Occasionally, you will set up next to someone unpleasant. They will try to take advantage of you. You must nip this in the bud. Here’s how I handle it. No I don’t get my six-shooter or my cattle prod. Not yet, (just kidding)!
If your next-door neighbor puts his tables on the side lines with no walk space in his booth, (he thinks he’ll steal a couple feet out of yours). Here’s what I do. First I politely ask, “excuse me, were you planning to sell down the sides of your
booth?” If he says yes, then I explain, “good, then you will need to set your tables in a couple of feet. That way, our customers will have room to get to your
merchandise inside you own space. I’ll do the same and we will have plenty of room for our side displays”.
If he or she starts to give me a hard time about it, I just excuse myself. I go and get the manager and let him settle it. When I talk to the person in charge, I calmly and politely explain that I have a problem with the vendor next to me. I ask him to resolve the problem.
This usually works out. The manager checks out the trouble and tells the vendor to move in his set up so that we both share the side walk-way.
Now if you don’t want to “go and tell”, there’s another way to deal with it.
Reverse your set up. Place you tables right up to your sidelines and butt them up next to his. This blocks him off. Now the customers can enter your booth from the Copyright © 2004 Larry L. Austin
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inside and go down the sides completely inside your booth. The trick here is to be flexible. Enjoy and make lots of sales. Don’t let another vendor ruin your day.
Here’s another trick that a few vendors will try to pull. They place their
merchandise in front of your booth. Sometimes they will even try to block your side traffic with their merchandise. Again handle the situation calmly and, if need be, don’t hesitate to get the manager.
In some markets, it is customary to place your tables back-to-back with the next booth. I’m talking about the side tables. This provides only side access in your own space. No problem. Go with the flow!
Also, notice how the market is set up. Every market has its rules and customs;
• Sometimes when the market furnish the tables, they want them all set up
their way.
• Other markets let you rearrange the tables to suit yourself.
• In outdoor markets, it is not uncommon for you to have to furnish your own tables.
• Some markets only allow you to sell off the front tables, all butted together in one long row with no access to the inside of your area.
Just check around before you set up. If you have a question, ask the office first.
Don’t try anything that will get you kicked out.
Copyright © 2004 Larry L. Austin
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