What's a good answer to this line of questions?

[lawyerart]

Las Saturday, we sold mostly $5 and under items, and displayed fliers from an ethnic fair we will be doing in a couple of weeks. People expressed interest in visiting that fair and asked whether we would be selling the same things we had on Saturday. My answer was we would have a few of the same items, but it would be mostly a different assortment.(the fair requires some sort of ethnic connection) People were, without exception, enthusiastic, asking for directions and other details. I didn't say that prices overall would be much higher at that fair, and that what was higher-priced on Saturday would seem quite reasonable amid other prices in two weeks! My question is why would someone ask if we would have the same items in two weeks? Not enough cash in their pocket, or waiting for a payday? Not sure if they like the items? Waiting for a sale on harvest items?

(BTW, I don't know if others in warm climates have this problem but we should have paid attention to the crafts stores that stocked almost no non-Halloween fall stuff: nobody was thinking about Thankgiving when it was 85 degrees out! Maybe everyone goes somewhere ELSE for Thanksgiving?)

[narmendia]

Yes people ask this all the time. I think maybe they were not expecting to spend extra $ at that moment (even if they're $5 items) so they ask if you'll be back. I also think some people just ask to be polite, to express some sort of interest since they are right in front of you and don't want to make you feel bad, but most of these probably won't come back...I know my mom always tells people "I'll be back," - even though she won't ...lol. It's like a bad habit, and I always tell her not to say that unless she is really coming back. But for her, it really is a habit :(

[khmetalwork]

I think people just ask to give themselves a way to walk away politely.

[Former_Member]

Some people intend to come maybe bring a friend but they usually forget.

[LizArti]

What khmetalwork said.

[woodsmokewoolworks]

I think that, sometimes, it's like window shopping if they know that they can get the item at another time. At this time of year,they are looking for ideas and if they don't find something more to their liking for a gift and you've made the short list , they'll be back

[Former_Member]

In my other business as a vendor at dog shows, I use to go to an event almost every weekend. And people would say, " I'll do it next time, you'll be at XYZ show next weekend, right?" Now that I am only atending 12 a shows a year with probably only 3 in any one area, they still say that. When I say "no, I won't be back to this area for another 4 months", they say ok & still walk on. So, in my opinion, it is just a way for them to say, interested, but not enough to commit to buying.

[Former_Member]

Art fairs or craft events are often purely a entertainment for many folks. A chance to get out of the house, walk the dog, chat with friends and get fresh air.

Sometimes if you get a straggler in your booth and they pull a chub of cash from their pocket to buy something its a lark.

Keep doing shows, you will eventually discover your market, your place and your crowd. Sometimes it doesn't happen in the first few years, but its all a learning experience.

I've none shows where the economy was so terrible that the only people who made any money were the Carmel corn dudes.