Author Topic: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...  (Read 14781 times)

simone

  • Joined Oct 2012
My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« on: April 16, 2013, 08:54:42 pm »
Tomorrow is our first attempt at selling from the gate, we moved into our 4.5 acre smallholding in Essex last October and have spent the winter refurbishing our house, whilst working full-time, commuting and keeping an active toddler entertained, so the house is well nearly done. 

We seem to have hundreds of daffs planted by the previous owner, so tonight 18 bunches (of 20) of them along with some rhubarb are going outside along with the previous owners honesty box and sign - if they sell, I've plenty more and it will pay for some hybrids that I've ordered to go along with our 3 existing hens. 

Does £2 for 4 thick stems of Rhubarb seem ok? supermarket had them for £3 today.

Fingers crossed :-)

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2013, 09:03:03 pm »
Good luck :fc:

zoe_emma

  • Joined Apr 2013
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2013, 09:06:58 pm »
I'd be happy to pay that for rhubarb. You seem to be quite a way in front of us in yorkshire -we only have a few daffs out yet and the rhubarb not nearly ready.

Never thought of selling the daffs, what a good idea. Guess OH has a job for the weekend- sign and honesty box making  ;D

Lesley Silvester

  • Joined Sep 2011
  • Telford
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2013, 09:24:13 pm »
That sounds very reasonable.  Don't undersell yourself though or people might wonder what is wrong with it.   ::)   If you lived near me I'd be round for some daffs.

OhLaLa

  • Joined Sep 2010
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2013, 09:51:52 pm »
Sort of on/off topic but; nail or attach firmly in some way, your honesty box to your table. Make the lid difficult to remove or even better, lockable. Also try to attach in some way the container which has anything in it you are selling, to the table it is on. I've known thieves drive up to the gate, grab any container and everything in it, inc moneybox, throw it in the car and drive off at speed.
As for how much to charge, depends on the lifespan of the item and how much of it you have. Better to sell at a good price and get the customers back than chuck unsold stuff in the bin.
Good luck.  :wave:

Bramblecot

  • Joined Jul 2008
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2013, 10:10:29 pm »
Good luck with your sales :fc: .  I think it very much depends on your location (we are on a bridleway).  Eggs sell very well in good weather  (walkers), rhubarb would be great but we would never get buyers for daffs.  You just have to find out what works in your area.  Never had a problem with our honesty box - but no passing cars to see it ;) .  Some b***d nicked my lucky horsehoe from the field gate though :o

john and helen

  • Joined Mar 2013
  • Devon
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Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2013, 10:22:29 pm »
 :fc: crossed it works out well...

luckylady

  • Joined Aug 2009
  • Yorkshire
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2013, 10:32:53 pm »
Hope all goes well tomorrow simone.   :fc: .  I would pay £2 for the rhubarb - love the stuff!  There is a sweet old couple in the next village to us and they sell at the gate with an honesty box.  Do a roaring trade by all accounts as there is a small caravan/camping park close to them and I think the campers buy up all the free range eggs for breakfast!
Doing that swan thing - cool and calm on the surface but paddling like crazy beneath.

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2013, 10:57:47 pm »
Good luck  :hshoe:  - but don't be too disappointed if you don't sell on the first, or even the first few, days.  Be prepared to make your rhubarb into jam if it hasn't sold.  It seems to take people a while to start buying.   We have sold rhubarb in the past, and could pick fresh for bulk buyers if necessary, BUT rhubarb is a bit of a 'love it hate it' thing.  If you do end up not selling it all and have to make jam, you can sell that too.
 
We make sure there is a reasonable amount of change, but we empty the cash box several times a day, whenever we pass it - no money = no temptation  ;D
 
There is something very satisfying about selling at your gate, and equally satisfying for people buying your produce too.
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

simone

  • Joined Oct 2012
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2013, 11:47:08 pm »
Thanks folks, honesty box is nailed down, thanks to previous owners, its sad to think you can't be trusting.
Jam - eek, jam is fine, but im not that keen on rhubarb for the smell of it whilst making said jam.

I will let you know how it goes and if it raises enough to buy few hybrid chickens in a few days.

renee

  • Joined Jan 2013
  • jämtland
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2013, 06:57:33 am »
I make rhubarb relish with cucumbers when the rhubarb comes early June. Have to buy the cucumbers but the relish goes well. Could do with a gate. :innocent:
As the others say Best of luck with your new enterprise. :fc:

Clarebelle

  • Joined Jan 2013
  • Orkney
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2013, 07:00:35 am »
Good luck with it! How exciting! I have loads of spare plants I wanted to start selling at the gate but I'm a bit too afraid no one will buy any and i'll look silly! I'm sure you'll get some takers  :excited:

Backinwellies

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Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2013, 08:34:59 am »
Hope weather is kind to you there .... be lucky to keep the gate here this morn, wind so strong, and rain sideways.   Best wishes.
Linda

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HelenVF

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2013, 09:23:26 am »
Good luck today!

Helen

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: My first attempt at selling at the gate tomorrow...
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2013, 09:41:10 am »
We were given a jar of rhubarb and vanilla jam - it was delicious. Nice chnage from rhubarb and ginger (which I also love)

Hope all goes well  :thumbsup:

 

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