So I was all set with my gargantuan bubble wrap rolls, boxes and stock. I decided that I needed to test the water with some fairs too. I saw an advert for a baby sale in Alderley Edge, and although it said it was a mixture of new and used, I thought the lovely middle class mummies of Alderley Edge might appreciate my language toys and gorgeous unusual nightlights.
I had everything for the sale, except 3 things - float, bags and a money belt. Yes a money belt. I thought - this is the way to look professional - so I ordered a denim effect one from eBay. Dark blue denim, not an 80s stone wash, but I still don't really know what possessed me.
So that was sorted, next bags. I perused the selection available from my packaging man, Tony, and I thought that I would get some big blue recycled plastic bags for large purchases and some smaller white smart paper bags. As you would expect, you have to order quite large quantities - 250 for the paper bags, 1000 for the plastic. But it was still cheaper than ordering from someone on eBay and I didn't have funds to get nicer ones.
Well they arrived - and if you know me, and that disaster follows me like a bad smell, you will have already guessed that they were smaller than I thought. Who knew that when selling bags, manufacturers include the handles in the dimensions. LUNACY! What have handles got to do with it? I now had 1000 plastic bags, in a nasty food-hygiene blue, that basically I can get the turtles in and not much else. The white ones were the size and type you get with a takeaway in.
So the Sunday arrived, I packed up the car and set off for Alderley Edge. I set off a bit later than planned (business as usual) but I got a good car parking space outside the side door of the Festival Hall and went to investigate.
I was instantly disappointed. The Festival Hall was not very big at all, and my pitch, although I got double size "for free", was basically a pub corner sofa and table. The lady next door was very appreciative of my Spanish things, however, and I was starting to feel more positive. The doors opened and the initial rush was about 20 people. This is not good. If you have ever been to an NCT sale, you will know that mothers queue for a good half an hour before a sale opens and then there is a proper stampeed. Not here. And actually, I realised later that there had been a large NCT sale the day before, so this may have been why it was so quiet. And the people who came in, with a couple of exceptions, only wanted 50p bundles of babygros, and were not interested in full price toys at all.
I thought for a minute that the lady on the stall next to me was going to buy a Spanish wall hanging calendar, then she turned to me and said "I think its lovely but its dreadfully expensive, I'll just buy one cheap when I next go to Spain."
I wanted to yell "you can't buy them like this in Spain, and I've already knocked a fiver off, and actually its very good value" but of course I didn't. I started to pack my things away having sold nothing.
So I went to the main high street in Alderley Edge to buy a consolation brownie in Costa, where it was packed with lovely families having Sunday coffee. If only they had wandered down to the hall....
What did I learn? Don't buy cheap money belts. Check out the event before you book it (I hadn't 100% learnt this yet as you will see another time). Don't go to an event where secondhand stuff is also on offer. And don't make silly assumptions about people with a few bob, do your research properly.
You have to put these things down to experience!
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