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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;verybrad, post: 10294244, member: 37&quot;]I have been in a few different antique malls over the years.&nbsp; The best ones were the most expensive, actively managed, and had professional sales staff.&nbsp; Too large is a detriment, as there is too much competion.... IMHO.&nbsp; Too small does not provide enough draw.&nbsp; A hundred (or more) dealers seems overly large to me.&nbsp; I know that there are some huge successful malls but think that the owner and a few dealers are the only ones making any good money.</p><p><br /></p><p>The very best one I was in has about 25 dealers. It was $1.25/ sq. ft. per month, plus 10% comission.&nbsp; Space was let on a yr. contract but sometimes a 6 month trial was given to start.&nbsp; The owner has a background in business/marketing and, in some respects, is a micro-manager.&nbsp; He is picky about who he lets in, makes sure that booths are serviced regularly, and that merchandise is sold or rotated out in a timely manner.&nbsp; It was not unusual for him to call weekly (or more) to make sure I was on top of things.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>This management style did not work well for some dealers and heads were butted on many occasions.&nbsp; Some dealers were not successful as a result and rarely stayed more than a year.&nbsp; I am very much a go-with-the flow type and was able to work this way.&nbsp; After a couple years, I started working there.&nbsp; Though I no longer have a booth, I sell on consignment there now with a very favorable rate.&nbsp; I am the only dealer there selling under this arrangement. </p><p><br /></p><p>Pricing makes a difference.&nbsp; If you can not sell off-retail, you probably will not be successfull in most places.&nbsp; I always tried to match or beat ebay prices.&nbsp; I also have no problem in selling anything with a 20% discount if necessary.&nbsp; This has never been a problem, as I am able to buy quite reasonably.&nbsp; In general, If I can not mark something at least 3X purchase price, it is not worth buying. Quite often, I can hit 5X or more.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bread and butter price point is under $25.00.&nbsp; I can easily sell 20-30 $10.00 items in the time I could possibly sell a $100.00 item.&nbsp; The higher price point items are worth having but, quite often, they become the window dressing for all the less expensive items.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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