Preservation group sales

[gedj2]

All,

just trying to get an idea of things that people would buy from a preservation group, what have people bought in the past that they like or what would they want to buy that they have never seen?

the usual things are pens, badges, stickers, keyrings, clothing, but what else? Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

 

[YorkshireBear]

postcards i would add to that list, i often buy them along with pens and the odd keyring. Also magnets.

 

[d5509]

Personally I'm a bit awash with things like pens and key-rings. Usually whilst looking round a preservation site, a cup of tea, bar of chocolate or ice-cream is "just the ticket". A small booklet describing your aims with photos and diagrams of what it is you are preserving makes a nice souvenir or read for the journey home.

 

[1862]

Magazines & Books etc

 

[Spagnoletti]

My other half prefers Mugs & Teatowels - at least they are of some use in the house

 

[ACE1888]

Magnet 'Totems' are my current favourite, Fridge freezer front filling up nicely these days...

 

[GearJammer]

Shed plate stickers...... im looking for a 71A steam style one to go on the front of my truck, i also like the old BR style ones and ive also once seen and bought a sticker that looked like the Eastliegh Spitfire crest!

 

[HST Power]

I'd go for clothing and a car sticker.

 

[60163]

Shirts are good, as are mugs. Posters?

 

[HST Power]

Posters?

Look nice on the walls and liven up the house a bit!

 

[E&W Lucas]

It's not just what you sell that you've got to consider, it's also the margin that you can make on it. This needs to be pretty much consistent, and sufficiently large to make it worth the trouble.

If your market is the enthusiast, consider second hand model railway, second hand books/ dvd's (there's little margin on new), etc, provided that you can get the stuff cheap enough. All the better if you can get people to donate it. Avoid old magazines, as they are virtually worthless, and you'll get inundated if you ask people for them.

 

[HST Power]

I never both with old magazines either.

 

[Mvann]

It's not just what you sell that you've got to consider, it's also the margin that you can make on it. This needs to be pretty much consistent, and sufficiently large to make it worth the trouble.

If your market is the enthusiast, consider second hand model railway, second hand books/ dvd's (there's little margin on new), etc, provided that you can get the stuff cheap enough. All the better if you can get people to donate it. Avoid old magazines, as they are virtually worthless, and you'll get inundated if you ask people for them.

It depends what you mean by "there's little margin on new". Also old issues of backtrack, British railways illustrated and railway bylines do sell. Rail, steam railway etc you will struggle to sell, although if you have them on a free pile with a donation box next to them, it's surprising how much you can get. It keeps the kids happy as well.