Post #796773 by TheBigT on Mon, Aug 12, 2019 7:37 AM

What I've observed in my limited vending experience pretty much lines up with tikiskip's comments.

I've only vended locally in Houston. Luckily, all the events have been no fee or low fee. I don't think I could afford to vend at any high dollar events. At the end of the day I'm making minimum wage money (if that). I'm vending in Austin pretty soon, so that will be gas, travel time, hotel, eating out, and a small booth fee. Luckily, since it's close and pretty low cost, I might break even.

If you're charging a significant vending fee, why on earth would you also make a bunch of rules the vendors have to follow? One event did entertain the idea of asking all vendors to donate a small item to be used as raffle give-aways during the show. I wasn't really happy with that idea either. Better to have it be on a volunteer basis or the show buys items from you for the raffle.

In the end, I do the shows to get my art work out there and hang with my buddies. But it's not like I need the shows. I'm always seriously behind on requests from friends and family. And I don't have aspirations of it becoming a full time gig.