A week or so back they had a "made in Vermont" craft show (or something like that). I had made a note on my calendar, and then I saw it was $10 admission. So say my wife and I both want to go; $ 20 to walk in the door?

Now I can afford that, but here is the thing. I know damn well they are charging every vendor/crafter in the place to pay a fee to be there. If you are going to charge crafters to set up a table, doesn't it make more sense to then ensure said crafters get as much exposure as possible? Like, say, not charging a $10 entry fee?

I just got their email about another show - the same $10 entry fee.

Celebrate the hand crafted tradition at the
Champlain Valley Craft Show & Antique Expo
October 21, 22 & 23, 2022
The Champlain Valley Expo will come alive with color, flavor and sound for the Champlain Valley Craft Show & Antique Expo on
Friday, October 21, Saturday October 22, and Sunday October 23, 2022.

Admission InfoTickets are sold at the Fair or Online
Adult Admission is $10.00 - Under age 14 Free.

Comments

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Optimized_Orangutan t1_iste3ra wrote on October 18, 2022 at 3:50 PM

In sales I refer to this as a "Buy in" filter. They have a capacity they cannot exceed, they don't want to waste space on lookeylous and bored people just being there to be there. Their vendors want to maximize their exposure to paying customers, not just their exposure. Charging a cover fee stops the "we'll walk around and not buy anything because walking is free" crowd. Means people who are inside wanted to be inside bad enough to spend 10 bucks.

ThisistheInfiniteIs t1_isuo8qh wrote on October 18, 2022 at 8:48 PM

This, also, it sounds like it is working as intended.

Kyzer t1_iswz0ne wrote on October 19, 2022 at 9:15 AM

Then they should consider returning 50% of the cover if there is a proof of purchase from a vendor.

Optimized_Orangutan t1_isy4lq0 wrote on October 19, 2022 at 3:35 PM

why? Another principle of sales, once you have their money you don't give it back.

Edit: if not getting that 10 bucks back means you don't enter... then the filter is doing it's job. it's not their job to maximize enjoyment for people who don't want to pay, it's to maximize profits from the event for the venue and the vendors.

flambeaway t1_iswc2dc wrote on October 19, 2022 at 4:18 AM

If that was the goal, they should issue vouchers.

Like drink tickets at a beer festival.

SirPotential6497 t1_istwepq wrote on October 18, 2022 at 5:50 PM

20$ that’s only two hours of work at your local chipotle

Ok_Reference_9222 OP t1_istxqrk wrote on October 18, 2022 at 5:58 PM

I see what you did there

seatofblue t1_iste4qp wrote on October 18, 2022 at 3:50 PM

Went to the made in vt expo because it was next to wag it forward festival. Honestly thought it was the craft and antique expo (which I really liked last year) until I walked in the door. The made jn vt was definitely a little small for the entry price.

Twigglesnix t1_iswyi37 wrote on October 19, 2022 at 9:08 AM

This is like Bennington Garlic Festival. I call it “pay to shop”. Pay a fee for the privilege of walking around and buying stuff.

Intelligent-Hunt7557 t1_isua1i4 wrote on October 18, 2022 at 7:18 PM

Maybe a better mechanic is charging a $X fee and that gets you a coupon worth $Y off a $Z purchase? So maybe pay $10 at the door and that gets you a $5 off $30 purchase?

[deleted] t1_isy0t0k wrote on October 19, 2022 at 3:09 PM

[removed]

Trajikbpm t1_istrgkr wrote on October 18, 2022 at 5:17 PM

Yes Vermonters have to pay insane tourist trap prices as well as tourists. And if you complain you're " not supporting small buisness."

No you're not an asshole.