So, we have our yard sale coming up. And G-man and I thought about letting the kids have a side gig with all of this.....The modern version of the lemonade stand!
We would buy 2 cases of bottled water (cost of $8, plus $2 for ice), and let them sell bottled water during the yard sale for $1. We would let them keep the profit. It will be June 18, so it will probably be warm, and there is a good chance that people will be thirsty. We thought that $1 a bottle would make for easy change. They are only 8 years old. Plus, most people are willing to buy from a kid.
My friend thinks it is too much. She said she would never pay $1 a bottle. She would rather go to the store and buy the whole case. And she thinks that people won't buy from the kids.
Is it me, or does that seem extreme? I mean, I know it is a yard sale. I know people are looking for a bargain...but we are talking about a couple of kids selling water! If you went to a gas station, water is at least $1 and people are fine paying it when they stop for gas. Are you really telling me that people will look badly on us that our kids are selling water for $1???
I'm sort of with your friend on this one, as I think we've come a long long way from the 10 Cent lemonade stand of years ago! I think 50 cents makes for a fairly easy figure as well, and you may be surprised how often they get a tip of 50 cents! Good luck on your yard sale!
ReplyDeleteSuze
I think fifty cents is probably a better idea. Most people who shop at yard sales are frugal people and would rather not pay a dollar.
ReplyDeleteI don't think people will look badly at you, I think you would just sell more water and people that would pay a dollar are probably like to tip.
They'd still make a nice profit at 50 cents - though if it weren't a yard sale then $1 would certainly be okay (check the price at grocery & convenience stores for one bottle!)
ReplyDeleteJust last month my 7th grader made over $70 selling cans of pop for $1 at a school event - and this was other kids buying!
Cake mix cookies are another cheap and great seller at yard sales!
I say go for it at $1 --- if it isn't selling at that price, have another sign ready to go that says 50 cents. I've bought water for $1 at yard sales before. When its 95 degrees out and I walked out of the house without a beverage it has seemed to be a bargain opposed to taking the time to go back home or run through a convenience store. It always amazes me that people that haggle over a true bargain at a garage sale will still fork over $1 for a bottle of water --- and that includes ME!
ReplyDeleteyeah, go for the dollar. if it is warm, and the water is cold, I would pay that. consider a treat of some kind too. There are always cranky hubbys that get drug along, they like treats. :)
ReplyDeleteI think $1 is a fair price. Of course you'll have some who won't buy but you will have plenty who will. It's hot and most people don't bring beverages with them. If they are going to more than one yardsale, it's more convenient to get something to drink there and keep it moving vs. stopping at a convenience store where they'll pay at least 50 more a bottle.
ReplyDeleteOops, I meant 50 "cents" more a bottle.
ReplyDeleteLyn
I'm with Sass. Most garage sale shoppers will buy from a kid - I feel it is my duty as an entrepreneur to encourage the next generation in their efforts so I usually buy what they are selling (even if I throw it away as soon as I leave the premises - like some of the homemade cookies with questionable sanitation!)
ReplyDeleteI think a dollar is reasonable. Water is a $1 a bottle everywhere you go here in Oregon, if not more. And, the nice thing is, it's all sanitary (a big thing for me if I'm buying stuff from someone...) Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI think $1 is fine, start with that price and you can drop it near the end if you have to.
ReplyDeleteAt the schools, the PTA will charge 1.25 for water, so I think a buck is more than fair!
ReplyDeleteI am notoriously frugal... but I wouldn't think twice to see bottled water for $1. I might not buy it but that is only because I don't buy bottled water. I probably wouldn't buy it at 50c either.
ReplyDeleteReally, $1 is fair. I doubt too many people would pass for that price but would have bought it for 50c.
In our area $1.00 would be fine for water. My hubby and son are going to Hershey Park where bottled water is $4.00. (I'm sending them with their own water!)
ReplyDelete@Suze - I was surprised you sided with my friend. I thought she was being too hard core. Maybe not!
ReplyDelete@Niki - I know people want a bargain...but do you really think that the 50 cents is that big of a deal?
@Anon - I thought about cookies...but I am going to be too busy to bake!
@Sass - good idea about having the signs ready.
@Jadell - gotta keep those hubbies happy and hydrated!
@Lyn - if they don't want it, they can say no thank you. But if it is 90+ degrees...I bet they will buy it.
@Marie - I think people will buy from a kid...and not that I am bias, but mine are pretty cute!
@Ruth - we had a kid come around once selling lemonade in a cup for $1 for a small little cup. I bought one...spilt it out....
@Louise - very true.
@Rhitter - At $1.25, that gets into making more change than I think my kids would be ok with. I was trying to keep it easy with $1.
@Kevin - If they don't want to buy it, ok...but I wouldn't call $1 price gouging.
@Sharon - We went to Sesame Place, and water was $4 there as well. No way!!
I would buy it for 1.00 from a child...but only from a child. Otherwise I ususally take my own water with me. My mom on the other hand said she would gladly pay 1.00 for the water without blinking an eye
ReplyDeleteJudy
@Judy - I fully expect some people will have their own drinks...but that is fine. And thanks to Mom for chiming in!
ReplyDeleteIf it is a hot day, you will win! A lot depends on the weather. $1 is a fair price for the convenience.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what a fair price is where you are from so I will stay out of that part.
ReplyDeleteI would definately buy a drink from a kid. I am not sure what would prevent someone from doing that.
Also on a hot day when I am starting to feel a bit thirsty, a cold drink being right there sells itself.
On a practical note. If you don't sell them it has only cost you $10, and you will still have the drinks for your family to have. It will also keep the kids occupied so they won't be underfoot during the sale. They will stay pretty motivated if they know that they are going to keep the money.
Cold water for a buck? Hell yeah I would do it. And you have a kid selling it? I don't stand a chance.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where everyone is from but I can't stop anywhere on Long Island and get ANY kind of drink for less than a dollar unless I am about to buy 6+ of that drink
@Evan - wanna take a ride up to the beautiful Southern New England countryside and buy water from my kids??? :)
ReplyDeleteIf I were out without my own drinks, I'd buy it for $1.00 no problem. I try not to buy bottled water (pkg'ing/environment, etc...) but I don't think that's an unreasonable price at all.
ReplyDeleteI think $1/bottle is a great deal. DO IT.
ReplyDelete