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Post by davejs on Jul 6, 2009 18:59:09 GMT -5
Hi people. I guess since we are vendors, we probably have heard just about everything imagineable from people/customers. Tell us about it.
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Post by susien on Jul 6, 2009 19:53:04 GMT -5
The one thing that I have heard that really upsets me is when someone pulls out a camera and starts to take a photo and I ask them nicely to not to that (my items are hand made) and they say "Why Not?" and I say because I asked you not to.... and they respond "Well I am sure I can find it on the internet".... and I respond, then why don't you go look for it! It just burns me up!!!! Some customers are just plain rude!!!
I do have signs in my booth and my favorite ones are:
We have the right to refuse service to anyone and To preserve orginility please do not take photos!
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Post by weesewcute on Jul 30, 2009 11:48:44 GMT -5
Oh man that makes me so mad. I just did a good show downtown Sacramento a few weeks ago and I had to kick a girl out of my booth. The news team even was taking pictures without asking us or even interviewing us. I find that so rude and people are without a clue sometimes.
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Post by weesewcute on Aug 14, 2009 10:44:00 GMT -5
OMG I need to vent at the DA stupid no class people in this world. Do not come into my booth and take a picture of my stuff and then act like you have no idea it is not ok. Are you stupid or something? Do not come into my booth and say "I can make that". Well I did, unless you are stupid obviously you can to. Just get out!!!! I don't care and I am not interested! Do not come into my booth and nit pic over something. If you don't want it, don't buy it!!!! I will sell it to someone else. Do not come into my booth and ask me who I buy my supplies from. Like I am going to tell you! Don't ask me to make you something that you must have at the last minute and then flake and not pick it up. Don't let your rude children hang on my clothing racks and don't let your rude children eat snow cones over my t-shirts.
UUUGGGGGGG! feeling much better now!
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Post by davejs on Aug 14, 2009 11:57:55 GMT -5
Right on!!!!! You are so right about all of that. I sell a number of products that people put on. As soon as I see that camera popping up, I run over and start yelling at them. "NO PICTURES." "Why can't I take pictures?" they ask. Can you believe that. "Because that is MY HAT and when you buy it and it becomes yours, you can take all the pictures you want." These people get really hostile. I have signs posted, but still they try to sneak pictures.
I pretty much despise it when somebody makes that 'I can make it' comment. Very rude. 'Go ahead and do it.' I tell them. 'Go out and drive around looking for the materials, spend hours on the internet looking for more materials, etc.' Or how about them saying that they can buy it someplace else cheaper. I don't come down on my price when they tell me that, I just tell them to go out and buy it there then.
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Post by susien on Aug 14, 2009 16:41:08 GMT -5
And don't forget thoses that pull out the good old cell phones to take pictures.......
Susie
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Post by abaworld on Aug 25, 2009 0:15:31 GMT -5
The first time that someone said "I can make that", I defended my product and explained the better quality.
After she left, I got seriously angry -------- with me!
That person will never, ever purchase anything from me, because I put down what she could do...
My response should have been, "Wow! That's great! Do you sell your products on a website or just do it for family? Do you use preprinted graphics or print the entire graphic? Could you bring in some of your work, I would love to see it! If you need any other ideas, feel free to visit my website (hand her biz card) or come back when you have some time and you might get some other ideas for creating that great gift for a family member."
Well you get the idea... Most likely, her "I can make that" is not near the quality of my graphics and she just might visit my website and she will know that she cannot do what I do - unless she wants to invest a lot more money than what Print Shop cost her.
In any case, she will still be a potential customer - not a "never ever".
Now, some of you may get ticked off at me for this, but remember I'm still new and haven't thought of all the angles, yet.
If I completely handmade my goods, I would not object to people taking pictures of them. In fact, I would probably have a camera at the ready to take a picture of them with the product and hand it over to them.
Why, you ask? Actually, I would ask you, how many people that you have admonished for taking a picture -- bought something?
I thought so. Listen, we live in a fast-paced technological world.
That teenage girl who had her picture taken, wearing your item will absolutely, with out a doubt, send it to a lot of her friends, post it on her MySpace page, Twitter it, Facebook it, etc, which could very possibly bring someone to the event on the next day ---- looking specifically for your booth!
And she just may look at it a number of times during the evening and dream about it being hers and then come back tomorrow to buy it.
OK, I simply don't understand the no taking pictures. It's a great marketing tool. FREE advertising!!!
Hey, that looks GREAT on you. Here, let me take the picture, it will come out much better than if you take it yourself. Here's my card, visit my website. We have other products that you might like. Come back tomorrow and bring your friends. Get a picture of everyone wearing this - see which one of you looks best in it.
If one is concerned about someone copying your product, I don't get that either.
A creative person doesn't need a photo to recreate what you do, they will simply look at it and visualize what they are going to do. A non-crafter is not going to attempt it, regardless of whether they get a picture of it or not.
Remember, don't bash me. I'm looking at this from my viewpoint and offering my opinion on it.
I'm sure you have great reasons for your stand on picture taking and I will certainly read your reasoning, but I still may not get it because NOTHING replaces FREE advertising!
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Post by davejs on Aug 25, 2009 1:49:41 GMT -5
First and foremost, I want to eliminate extra wear and tear on my products and my theory is that when they whip out that camera, you have no chance of making a sale. People like to use props for their photos. Rather than seeing them and their friends as potential customers, I would say that when other's see their pictures, they do not rush over and buy but rather this encourages others to use ours and other people's products as props. If a person wishes to take photo's they MUST ask the vendor's permission to begin with.
I have watched groups of people (kids, adults, etc.) go into booths and grab things and play with them and do funny things to make their friends laugh. Then another will grab something else and try to outdo the other. I suffer from a good amount of breakage because of this and I really don't tolerate this in my booth. I just walk over to them and tell them that 'they have toys over there that you can play with' while pointing to another booth.
Many vendors do their own artwork and are very creative and really do not appreciate individuals taking photos. I have spoken to other vendors and they pretty much agree with me in my views. You will learn after somebody who has no intention of purchasing your artwork drops it on the ground, etc., while showing off to their friends.
I learned my lesson about taking pictures without permission. when I was in Hong Kong many years ago, I saw my first rickshaw driver standing next to it, waiting for a customer. I grabbed my camera and took a picture and he immediately began waving his hands as if saying 'no, no, no' and began approaching me and my friend very quickly. I put my camera down and we began running toward to Star Ferry, about two blocks away.
I recall one time in Disney World my daughter had placed a vendor's large straw hat on her head. Not once did I think about buying it but I did take a picture. A beautiful prop, of course. I keep thinking about that because I didn't respect the person's products. I didn't know any better and I didn't realize that I could possibly be adding to the wear and tear of the hat, decreasing it's value. Now, I am even very careful about inluding people's products in my photos. I would never pick up another vendor's item and take a picture. So, you make your own decisions on how you want to handle the customers in regard to this issue.
The other week, I saw a little kid pick up one of my toys I was selling and saw his friend pull out a camera. I turned my head the other way and pretended not to notice. After I saw that he had taken the picture, I told them politely 'no pictures please.' I said that because I wanted them to realize that it's not always a good idea to do that and maybe they might take it upon themselves to ask next time. There are those certain times when you couild simply ignore your polices because you realize that makes a special moment for somebody who is so innocent. But when a bunch of teenagers or some drunks come by........
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Post by susien on Aug 25, 2009 8:08:41 GMT -5
My opinion...... I put a lot of time into my designs and work, I do not "copy" other peoples work and I do not want others taking photos of mine to go home and copy. One prime example of a photo being taken: I was at a craft show (cost me $200 for the three days and traveling 150 plus miles each way).. another VENDOR took a photo of one of my items......he went home that evening (he was local) and made the item...... came back the next day and put it in his booth (right across from me)... There is no way his taking that photo helped me at all! I did go to the promoter and explained what happened, he did make the other vendor remove it. I have no problem if you have the same item I do but do not take a photo, go home, make it and bring it back the next day. I will stand behind my "NO PHOTOS" for every craft show I do...... I do not see a photo as advertising, I see it as a easy way to rip off my hard work. Many vendors put a lot of time and effert into what they create and do not appreciate someone taking a photo, going home and creating the same item. I am not saying they will not go home and make one even if they do not take a photo..... but at least I "might" get the sale of the item if they can not take the photo...... Sorry but this is one of my pet peves....... and I really love the ones that ask "how did you create that design on the coaster" or where did you get that magnetic closure? I put many hours into my crafts and I do not appreciate someone taking a photo instead of buying the item. To me taking a photo of my work is not a sale for tomorrow....... it is a way for someone to go home and remember the design so they can make it themselves ....... I will stand by my "NO PHOTOS" until I do my last show!!!!!!!
Susie
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Post by abaworld on Aug 25, 2009 10:54:50 GMT -5
Thanks, Dave & Susie. Great Replies.
I fully understand that you are passionate about your stand on picture taking.
I certainly see the wear and tear issue, but that is going to take place without taking pictures. It is really sad that people do not respect the property of others.
Your Hong Kong story brings up a memory and an explanation of why "Mr Rickshaw" came after you.
When I was in Hong Kong (40 years ago...) I took a tour to a village overlooking the Chinese Border. There was one old Chinaman and a number of Chinese women in the village.
Nobody wanted to take a picture of the women, but everybody wanted a picture of the old man. So, the women spent their time running around, collecting money from anyone who took the old man's picture and stopping anyone who didn't want to pay. HE was their product.
The old man didn't care if you took his picture without paying. I still have that picture. I took it and tipped the old man, figuring the women didn't give him a fair share (if any), anyway.
I think that may have been the case with your rickshaw driver - he just expected to be paid for a picture.
Hey, you could add to your NO PHOTOS sign, If you absolutely must have a picture - It will cost $2 to take a picture with our product!
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Post by davejs on Aug 25, 2009 11:29:59 GMT -5
Speaking of taking pictuers. Several years ago we were taking a tour of Mazatlan. We down a remote side street and pulled up to an intersection where there was a guy with a donkey, a carriage behind it and a little boy. We stopped there and got off the bus. I guess the 'tour people' had some kind of connection to this guy and it seemed like this was a regular stop on the tour, where people would get off the bus and have their picture$ taken. Didn't know beforehand this was one of our stops. Gotta put it on the brochure: 1:00pm Stop at picturesque Jackass Corner for picture taking.
Anyhow, about the rickshaw driver. So innocent back then....I didn't know anything. I thought I committed a crime and would spend 30 years in a Hong Kong prison. Besides, I had better things to spend my money on over there.
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Post by susien on Aug 25, 2009 12:28:45 GMT -5
Besides, I had better things to spend my money on over there. I am not asking.....nope, no way will I ask, I am not touching this with a 10 foot pole! Susie
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Post by davejs on Aug 25, 2009 14:27:03 GMT -5
Besides, I had better things to spend my money on over there. I am not asking.....nope, no way will I ask, I am not touching this with a 10 foot pole! Susie That was a trip there with my wife and son. I still had better things to spend my money on. When in Mexico, don't drink the water AND be on the watch for tour guides who try to make money for their friends. BTW. Back to the picture taking. I have just recalled seeing a Chinese guy at a festival a couple months back taking pictures of people's booths. I don't think he was a tourist. HE PROBABLY WAS SENDING PICTURES TO MOM back in China so she could get the local factory to start duplicating vendors products
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mark
Weekend Warrior
Posts: 172
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Post by mark on Aug 25, 2009 16:47:59 GMT -5
I am jeweler,lots of times i see people whip out the cell phone cams and take pictures of my jewelry and i say please don't do that and they ask why not and i say cause you didn't ask me if it was ok did ya?only time i allow someone to take a picture with there cell phone is when i know they are sending that picture to someone to see if they like it so they will buy it. here are a few things that people say when they come to my both:1-I just love your jewelry but i have too much already<i would like to reply but i don't with if you have enough then don't look and get lost.2-they look at my rings and say oh you don't have my size i know then i tell them yes i have your size and they leave <they just didn't want to buy it was just a test>3-is this sterling silver- i reply yes it is and they say ok and leave<whats that about why ask if your not going to buy?i could go on and on about this!
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Post by davejs on Aug 26, 2009 12:16:35 GMT -5
I guess we all are plagued by groups of people who haven't seen each other in 20 years standing directly in front of our booths and telling their life stories. How do you deal with it? I usually will go over to them after a reasonable time has elapsed and point over to another area and tell them something like 'there's a lot more room for you over there' or I'll just tell them to go someplace esle if it's obvious that there is no chance of them buying anything. What really gets me is when a few people will stop in front of y booth with their dogs, completely blocking entrance while their dogs sniff one another.
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