Poll re what you would buy from street vendor at Pride

In My Humble Opinion
1

So we are in need of some extra money – I’m ramping up my business and husband is out of work. San Diego Pride Celebration - Parade and Festival - is coming up and it occurred to me that we could do some souvenir-vending or something and make some money. At first I thought of food as my husband is a great cook but it sounds like too much work, plus you probably have to apply last year for this year’s permit and space, etc. So I’m thinking about doing a mobile street-vending thing. My ideas are T-shirts and glo sticks, so far. My questions:

If you were at Pride, or another street fair, and you were in a jovial mood, or even a political-activist mood:

  1. If you were inclined to buy a T-shirt commemorating the event (or just a cool gay-themed or gay-marriage-themed T-shirt), how much would you pay for a low quality T? High quality T?
  2. If you were inclined to buy a glowstick or glow-something (like those things you can put in your mouth or attach to your clothing), how much might you pay for such a thing?
  3. What other things might you be inclined to buy from a street vendor at such an event? Gum, candy (water is too heavy), what else? And how much would you pay?

Anyone have experience doing vending at street fairs?

Thanks for your thoughts.

2

Having been to many a Pride Festival in LA, and a couple in NYC, and a few in Berlin - I can tell you I rarely, if ever, bought anything. First of all, you have to schlep things like t-shirts and stuff and most people are busy holding a drink of some kind and don’t want to carry anything heavy or awkward the rest of the day. Even the nice plastic bags don’t help, as you are still schlepping. Plus, unless you have some killer idea for artwork or slogan on a t-shirt, they are a hard sell. There are people who will have stands that sell hundreds of different motifs and even they will be slow until the end of the day when people might perhaps buy one to take home, now that they are on the way out to the car.

Something easy to carry, or something to drink or eat would be the best bet. And go for low price and lots of sales…yes, Gays generally have more disposable income than heteros (according to many marketing surveys), but trust me when I say they can also be very frugal with money! But give them a bargain and you will sell out.

Just a few ideas that work: some really unique, inexpensive accessory that goes with everything, looks good and they can wear immediately (bracelet, belt, pin, hat, etc.) goes quickly. If it is a surprisingly hot and sunny day, little packets of sunscreen will sell well for those who forgot to bring any - perhaps some with different fragrances. Cheap, cotton bandannas sometimes do well for those without hats or just want a splash of color to tie on. Sometimes a few wild and crazy sunglasses (again, go for cheap) are fun for those who lost or forgot their own. I think you are starting to get the idea? Cheap, fun, colorful, can wear or use immediately…those are the hits.

Of course, water and good eats do well also but like you said, that could involve permits and is not easy to carry around.
Oh, and be a “fun” person and not the weirdo looking to make a quick buck - people are more inclined to buy if they feel you are doing this because you WANT to be there and just happened to have some fun stuff to sell.

Have fun, and good luck! Hope it works out for you!

3

I’ll go with the bandana idea that DMark had. Portable enough for everyone, and has a gajillion uses.

4

I’ve been to a number of pride events and honestly I don’t buy much. For me pride events tend to be a all day thing so I don’t want to get stuck carrying things.

I’ve bought a few gay themed bracelets and things. T-shirts come off eventually so wouldn’t want to buy another I’d have to carry. The main pride event seems to always be during they day then it breaks down to multiple smaller parties so I’m not sure how well glow stick sales go.

Disposable cameras maybe.

The sunscreen idea doesn’t sound bad I’ve forgotten that to painful effect.

5

I’ll be there again this year. Where were you planning on setting this up? The parade route is quite crowded and there are quite a few shops/restaurants that are trying to sell things as well. I’d be a bit worried that one of them would notify the many police in the area and ask if you have a permit.

Of course, i have no idea what the city code is in San Diego, so you may be free to do this.

Outside of beer and water, I don’t buy anything. I"ll likely go to one of the bars once I get bored with the parade after 30 mins or so. Then, I"ll head to Balboa Park for the festival. I might buy something as I’m leaving the festival to get cleaned up to go out that night. But, I try to avoid buying T shirts as I already have too many T shirts.

6

Thanks for the thoughts so far – great points. That is a good point about schlepping things around. Which makes me think we should leave the T-shirts in the car or at home (we live close) until the end and then maybe sell them to the people leaving. I had thought about pins after posting this – possibly putting them all over my clothing and selling them off my body – I think that’s a great idea. Yeah, as for being a “fun” person, we plan to dress up in some fashion. I love costumes anyway and you can wear some crazy stuff to Pride.

7

Small things. I’d pay for a window sticker, especially of a “straight but not narrow” theme or a key chain or temp tattoos. That sort of thing.

8

I don’t know how much work you’re wanting to put into stuff, but one thing I’ve made and sold before are simple tubes of cotton fabric/bandanna stuff, with about 3 teaspoons of the gel crystals they sell for mixing into potted plants to keep them hydrated. It’s really cost effective, since a little goes a long way. When you soak the tubes in cold water, the gel crystals expand and hold the cold water. People tie them around their necks or around their heads. We would have big coolers of ice water to soak them in, and they really sold on blazing hot days. Google ‘neck coolers’.

9

My sister and I went to Pride Buffalo last month and left with lots of cheap little goodies. Between us we had necklaces, pins, color changing pencils, notepads, gum, bandanas, rings, stickers and postcards.

10

Neck coolers sound like a winner to me! Especially if you could get rainbow bandanas.

I saw some freezy-packs at Target the other day for $1 each. In the dollar section by the school supplies. they were printed and many had rainbow colors.

When I spend money at these things I’m only looking for two things, water or cold.

Tool around on here for good ideas: http://www.orientaltrading.com/

11

Perhaps long handled tote bags that can be slung over a shoulder leaving hands free would be in demand? :smiley:

(I like the neck cooler idea, too. In fact, I’m going to make a couple for our upcoming camping trip.)

12

At London Pride this past weekend I bought some nice jewelry for myself and my girlfriend which we could wear straight away, and two pink Union Jack flags.

Random?

13

Ur doin it wrong. :smiley:

14

Comment and two questions:

Comment
OK, going with the small things, bracelets and such, and the cold idea – neck coolers and such – but not wanting to work that hard – actually, not having time for much of anything because I’m trying to ramp up my “real” business but yet needing to pay rent all the same – I’m thinking we might sell Otter Pops. We are going to try to sell at the Parade, not the Festival, because at the Festival you have to have a permit and of course, it’s like months too late. At the Parade, there aren’t any sanctioned booths or anything because it’s a parade. I called the organization and the woman said, “Hmm, they might try to stop you,” meaning Parade organizers, but she didn’t seem to think it was that big of a deal. In my experience, there are not a lot of “organizers” out there doing nothing – they are in the Parade or doing something important, not looking for someone selling Otter Pops. Anyway it will probably be hot so I figure I’m doing a public service. Now I hope Costco still has Otter Pops.

Question #1
Would you buy an Otter Pop for a dollar on a hot day? Or should I charge 75 cents and some people will let me keep the change? The good thing about Otter Pops is we don’t have to spend much on inventory in the event that 1) it’s overcast or “cold” – cold in quotes as this is San Diego, after all 2) we get kicked out or 3) something.

Question #2
Also: in the event I do also decide to hawk bracelets or some such, I saw these cool ones on ebay - (might not be able to get them in time - I wouldn’t buy this many, either, this is just the best picture) - How much would you pay for one of these at the Parade? (Counting on impulse buyers) - $1? is $2 stretching it? Thoughts appreciated, and thanks for all input so far!

15

If I were you, I’d sell the Otter Pops for a dollar. Nice round number, no need to fuss with change. Truthfully, I wouldn’t buy one at any price, but the principle stands–while I’ve never been to a Pride event, in general outdoor festivals and parades and such are places where you are either willing to pay a bit more for convenience or you have plannned ahead or are a cheapskate and won’t buy at any price. Compared to lemonade for $5, a buck for an Otter Pop sounds down right reasonable.

Wouldn’t buy a bracelet either, but I think you’d be better off chargind two dollars for the bracelet than one–everyone knows stuff like that is more expensive than it would be if it weren’t a festival and an impulse buy, but the higher price might make me think it was higher quality.

16

Hell yes I would buy an Otter Pop! And Costco still has the big boxes, last time I looked.

17

I’d buy an Otter Pop for a dollar on a hot day. And I’ll be there in the parade with my employer. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you! :smiley: