Ohiofarmgirl'sAdventuresinTheGoodLand-where ya been? whatcha been doin

[kcsunshine]

Leave it up to Wifey to find an apple orchard with a creepy owner. Sounds like my luck...

 

[TanksHill]

I'd love to do some jams, pickles, meat, beans and tomato sauce. I am going to have to buy the produce though....I don't have the space to grow enough to can.

A trick I use is to hit the farmers market about 1/2 hour before they close down. Walk around and ask the vendors if they have any seconds or #2's.

Last year all of my tomatoes came that way. The only problem was after a while they all started raising their prices on me. But some are happy to see the produce get used.

I vote for Daiquiris!!!!!!

g

 

[Henrietta23]

I found a pick your own currant place last year with a creepy owner. Sooo glad I went with a friend. We decided not to go back we were so nervous the whole time we were there.

 

[Dace]

I'd love to do some jams, pickles, meat, beans and tomato sauce. I am going to have to buy the produce though....I don't have the space to grow enough to can.

A trick I use is to hit the farmers market about 1/2 hour before they close down. Walk around and ask the vendors if they have any seconds or #2's.

Last year all of my tomatoes came that way. The only problem was after a while they all started raising their prices on me. But some are happy to see the produce get used.

I vote for Daiquiris!!!!!!

g

I have thought about that, I am a terrible negotiator though. Maybe if hubby went with me
I guess they'd rather not bring stuff home right?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

are you kidding? you'd do great!

just walk up with a big smile and say "hey do you have any seconds or ugly ones you can make me a deal on?"

they'll either say yes or no, either way just say thanks and load up, or just walk away.

 

[keljonma]

Depends on the market in our area. Some will sell at reduced price. Others just take the stuff home; either to sell the next day or for home use. The farmer's market closest to us within 1 mile, the vendors there have never reduced prices .

 

[Farmfresh]

I buy seconds and canners all of the time at our market.

Most people are happy to get their stuff sold (especially later in the season when they have all of their own canning done). I try to give them a fair price for the seconds and also repeat business!

 

[Dace]

Well ok then!
I am gonna give it a go tomorrow! Seconds or uglies? That isn't too hard to say....wonder who in my family I can con into coming along and propping me up so I can face someone while asking for a deal.

Why do I feel so small asking for that? But hey, I am not asking for a deal right? I am asking if they have any seconds or ugly ones that they want to unload.....right? Right.



Mmmmmmmm strawberries
Enjoy OFG!

 

[TanksHill]

The first guy I asked gave me a whole box, crate size for 2 bucks. The following week he charged me 5 for a bit less. The next week he had a overflowing crate and charged me 15. I took it but never went back to him.

One time I asked an older Spanish lady if she had seconds. She said no. Then her daughter chased me down and said she had a case she would sell me for 10 bucks. We chatted I told her I was canning so seconds were fine. The following week they had a display with the same case that said "perfect for canning" and a 15.00 price.

You can do it Dace. Just ask, it won't hurt.

I use a granny basket with those blue plastic cost co bags. Evey thing they give me gets dumped in those. Most of the time they want to keep their boxes.

Oh, I got great peaches this was once as well.

g

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

Why do I feel so small asking for that?

i think a lot of people feel this way. but you arent asking a friend for $20 so you can go buy liquor and lottery tickets! you're asking a business person for a business transaction.

think of it this way - especially at the very end of the market folks who havent sold it all have to drag it home. its their work and effort they are "trading" for a cheaper price. and a lot of times they cant sell it later in the week so they might have to throw it away. or like my friends how have an orchard - give it to someone for their pigs! hee hee

but really, many vendors would rather work out a deal then toss it or drag it home - if they are open it to, you're actually helping them out.

i've seen plenty of people hover around, screw up their courage, double dog dare each other, then go up and timidly ask for a 'deal' and then are floored when the vendor says "sure." and i have a friend who negotiates retail ... and i'm the person that is floored - i can never believe how often my retail-negotiator gets a deal! so there is a huge spectrum and you just need to find our niche.

as long as you are your cheerful self, you'll do just fine. have a questioning tone, a happy demeanor, dont ask when there are a lot of people around, and smile smile smile!