merchanting, SCA and other events: Equal Opportunity Rant
ok, let me make this clear:
i am a merchant, and i am in this to make money. in fact with my husband currently unemployed it is our only income.
i am NOT going to lie about my stock, i got into what i carry because i love it. i am really fascinated by embroidery, knitting, beads, stones, and other crafts.. its why i got into this business, and i can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about anything i carry.
want to know the truth about Corsets? yarn/fiber content? where my stones came from?
ask me
or for that matter, try to shut me up.
what i am not:
a rich person that an event organizer can soak for a ton of money and shove into a corner where people can ignore me and not buy stuff.
and seriously....if you have a wealthy person who likes your group (SCA, craft fair, pagan event, whatever) why treat them this way? you WANT the potential sponsor to run away? treat them badly.
seriously, merchants can make or break your event.
want merchants? want GOOD merchants?merchants that add to the style, that look good, and are knowledgeable? maybe leading classes? then YOUR event, and you as the organizer need a good reputation. you need to make merchants convenient and easy to see, and you need to be up front about what is going on at your event, who will be there, etc.
want to stand around wondering why you always get the crppy merchants with made in China junk that looks out of place at your event, and you cant get anyone better? well take a look at the merchant fees. If only people who have a 500% mark up on cheap trash can make a buck at your event..THAT is who you will get.
don't want merchants? say so
want merchants who really look appropriate for your event? there is this process called Jurying. it means having a merchant send pictures of their stock, or their booth.. or only taken personally referred merchants or whatever.
it also means BEING CLEAR in your webpage or notice that:
"this is a ______ event. we only want merchants with goods and booths that help enhance this (period/style/theme) and if your booth doesnt measure up you will be asked to leave. in order to prevent mis understandings PLEASE contact the merchant liaison and we will go over it with you"
or
"the only merchant spaces available will be for people teaching classes at this event"
or
"first come, first spot. be here when we open or forget about it"
whatever, just be CLEAR and HONEST.
and guys? autocrats/merchant coordinators/whatever....
i have to make double my expenses (at least) JUST TO BREAK EVEN
that means my booth rent, food, gas, pet sitter, etc.. doubled. JUST TO NOT LOSE MONEY.
because i have to replace my stock, you know?
for people like book sellers who have a slimmer profit margin its even worse.
so next time you decide to charge X dollars per space, remember that i have to make (x plus other expenses, which can be a lot)x2 just to not take money out of my bank account. there have been events where it would have been cheaper for me to take my cats' food budget and just hand it to you, because at least i wouldn't ALSO be out jewelry and beads i have to replace.
you want a better event? and better merchants? be a good merchant coordinator.
there are event organizers that i go out of my way for, recommend, and help publicize their events... thats a lot of extra boost that i am not being paid for, why? because i know they have my back.
no, its no guarantee i will make money, but i know they did their best, so i do my best FOR them.
thats what you want. if you cant handle that just say "no merchants" and leave me out of your events.
this has been a public service announcement/rant
i am a merchant, and i am in this to make money. in fact with my husband currently unemployed it is our only income.
i am NOT going to lie about my stock, i got into what i carry because i love it. i am really fascinated by embroidery, knitting, beads, stones, and other crafts.. its why i got into this business, and i can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about anything i carry.
want to know the truth about Corsets? yarn/fiber content? where my stones came from?
ask me
or for that matter, try to shut me up.
what i am not:
a rich person that an event organizer can soak for a ton of money and shove into a corner where people can ignore me and not buy stuff.
and seriously....if you have a wealthy person who likes your group (SCA, craft fair, pagan event, whatever) why treat them this way? you WANT the potential sponsor to run away? treat them badly.
seriously, merchants can make or break your event.
want merchants? want GOOD merchants?merchants that add to the style, that look good, and are knowledgeable? maybe leading classes? then YOUR event, and you as the organizer need a good reputation. you need to make merchants convenient and easy to see, and you need to be up front about what is going on at your event, who will be there, etc.
want to stand around wondering why you always get the crppy merchants with made in China junk that looks out of place at your event, and you cant get anyone better? well take a look at the merchant fees. If only people who have a 500% mark up on cheap trash can make a buck at your event..THAT is who you will get.
don't want merchants? say so
want merchants who really look appropriate for your event? there is this process called Jurying. it means having a merchant send pictures of their stock, or their booth.. or only taken personally referred merchants or whatever.
it also means BEING CLEAR in your webpage or notice that:
"this is a ______ event. we only want merchants with goods and booths that help enhance this (period/style/theme) and if your booth doesnt measure up you will be asked to leave. in order to prevent mis understandings PLEASE contact the merchant liaison and we will go over it with you"
or
"the only merchant spaces available will be for people teaching classes at this event"
or
"first come, first spot. be here when we open or forget about it"
whatever, just be CLEAR and HONEST.
and guys? autocrats/merchant coordinators/whatever....
i have to make double my expenses (at least) JUST TO BREAK EVEN
that means my booth rent, food, gas, pet sitter, etc.. doubled. JUST TO NOT LOSE MONEY.
because i have to replace my stock, you know?
for people like book sellers who have a slimmer profit margin its even worse.
so next time you decide to charge X dollars per space, remember that i have to make (x plus other expenses, which can be a lot)x2 just to not take money out of my bank account. there have been events where it would have been cheaper for me to take my cats' food budget and just hand it to you, because at least i wouldn't ALSO be out jewelry and beads i have to replace.
you want a better event? and better merchants? be a good merchant coordinator.
there are event organizers that i go out of my way for, recommend, and help publicize their events... thats a lot of extra boost that i am not being paid for, why? because i know they have my back.
no, its no guarantee i will make money, but i know they did their best, so i do my best FOR them.
thats what you want. if you cant handle that just say "no merchants" and leave me out of your events.
this has been a public service announcement/rant