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It doesn't help to advertise online if people can't find you.

Do any of your listings / website come up when you search for terms like "tie dye clothing" ?

Hi

Yes they do, even if you google or which ever site people use to search, I'm all over the internet. My biggest orders have come via the HOWZIT advertising site, and I also have my website details out all over the place.

I honestly can't say why its not attracting people. Maybe they just not into Tie-Dye any more...I don't know. But I'm still looking for the open door to get my foot into :0)

I did very well at Rosebank and Irene Markets in the 1990's. The cleintelle is a little more upmarket and have disposable income.

My feeling is that cloth does not sell that well online. People are afraid that the garment might arrive and be a dodgy quality or the wrong size and then returning the goods becomes a problem. They usually want to try the clothing on.

I had a change-room that I took with me to the market and it was vital if I wanted to make sales. A mirror is also important so that they can see how they look.

Rosebank happens every weekend which would give you an ongoing income. I made money at Rosebank from my very first day there. By the time I left there (due to burn-out) I was making 100 garments a week that I sold at Rosebank, Bruma (which has gone downhill now) and Irene.

I also found that although tie dye is specialised, it still remains clothing and it has the same sales cycle as any other clothing.

People want to see all the options in all the sizes and by the time I closed my stand in 1998, I was carrying R30 000 worth of stock with me. People want options. I sold dresses, T-shirts, ponchos, bell-bottom trousers, beanies, baby-gro's...

Do not feel intimidated. I started with 50 T-shirts and built up to that over 5 years. Each week you replace the stock that you sold, and add in a couple more items.

Winter is always a bad time for sales at the flea market. People do not want to venture out in the cold, and when they do they are certainly not going to get undressed to try something on.

Winter is a very good time to get into a market though. In spring, there are a lot of people who flood there to get in in time for Christmas. It might be a good idea to wedge your foot in the door now so that you can work your way into a good location by Christmas.

It normally takes some work to get the better positions at the market and you will have to go regularly every week to secure a place.

What most people do not realize is that flea market is still a retail space and that you need to be there every week to do well. people may see something that they like and they want to come back later when they have more money. They want to know that you are there in case they need to return the goods. etc...

I hope that this is helpful?

Have a great day in full colour!


Kind regards
Melanie
0835689150
www.dyeandprints.co.za

Hi Melanie

Thank so much, and once again your help and assistance as well as your knowledge gives me something to look forward too. I am in the process
of looking at going to other markets, but some of them ask crazy stall
costs which I cannot afford at this early stage, cash flow is very very low
and I need to sell items in order to purchase more items to dye and sell etc...you know what I mean :0)

I will get there eventually, I don't give up that easily. I have my *down* days where I want to throw it all in, but then the next day I seem to have new ideas and so i continue..wahaha..what a life we live in hey?.

Thanks again to you and everyone else on here that has given me a nudge in the right direction...you guys ROCK.

Love and Peace to you
Dee

When I started at the flea market I was in exactly the same position as you. I held back because I did not have the money.

Experience taught me that I would make the money quicker if I took the leap and found a way to get in at the right market. I made money from my first day at Rosebank. The extra stall fees were worth paying because I very soon made enough money there to expand my stock. It is mazing how quickly you can progress when you find a good market and income becomes steady.

The reason that these markets charge such high fees is because they know that their traders will make money there. Even with such high fees they still have waiting lists.

You can also try the Urban Market in Kyalami. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
They only charge R100 a day for stall fees. They run on the first Saturday of the month.

Good luck. I am holding thumbs for you.

Have a great day in full colour!


Kind regards
Melanie
0835689150
www.dyeandprints.co.za

Fantastic, thank you I'll get hold of the Kyalami one as well as Rosebank and see which I can attend. Your a Super Star.

Big Hug to you.
Dee

Music Festivals. They draw exactly the right crowd and are a sweet reminder of Woodstock (and all that went with it). Diversify on your products and introduce retro art and muso instruments. Your target market is faddish and limited but exists in bursts...just follow the music I would absolutely support you. Many blessings.

Well if you want hippie clothing and accessories in wholesale prices in Nepal then you should definitively go through the www.kathmanduclothing.com/ as it provides various kinds of hippie clothing and accessories too.

Hi Ben

Thank You, I have already spoken to them, and I have in the meantime found a supplier in CPT who imports Bohemian Clothing from Himalaya so that is currently going like hot cakes :0)

Rgds
Dee