03-09-2010, 09:04 AM
Peregrine,
The main market I sold at was a long established non profit of absolutely vital importance to the local economy, and has been used as a model for sustainable business practices by other markets all over the country. It had about 250 vendors every weekend and none of us were guaranteed any protections from competition. I went from being the only person selling my product to having 20 other vendors selling their version, some cheaper. That competition made me get better at making my product and meeting the needs of my customers. Competition in market places is a good thing, it keeps prices down and quality up, but protectionism keeps prices high and allows a seller to slack off and still sell their goods because the consumer has no other choice. When I first got swamped in a flood of competition I was not a happy camper, but it made me reevaluate both my desire to sell my hand made products, and to raise the quality of what I produced. In the long run it made me a much better artist and vendor.
Carol
The main market I sold at was a long established non profit of absolutely vital importance to the local economy, and has been used as a model for sustainable business practices by other markets all over the country. It had about 250 vendors every weekend and none of us were guaranteed any protections from competition. I went from being the only person selling my product to having 20 other vendors selling their version, some cheaper. That competition made me get better at making my product and meeting the needs of my customers. Competition in market places is a good thing, it keeps prices down and quality up, but protectionism keeps prices high and allows a seller to slack off and still sell their goods because the consumer has no other choice. When I first got swamped in a flood of competition I was not a happy camper, but it made me reevaluate both my desire to sell my hand made products, and to raise the quality of what I produced. In the long run it made me a much better artist and vendor.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb