Selling in front of stores??

Question

I want to know how the girlscouts get to sell in front of stores. I make necklaces at home and I would like to sell them. does anyone know how to go about doing that? Do i need some kind of permit or something? please help!

Answer 1

girl scouts are a non-profit organization. But yes you would need a permit to sell anything on the street. go to your city offices and get the permit i believe you get it at the city clerks office but I'm not sure

Answer 2

Many times it's up to the manager of the store, although in some larger cities (like Austin) you may need a permit, which is usually obtained through city hall. The thing is, unless it's for a 501-C charity or a "character-building" type organization, most store managers will probably tell you no, usually because they don't feel it's worth having the traffic flow to their store impeded, it might drive off customers. Some of them might allow you to set up in the parking lot instead, though if they do you need to take some extra safety precautions and be sure not to overstep the area they let you use.

Oh yeah, and the sales tax ID number - that is through your state comptroller's office. Individuals can basically just register using your social security, and then you pay the taxes quarterly. Now, if you're going to generate less than I think $300 a year, I think you can just put it in on your income tax when you file, but you would need to double check that for sure.

There are other options for selling, though. Check around for art festivals, bazaars, even community garage sales, quilt/craft shows, or farmer's markets and find out if you can sell there. Sometimes there are arts & crafts cooperatives in a town. Consignment stores are often a good option, and if you make high enough quality and consistent enough work, you can try selling at boutiques. With the consignment stores and boutiques, though, check them out thoroughly and be prepared to go in at least once a week to check on your work. You'd be wise to keep an inventory list and have shopkeepers sign in or out the inventory received, and be sure they're willing to give you a contract with clear terms for selling your goods. I have a friend who does art and jewelry, and until she learned to do this she got ripped off a couple of times. The nice thing about using consignment stores or boutiques is that usually the contract means they handle paying the sales tax for the transaction through the store, take their cut, and hand you a check at the end of the period, be it month or year or whatever. Less paperwork for you, although you would still need to go register for the tax ID before they can do that, and you would still need to keep very accurate records.

Ebay is another option, but can be costly and complicated so this might not be the right thing for you. You might also check the rules on Craig's List, they are starting to be a big source for used goods as well and are a little more localized so might be better if you do decide to do the internet thing.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The Girl Scouts are a non-profit organization that is given permission by certain stores to sell their cookies at certain times of the year. Most citties have ordinances regulating street sales.
There may be a permit that you can get to sell on the street. As for selling on store property, that would be up to an individual store. I would guess that, unless you are really good friends with a store owner or manager, your chances of being allowed to set up shop outside are pretty slim. There are options like local flea markets and farmer's markets that rent space to individuals. This, again may be regulated and, perhaps taxed.

Answer 4

Girl scouts have to get permission from the store I think. In order for you to sell your necklaces, I think that is something different. Where I live that is done at an Exibition or at an Arts and Crafts sale. You could also advertise in your local paper. I'm not sure if you would need a permit because it might be classified as running a business out of your home.

Answer 5

I did this all the time (Second store) when my kids were younger and plan on doing it again with my one on the way when she grows out of her cloths and other baby items. They will look at everything and its condition then make you an offer. If you don't think it's worth it then you can always say no. I never told them no so I am not sure if they would have negotiated or just sent me home with my things? If you know your stuff is clean and in good condition then you should get a good price. If your not happy with price you can go to the first store but to me that sounds like a worse deal. Note that either store you go to may not take all your stuff no matter what condition due to the season (may not want summer cloths if it is winter) or if their inventory on a certain item is fully stocked. Again if they don't take any items for whatever reason then you can always take to first store and get experience from both.

Answer 6

Most stores only let people classified as "non-profit" organizations sell items in front of the store. Your best bet may be a local flea market or consignment shop. In the city I live in--Kansas City, no permit is needed for those places, just if you own or operate a regular store.

Answer 7

Usually it varies store to store, It would be best to find a local flea market, trade fair, or swap meet and see if you can set up there, but as for selling in front of stores, permits may vary by state

Answer 8

Start selling them to you group of friends first then let the word spread. Sooner or later you'll get a lot of orders. Its easier for the girl scouts to sell their stuff because they're in uniform and many people admire their efforts. As for the permit, I think you do need a permit but it just a small personal merchandise that you're selling, I think you would be albe to sell it without permit as long as you have the guts to make a booth for you to sell your product. good luck.

Answer 9

In the first place, why sell in front of stores?
How many customers can you catch?
Today, we are living in the information age.
Go open a shop in cyberspace, it is not expansive and could catch thousands of times more customers then being physically there.

Answer 10

Just Jess if you were in my country you can sell in front of any store and just move when you see the police