Selling DIY projects

[coachgrd]

I've made a couple of items that I'm giving thought to reproducing and selling. One is a mailbox post and the other is a nice outdoor bench. I'm curious if there are other places to easily get the word out that I may be over looking, other than Craigslist. Any ideas from you guys? I'll certainly try the craigslist route, but as we well know, there's 1 serious buyer for every 100 scam artists. ("I'll send you a money order with extra money to cover the shipping!" *ROLLS EYES*)

Both are made from pressure treated lumber and were quick and enjoyable to put together. I get compliments on the mail box and I made 5 of the benches for around the fire pit. If I remember, I'll post pics when I get home. I don't expect to get rich, but it's relaxing and maybe I can make an extra buck or two. Just drawing blanks on ways to get the word out. Thanks in advance.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Sounds like a great idea. Any pics you could post ?

 

[coachgrd]

Sounds like a great idea. Any pics you could post ?

Yes, will do so when i get home.

 

[BigBoyToys]

I think you could go both "Old School" and "High Tech". Post a couple pictures with a business card at the local coffee/donut shops, breakfast diners and barber shops around town. You still see a lot of "Services Boards" hanging up. You could also have a few "For Sale" in the front yard on a Sat and Sun...lots of people driving around looking for yard sales and such.

Ebay is a good way to get on-line visibility, you'd just have to advertise "local pickup" only.

Good luck!

 

[shui5612]

Try a local newspaper or putting one outside with a "for sale" sign assuming enough people drive by your house.

Or even better, if you have some mom & pops type of store that sells lumber or building supplies then I'm sure they will be okay with the fact that you could post a flyer on their door or maybe buy a couple mailboxes off you if they sell any.

Hope this helps

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Rennug.com Classifieds

used to be pennswoods.net they nenamed it but its a local pa classifieds site. Just signup and make an account.

 

[RNeumann]

Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Craigslist, eBay, Amazon

We have had zero luck with print. Not to be political but the last election in the USA proved the roll/power of social media.

Good luck.

Need more advice? Check out YouTube!

 

[bcp]

Do mailbox posts have requirements in your area? Maybe highway dept or USPS. Some places do.

Bruce

 

[coachgrd]

Do mailbox posts have requirements in your area? Maybe highway dept or USPS. Some places do.

Bruce

Yes, this one meets requirements.

 

[CajunRider]

You can try Facebook sell groups. People can pay you directly via message even.

 

[coachgrd]

Here is the mailbox & benches. I plan to tweak the mailboxes slightly, specifically with the topper. I also plan to hand paint the address number on there as well. As for the benches, I made five of them and have them around our fire pit. They're pretty comfortable!

 

[Citydude]

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=511757"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=511758"/> Here is the mailbox & benches. I plan to tweak the mailboxes slightly, specifically with the topper. I also plan to hand paint the address number on there as well. As for the benches, I made five of them and have them around our fire pit. They're pretty comfortable!

Very nice. As mentioned, Facebook buy and sell groups would be a great way to advertise.

 

[wjmst]

How about a local community or farmers market? They usually start here about mid June and last until maybe October. Build a couple as samples and take to the market with you to take orders.

 

[Dougryan]

Around here people sell things like that a craft sales. There are a couple of large annual events in the area that include large items like furniture, metal sculptures, etc. You could have some built as displays for sale and also sell the kits for people to build their own. (Easier to transport the kits both for you to get them to the venue as well as for the buyers to get them home). Just a thought. Of course you would want to have some business cards or flyers with pictures and contact info in case people want to buy later or even pass the info along to friends. Can't beat word of mouth advertising.
Doug

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a huge fan of FB and would join the local groups that sell stuff similar to what you are making, and then post on it regularly.

I check out Craigslist several times a week and have found some good deals on there that make it worthwhile. A friend sells on there for a living and she said that the competition will flag you and get your ad removed, so you have to keep posting over and over again. She buys storage units at auction like they do on the TV show and sells most of it on Craigslist.

I have several friends that sell at the different Trades Day flea market type things we have here. Canton is the biggest, but they drive farther to Mesquite, which is closer to Dallas and sell there. They have learned that they can make more money there. Most of what they sell are plants, but he does make a few craft type projects. A good day for them is $500 in profit.

 

[fordmantpw]

There is an app called VarageSale that my wife uses for buying / selling stuff. We've gotten several decent things on there, so it may be worth a shot if there is a VarageSale community in your area: VarageSale: Your Online Garage Sale - Buy and Sell Locally

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I'm a huge fan of FB and would join the local groups that sell stuff similar to what you are making, and then post on it regularly.

I check out Craigslist several times a week and have found some good deals on there that make it worthwhile. A friend sells on there for a living and she said that the competition will flag you and get your ad removed, so you have to keep posting over and over again. She buys storage units at auction like they do on the TV show and sells most of it on Craigslist.

I have several friends that sell at the different Trades Day flea market type things we have here. Canton is the biggest, but they drive farther to Mesquite, which is closer to Dallas and sell there. They have learned that they can make more money there. Most of what they sell are plants, but he does make a few craft type projects. A good day for them is $500 in profit.

Which flea market are you talking about in McKinney? According to Google, there are 38 flea markets near Mckinney. Have been to Canton numerous times when we were in our antiquing phase of the Empty Nest Syndrome, but never Mckinney that I recall.

 

[EddieWalker]

I jusy checked on her FB page and realized that I confused my M cities. Its not McKinney, they are selling at the flea market in Mesquite this weekend.