The Night Before: Prep Checklist
Most market-day problems start the night before. Running through this list after dinner saves a lot of scrambling at 6am.
Inventory packed and counted
Cash float ready (small bills and coins)
Card reader charged and tested
Phone fully charged
Backup power bank charged
QR code sign printed and packed
Price signs or tags packed
Tables, chairs, tent folded and ready to load
Tent weights or stakes packed
Business cards or bags packed
Weather checked — bring extra gear if needed
Text sent to your customer list (or scheduled for morning)
Setup: Booth Checklist
Tent up and secured with weights
Tables positioned — open toward the walkway
Tablecloths on (clean, pressed if possible)
Display risers, crates, or shelving in place
Products arranged — highest sellers at eye level
Price signs visible and legible
Business name sign visible from 15 feet
Card reader set up at payment area
QR code signup sign visible to customers
Samples or testers out if applicable
Cash box in a secure, accessible spot
Extra inventory stored — not on the table
During Market: Customer Engagement Checklist
- Make eye contact and greet passersby — a nod or 'good morning' is enough
- Offer samples without a sales pitch — let the product speak
- Ask every customer about joining your text list — point to the QR code sign
- Acknowledge repeat customers — 'Good to see you again!' goes a long way
- Keep price tags visible as customers browse
- Restock as items sell out — don't let gaps appear on the table
- Remove items that sell out rather than spreading remaining items to fill space
- Track what's selling — a quick tally helps future planning
Payments Checklist
Card reader connected and working
Cash float — at least $50 in small bills
Venmo / Cash App handle displayed
Zelle number or handle displayed
Backup payment method available
Sales tracking method ready (app or notepad)
Customer List Building Checklist
QR code signup sign displayed at booth
QR code tested — form loads and submits correctly
Verbal ask script ready: 'Scan that QR code to get our weekly market texts'
Paper backup form available if phones die
New signups confirmed in dashboard at end of day
Pack-Down Checklist
Count remaining inventory
Note what sold out and when
Collect all signage and price tags
Sweep for items on the ground or under tables
Break down tent and tables
Count and log cash from the day
Record any customer feedback worth remembering
Note any signups collected on paper to add to list later
The One Thing Most Vendors Forget
Most of the items above are things you'd eventually remember. The one that consistently gets skipped — because it's easy to deprioritize when you're busy — is collecting customer contact info.
Every customer who visits your booth and leaves without joining your list is a potential regular you can't reach. A QR code signup sign is the easiest fix. VendorLoop creates the form and QR code for you automatically — all you have to do is print and display it.
For more on setting up your QR code signup: QR Code Signs for Vendors.