I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes:
Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure.
Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value?
Thanks much,
dave
At our co-op, we've typically just opened the sidewalk in front of our shop to the public and announced a Swap Meet on our website, and in the shop. Each person sells / manages their own stuff, so we don't have to get involved in the hassles of commissions, etc.
We don't charge for this, as we're fairly self-sufficient, but from our experience, if we were trying to do this as a fundraiser, it'd probably be best to either ask for a flat fee from the sellers ($5-$20), or ask for an "honor system" donation of 10-25% of the gross from each seller.
That way, there's no need for you to babysit anybody's merchandise, and you get paid. (You might also want to see if a Taco Truck / local food vendor would be interested in setting up shop in front of your store that day in exchange for a cut of the proceeds. If taco trucks aren't a thing in Helena, maybe have some of your volunteers make some coffee / hot chocolate / snacks for sale.)
Good luck!
On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Dave Ellis enjoybikes@gmail.com wrote:
I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes:
Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure.
Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value?
Thanks much,
dave
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The Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen partners annually with a nonprofit park booster group to set up a bike swap as a sort of dual fundraiser. They get us all set up in the park they support, we charge $10 to rent a 10x10 booth to sellers, and then split the proceeds.
We usually haul some of our nicer parts and bikes down, too, to make some sales ourselves, and we tend to make out like donation-based bandits at the end of the sale, when sellers are packing up and start wondering if it's really worth it to shlep all of their unsold crap home...
--Ryan
On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 4:03 PM, John Brown johnsbrown@gmail.com wrote:
At our co-op, we've typically just opened the sidewalk in front of our shop to the public and announced a Swap Meet on our website, and in the shop. Each person sells / manages their own stuff, so we don't have to get involved in the hassles of commissions, etc.
We don't charge for this, as we're fairly self-sufficient, but from our experience, if we were trying to do this as a fundraiser, it'd probably be best to either ask for a flat fee from the sellers ($5-$20), or ask for an "honor system" donation of 10-25% of the gross from each seller.
That way, there's no need for you to babysit anybody's merchandise, and you get paid. (You might also want to see if a Taco Truck / local food vendor would be interested in setting up shop in front of your store that day in exchange for a cut of the proceeds. If taco trucks aren't a thing in Helena, maybe have some of your volunteers make some coffee / hot chocolate / snacks for sale.)
Good luck!
On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Dave Ellis enjoybikes@gmail.com wrote:
I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes:
Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure.
Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value?
Thanks much,
dave
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In Jackson, Michigan, we have held a bike swap as a fundraiser for a couple years, but we're still working to grow it to a popular event. Here are a couple things that worked for us:
- charge flat fees for sellers. We charge $5 to put a bike in the bike
corral (whether it sells or not) and $10 to for a table where you can sell as much as you can fit. We charge $50 for a sponsorship, which includes promotion with the event and extra table space (great for bike shops).
- We only provide the marketplace; we aren't involved in the sale
transactions. Phone numbers are tagged to corral bikes to allow sellers to be contacted. they don't have to hang around the corral.
- Sell stuff from your shop. You'd be amazed what a bike swap spending
frenzy can get people interested in. Sell stuff that is too high-end for your programming and stuff you have way to much of (mountain bike tires).
- Sell food/drink. If you have a volunteer to do this, it is an easy
way to capture some additional revenue.
On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 6:51 PM, Dave Ellis enjoybikes@gmail.com wrote:
I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes:
Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure.
Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value?
Thanks much,
dave
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Pretty much everyone buying a bike should be buying a lock, lights and a helmet. Don't miss this opportunity!
Also, this is a huge marketing opportunity. Be sure to have lots of info about the programs and services that you provide. Having a form that says "If not picked up by XXXX time the bicycle will be donated to XYZ Bike Coop" could make the process go more smoothly.
In SLC we get lots of bikes that are unsold at the swap. Parts, clothing and accessories, too.
