Has any one....

Jeff T · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject: Has any one....

seen my a$$ ?
Last seen it at the Chicken, Rods & Ribs car show Norfolk. Ne. Way to many venders & downtown merchants selling food that normally wouldn't. Also the organizers didn't bother to tell me (even after asking) that there wasn't going to be live bands or a beer garden. Made enough money to cover costs & taxes but worked for next to nothing.

BBQMAN · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

Thankfully no Jeffy, I have not seen your a$$! Wink

Sorry to hear of this experience, all of which you knew was possible (you did ask the right questions).

TPB (Typical Promoter Behavior) of the following is to be EXPECTED:

Lying about attendance figures
Lying about vendor counts
Lying about placement
Lying about entertainment
Poor planning and advertising
Improper weather order (joke, but it does make a difference).

Now they wont tell you they are lying from the get-go, they will tell you that "things changed".

Or "we didn't expect that".

I've taken some serious lumps vending (and made some good $$$ too) so I'm trying not to be negative here, but rather realistic (there is a difference) on expectations.

I'm real dang careful on any type of festival anymore.

Our market decided to do a summer event this year, of which I promptly declined.

I'm a big market fan, and participate readily and willingly throughout the season.

I tried summer vending two years ago, and the results were less than impressive.

This year I practiced "just say no".
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"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
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Jeff T · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

Yes i asked these question. Your right there is no guarantee in vending.
I guess I'm just disappointed that they lied, I know these promoters, and rather well I might add. One is the local egg dealer, the other one I painted his hot rod. The other I have know for years, can't say they are close friends but nun the less disappointed about the whole deal. We usually do very well vending this event but I guess not this time. A no brainer that I'm not vending it next year unless they can get me terms in writing.

Louie · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

Man, thats a bust Jeff!!
I was invited to provide food at a local festival recently and the fee was $300 for the day Shocked

. I declined, typically we do much better roadside vending than attending these events.
Anyway, festival day I set up at our usual spot, the event was across the street at the hockey rink. I don't know how the vendors did at the do.. but we sold out in record time, mainly due to the event goers crossing the street for some of our Q. Wink

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Jarhead · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject: Re: Has any one....

Jeff T · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

Thanks Gunny that cheered me up..... got a laugh. Very Happy

We usually do well at most events but this is a first time for a bust so i guess i`m lucky... so far.

BBQMAN · Posted: Jun 13 2011 Post subject:

Jeff T · Posted: Jun 13 2011 Post subject:

Inner10 · Posted: Jun 13 2011 Post subject:

Many years ago I worked for an entertainment company, one of our services was selling popcorn and cotton candy.

Depending on the gig it would be a flat rate fee, or cash sale and the client gets a % of the sales.

One event was % of sales, we arrive, start popping popcorn and twirling candy floss. Had 3 people working including myself. All of the sudden people start sitting down with plates of food...long story short it was catered and all the the guests got free food and drinks and we sold about 3 bags of pop corn and 2 of cotton candy the entire day.

I was paid hourly but my boss got handed his ass that day.

Jeff T · Posted: Jun 13 2011 Post subject:

dietzy · BBQ Fan Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 164

Jeff, sorry about the last event. Yes it sounds like you got the shaft. I'm not a big time vender, only do about 3 a year. Just want to throw out some thoughts I don't see too often. It sounds like you asked the right questions and did your homework, but the first time at any event is always a learning experience. You need to take a risk to get your own history on the event. Another thing is it takes time to build a reputation at a new event. I didn't believe this my first vending job. my thought was "I'v got my smoker out there, I'm serving great food, and it's bbq" Yea I lost my butt at that event. When it wasn't raining the people were walking right past me to get a nasty looking hot dog from the Lyons club (a community org.). Everyone knew the guys working the other stands, I was the new guy. Now I'm the top vender for that event. I don't get rich from this event but I have a history there, the people know me, seek me out, and I know what to expect.

Stay with it,
Rob

Ridge View BBQ · Posted: Jun 13 2011 Post subject:

I don't always think the event directors straight up lie (although sometimes they do) part of the time I think they don't really know what they are doing. Consider that most festival directors are doing it for free in addition to their day job and probally are just too optimistic.. Now if its a professional promotions team,and several years into the event and most of the vendors are new be very careful, were always leary of events that we get into on the first try (most good events have long waiting list).. Any bad event where you cover your expenses you have to consider yourself lucky Smile

festival vending is a crap-shoot and not a good career choice for the faint of heart or the sound of mind..
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BBQMAN · Posted: Jun 13 2011 Post subject:

^^^^^Great advice Jim!^^^^^^^

I don't think they ALL straight up lie, they just misrepresent themselves! Wink

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"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
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daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Most show up before opening,then at the end of the day,and close of the show.they have know idea what the real turn out is,or do they ask the vendors the one in the trenches what they could do to make it better.Some are just vendors,they sell real estate at a venue,as long as they sold the spots they really don't care after that.till next year.
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daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Most show up before opening,then at the end of the day,and close of the show.they have know idea what the real turn out is,or do they ask the vendors the one in the trenches what they could do to make it better.Some are just vendors,they sell real estate at a venue,as long as they sold the spots they really don't care after that.till next year.
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle