post this morning. I'll be on the streets of Lincoln next saturday pedling my wares. YES!

 

[Mike W]

Best of luck!

 

[Esk247]

Let us know how it goes, could be an interesting way of marketing :|

 

[jonsay]

Thanks Mike W, I certainly hope I get a lot of luck, and yes, Esk247, I`ll definitely be leaving information as to how it works. It just seems like too good an opportunity to pass up.

 

[Jeff FV]

Another one here who'd be interested in hearing how you get on.

best of luck

Jeff

 

[jonsay]

Done my first day pedling, and what a cold wet day to try! Okay so not having somewhere warm to stand is a problem but I'll definitely be wrapping up warm and using gloves next week.

It was a mixed response, some people look at you very suspiciously, some smile almost with a twinkle in their eyes at long lost memories.

It certainly teaches you to learn to be bold quickly. A few tweeks to my tray/briefcase and I'll be back out again at the weekend. I quite enjoyed it so I'm more than happy with how it went.

Next goal-sell more faster! oh and to polish up my banter.

 

[Nigel@Phoenix]

Hey Jonsay,

you took me back down memory lane.... I used to be a pedlar when I was at uni some years back and would go door to door through the summer hols. It was a great experience and met many people along the way....... famous and interesting.

Can't remember exactly how much I paid for my pedlars but it was around a tenner so not really gone up much over the years but do remember the police officer blowing the dust off the application booklet when I applied..lol

I wish you good luck and succes in your venture and yes its that time of the year to keep wrapped up warm.

Nigel

 

[jonsay]

Its nice to hear from someone else who's been a pedlar. I'd love to hear any tips you can give Nigel.

For me its actually a necessity that I make it work. I just can't earn as much in my full time job that I need. Lets just say that I have an extended family not in the uk that I'm responsible fot since I married their bread earner and brought her back to England :-D

 

[toastking]

Sounds interesting but pretty difficult, as its carrying out sales but taking away a lot of the things you can do to ensure people trust you, it really is a test of your charactor.

Its a cheap way to market your website for sure, when its warmer maybe wear a t-shirt with the address on or something. I must confess though I have mainly posted in order to keep track of how this goes, and just added some thoughts just in case they were helpful.

 

[andrewvx]

hi, i recently applied for my pedlar`s license, two weeks ago in fact. I havnt heard a thing so far, i went back last week and they said it can take four weeks. but i got the impression know one knew what were talking about. None of my referees have been contacted. i was wondering if this was the normal wait period.

thands

 

[jonsay]

hi andrewvx. Yes I'm afraid that is normal. In fact when I took in my application the receiving officer didn't take my payment because he thought that was someone elses job and then I got a snotty phone call asking why I hadn't paid with the application. To be honest I don't think the police know what their doing but be patient because it should be processed sometime soon. I think mine arrived in 3 weeks via the lincolshire police.

 

[AndyPhelps]

I love this feed, my uncle started as a pedlar, then became a milkman and sold his wares from the back of the milk float while delivering, until he got sacked, back to the street, then a market stall, then a shop, then a warehouse.

Now he is worth 15 - 20 million, retired and still wants to be out there.

Best of luck

 

[MH1]

Met a guy selling small alarms door to door a few years ago, he had 12-15 guys working for him and he turned over half a million pounds a year, the alarms had a two year battery in them and he only sold them as a years guarantee.

One day I joked over a pint he could go back and swap the batteries from house to house, which he did, and he made another £50k a year just on that.

People look down on this route to market, but it can work well with the right people and products.