5 Tips for Handling Cash at Craft Fairs: Keep Your Profits Protected

Most artisans who regularly travel the craft fair circuit have modern equipment that allows them to accept credit and debit cards on the spot. This equipment is more affordable now than it used to be. At one time, a craftsman relied on handling cash at fairs or accepting checks, which was risky without any way to verify if the checks were good or not.

If a check was invalid, he wouldn’t find out until after he deposited it or tried to cash it, and that would be after the craft show was over and the customer had left with the goods long ago. As much as I hate to think the worst of a client, unfortunately this scenario has happened on more than one occasion.

You may have to handle cash at craft fairs, and you should always be prepared to do so because not everyone pays with credit or debit cards or checks. Some people just like to pay cash.

#1 – Watch out for big bills – Funny thing about counterfeiters. Some of them draw a lot of attention by using “big bills”. Others, on the other hand, are smarter and stick to 5s, 10s, and 20s. A counterfeit detector is a good idea, but it’s not guaranteed to work 100% of the time. Familiarize yourself with what to look for on counterfeit bills.

#2 – Cash handling – You may think that a lockable cash box is a great idea for your craft bank. A safe is a good idea, but not if it’s not secured so someone can pick it up and run with it. A thief will manage to break the lock and get into his box once he grabs it and runs back to his car or home with it.

If you use a cash box, you must have it chained and secured to the premises. It should not be a “cash and carry” type of setup.

Some craftsmen keep their money on their person at all times by wearing a money belt. Whichever method you choose to store your cash, make sure it is secure and cannot be easily removed from the premises. Never leave cash unattended at your craft stand.

#3 – Financing the Kittand – the day before each craft show, cash a check to fund your cash. Ask the bank teller to give you some 1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s. You will need to be able to make change if needed for the first customers of the day. After that, your kitty fund will build up from sales, hopefully, and your pool of bills and change will grow, making it even easier to change.

In the event that you are unable to give a customer change, you will usually find other vendors willing to help by accepting some of their larger bills in exchange for smaller ones.

#4 – Take checks – if you do not have a way to process checks on the site, it is recommended not to accept them. Post a simple sign at your checkout area that says “Sorry, no checks” or something like that.

#5 – Save the surplus – If you’re having a big day of sales and most of the money is in cash, at some point during the day you may want to move some of the cash into your vehicle or another secure storage area.

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