Kevin The Bicycle Collective SLC, UT
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 8:37 AM, Scott TenBrink scott@fitnesscouncil.orgwrote:
In Jackson, Michigan, we have held a bike swap as a fundraiser for a couple years, but we're still working to grow it to a popular event. Here are a couple things that worked for us:
- charge flat fees for sellers. We charge $5 to put a bike in the
bike corral (whether it sells or not) and $10 to for a table where you can sell as much as you can fit. We charge $50 for a sponsorship, which includes promotion with the event and extra table space (great for bike shops).
- We only provide the marketplace; we aren't involved in the sale
transactions. Phone numbers are tagged to corral bikes to allow sellers to be contacted. they don't have to hang around the corral.
- Sell stuff from your shop. You'd be amazed what a bike swap
spending frenzy can get people interested in. Sell stuff that is too high-end for your programming and stuff you have way to much of (mountain bike tires).
- Sell food/drink. If you have a volunteer to do this, it is an easy
way to capture some additional revenue.
On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 6:51 PM, Dave Ellis enjoybikes@gmail.com wrote:
I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes:
Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure.
Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value?
Thanks much,
dave
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-- Scott TenBrink Executive Director Fitness Council of Jackson 225 North Jackson St. Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 990-9798 scott@fitnesscouncil.org www.fitnesscouncil.org facebook.com/FitnessCouncil
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Last year we participated in Longmont's first bike swap. Longmont is about 86,000 people and has no college/university. The booth rental went to a local Tri Club. Our organization did well, though. We sold nearly every bike we brought. Overall the swap was a huge success. I believe our cost last year was a flat rental fee of $50 for the booth. We had to provide our own popup tent, table and chairs.
In your case, Dave, you have Helena College and the Montana tech campus so I'd suggest investing a couple hundred dollars in Facebook advertising to lure students to your swap. Another option might be to get clubs from Missoula etc, to come to Helena, too.
Food is a good idea too.
Ryan Bicycle Longmont Bikemont, Colorado
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 9:00 AM, Kevin Dwyer kevidwyer@gmail.com wrote:
Pretty much everyone buying a bike should be buying a lock, lights and a helmet. Don't miss this opportunity!
Also, this is a huge marketing opportunity. Be sure to have lots of info about the programs and services that you provide. Having a form that says "If not picked up by XXXX time the bicycle will be donated to XYZ Bike Coop" could make the process go more smoothly.
In SLC we get lots of bikes that are unsold at the swap. Parts, clothing and accessories, too.
Kevin The Bicycle Collective SLC, UT
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 8:37 AM, Scott TenBrink scott@fitnesscouncil.org wrote:
In Jackson, Michigan, we have held a bike swap as a fundraiser for a couple years, but we're still working to grow it to a popular event. Here are a couple things that worked for us:
charge flat fees for sellers. We charge $5 to put a bike in the bike corral (whether it sells or not) and $10 to for a table where you can sell as much as you can fit. We charge $50 for a sponsorship, which includes promotion with the event and extra table space (great for bike shops). We only provide the marketplace; we aren't involved in the sale transactions. Phone numbers are tagged to corral bikes to allow sellers to be contacted. they don't have to hang around the corral. Sell stuff from your shop. You'd be amazed what a bike swap spending frenzy can get people interested in. Sell stuff that is too high-end for your programming and stuff you have way to much of (mountain bike tires). Sell food/drink. If you have a volunteer to do this, it is an easy way to capture some additional revenue.
On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 6:51 PM, Dave Ellis enjoybikes@gmail.com wrote:
I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes:
Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure.
Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value?
Thanks much,
dave
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-- Scott TenBrink Executive Director Fitness Council of Jackson 225 North Jackson St. Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 990-9798 scott@fitnesscouncil.org www.fitnesscouncil.org facebook.com/FitnessCouncil
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participants (6)
-
Dave Ellis -
John Brown -
Kevin Dwyer -
Ryan Kragerud -
Ryan Sharpe -
Scott TenBrink