Well, I tried it last year and it wasn’t very successful. So not one to be outdone by such things I am trying it again.
Anyone who has travelled around the English countryside will be familiar with the idea of an ‘honesty table’. They are to be seen everywhere.
Basically if you have surplus eggs, plants, fruit, vegetables, jams, breads, whatever – you put a ‘table’ at your gate with your priced articles and trust that people will be honest and trustworthy and pay for whatever they wish to take.
I have seen honesty tables scattered about our countryside too. There’s one in Mucklagh, Co. Offaly that sells bunches of rhubarb in season. There’s a lady in Nenagh who sells her surplus daffodils.
Theresa over at The Green Apron and I were discussing the idea of ‘honesty tables’ recently. Theresa has had as much luck as I have with her one! So we reckon maybe we need to get a campaign going.
When speaking to a couple of ex-colleagues recently – one knew what an honesty table was, the other didn’t.
So now I wonder do folks ‘get it’? Do you understand the concept?
What could be nicer than getting fresh, local produce right from your neighbour? Would you stop at an honesty table?
Do people not want to be seen supporting local? The table is at the gate so you don’t have to engage. Would people prefer to engage? I don’t know the answers, so any suggestions you may have would be welcome.
My table is now into its second week…… and so far no takers!
I shall persevere.
You will probably hear my shouts of joy when the first sale is made! 🙂
A Year In Redwood 
Persevere! I used honesty boxes all the time when I lived in New Zealand. They were all over the place. Love them. Sx
I will Sile…. You’ll hear my shouts of joy when it starts to work!
I wonder do you need another sign, ie 100 yards up the road to alert people? I hope it works for you – makes sense really. Personally I’d like to use them, much quicker than driving into someone’s yard, having to chat for a few minutes etc. Antisocial of me I know!!
Lorna, that’s what I thought and that people might be embarrassed to come right to the house? Tricky putting another sign up. Co Co very strict around here about it, but as someone suggested getting myself noticed by Co Co and in paper might bring customers!!!!
I think they are so unknown in this country that people will be nervous of them. Like the poster above I lived in New Zealand and they are everywhere there. Maybe get your local paper to do a short bit on the idea? Might drum up other business too.
Good plan Lucinda…. press release coming up!
Hope all is well with you… love the photo!
for the most part people are honest so hopefully should do quite well Will you let me know the details for Rhubarb and Daffodil seller please?
Hi Ena, yes I do thing people are mostly honest! I’m not sure if the rhubarb one still operates – I used to see it when driving to work in Tullamore. But the lady in Nenagh puts up a table in an urban setting and sells daffodils for €1 a bunch.
Margaret,
Ours worked…but first we dropped off samples to all the neighbours and told them about it :0) Feel free to borrow children if needed :0) Good luck! We love the concept..it is all over America too xx
Thanks Mona…. I’ve done the freebies already…. I think our biggest issue is lack of population, but hoping to catch the mass goers! Church bulletin might be my next plan 🙂
I love honesty tables and if I were handy to yours I’d buy your eggs! One of our local farmers has a table in the Fall to see his pumpkins and squash. He sets up a little antique money tin and ask $2.00 for pumpkins…any size. I buy my pumpkins from him every Fall. Couldn’t tell you what he looks like but I love his table 😉 Keep persevering!
Thanks for that vote of confidence Paula! Just have to convert people to the concept!
I think Mona has the right idea. From my experience selling food at the market, I think people respond to the person behind the product. They’re paying a little extra for it so they need to know it’s worth it. They need to know that they can trust you and that the food you’re selling is honestly what you say it is. A sign by the side of the road doesn’t really instil that trust. Calling to see them and explaining might. Or even some external sign of your credibility might help (your Bridgestone Award/Blog awards – you could make a copy of them for the sign???). I don’t know really – just my two pennies’ worth!
Thanks Sharon.
I’ve done the neighbourly thing and handed out the samples. I just thought that folks not having to come and engage might be less intimidating?? Shall continue with the experiment.
M
I think your sign needs to explain it’s an honesty table. Lots of us aren’t used to the idea – and might be afraid of an angry table owner running out after us thinking we’re robbing their eggs. But thanks for educating me…I’m fully in support of your campaign!
Good point Grainne! I know lots of locals read (and don’t comment) on the blog… so maybe they’ll see this 🙂
Margaret, we have been doing this for a couple of years and funnily enough the best time for ‘big’ sales is right after mass on Sunday, but not sure if your gateway is on the clerical route, ours is.
Hi Alison, yes our gateway is on the ‘clerical’ route… but Mass is on Saturday night rather than Sunday morning, which may be a hindering factor!
M
I’m from Australia, and I L-O-V-E honesty tables. I find them often when I’m driving out in the country sometimes, and it makes me feel good to stop and buy something. So much better than shopping at a store.
Thank you so much Kelly…. I am slowly trying to educate people here to the idea. I love them myself!
We’ve a honesty box for our eggs, just inside the gate with signs outside, we started about 3 months ago and it’s only picking up now, sold out of eggs twice in the last week. Keep trying, personal contacts are good
The good egg Rathcoole (facebook)
OK good to know I’ve got to wait a while cos I reckon in Rathcoole you’ve got a better population coverage…. but it’s good to know… keep the faith!
I think they’re a great idea Margaret and may even have a go myself this year with eggs, though given we don’t get a lot of passing traffic wont be holding my breath!
Dee, I’d say give it a shot.
We don’t get a pile of passing traffic either, but we do have an 18 student school near us and the church (which has Saturday evening mass). It took 2 weeks for first sale. And I’ve had sales most days this week! So things are definitely looking up. Now to whip the hens into action…. only 4 eggs today – normally I get 10!
[…] am delighted to announce that egg sales are going well on my honesty table! Some days I am selling 1.5 doz eggs – I am not going to be rich, but as I keep telling the […]
Hey there! I’ve been following your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic job!
[…] now added to it on a regular basis either. Once they’re all laying we’ll be trying an honesty table outside the front gate for the excess eggs as Margaret has […]