Stick burning smokers?

FanOfFanboys

So I don't want to mention names or anything here but I have several new stick/wood burning smokers for sale. My brother in-law is part owner of a small company that is making them. Bro in law is not doing anything with them, just sitting in his office warehouse, and told me if I sale them will pay me. As some might remember I was downsized recently so as I work through that I figure way to make some money on the side. And if I can sell few each month that is enough to be a part-time cash flow for me. 

My question is, outside of Craigslist, anyone on here have advice or tips on best way to sell these? Do I just walk into local stores that carry grills and ask them to put on consignment? I have never done anything like this. I have used these in local BBQ comps and weekend catering gigs with him so I know how well they work.

Not trying to peddle here, just looking for tips. 

Thanks!

fishlessman

ive had the local paper in my place do a writeup and picture taking, might start there, bbq season is right around the corner, then go hit some shops

Tinyfish

Maybe you setup a demo somewhere showing the bbq cooking and give some samples away. 

FanOfFanboys

fishlessman said:

ive had the local paper in my place do a writeup and picture taking, might start there, bbq season is right around the corner, then go hit some shops

Is the best thing to do to walk into local owned shops and offer like a 30 day consignment or something? There is one place, Jack Oliver's, that I have bought few things from and me and another forum member cooked there one afternoon long while back. 

SGH

You can advertise them on the BBQ Brethren if you are member. A lot of folks look at that sight.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I like your hustle. go hit up some shops- Ace hardware stores are generally locally owned. They have flexibility to buy locally. a lot of patio stores carry bbq stuff. Many of these guys carry BGE- Break the ice by telling the you are an egger. facebook, twitter, ebay, craigslist. Set up at street festivals (cook some food serve samples).

Pay a SPIFF to the sales guys at stores you get them in to. Give them $20 cash for every one they sell (check with the boss first but most don't mind). 

DMW

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

I like your hustle. go hit up some shops- Ace hardware stores are generally locally owned. They have flexibility to buy locally. a lot of patio stores carry bbq stuff. Many of these guys carry BGE- Break the ice by telling the you are an egger. facebook, twitter, ebay, craigslist. Set up at street festivals (cook some food serve samples).

Pay a SPIFF to the sales guys at stores you get them in to. Give them $20 cash for every one they sell (check with the boss first but most don't mind). 

Good advice on the SPIFFs, small amount makes a big difference to sales reps.

tarheelmatt

Great ideas so far.  

In my area, they have the Facebook pages for "stuff for sale".  I would post there.  Everything I have posted sold.  There is likely many pages.  Just find the one with the most people and join the group.  Get someone to take very detailed pictures and be as descriptive as possible.  

Or.. Setup outside his place.  Get a large sign indicating for sale.  Fire it up and offer some samples.  Almost like an open house.  Get kids to flag folks down.  

fishlessman

i dont work with the general public or retail, but i would walk into the small shops, take advantage of all the free stuff like a web site, local papers, facebook etc.  most of my sales come from salesmen making commision only so not up to speed with retail and an actual product. i bet tom at the ceramic grill store would give you some pointers, i would call him and pick his brain, its how he got started.

Eggcelsior

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

I like your hustle. go hit up some shops- Ace hardware stores are generally locally owned. They have flexibility to buy locally. a lot of patio stores carry bbq stuff. Many of these guys carry BGE- Break the ice by telling the you are an egger. facebook, twitter, ebay, craigslist. Set up at street festivals (cook some food serve samples).

Pay a SPIFF to the sales guys at stores you get them in to. Give them $20 cash for every one they sell (check with the boss first but most don't mind). 

I first thought you said "Spliff". Either one works.

FanOfFanboys

Eggcelsior said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

I like your hustle. go hit up some shops- Ace hardware stores are generally locally owned. They have flexibility to buy locally. a lot of patio stores carry bbq stuff. Many of these guys carry BGE- Break the ice by telling the you are an egger. facebook, twitter, ebay, craigslist. Set up at street festivals (cook some food serve samples).

Pay a SPIFF to the sales guys at stores you get them in to. Give them $20 cash for every one they sell (check with the boss first but most don't mind). 

I first thought you said "Spliff". Either one works.

In some states or sects of the population the spliff may work better

FanOfFanboys

I have on craigslist now and I have reached out to two locally owned stores. Going to reach out to several more tomorrow. 

I am working on a website to sell the sauce we make. I can list the grills on there too. The next batch of sauce I am sending some to Clemson University to get the nutrition guidelines and such. 

Jerald

A saw a dude setup in the middle of a mall walkway selling smokers.  Not sure how successful he was.

johnkitchens

I would think that you would have luck with the mom and pop hardware stores in the smaller towns. 

My local egg dealer is a two location hardware store, and I could see them jumping on this as a consignment. They have nothing to lose and $ to gain from a deal like this. 

FanOfFanboys

johnkitchens said:

I would think that you would have luck with the mom and pop hardware stores in the smaller towns. 

My local egg dealer is a two location hardware store, and I could see them jumping on this as a consignment. They have nothing to lose and $ to gain from a deal like this. 

That is what I am hoping. Consignment is what I am going to approach the stores with. The two today I asked for 30 days but not sure if I should even put a time request on it. 

The smokers are not cheap. My cost to the dealers is $1,300 then still need to mark up to MSRP. If anything I think that would be the hindrance. 

Hoping to see few units move per month at least. 

johnkitchens

@FanOfFanboys I wouldn't put a specific time limit on it. I would just have the understanding with them that you have the right to come and get them at any time. 

Hopefully if one guy is moving them for you and needs one you could just go and retrieve one from the consignment inventory. 

FanOfFanboys

johnkitchens said:

@FanOfFanboys I wouldn't put a specific time limit on it. I would just have the understanding with them that you have the right to come and get them at any time. 

Hopefully if one guy is moving them for you and needs one you could just go and retrieve one from the consignment inventory. 

Good thought. I will use that approach. 

johnkitchens

Keep us informed. I hope it takes off! 

FanOfFanboys

johnkitchens said:

Keep us informed. I hope it takes off! 

Thanks dude.

Once I have site up selling sauce I will post link on here. Nice sweet habanero bbq sauce

DaveRichardson

Glad I'm not the only one that read "Spliff".....  Agree on the local shops being a great avenue.  Facebook, too.  Around my neck of the woods there are a lot of small towns that do lunches for their employees; that'd be a great place to get the food in the door to show off your wares.  Volunteer to cook THEIR meats THEY provide to you, and talk up the smokers.  Maybe make a sign or two or a (gasp...) t-shirt to wear while cooking that is for you guys and your smokers and sauces.

If you are near the beach, that'd be another idea to set up shop out there!  Large hotels love stuff like that for their regulars.