Dear reader, my relationship to vending at markets has changed.
Why? Simply put: Because everyone is doing it, and not everyone should. I have a lot of respect for the organizers who put together the markets I attend. But sometimes, that is not enough.
In 2024, I actually was able to quit my part time job and go back into Amber’s Attick full time all because of vending at Wilmington events. Can you believe that? Amazing. So, going into 2025, I had every intention to focus on markets as opportunities to make majority of my money (like the year before).
I tried my best to pick markets that would be a good fit for my business and I felt very lucky to be able to make my sales goals most of the time and receive good feedback on my curated and upcycled pieces from many kind customers. This is the best part of doing any event, and I am grateful. However…
Throughout the year, I started to notice a few things:
- Higher vendor fees (for the same or lower foot traffic and advertising efforts)
- Lack of communication between seasoned and new event organizers
- No opportunity to provide feedback as a vendor
Over the past few years, I have had a few things happen that illuminated the following:
- Like strippers have to pay the house even though they’re doing all the dances, we vendors “dance” and customers buy, but the house wins at the end of the day.* The people who get to say who is “accepted” to their events have an understanding of their power to make or break a small business’ day, quarter, or sometimes year. They can charge whatever they want for as little as they please, and that is their prerogative.
- Many small business owners are afraid of perceived as a “problem,” and as a result won’t even stick up for themselves when wronged.
- The cliques are out of control. The same vendors do the same events over and over again with no change in theme, making it less exciting for repeat customers.
*This is an analogy: I am not saying vendors are strippers (unless they actually are: in which case, I support you!)
You didn’t see me at events in December of last year due to inclement weather (and me feeling under the weather). It was not the end of the season I desired, but it was the one I got. The last market of the year in particular was very disappointing...
I had so looked forward to The Cargo District’s Fall & Winter Fests 2025, because we had so much fun in 2024 (and tend to do well when we pop up in the Cargo District).
This year, I realized the terrible organization (no day-of contact, no marketing that included the names of any vendors who paid to pop up…barely any marketing at all, to be honest) paired with the terrible weather meant my last market of the year was a bust. But Fall Fest was the warning.
Fall Fest was a warning, because all communication to me from the organizer was done through Instagram message at first, not email. I had to ask for things that would typically be given (prime example: appropriate time to set up - I had to ask for more than 45 mins allotted for all vendors to unload and set up for a 4 hour event). I never heard back when I asked if the outdoor class they had scheduled during set up would impact parking. I knew they most likely didn’t know what they were doing, but that was okay, because I’d set up there many times over the years. And Fall Fest went well, even though I didn’t agree with how they split up the vendors and barely advertised.
Winter Fest was over before it began! The rain and wind were strong, hardly anyone was around to vend, and I showed up with my sister bright and early to try to make the most of the day. The rain and wind came down HARD as soon as we and one other vendor had popped our tents. Time was passing to the point where if the market was to happen on time, all the vendors were late. Our booth neighbor decided to leave, and we were alone for a while. Looking around for anyone in charge, seeing no one for hours. It wasn’t until after 2 hours of being there, after we had waited, watched, and made the call to leave, that someone shows up. The first time I ever had the sense to leave before all my product got soaked, I get called out for “bailing,” and reminded it’s a rain-or-shine event by a woman I didn’t recognize and had never met…who apparently was one of the organizers. I was freezing cold and soaked with rain by that time, so it really hurt my feelings. I felt like a failure for trying to protect my products, and do what was best for my business.
If you know the feeling of having to pack up before an event even begins, my heart goes out to you. No one would choose that, considering all the effort that goes into events.
Next year, I will be even more selective as to which markets I apply to and attend. I am also taking all of Q1 to focus on making improvements to the website and creating amazing unique pieces to adorn you in sustainable style!
To end this on a high note, I will share my favorite markets I vended in 2025 (in no particular order):
RALEIGH:
- North Carolina Vintage Bazaar (January 2025)
- Raleigh-Durham Punk Flea (October 2025)
- Fall Back Vintage Market (October 2025)
WILMINGTON:
- Curated on Castle Vintage Market
To stay informed of my events, follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ambersattick
Thank you so much for reading.
Til next time, Amber