happypcgal
11-30-2007, 08:53 PM
Well, I am officially frustrated. Over 8 weeks ago, I specifically contacted the coordiantors of a community craft and vendor sale advertising for vendors. I confirmed that they did not have a PC consultant yet and that they wouldn't have more than 1.
It is a 2 day event, an hour drive, and I had to take a vacation day from work for this Friday/Saturday show.
I set up this morning (a beautiful display if I might say so myself). Imagine my surprise when I was going around shopping the other booths that a gal who showed up late starts setting up a PC display. I spoke briefly with the other gal -- she was late and far enough away from me that I felt she probably wouldn't realize I was in the room until way later. Turns out she just signed up for the booth, she just finished her 4th show and she also sells candles so she was doing 2 tables. I indicated it was unusual to have 2 of the same direct sales company at such a small show (15 vendors) and she said "oh, the when I called, the gal told me there was another PC consultant coming. I said it was ok with me and they said that it was fine". I did try to indicate to the PC gal that at an event this size, it is really unfair to both of us and that I would have been happy to not attend if contacted about this issue. (Well, happy is not really the word since I was the FIRST to apply WEEKS ago and ASKED about this type of situation....)
Did I mention she has a huge advantage on me cause the way the traffic flow is naturally sends all customers past her booth first.
So...I'm pretty much flabbergasted and irritated and freakin out. There is no way to ignore the elephant in the room : 2 PC vendors. But, I was already set up, the event was starting and I was hesitant to cause a scene by leaving. I also have a pretty big clientel in that area and a December show in that town with a repeat host so I had to look at a lot of issues.
About 1/2 way thru the day, the coordinator came over to me and apologized. She said that her mother recently died and she had done some screwy things in the weeks that followed and she acknowledged that she accepted the 2nd PC vendor without even thinking. She further acknowledged that it was not a wise decision.
She bought a trifle bowl which was my only order of the day. I watched the other PC consultant take at least 4 orders so my frustration increased leaps and bounds but now I felt hamstringed by the coordinators obvious total screw up due to sad circumstances.
So...I froze my buns off all day (I was in a back corner of a converted barn by a door with no weather sealing....it was snowing and windy outside. More greatness. Finished the day. Drove home. Still trying to thaw out.
Ok, the question: What would you do in this circumstance? My husband wants me to go tomorrow, pack up and leave. I don't feel that is the best approach but I'm also feeling I need to make some type of statement to this group about how inappropriate this situation is.
I'm so frustrated and confused.
Sorry this was so long. I'm just flat out not sure how to handle tomorrow...paste another smile on my face and pretend it is all just fine and dandy?
Any advise appreciate, or calming words.
I
It is a 2 day event, an hour drive, and I had to take a vacation day from work for this Friday/Saturday show.
I set up this morning (a beautiful display if I might say so myself). Imagine my surprise when I was going around shopping the other booths that a gal who showed up late starts setting up a PC display. I spoke briefly with the other gal -- she was late and far enough away from me that I felt she probably wouldn't realize I was in the room until way later. Turns out she just signed up for the booth, she just finished her 4th show and she also sells candles so she was doing 2 tables. I indicated it was unusual to have 2 of the same direct sales company at such a small show (15 vendors) and she said "oh, the when I called, the gal told me there was another PC consultant coming. I said it was ok with me and they said that it was fine". I did try to indicate to the PC gal that at an event this size, it is really unfair to both of us and that I would have been happy to not attend if contacted about this issue. (Well, happy is not really the word since I was the FIRST to apply WEEKS ago and ASKED about this type of situation....)
Did I mention she has a huge advantage on me cause the way the traffic flow is naturally sends all customers past her booth first.
So...I'm pretty much flabbergasted and irritated and freakin out. There is no way to ignore the elephant in the room : 2 PC vendors. But, I was already set up, the event was starting and I was hesitant to cause a scene by leaving. I also have a pretty big clientel in that area and a December show in that town with a repeat host so I had to look at a lot of issues.
About 1/2 way thru the day, the coordinator came over to me and apologized. She said that her mother recently died and she had done some screwy things in the weeks that followed and she acknowledged that she accepted the 2nd PC vendor without even thinking. She further acknowledged that it was not a wise decision.
She bought a trifle bowl which was my only order of the day. I watched the other PC consultant take at least 4 orders so my frustration increased leaps and bounds but now I felt hamstringed by the coordinators obvious total screw up due to sad circumstances.
So...I froze my buns off all day (I was in a back corner of a converted barn by a door with no weather sealing....it was snowing and windy outside. More greatness. Finished the day. Drove home. Still trying to thaw out.
Ok, the question: What would you do in this circumstance? My husband wants me to go tomorrow, pack up and leave. I don't feel that is the best approach but I'm also feeling I need to make some type of statement to this group about how inappropriate this situation is.
I'm so frustrated and confused.
Sorry this was so long. I'm just flat out not sure how to handle tomorrow...paste another smile on my face and pretend it is all just fine and dandy?
Any advise appreciate, or calming words.
I