The Best Way to Offer Mystery Items & Clearance Deals at Craft Shows

Mystery items and clearance deals are powerful tools for vendors. Whether you're looking to clear out slow-moving inventory, move B-grade items, or boost your revenue, mystery packs can turn unsold stock into profitable, exciting purchases for customers.

I’ve tested a variety of approaches, from fully opaque mystery packs to bundled clearance deals, and I’ve learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t). Here’s how to make the most of mystery sales at craft shows, online, and even in an ArtVend vending machine.

💡 Want to maximize your profits on clearance items? Scroll down and sign up for our email list and get a free Clearance Sale Cheat Sheet!

1. What to Include in Mystery Packs

I personally only include:
✅ Slow-selling items – Products that aren’t moving at full price
✅ Old inventory – Designs from past seasons or past years
✅ B-grade items – Items with small imperfections that aren’t worth full price but are still usable

I prioritize offering mystery packs at a big discount—if customers don’t want these items at full price, I ask myself:

💡 How can I make them an offer they can’t refuse?

This is the key to turning unsold stock into a revenue driver instead of dead inventory.

2. Mystery Pack Packaging: Clear vs. Opaque

I originally tried selling my mystery sticker packs in opaque packaging, where customers couldn’t see anything inside. They didn’t sell well.

When I switched to clear bags so people could see at least some of what they were getting, sales took off, these packs became a top revenue earner!

🔹 What I learned: Customers still love a little surprise, but they want to feel like they have some control over their purchase.

💡 If your mystery packs aren’t selling, try switching to clear packaging!

3. Signage & Marketing: Make It Its Own Product

Mystery packs aren’t just a way to offload extra stock—they should be marketed like a standalone product.

✅ Use big, clear signage – Let customers know what they’re getting and what they’re paying
✅ Highlight the deal – Make it obvious that this is a special discount
✅ Display them prominently – Don’t hide them in a corner—give them their own space!

💡 Example: I treat my mystery sticker scoops as their own product, not just a clearance item. By giving them a clear identity and strong signage, they became one of my best-selling items.

4. Bundling & Clearance Deals

Another great way to move slow sellers or B-grade stock is through bundles and clearance discounts.

🔹 Bundling slow-moving items with best-sellers

Example: Pair an older design sticker with a newer, popular one
Helps move inventory faster without deep discounts

🔹 Discounting B-grade items

Example: Selling B-grade enamel pins, cigarette cases, or mirrors at a lower price instead of letting them sit
Customers love deals. They’re happy to grab a discounted item with minor flaws

💡 Future Plan: I hope to introduce mystery bags for larger items like tote bags and apparel to move overstock and older designs.

5. Using the ArtVend for Mystery Sales

One of my favorite ways to use my ArtVend vending machine is for mystery B-grade items.

💡 How I Set It Up:

$5 per token
Each level has a different product category
- Level 1: Pill cases
- Level 2: Cigarette cases
- Level 3: Mirrors

This way, customers still get some choice but love the mystery aspect. This setup has been my best-performing ArtVend strategy!

If you have an ArtVend machine or are thinking about getting one, mystery sales can be a great way to keep it stocked with high-margin, fun items!

6. Download Your Free Clearance Sale Cheat Sheet!

Want a step-by-step guide to running a profitable clearance sale? Sign up for our email list and get a free downloadable cheat sheet with:

✅ Pricing formulas to ensure you make a profit
✅ Strategies for clearing out inventory without devaluing products
✅ Signage & marketing tips to increase clearance sales

Offering mystery items and clearance deals can increase sales, clear inventory, and excite customers—but only if done right.

🔹 Clear packaging = more sales
🔹 Strong signage makes mystery packs feel like a “must-buy”
🔹 Bundling B-grade or slow sellers helps move inventory
🔹 The ArtVend is a great way to gamify mystery sales!

Looking for a creative way to take your market setup up a notch? An ArtVend vending machine attracts customers of all ages. Check out The ArtVend and start vending your art today!