Let me show you the five most common vendor booth price tag mistakes I see at antique malls—and exactly what to do instead to increase your sales.
Why Your Vendor Booth Price Tags Matter More Than You Think
Before we dive into the mistakes, here’s the truth: buyers make snap decisions. If they can’t immediately see a clear, professional price, they’re moving to the next booth. Your pricing system needs to build trust instantly, not create friction.
Let’s fix the mistakes that are costing you sales.
Mistake #1: Leaving Thrift Store Price Tags On Your Items
What’s happening: You left the Goodwill sticker on that says “$3.99” right next to your price tag that says “$18.”
Why it kills sales: Nothing destroys buyer confidence faster than showing them exactly how much you marked something up. Even if your markup is fair (and it probably is—you’re running a business!), the visual contrast makes buyers feel ripped off.
What to do instead:
- Remove ALL original price tags before pricing items (I love my Scotty Peeler – buy a couple in case you lose them!)
- Use Goo Gone for sticky residue
- Your booth should look like a curated collection, not a thrift store shelf
Mistake #2: Missing Price Tags (Or Tags That Keep Falling Off)
What’s happening: Items have no price tag at all, or tags that have fallen off and are sitting nearby.
Why it kills sales: 90% of buyers won’t track you down to ask for a price. They’ll just leave your booth. You’re literally losing sales while you’re not even there.
What to do instead:
- Use the right attachment method for each item:
- Safety pins for fabric items (through seams, not visible areas)
- String tags for items with handles or loops
- Small adhesive tags for hard surfaces (avoid tape)
- Jewelry tags with split rings for small items
- Double-check tags weekly during booth maintenance
- Keep a pricing gun or extra tags in your booth bin for quick fixes
- Consider a small sign: “Can’t find a price? Ask the Front Desk!” as a backup
Find more price tag supplies here.
Mistake #3: Illegible Handwriting on Your Vendor Booth Price Tags
What’s happening: Your handwriting is messy, the ink is smudged, or the pencil is so faded that buyers genuinely can’t tell if something is $8 or $80.
Why it kills sales: Uncertainty kills purchases. If buyers can’t confidently read the price, they assume it’s more than they want to pay and move on.
What to do instead:
- Print tags if your handwriting isn’t clear (The Niimbot label printer is a lifesaver for me!)
- Use a quality permanent marker (Sharpie fine point in black)
- Write in LARGE, clear numbers
- Practice your pricing numbers if you’re writing by hand—make 5s and 8s distinct
- Test your tags from 3 feet away—if YOU can’t read them easily, neither can buyers
Price tag template tip: Create a simple template in Canva with your booth name and blank price field, print on cardstock, and fill in prices with a marker. This gives you professional-looking vendor booth price tags for pennies.
Mistake #4: Writing Prices in Sharpie Directly on Items
What’s happening: You’re writing “$12” in Sharpie directly on glass, ceramics, vintage labels, or other merchandise.
Why it kills sales: You’ve just permanently devalued (or ruined) the item. Sharpie is extremely difficult to remove from porous surfaces and can damage vintage labels, maker’s marks, and finishes. Buyers notice this and see it as unprofessional.
What to do instead:
- Never write directly on merchandise (not even on the bottom)
- Exceptions: You can write on modern plastic clothing hangers or in spots that will be completely hidden
- Use removable tags attached to the item:
- Hang tags with a string
- Adhesive tags placed on glass or smooth surfaces (test removability first)
- Small stickers on the bottom of items IF they’re easily removable
- For items that are hard to tag: Use small acrylic sign holders or create a numbered display system
Mistake #5: Tape Placement That Ruins the Display
What’s happening: You slapped masking tape with the price right over the maker’s mark, the vintage label, or the prettiest design element of the piece. Or worse, the tape ruins the finish on a custom piece.
Why it kills sales: You’re literally covering up the reason someone would want to buy it. Vintage buyers NEED to see maker’s marks and labels—that’s often what makes an item valuable. Plus, tape residue damages items and looks sloppy.
What to do instead:
- Use string tags or hang tags instead of tape whenever possible
- If you must use tape: Place it on the back, bottom, or an inconspicuous spot
- Use painter’s tape or removable masking tape, not packing tape
- For paper items, use corner holders or clear plastic sleeves instead of taping
- Show off maker’s marks in your display—they’re selling points, not things to hide
Pro tip: For valuable items with important labels or marks, take a photo before you price them so you can show details to interested buyers.
How to Create Professional Vendor Booth Price Tags That Sell
Now that you know what NOT to do, here’s how to create vendor booth price tags that actually help you sell:
Your price tag checklist:
- All tags are clearly legible from 3 feet away
- Prices are written in a consistent format ($XX.XX)
- Tags are securely attached but won’t damage items
- No original store tags are visible
- Maker’s marks and labels are visible and unobstructed
- You have a system for quick repricing or missing tag replacement
Budget-friendly materials for professional vendor booth price tags:
- Blank cardstock tags from Amazon
- Quality black permanent marker
- String or ribbon for hanging tags
- Small safety pins for fabric items
- Removable adhesive labels for smooth surfaces
The Bottom Line: Your Vendor Booth Price Tags Are Either Making You Money or Costing You Sales
Your display can be perfect, but if your vendor booth price tags are unclear, unprofessional, or damaging your merchandise, you’re losing sales every single day.
The good news? Fixing your pricing system costs almost nothing and can immediately increase your booth’s sales. Start with these five fixes, and watch your buyers’ confidence—and your profits—go up.
Your next step: Walk through your booth this week and audit every single price tag. Fix the ones that are illegible, falling off, or poorly placed. Your future sales will thank you.
Running a vintage or antique booth? Join our Vintage Booth Pro Facebook Community
