What is a Zibit? Is it related to the Squirmle?

DaiBato

A Zibit is generally a sideshow gaff. You don't sell a product, but a viewing of a particular creature or item. No product to stock, just one "thing", and you get to use it over and over.
For Zibit information, look down in the Sideshow section of the forum (Just below this one) and go to http://www.grindshow.com to see the master of the zibit Doug Higley.
When it comes to zibits and how to pitch them, he is Yoda.
Do EXACTLY as he says if you want to make money.
I mean EXACTLY.
You change anything, you won't be living up to the potential.
Gwyd

Exhibit.

'Zibit' is my word I came up with many years ago for my Exhibits that I make...seems it has since been adopted and or just considered a generic term for sideshow gaffs but it really is/was a word I made up to differentiate and position my stuff from the other junk out there. Alas I didn't trademark it but it was copyrighted. (as if that matters haha)

'Squirmle' is ALSO a worsd made up be a specific person for HIS specific product but now it seems it is also going a generic route as well. Carl may have trademarked it though since he's a lot smarter than I am. Though none of that did Jello any good did it.


hmm Gwyd thinks I'm a puppet dwarf with a limp...hmmm

It was 86 degrees here in San Antonio yesterday. Beautiful sunshine, no wind. Did an outdoor flea this past weekend. But because I had done only $35 on Saturday with the Svengali cards, I traded them in for the Zibit. My wife had done only $55 with the Zibit on Saturday, so I didn't look for much on Sunday.

Couldn't believe it. Did over $400 and just sat there. NO WORK, NO DEMO, NO PITCH, NO NUTTIN'! Only a little sweat (after all 86 IS 86!) When Doug says to do it his way and don't change anything, HE IS RIGHT! (Tho I DID change one thing)

The girl I had selling strippers did only $140 and SHE REALLY WORKED. As you might imagine, that was very discouraging for her. She left at 3 but I stayed 'til 5 (and probably should have stayed longer--lotsa people still there). I hate to say I got tiresd of taking in money but....I took the signs down 1st, so people wouldn't come in any more. Heck, did $5 more from people who'd been hanging back. They just didn't want to stop coming in.

But frankly, my problem was (and I'm not joking about this) WHAT THE HECK DO YOU DO WITH ALL THOSE $1s? By the time I left, I was putting them in 4 separate pockets so they wouldn't bulge! I gave a lady $60 in $1s and begged her to take more. When I got home, I still had over $200 in $1s!

This is our 1st full weekend with the Zibit so we are still learning. And I have read of guys who did $1200 in a weekend with the Zibit, so $400 is not so wonderful. (Where did THEY put all those $1s?) But I think that $400 for just sitting and smiling is not a bad deal!

Jon

Haha...what a great dilema! Park near the set up! I always did.

There was a Circus guy years ago who took out one of the 1st Zibits under this plan of mine. It was 4th of July weekend in the midwest...he popped over $1500 on the 4th. day! It was steady non stop. Luckily he had his truck right there.

Jeff will pop in here and tell you what he does and Don I'm sure has some advise.

If you don't have your vehicle near (for Water and the Pee bottle) maybe there is a Flea market Office trailer where you can trade in for $100 bills?

Nice goin' John!!!!!!!!!! I told ya! Oh and $447 Is Wonderful! Are you nuts?

Today I did the usual flea market with the Zibit. Did a little less than $200, which I thot was pretty good considering that no one came into my space until after 11 this AM.

I brought ALL my stuff with me when I left, even tho I will go back tomorrow. It takes only a moment to fold the EZ-up and stash it in my van and that way there is no chance someone will want to "borrow" it--even if only the frame. Some people are really crazy/stupid these days.

Speaking of interesting situations (we WERE, weren't we?) I had one family who gave me the $s one person at a time. It seemed the each had their own money. But one of the kids had only about 42 cents. "Can I come in for this?", he asked.

"Well, how can I let you in for 42 cents when everyone else paid $1?. Could you keep one eye closed?" He was wearing sun glasses, so I couldn't see EITHER eye.

"YEAH YEAH!!"

"I'M JOKING! How would I know you only had one eye open? I can't see either eye!"

"I promise!"

"Nope, sorry, guy. Really can't do it." About that time, one of his parents handed him $1 and he came in.

"Are you using one or two eyes?", I asked.

"I paid a dollar--I'M USING BOTH OF 'EM!"

Again, I gave out about $60 in change to other vendors, still had almost $100 in $1s PLUS $9.05 in change (One kid gave me a nickel too much but I was too busy to notice.)

One of the main questions I get asked is "Is it real?"

I always say, "It's real UGLY!" And follow it up with, "I really don't know exactly what it is (Doug never told me his secret formula!) but I know it isn't alive." That usually takes care of the question, tho today, MANY people asked me what it cost. And a few asked me if I'm making money doing it.

I tell 'em it cost a zillion bux and today is really pretty slow (aren't they all?) ;-)

But frankly, I STILL can't get accustomed to just SITTING! I even brought a book today but as soon as I started reading it, it seemed THAT was when people started coming in, so I never got far in the book. At that rate, that book should last all summer!

Jon