Competeing with Importers

[Former_Member]

I had a bit of an issue when a local craft fair who's motto was : buy local, buy handmade not only let a importer into the show but featured them!

I went to their website and it clearly stated that everything was made in Bali and that she just "curates" collections.

I feel like these types of shows should be for people like us who do indeed make their own items,not only is it not fair but they compete with us in the fact that we can't match their prices and make any type of profit!

Am I crazy? Does this type of thing bother anyone else?

[weekendjewelry1]

Absolutely and totally. And it is a huge problem. I do think when it's local people, that you can sometimes go to them and express your concerns. With big out of town shows, that's not always possible. But for this one? I'd be pretty vocal. She knew they had imported stuff and she featured them? No, come on, that's just wrong.

[Former_Member]

Thank you, the importer and the craft fair ripped me apart on social media (even though I was polite) I'm glad someone understands!

I mean sneak her in if she's going to be there at all, that's bad enough but actively promote her, she wasn't even local!

[PrairiePrimitives]

OMG ... yes, it annoys the crap outta me to see anything "manufactured" at a craft fair.

[KiltedWoman]

I think I would have less problem with an importer of unique goods than the Scentsy, Cookie Lee, Silpada, Avon vendors. At least stuff from Bali looks handmade and could add interest to the show. But yeah, maybe there should be a requirement that the actual creator is present. At my last show there were several hand crafters under pricing so that problem is present even without importers. My stuff was priced "too high" but I still did well. It helps to be unique.

[FlameOnGlass]

That is why I love our local market. No imports. Everything has to be made on our island by hand.

[woodsmokewoolworks]

Importers at a craft show? You have got to be kidding.
What social media did the attack you on? I would be more than pleased to let them know that resellers/importers, no matter what are not acceptable.

[TigersandDragons]

You aren't crazy - this drives me nuts too!

See if you can get other crafters from the same show to complain to the organizers as well. You need more people to make noise, if the crafters don't speak up, who will? And then when the shows are ruined for us and full of manufactured goods....and we can no longer make a living....we'll be sorry that we didn't speak up.

[TigersandDragons]

"At least stuff from Bali looks handmade and could add interest to the show."

The seller is free to sell the items they bought in many places, it is WRONG that they have a booth at a craft show when they are not handcrafting. It is WRONG that the organizer is promoting and allowing them a booth, if the organizer is promoting the show to sellers and buyers as "buy local, buy handmade".

If they want to run a "gift show" or "Women's show" available to any commercial vendor (tupperware, scentsy, whatever!), then they should do so, but not deceive crafters and showgoers who want to support handcraft - by claiming the show has one set of standards, but then boldly ignoring these standards!

Even if it is handmade by craftspeople in Bali, it usually has a distinctive look that an experienced jewellery maker can pick out. But most customers will not know the difference. This resellers is stealing sales from other jewellery makers who have invested time and skill in their craft, instead of taking the easy way out and being a reseller.

[Former_Member]

You guys are awesome! After a 4 day battle on Facebook of all places I was exhausted!

Not to mention it's a small town and these people probably wont let me into to any future shows but oh well I had to speak up and tell the truth! Glad to see I'm not alone!

Tigersanddragons you took the words right out of my mouth, P.S your store is awesome:)

[TWOamDESIGNs]

I see resellers at most of the shows I do, even if the promoters state the event is for hand made only. My guess is they don't care who they get their money from, they just want to fill their spaces.

[KiltedWoman]

So what was the argument people were giving you on Facebook? You certainly are right that if it is advertised as buy local then reselling foreign goods doesn't count.
I can see where a small town show would bend the rules but your point is valid. They should change the advertising to reflect what vendors they actually have.

[Former_Member]

The argument was mostly with the actual vendor (even though I told her my problem was not with her but the craft fair) but she went off about her degree in art and how she curates these collections and supports women and blah blah and the craft fair had a right to pick who they wanted etc..

The craft fair not only never addressed the issue but made sure they liked everyone of her comments as a show of support, the only statement they said was that they have mostly local vendors and then went off on a bunch of PR about how lucky we were to even have the craft fair.

It was a mess how they handled it, if they would ya we did it because of this and that but they were totally sheepish about it and stood by while this lady went off on me.

Needless to say I wont be back and am thinking of staring my own Craft Fair!

[Former_Member]

I might also note that several local artists were passed up because there were more applications than slots! So it was not a matter of not enough local talent

[KiltedWoman]

That's sad, she must have friends on the inside or some sort of influence. Really makes no sense.

[Former_Member]

I had "Professional Craft Show Sellers" - two sisters next to me at an indoor show sponsored by the graduating high school class so I thought it would bring good support - WRONG - was very low attendance and I tribute my zero sales to these sisters who was telling a buyer that they buy all the things (definitely imported) - they were tiny little zippered purses. One gal actually jumped out and stopped people every time with her demonstrations and sales talk (did get some buyers) most people skirted away from her and skipped me completely to get away from her. Very upsetting to have someone so aggressive next to me - 2 days earlier I had a great day selling at our Senior Center!

[andidanie]

I do a monthly art walk that clearly states in the rules for participating that all items must be handmade, which is the main reason I do that event: we're not competing with the resellers. At the December event, I was right next to a lady who was taking animatronic Santas from Big Lots out of the box. Her booth was 100% NOT handmade. I said something to the organizer and he was like, oh, I didn't notice (after walking past her booth 80 times that day).

It's bad enough they let the "artists" sell items with copyrighted characters. It's an artwalk... where is the artistic integrity??

And then I feel like the problem vendor, because I'm pretty sure I'm the only one whoever says anything :/

[Former_Member]

If a show is being promoted as handmade and local only, then it is the promoters job to honor that. There is nothing wrong with a "mixed " show as long as everyone is aware of that. I personally will not do a show that is resellers with handmade because both iems I sell (jewelry and leather goods) are hard to compete against resellers.

I cohost a show with my sister and our application goes as far as to say handmade by the seller because it's too easy for people to say its handmade (just not by them)

[Former_Member]

That is kinda crazy and annoying... I can imagine your aggravation. :/

[khmetalwork]

If the application / contract said 'handmade by the Seller only' tell the promoter you want your money back or you're taking them to Small Claims Court (and mean it).

I did a show that stated on the application 'handmade by Seller only', there were multiple resale booths*, I gave them the option of refunding me or Small Claims Court, and I got my refund.

*I insisted the promoter walk the show with me and I pointed out the resellers and took pictures. OP, you have the website as proof of reselling.

[truevintagestyle]

Exactly what khmetalwork says. Promoters need to realize that a contract is a two-way street and if they violate their commitment to the vendor then they should be held liable, as well.

[KiltedWoman]

Being from a small town, I'd be hesitant to make demands and threats for a refund because you may never get accepted to another show in your region! My reputation of being a pleasant person to work with is extremely important. Even shows I thought were quite poorly run and attended didn't make me think of threatening to sue them, I just didn't do that show the next year.

I would think you've made your point quite well with the organizer. It is important to know when to "let it go" for your own mental health and continued vendor success. By all means stand up for yourself, but pick your battles.

[khmetalwork]

I am a very pleasant person, but $200 for one day...

I held up my end of the contract, sent in pictures, paid, showed up on time and ready to do business at the appointed time, why shouldn't the Promoter be held to the same standards?

I don't do shows for the fun of it, it's work and I take it seriously.