Quote: (03-03-2011 11:36 PM)Fisto Wrote:
My model works on keeping a tight inventory and ... processing credit/debit cards when your business is mobile.
Do you rent vendor space? Are your product sales seasonal? Could you rotate stuff, selling holiday decorations, school supplies, and other stuff at appropriate times?
I don't understand the tight inventory. Do you lack money for inventory? Or are you just able to sell more with a smaller, simpler selection of paintings? Could you get paintings cheaper if you bought twice as many? Can you find cheaper suppliers (China, Ebay, etc.)?
Could you demand-discriminate by charging more for some paintings? You could randomly mark-up some. Or watch what the older, richer people buy, and mark them up. For example, you might charge more for pretentious artsy ones, and less for childrens' paintings. You could charge extra for frames, and less for the student-specials without frames.
Who buys paintings, and why? More importantly, what else do they need? You might make chump change on paintings compared to furniture, interior decorating, painting, landscaping, etc. In other words what is the market, and what do they really need?
Maybe your real gimmick is the efficient point-of-purchase technology. Where else could this be applied? Think about new college students or airport travellers with credit cards but no cash. Think about concerts and events with t-shirts or other items. Imagine selling umbrellas in the rain, or souvenir photos, or other impulse purchases.
What are all the other vendors doing successfully? What is the career path of a successful vendor?