I was thinking about advertising for people to come to my home on a certain day each week where I would have a table, balloons and signs set up in the front yard and they could each take a sample product and a brochure home and have the option of buying a product. Could I post signs around the neighborhood leading toward my house?
I've thought of having a flea market booth but the one here doesn't have a lot of traffic and most of the people that go there aren't my target market.
I'm also going to have a website soon where people can order my products but I want to get the word spread in my area. Any better ideas? And is any of this illegal?
2007-06-21 15:49:15 · 9 answers · asked by Holly Berry 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
If you have a homeowner's association, there are probably rules prohibiting this. Even if there isn't, it is inconsiderate to your neighbors and puts you at great risk for liability if one of your customers should cause property damage or injury to someone, or if someone is injured on your property. You also expose where you live to anyone who wants to check out how much money and product you have on hand, knowing that you are open the same day every week.
Many cities also have rules about this and zoning laws. If you try to operate a business in a residential area, you can get a big fine
2007-06-21 15:59:03 · answer #1 · answered by Brian G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, hire a lawyer and get some good legal advice. Second, better talk to an insurance agent and watch out for the below hazards. It all depends on what state, what county and what municipality you live in. Many cities will issue an occupational license for limited business activities. Some cities exempt certain kinds of activities like yard sales and garage sales. The first thing you want to do is see if you can get an occupational license. However WARNING! Once you start doing business directly with the public, you have to have regulation ADA accessibility which means a handicapped parking space and a wheelchair compliant bathroom. Virtually every jurisdiction now requires ADA compliant facilities in order to obtain that permit. And the failure to have it means some no good for nothing treasure hunting disabled person will exploit his or her disability and sue you for mucho mungo damages. And believe me, it happens all the time. That's why my neighbor no longer runs a yard sale once a month, because some schmuck lawyer in a wheelchair sued him for refusing him reasonable access to his lawn, to-wit: no handicapped parking space and no ADA compliant bathroom. The plaintiff rightly claimed that my neighbor had regular yard sales, but wrongly alleged that he was therefore conducting business with the public. The wheel chair lawyer got $50 in a settlement after the judge blasted him off his wheels and threatening him with the bar. But my neighbor got sued and it cost him tens of thousands of dollars to defend that lawsuit. Okay. Next roadhazard regarding doing business on your residential property. You need INSURANCE! Some hairbrain trips and falls and you get sued. Guess what? Your insurance company refuses coverage because you were conducting commercial activities on residential property which is generally not covered in the policy unless you pay extra for it. Point is: you are asking for trouble when you invite the public onto your residential property. Better be prepared, legally represented and totally insured.
2016-05-17 07:13:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would depend on the planning regulations in your area. There are generally rules on running a business out of your home which depend on where you are.
2007-06-21 15:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by Ben O 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check for any city ordinances, and you should also check with your homeowners association, if there is one for your neighborhood. Some would prohibit the type of sale that you are proposing.
Good luck.
2007-06-21 15:57:22 · answer #4 · answered by Sammie's Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might need a permit. Also it could raise a zoning issue.
2007-06-21 15:56:21 · answer #5 · answered by ScrabbledEgg 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many people (me for one ) sell AVON, or Mary Kay Tupperware and many things from home. check the rules in your area.
2007-06-21 15:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by mysticalviking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live, there might be zoning that would prohibit this.
2007-06-21 15:55:52 · answer #7 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you sale and where you live.
2007-06-21 15:53:24 · answer #8 · answered by sweetpeasmum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'll need to check locally for business license
2007-06-21 15:51:51 · answer #9 · answered by Mike Frisbee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