"Wally's Flea Market Basement" Topic

Just a few remarks about the upcoming craziness at Fredericksburg in a couple of weeks:

I assign tables to the people whose names I am given prior to the start of the festivities. Screw-ups occur, and occasionally my list does not include the name of someone who should be there. If this happens to you, please don't go nuclear on me. I have NEVER in all the years I've done this turned away someone who paid for a table. So even if a session is sold out, I will find a way to get you your space.

In the same vein, people sometimes forget to specify when they register for a table that they want to be assigned to a table next to so-and-so. I can usually accommodate this, although if a session is sold out it can get tricky. Let me know what you would like and I'll work it out if I can. Again, going nuclear will not help.

Last year someone carped that we should have provided bags to flea market buyers. I do this every year. They are piled on my desk next to a sign saying "Free Bags".

Someone also carped that people "stood around talking", thus impeding traffic. There is not always a lot we can do about this. If someone is genuinely blocking your way, politely ask him/her/it to move to one side. If that does not take care of it, let us know. It is our job to keep things moving, of course, but we are not going to be socialization police. Talking to people is one of the reasons people come to conventions.

Two cardinal rules apply, as always: (1) you cannot have stuff for sale under your table--it's a fire hazard, and the Fire Marshal gets (very) cranky if we don't follow the rules; (2) you can't be a dealer or use dealer-type stuff (credit cards, signs, business cards, shelving, etc. etc.)

See you all there…

Chris Johnson

Chris,

I understand the principal involved in this:

use dealer-type stuff (credit cards

But should this be looked at for the future with the new "Square" credit card device and app for smart phones and the ability of smart phone users to both generate and pay PayPal invoices?

I am not involved with Historicon in any way or attending, but I have seen this come up at local gun shows. The "big" dealers (who used to run CC transactions for the smaller and individual sellers for a percentage or flat fee) are now complaining because any smart phone user can find a way to accept a CC for a transaction. I believe that Chase Bank even has a specific app for their customers. I can see and understand the restriction on shelving, displays and signage, but you do need to recognize what technology allows individuals these days. It might be better, or at least easier, to recognize this and deal with it proactively than try to police it after the fact.

Just two cents worth from an innocent bystander.

Bill
Sir William the Aged

I agree. Maybe things should change with the times. It is not that much different from someone finding something they like and having to find an ATM that is still dispensing cash. This just makes the transaction easier.

can i has a hand drawn sign?

I can see someone using a smart phone to pay someone via paypal, but doesn't a flea market seller using a cube devise imply they have a business?

Please note that I use the word imply, because any ad or commercial that I have seen about the cube, it is marketed towards individuals that are conducting a business, such as open air public flea markets, craft shows, gun shows, etc.???

Probably at this show the percentage of folks paying/receiving via smart phone will be very low. Just because the technology is out dose not mean everyone has it.

But having said that, I think this is a good idea to bring up to the folks running the con, i.e. the BOD. I think that more and more people will have this ability in a few years. I know I like the idea, but my credit union does not offer this yet. I am sure they will soon.

There was no place this year to request adjoining tables. Con Director said , when asked, to check in before session with co-ordinator.

I was at Fall In last year and talked to one of the vendors about the smart phone app. They hit their transaction limit for the month in 1 day of buisness. Now, that was a vendor not a flea market person. But, their is a limit on free transaction. Then the provider charges a fee for each transaction. Did not get the provider's name.

So, that may not be the answer for CC transactions.

My opinion,since the flea market is supposed to be just selling second hand stuff,is that it should be cash only,as the rules state.I have taken checks from people that I know,but wont otherwise.No green,no sale.

@kayjay, it is too late once the convtion starts . Everyone who pre registered for the tables got the numbers assigned to them on the Wednesday night before the con opens

I dont know why they did not allow any request this time. That just seams odd.

Chris..

Please put my table next to Bill White's in the Sat AM slot.

Thanks,

Brian Sherry

Hi Brian, that is a good idea. List whom you wish to next to and on what day/session and I am sure Chris will be able to help

Maybe things should change with the times.

I cannot agree. Change is never a good thing.

I cannot agree. Change is never a good thing.

Underwear?

Oh great, I did not realize there was no place on the table registration form for a request to be near a door for health reasons, or to be placed next to someone, or whatever.

If you have such a request, send it to me directly by next Wednesday morning at [ bumbydad@gmail.com ]-- I will make a list (and check it twice) when assigning tables. This is not a perfect solution, but the best I can come up with off the cuff.

I generally avoid electronic devices, and therefore was not aware of square cards, apps, using smart phones, etc. I personally don't see any reason to interfere with one person paying another by whatever means are agreeable to both, but there is no way we can run around spying on everyone's transactions anyway. The spirit of the thing is not to be running a business, regardless of the means that may be available, and my experience is that most people follow the rules. You either trust people or you don't.

Shthar, about the hand-lettered sign: if it says something like "Such a deal!" or "Everything is half off--I don't want to take this home" that's OK; if it says something more like "Todd's Discount Hobby Emporium", that's probably not. Signs have not been a problem except where actual professional banners, etc., have been used.

My sign says, please buy these so my neighbor doesn't have to.

Chris thanks for the update. I purchased a table online for Friday morning. My name is Kim Allman. I might want to pick another table for Thursday if there is one available. I assume all the Saturday tables are sold. I have a ton of stuff I am bringing that I do not want to haul back. Glad to know the clarification on signs. I plan to have most of the items I am selling in ziplock bags or boxes with suggested prices on them which I assume is OK. I will have grocery plastic bags for folks to carry their loot in.

How bout

'Todd's EXPENSIVE hobby emporium?'

But seriously, if we're there wednseday, can we ask for adjacent flea-market tables then?

As far as table assignments go, I do this Wednesday evening, so that I'm ready to roll for the first session on Thursday. This takes a couple of hours (at least), so you probably won't see me until Thursday morning, and even then I'll be running around getting things set up. The best thing to do is to email me directly at the address I included above. As an alternative you can post it here, although that would mean having to wade through a lot of messages that no one else is going to care about. It's up to you.

With regard to whether any sessions are sold out, this was a perennial problem at the Host because of limited space. My impression is that there will be lots more room at the Fredericksburg Con Center, so I would think tables will be available for all sessions. I won't get the hard data until Wednesday evening, though, so don't take that as gospel.

Chris

Thanks Chris, do you need an extra pair of hands to set up tables on Wednesday evening. With the con only being five hours away for me this year I plan to be in Fredericksburg by early afternoon.