Road Side Stands

[johnpma]

My neighbor invited me to sell my syrup this year at his road side honor stand. He does veggies, herbs & spices, jams and jellies However I know there is the potential for theft with an honor system like this

Does anyone sell in this fashion and what has your experience been?

[wnybassman]

My neighbor invited me to sell my syrup this year at his road side honor stand. He does veggies, herbs & spices, jams and jellies However I know there is the potential for theft with an honor system like this

Does anyone sell in this fashion and what has your experience been?

I thought about doing a self serve here at the house, but only putting one pint and one quart out at a time. First time I get stiffed, that would be the end of it. I never got beyond thinking about it though. lol

[barnbc76]

Where I live there seems to be stands around every corner so I guess it must work out where I am in the "country" . Maybe it depends on location. It will be beneficial that there are other things being sold at the stand. I hope to be able to have enough to sell someday.

[Bucket Head]

I did it years ago with a buddy who did honey at his house. We had good luck for the most part. An occasional bottle would come up short or the money was a little off, but we figured it was probably poor math skills and not theft. Then we had an incident of vandalism. That was it at the time for us, but my buddy has since returned to the practice. I have thought about doing it again here at my house but have not pursued it.
I'd give it a try. I agree, only put a little bit out there at a time. And in all reality, if you were selling in a store or gift shop, there would be theft there too.
Steve

[wiam]

I have not tried it. My inlaws used to do it with pumpkins with pretty good luck. My feeling is you will gain sales. There could be loss. But what would it cost staff it?probably more than losses.

[unc23win]

In the right spot it is a good idea I would limit how much is out at once as well as when and if you leave your # they could call you if there wasn't Syrup there. A trail camera would help deter mischief.

[barnbc76]

In the right spot it is a good idea I would limit how much is out at once as well as when and if you leave your # they could call you if there wasn't Syrup there. A trail camera would help deter mischief. good idea, hadn't thought of that.

[johnpma]

Lots of great suggestions and ideas!! Appreciate the thoughts everyone

Also thought about selling it at work Lots of salesmen / women come in was going to build a disply and put it in the lobby

[dcast99]

Will an old soda machine work? Since you don't need the cooling system to work should be able to get it cheap?. Will still need electric to take the money.

[maple flats]

I have used the honor system for over 30 years for my u-pick blueberry fields, but I don't dare put out syrup. It may work, just realize that 99+% of people are honest, I just worry about the very few who aren't with a higher priced, ready to carry away item like a jug or bottle of syrup.

[TylerMcT]

I tried this past spring. I set a stand at my grandmothers who lives on a corner of very heavy traffic. I just put a few bottles out my dad drives by everyday to and from work so he stocked it as needed. The thing is I found that no one ever stole out write they just never left the right amount lol! One day they generously left $7 and change for 2 quarts..... The stand was removed the fallowing day. I figured it was worth a try , but unfortunately people just aren't honest anymore.

[johnpma]

I tried this past spring. I set a stand at my grandmothers who lives on a corner of very heavy traffic. I just put a few bottles out my dad drives by everyday to and from work so he stocked it as needed. The thing is I found that no one ever stole out write they just never left the right amount lol! One day they generously left $7 and change for 2 quarts..... The stand was removed the fallowing day. I figured it was worth a try , but unfortunately people just aren't honest anymore.
Kind of sad to hear! Talked with a guy who is an ole'timer and sells veggies in town said that people would leave change, candy wrappers, tea bags, IOU's,and even pills in exchange for his veggies. At one point they unbolted his cash box and took it.........sad

[christopherh]

I've been selling from a roadside stand for several years now. It is a self serve stand and there is a lock on the cash box, so people must leave the correct change. I also have cameras installed to prevent theft. This was all brought on by one dishonest customer. My syrup sells ok as long as there are other products to bring in the customers, mostly vegetables, lots of sweet corn and pumpkins in the fall. The syrup sells much better at a local specialty/gift shop.