Networking

First, I apologize or the double post.   Just answered a topic in the newbie section but since its a frequent question I'm adding it here......I'll just add a bit.


It's a little ghetto but I sell a lot from the trunk of my car.    I always go to the same gym, gas station, grocery store, auto parts store, dive *ss low life corner market.....

Get to know employees, locals, regulars.  Find what they are into, mention what I have.....

Or if a got a 'lot' of items ill even open my trunk while pumping gas, causally strike up convo to others then "oh....hey....you interested in <item>?"

Also, I'm on a lot of forums.   Everything from automotive to movie sites to health/fitness.   Eventually you "meet" people and talk turns to more personal stuff and bingo. 

Instead of buying items and finding a buyer, a lot of times it's having a buyer and trying to find items.

I keep a notebook with names an numbers and types of things people are into.   Find a unit or item at estate/garage sale and I can call them and see if thy are interested.

Also helps since I can pre-research items.  Know a bit about them and value.
I know nothing of camera lenses.   But this mechanic wants a telephoto.   First, never would have guessed he was into photography had I not brought up what I do, have, can get...
But by talking to him I got a possible costumer and I  pumped him for info....rule #1: always get people talking then sit back and LISTEN.   You'll get more answers then if you asked the questions. 

Now, I have yet to find what he wants but due to talking to him and researching wht he was talking about I've found several money makers at estate sales.

Guess it comes down to networking.

No, I don't just set up shop.   Not like I'm parked there asking every passer by. 

I've done it that way at things like Farmers Markets but I'm pretty careful.  Not of police but of organizers.
So far no problems.   Had one organizer come ask if I had a sellers permit.  When I said no he asked if I could not sell in the parking lot because he could be fined.  He even pointed out the boundary and asked that I stay on he other side.   

And once in Seattle I got chased off by police but just because they like to be d*cks and they don't even know the laws.   I had a street vendors permit.  I was 100% legal.   So I just went to another location.
And the cops in that location didnt care.    My suspicions are that the other vendors kicked backed to those cops to either sell there or to keep others out.   


Other than that no one has said a thing.  But again, I'm low key.  Not like the guys selling fruit on the corner.....

They've nice made it illegal here.  Use to be all you needed was a city business licence.  Then you needed that AND vendors permit.   You could set up anywhere.

Now street vendors are licensed to a certain location and cant be on sidewalk (must be on privte property which means getting owners permission and usually paying for pace).  Some exceptions but exceptions are for food vendors and merchandisers.   Lke sports stuff outside of ball game.

They even shut down the swap meet stall at the Market.   Only thing you can sell there is hand made goods. Artsy stuff. 

Good news is a lot of the farmers markets are starting to rent stalls to people like us.  Mini-swap meets.