Self-service egg sales or not, how do you handle it?

[DenverChickens]

I would like my neighbors to buy eggs when it is convenient for them, regardless if I am home or not, so I'd like to set up an area in my urban backyard near my coop with a refrigerator or cooler to sell eggs on a self-service basis.

I've been searching for suggestions on the forum, but there doesn't seem to be much discussion on self-service egg sales.

To those of you who do not have a self-service area, how do you handle egg sales? Do neighbors/customers call you to see if you are available to sell them eggs? Or do they just come over anytime?

To those of you who sell your eggs at some type of self-service area, could you offer your experiences on the following:

1) Where in your yard do you have your self-service eggs - in a shed/garage, part of your coop, protected or out in the open?

2) What type of refrigeration do you use? Anyone use a small refrigerator or cooler outdoors or in an unlocked garage or shed?

3) How/in what do you collect money?

4) What other items do you have at your egg stand for people's convenience?

5) Do you have to change your setup in the winter/summer due to temperature extremes?

I'd also really like to see pictures of self-service areas.

Thank you so much for any tips, suggestions, and experiences.

 

[CHIC]

It would really probably be better to just post a sign with your number on it. It seems like a good idea but you may be inviting bad news into your yard. Some kids could smash all your eggs and take your money. I'm not trying to rain on the parade, it just seems like risky business to me. I'm sure your neighbors won't mind waiting until your home to get eggs

 

[risurocket]

We self serve our eggs. We have a sign out by the road. It tells people to come to the house. In our foyer, right inside our door, there's a small fridge. They can just come get the eggs and put the money in the slotted cash box on our steps. We have had no problems with it, other than the occasional people who apparently can't read the sign that explains how things work, which is on our door.

We also have a "Today" and a "sold out" sign to hang on our road sign to indicate availability.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[CHIC]

Wow thats brave! Do you live in the boondocks?

 

[greathorse]

I know that Lonecowboy (near Longmont) does it, or at least she did I have not been by her house for some time. I believe she had a cooler outside the front door and folks were on the honor system. I am considering trying that, I do not really want folks knocking on the door repeatedly asking for eggs. I am not sure how to do it either, but am hoping to hear some suggestions from folks. I would rather risk losing a few dollars and a few eggs as opposed to a steady stream of traffic. Neighbors might think I am in some kind of funny business LOL

 

[bwebb7]

I do self service egg sales in my front yard!
I have a styrofoam cooler and have it marked:
$2.00 doz or $3.00 18 pack
I also have a little nylon bag in there for them to leave me the cash.
I have not had any vandals or theft issues.
I live in an area where we all have 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 acres.
I have a big sign by a tree that says "fresh eggs" and then under a shade tree, I have a little table with a cooler.
As it has been so stinkin hot I have not left eggs out lately.
My 10 yo old son will take a dozen down the street to a neighbor and come home with a couple of bucks and then another neighbor will pull in the drive and toot. And another one calls or comes over.
When the weather is nice I put them out every evening and collect the money when I refill the eggs.
I also have a note to please bring back the cartons.
Good Luck!
It has been great talking to neighbors I don't usually see also!
P.S. I did get $5 for an 18 pack once but the neighbor siad he would get his next dozen in a couple of days-he loves them fresh!

 

[cmom]

I have a cookie jar with some money in it so people can make change. I keep my eggs in a cooler with a frozen milk jug I change out daily. I have many regular customers that come and get their eggs and just put the money in the cookie jar, I did have a theif. I caught him on video and suggested to him if he came on my property again I would turn the video over to the police. He has not been back.


Click on image to make it larger.

 

[Dar]

I have a semi self serve egg sales

I will have my customers call me or e-mail me first and if I am not home I will leave the eggs in a cooler with ice packs on my porch and they just leave the money in the cooler and if they forget to call they will just come to my door

my one regular customer knows my neighbor and my neighbour knows where my eggs are in the shed fridge so I will get a call on my cell sometimes letting me know that my customer got some eggs.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

There is a farm near me that does this. They put eggs in their childrends old bus shelter in a fridge and ask people put their money in a jar on top of it.

We take orders

 

[briesberrypatch]

I took orders when I was selling eggs, and at $5/dozen (organic) I was always sold out and usually had a waiting list of prospective customers.

There is a hobby farm near me that sells asparagus every spring on the honor system. They have an outbuilding with a porch on the front. They put the asparagus in a cooler on the porch in the morning with a jug of solid ice inside the cooler. The money goes through a slot in a very solid wooden door, so there is no danger of theft.

Personally, I wouldn't have people leave money in a jar or other exposed place. Someone around here (small town) did that and had all their money stolen. It happened at least once - I don't remember if it happened more than once.