open house...any legal implications?

[cardsbykatie]

I'm planning on having an open house end of november where I will have my jewellery and cards on sale, one riend is bringing bath bombs and soap loaves along with her friends glassware and another friend is bringing some avon stuff.

Does anyone know if there are any legal implications? Any extra taxes to pay for using my home? Am I allowed top charge a door fee? Thinking of charging £2 entrance fee refundable off any purchase...what do u think?

Any help and suggestions very welcome!!

Katie

[beadsbydesign]

I wouldn't charge a door fee, unless you were selling tickets in advance. TBH it sounds cheeky to invite people to your home and then charge them entry.
I offer coffee and cakes to everyone. There is a charity donation box on the cake table, but in no way do i expect people to feel obliged.
I do a free door entry prize which means I collect the details from everyone who comes.
My insurance company will not cover me in the event of any damage or theft during the event, but my house is not a "posh" place and I accept those terms.

[cardsbykatie]

Thanks. Will prob drop the door charge idea than...just thinking that we might be posting leaflets in area and will give a free glass of wine so didn't want people to just turn up for that. Maybe I'll just get lambrini

[auntynet]

I would have some reservations about inviting complete strangers into your home courtesy of a flyer you have posted through letter boxes. You have no idea who will turn up!

I'd be more inclined to ask people I know to invite people that they know to invite people that they know and I would probably leave it at that. At least then should anything go wrong - god forbid - that everyone is traceable.

Maybe its just my over-cautious (read suspicious) nature.

[Fluffy Squirrel]

I would have some reservations about inviting complete strangers into your home courtesy of a flyer you have posted through letter boxes. You have no idea who will turn up!

I'd be more inclined to ask people I know to invite people that they know to invite people that they know and I would probably leave it at that. At least then should anything go wrong - god forbid - that everyone is traceable.

Maybe its just my over-cautious (read suspicious) nature.

Totally agree with you - in this day and age, it's far better to be safe than sorry.

[sunrise]

we're having one of these on Saturday but just for our cards and gifts( I'm soooooooooo nervous )
we've only asked people we know but we are doing a flier for the people coming to say if they've enjoyed themselves then would they like to have a party at their house and invite their friends and family
that way we can reach a wider audience

[onlyme]

Oooo....I wouldn't dare invite a load of strangers into my home, I think you are very brave! Good luck with the party though and let us know how it goes.

[cardsbykatie]

There will be quite a few of us manning it and only local streets invited so not too worried...maybe I will be nearer the day! I've just met with one of my friends to organise and were gonna have mulled wine and a mince pie for everyone and a charity raffle. I'm also going to give out some flyers to advertise for people having a jewellery party afterwards. Getting quite excited/nervous now!

[auntynet]

You know what Katie - i may owe you an apology. For some reason I thought you had said you were posting flyers/leaflets in letterboxes but I've just re-read your original post and there's no mention of this.

Sorry if I have jumped to some unfounded conclusions - I don't know where I got that impression.

As for any legal implications - which you did ask about - I think that as long as you don't do this on a regular basis then there shouldn't be any problems. After all its a bit like having a tuppaware party really.

As someone else mentioned - there is the insurance issue but if they're people you know then I wouldn't think it would cause you any worries.

Sorry again for jumping the gun. You can slap my hand if you want to.

[cardsbykatie]

No, u were right...we will prob put some flyers through a few local doors so there could be people turn up we don't know...although between us prob know a lot. Will mainly be friends etc though!

[Aviya Glass]

Thanks. Will prob drop the door charge idea than...just thinking that we might be posting leaflets in area and will give a free glass of wine so didn't want people to just turn up for that. Maybe I'll just get lambrini

I would be concerned about safety, just because folk live near you does not mean they have the same values / respect for others as you do.

As a suggestion - leaflet the area but leave a phone number only and then people can contact you for a 'ticket' so that those arriving have had some kind of connection first? (please ignore if this is a rubbish idea )

[Katianne]

If I wanted to do this sort of event, I think I would be more inclined to hold the event away from the home (I know, not quite open house then is it!). For example, you could use a local pub that has a function room - quite often these can be free to hire, although I haven't looked into it myself so not sure of the terms?

I would agree that I would tend to invite friends, colleagues, family etc and ask them to bring people with them.

You seem quite happy with things though and like you've spent a lot of time planning the event, so all the best and let us know how it goes!

[krafty1]

Sorry I hope this doesn't sound rude or cheeky but I'd be verrry wary of inviting people into my home that I didn't personally know well.

If you and your friends are all, say for example, engrossed with customers and someone wanders off and says they are going to the loo, it's just possible that they might go into one of the other rooms in your house...as someone else as said - not everyone is a nice person.

I apologise for sounding negative and I really hope it all goes well but please be wary

[beadsbydesign]

I hand out little fliers to mums at school and to people at church. The fliers invite them to invite their friends.

When people come in, they enter via the kitchen and (can then only follow the patural passage my house is) then enter my workroom and then the loubge. There is no where else to go as I move the sofa up to the exit the lounge door so I can fit in the tables.
I've been doing the open house for several years now and have never had any issues with security etc.

[CeeGee]

I agree with others who've cautioned against handing out flyers to people you have no connection with. Seems to me to be a perfect opportunity to check out your house with a view to coming back to break in - maybe I just have a warped mind. How are you going to keep an eye on everyone, and what happens if someone asks to use the loo?! Any honest customer may be offended to have an escort () and you don't want strangers wandering round unaccompanied.

Whatever you decide to do though, good luck with it!