cedar planter box

[coachgrd]

Hi everyone. Wondering if you guys can stop me before I waste my time again. Been looking for an idea to make a few bucks to buy some more woodworking toys. I really looked hard to find something that would be both enjoyable/easy to produce, and one where the materials would be inexpensive. It seems to me that making and selling cedar planter boxes may be just what I'm looking for and with the growing season is right around the corner they may sell easier. I don't see anyone locally selling them (other than the big box stores) and I cannot get over the mark up on these things!!! The mock-up I made cost me about $25 in materials. The same box at Lowes is selling for $153!

My only issue is where to sell them. I'm no salesman. Thought about taking one to a local garden center and see if they may interested carrying them.

Last spring I made 5 really nice benches with hopes of selling them. I now have 5 really nice benches sitting around my fire pit. This winter I made 5 really nice tailgating/camping tables out of cedar. I now have 5 really nice cedar tailgating/camping tables sitting in my basement.

So, I'm asking...is this a planter box thing another dumb idea? And second, any other ideas on where to sell? Seems people on Craigslist want stuff for free.

Thanks in advance.

 

[William1]

I'd approach a local gardening center about taking your stuff to sell on commission.
My wife and I have been thinking about one for our deck. To buy, stupid expensive. To make, cheap but quality takes a lot of time unless you are mass producing , then the time per unit drop dramatically. All about tool setup. Actual cuts and assembly is minimal.

What kind of joinery? Post pictures of your benches and tables.

 

[JimmytheGeek]

Do you have a local Farmer's Market, especially if it emphasizes locally produced stuff?

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Make one and list it on CraigsList with four or five photos.

That will answer your question.

 

[coachgrd]

What kind of joinery? Post pictures of your benches and tables.

Here you go...

 

[sheepfarmer]

Those are nice! Wish you lived closer...recommend the Farmer's Market or Craft Fair idea if you have the means to put a bunch of planters in your car or truck, and a comfortable chair and plan to hang out for a day. Most of these places also sell plants so you could preplant one for sale too. They have a nominal charge for booth space sometimes.

 

[Yooper]

Another vote for Craigslist.

 

[coachgrd]

Make one and list it on CraigsList with four or five photos.

That will answer your question.

I tried CL with the benches and tables. Nothing but crickets.

 

[D2Cat]

If you live in town, or know folks who do, inquire within some homeowner's associations. Those "city slickers" are always looking for something their neighbors don't have!

If Craig's List isn't working for you, you may want to try to figure out why...not enough pictures? Not a good description? Not listed in correct department?

I buy and sell many items on Cl and don't find the frustration you're expressing. It's a sport, like going fishing. Some days their biting and some days they're not.

But you better learn how to sell them or your yard will be full!

 

[CaveCreekRay]

What a CraigsList deal feels like in certain areas... LOL...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEEYmpN112c&t=2s

 

[D2Cat]

Ray, that's too much! How do you find those links, you cruising Youtube?

 

[johnjk]

my local HW store will take stuff like this in on consignment. Lots of traffic and it is indoor staged with their Yeti and BGE smokers. Currently a guy is selling deck chairs there. Nice quality and reasonable prices.

Something else I've seen is that a local brew pub will have people craft and display their furniture on their patio. You get to try it out, see the quality and a few tasty craft beers loosens the wallet.