If your vehicle is parked at Walmart or in front of Kroger, it’s easy enough to hand out a coupon visitors can redeem inside. But what if tour stops are at festivals or on college campuses with no retail location close by? Does it make sense to ring up sales on site? Pete D’Andrea, senior vice president at AMP Agency, weighs the pros and cons of on-site sales.
THE EASY PARTS
- Selling on site is a form of advertising, and sales can help fund the program.
- The vehicle is the ultimate selling environment, stocked with product demos and reps on hand to answer questions, and is convenient for visitors.
- Event selling can offer exclusive draws, like limited edition pins or collectible T-shirts. “That’s when I’ve seen a home run,” says D’Andrea.
- It’s a prime opportunity to tie sales into local or national charities.
- The mobile vehicle becomes a customer homing device — for example, stopping at local gyms, fitness centers or runs to sell athletic footwear.
THE STICKY BITS
- Securing cash sales.
- Setting up reliable Web connections so you can accept credit cards — and keeping them up.
- Getting the right inventory mix and enough storage space for restocking.
- Securing private changing areas when selling apparel.
- Handling complex state and local tax rates, permits and licensing requirements.
- Complex logistics. “You have to be buttoned up,” D’Andrea says.
Got an events tip to share? Contact Patricia Odell at [email protected]
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