Welcome to the shit show: A newbies guide to "The Market"

"The Shit Show"  That's what we affectionately call the first 2 hours of "The Market" on Thursday morning and...pretty much all day Saturday. Here's the deal...This period of time during the market is not for you if you...
A.  Generally just don't like people.
B.  Are at all (even slightly) claustrophobic.
C.  Have any ounce of respect for your own personal bubble.
D.  Value your life.
E.  All of the above.

In short... it's busy.  Really...really busy.  Now, if risking life and limb for a dresser isn't necessarily your deal... then we have some days for you too.  Here's a little breakdown of what you can expect when you come to "The Market".

Pre-market:

As our vendors start bringing in new items for the next "Market", we start posting teaser pics.  As a general rule we typically don't post dimensions and/or prices prior to opening.  I know...I know...dick move not cool.  Here's the deal...we would just rather you come in and see the piece in person rather than just "window shop" via the inter-webs. 

Pre-sales:

Ummmm...no.  It's nothing personal...we just don't like to incite riots.  Riots = bad for business.

Though we appreciate some of the generous offers we have received to sell an item before the market...we like to give everyone a fair chance.  If we post an item that is coming in for "The Market", and then someone shows up early and waits in line (yes...Thursday mornings there is a line) to be one of the first ones in the door so they can hopefully get said item only to find out that said item they just stood in line for is gone...No Bueno.   So yea...

The doors are open...now what?

I'll save you all the boring stuff.  Here is cheaters cliff notes version...

A.  If you like to take your time and shop around, maybe take a couple laps around the shop, Fridays and Sundays are going to be your best bet (Thursday afternoon isn't even that bad).  If you want first dibs on all the new stuff or if there was a particular item you saw online that you really want...Thursday morning and Saturday morning is your best bet.  Or, maybe your just one of those that likes to watch amateur videos of fiery car crashes and natural disasters on You Tube.  Thursday morning at "doors open"... that's definitely your jam

B.  We start taking orders over the phone at 10:00 am Thursday morning.  So if there is something you really want but cant make it in because you're out of sick days and your boss isn't gonna buy the old "My car wont start" excuse again... you can call and do a CC over the phone and we will hold it for you until you can pick it up.  Keep in mind that during "The Shit Show" we have 3-4 registers going, and 3-4 people just answering questions, hauling furniture out, and trying to re-stage areas as stuff sells so it doesn't look like we just got looted, and the whole main level of the shop has so many people packed in it looks like we're herding sheep. 

So...yea...we may not be able to get back to you right away.

C.  We re-stock every night during "The Market" so we have new items every day.  Yep...that pretty much cover Sub-Section "C".

D.  Each month about 90% of our inventory is new.  We have a specific color palette we work off that changes every month and as if that wasn't enough...we don't allow any furniture to stay more than 2 markets (and that's assuming that it fits into the next month's color palette).  So that means that there is a  pretty really good chance that if there is an item you are "thinking" about...it's not going to be there next month.  If it doesn't sell it will more than likely get pulled out.  Our goal is to have a fresh look and create a unique shopping experience every time you come into the store.  Because let's be honest... we want you to come back each month.  If you come back next month and see the same stuff you saw last month...what's the point?  Not cool man...not cool.

So there you have it!  Welcome to "The Market" @ 3:17!

-Mike