NC Arboretum Bonsai Show Attendees?

Dale Cochoy

=John Dixon]Dale,

I guess it is possible that the vendor "pool" will be expanded in future years at the Asheville show. The current building used is the Visitor's Center - a wonderful facility in its own right - but a new facility is being built that I think is going to be the site for future shows. I am fairly certain that the new building will be capable of holding more vendors than the Visitor's Center. It should be completed prior to Summer '07.

Yes, I understand this is so. In fact, something IS being set for 2007

Being that I'm not in the business, I guess I'm not very knowledgeable about the "dog eat dog" side of bonsai sales.

I don't really think there IS a dog-eat-dog side of vending. Most vendors are very great friends with one another. All I ever ask is a few things that I feel are fair, ALWAYS.
1. I get what I'm told I'll get and payed for ahead of time.
2. If there is a rule, it is for EVERYONE, not just some.
3. Support businessmen.
That pretty well sums up my attitude. I don't feel I'm out of line or hard to deal with. I just demand I'm treated like the next guy. Wouldn't You?

I would agree with you that the vendors should be legitimate, tax-paying operators.

Yes

It would seem that vendors who are willing to show up year after year without fail, must see it as lucrative else they would not make the effort.

Not always, at least from my experience. Again, it depends on what your business is to you. I know many who are satisfied if they pay for their tables. Because on Monday they go back to the company they own or a great job with benifits! :>)

Squatter's rights are okay with me in that respect, but MORE vendors add to the overall success, so I hope more can be added.

I don't really agree with "Squatters rights". Like I said a few posts above. Vendors should be having people BUY stuff they have. If they aren't then they are taking up a valuable space to those who can ( and registrants who expect the best and should get it ) . To yearly allocate a space to someone with no good items to sell , but is a "nice guy" , is not a good deal for anyone.
For instance,
There were a couple comments people made about, or eluding to the fact that they were picked over on Sunday or perhaps not enough good stuff to last. Seems you might want more vendors with better, more tree stock instead of "whatever".??
BTW, I sell VERY LITTLE tree stock now so you knowI'm not pushing to get in to sell trees. Just sounds like your show might be a bit nice tree and good stock "Tree poor". I've been seeing that a lot lately. That, BTW, is often an effect of too many newbie vendors, IMHO.

" event wants to have the very best vendors they can get signed up. Maybe not necessarily the best-selling, but the ones that have the items people are looking for, combined with a friendly and knowledgeable personna. "

Hmmm, the best vendors they can get signed up....but maybe not the best selling ones...but ones that have items people are looking for.
I guess I'll have to think about those statements.
What about a nice guy.....who doesn't sell anything? ( maybe I should say, doesn't have anything to sell). I see it all the time.

I for one do NOT want to have vendors who have lousy attitudes and in an all-out effort to squeeze as much money out of people as they can. I have no problem with someone making a profit, but we all know someone like I'm talking about.

Hmmmm again!
I don't really know anyone who squeezes as much out of people as they can get. I DO KNOW however, people who get higher prices for items that I don't think are worth it. Priced ahead of time and sitting there for the choosing. No "Squeezing" , And, they almost always have a pleasant smile on their face!

The event is very friendly and relaxed, the sales portion should mirror that. On a personal note, I would love to hear from vendors who would be willing to go to Asheville for...say... something BIG. It might be to the benefit of all, since there are large events - like Symposiums - that are planned close to two years in advance, and the tentative list of vendors is a big part of whether those kind of events can happen.

As I said above. In the works.

Dale, I would love to have one (or more) of your pots. Hopefully, we will see you in Asheville soon with a big smile on your face.

That's only PARTIALLY up to me. I've tried.

BTW, I'm sorry if my neverending vendor advocacy rhetoric has driven the thread off of the fine Ashville show/symposium . I didn't really intend that when I asked my first question way back when.

Regards,
Dale Cochoy
ABS Board of Directors ( and Vendor Advocate)

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If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
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Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
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Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio