Maybe or Maybe Not?
Let’s get this over with, once and for all. If you are the kind of person that needs to have all of your ducks in a row, then spend away. Get every permit that you will ever need or whatever it takes to feel secure with the authorities. As a newbie, I was real nervous about this when I first started working markets.
On the other hand, why spend the money if you don’t have to? I’ve seen newbie vendors, including myself, so scared about the law that they could hardly function.
Did I Say Break The Law? Of Course NOT!
What I am saying is, check out the rules before hand. Find out what you really need and what you don’t. Often there will be a bunch of requirements by different government branches posted at the market office. The office is required to post these notices.
The Big Question.
Are they enforced?
?
How often?
?
Never?
?
Always?
Copyright © 2004 Larry L. Austin
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?
Sometimes?
?
Different times of the year?
It would be a large mistake to ask the market office about these rules. They will be obliged to tell you that all of the required permits must be purchased, of course.
It’s better to ask a couple of vendors about this kind of stuff before you go and spend your hard-earned money.
Do this before you set up; who knows - it might be a better idea to go on down the road to another area?
Here’s a good example of what I’ve been talking about. I was set up at a nice East coast Florida market. It was in May. Everything was going fine; beautiful weather, brisk sales.
Then, about 10:00 that morning, a guy walks up to my booth. He’s got a pull
behind cart with him, some books, and other stuff.
He says, “Hi, I am the county license man. So do you have a county license to sell at flea markets?”
I calmly replied “No, this is the first time I’ve set up in this county. How much is it?”
“Twenty five dollars” he replied.
“Well let me go ahead and get one.” I reached for my wallet.
Copyright © 2004 Larry L. Austin
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I n s i d e r S e c r e t s T o F l e a M a r k e t P r o f i t s - L a r r y L . A u s t i n P a g e 3 7 o f 1 0 1
“No need for that.” he said. “Look, just buy the four dollar, temporary license.
This is the last time that I’ll be around this market until next tourist season in the fall. No need to spend your money until then!”
So, thanks to this cool tax man, he saved me $21 dollars. $21 dollars more in the wallet at the end of the weekend!
What I am saying is, some areas of the country are real tight on permits and
licenses and other are easy.
One vendor that I know, worked all summer in a Southern market without any kind of permit, not even a state tax number.
At the end of the summer, he asked the lady who collected the booth rent if there was any need to get a tax number. She replied, “as far as we are concerned, you never worked here at all”.
Needless to say, that vendor left with a smile on his face.
It’s your call. I can’t decide for you. Just be careful and go with whatever needs to be done.
Copyright © 2004 Larry L. Austin
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