Here's what we want you to do...
Go to small industrial complexes, that is, small shops such as cabinet and upholstery shops, small storefront businesses, construction companies, plumbers, glass companies, furniture stores, etc. Approach landscapers and contractors as you come across them. Sometimes you'll see them in nursery and builder's supplies picking up plants or materials. Convience stores are a good source. You'll find them there. In almost every area there are fleamarkets and swapmeets that are run every weekend. All of your best prospects attend such as small business owners, contractors, painters, plumbers, handymen, etc. Hispanics are good buyers. We speak no spanish but have sold signs to Hispanics for many years.
Now, this idea can pay off for you. Once upon a time we had a lady selling signs. She wrote up a contractor at his office. She agreed to meet him at a builders supply to deliver the signs. She parked on the street right next to the entrance driveway. She had Stop Me For Magnetic Signs on her car. She put her customer's signs on the hood. Guys began to walk up to her asking about the signs. She wrote some orders.
So, we have been doing this ever since! It works! BUT!!! You must NOT go on the property and DO NOT cause complaints by passing out flyers or in ANY way blocking in & out trafic to the business. Passing out flyers does NOT work anyway. Let them COME TO YOU!
You have been warned! If you are discreet you have your own "bank" to come & get orders. Now, very important. The best time is 10am to 12pm. You don't have to sit there all day. Those are the "sweet spot" hours. Don't worry, the same guys come there almost every day anyway.
If there is a empty lot or closed business next to the builders supply, GREAT! Sometimes there is no parking or no stopping near the entrance. Sometimes it just don't work. Go find a better spot. We want to point something out. That is don't depend on selling signs by a Lowe's or Home Depot if it is too "modern" meaning no empty lot or anwhere to set up. Look in the yellow pages for roofing supplies, plumbing wholesalers and so on. There's lots of trucks going in & out of these places. They are in industrial areas and there is usually a place to set up. Put your samples on the hood. Guys will walk up & ask about them. These guys go there 2-3 days a week or more so they can pick up their signs right where they ordered them and they usually pay in cash. Remember, best time is 10-12. One more thing, don't get spoilled! If it doesn't work out go and sell signs the old fasioned way. There's plenty of business out there.
Here is something we did that worked great! It slides up onto a support and is secured by two steel pins. I added wheels on the back and a handle in front so it can be moved around like a airport suitecase. Painted black it looks good. We have made many, many thousands of dollars from this setup! But a car, pickup or better yet a van works fine.
  
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Yes! it did snow in New Orleans!
Here's what we DON'T want you to do!
- Do not set up sub agents (salesmen) or dealers such as print shops.
- Do not go after "Sears" or other huge accounts.
- Don't put flyers in windshields, etc.
- Don't sell signs on the internet.
What works is personal contact. Do that and you'll make money.