Trading at Festivals and Event Weekends etc

[citroen999]

hi

i have an ebay shop and we sell printed tshirts/hoodies and vinyl stickers for cars and vans etc. I want to start selling at motor festivals throughout the uk. I have numerous that are of interest but i would like your thought and advice.

first of all sleeping arrangements, i am thinking of getting a transit style van to carry the stock and a small caravan so i can get my head down at night.. is this normal or would you use a tent? A problem i could see is if the surface where the stall is tarmac the tent is no good...lol

next gazeebo/marquee advice... what would you advise and where can i buy on.. there seems to be loads on ebay but they seem more like garden gazeebos or wedding marquees.

if i was to do a 3 day event do traders pack there stuff away back into the van everynight or is it safe to leave in the stall?

thanks

 

[WHARTY]

Maybe consider a Luton style van with a sleeping pod above the cab. Will save you a packet if you ever need a hotel and means you are also a security guard for your stock!

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Im with Wharty .. sleep in the van. you could use a normal transit and depending on how you kit out the inside you will be fine

 

[batman001]

Done quite many festivals and the mostly traders sleep in a tent o have a campers. Usually it's safe enought to leave everything in a shelter for a night. Also if you still interested in a trading shelter you can drop me a message

 

[norwichlad]

Are you looking for something like this? http://daviding.com/blog/wp-content...80912-143924-ThamesFestival-stall-475x356.jpg

I assume that you can hire those from somewhere, but no I absolutely would not leave my stock in one of those overnight. Somebody could slash that open and be gone with half your wares in half an hour and you wouldn't hear a thing.

You wouldn't sleep a wink, thinking that every noise is somebody who might be off to thieve.

Just get a van with a sleeper compartment. Taking two vehicles doubles your fuel cost (and hire cost if you don't currently own either).

 

[fisicx]

I go to loads of motoring events and shows and whatever. Prepartion is the key. Everything is boxes and crates, fold up tables and a vehicle with side opening.

Most of the traders sleep in their vehicles. They stack up the boxes and secure them to the vehicle with strapping and covers. One bloke who sells vintage and classic car lights has a tamper alarm he built himself - if you try to remove the straps or move the boxes a stonking great light comes on.

At larger and more organised events you can't always park next to your stall. Which means you can't pack everything away at night but you can cover and secure.