I don't really know where I should talk about this... but I really, I mean REALLY, need to vent.
During the summer my city has a "free" night in the uptown district. They close off one or two side streets for a live band, farmer's market and other random activities. It's become a fairly well attended event each week as it is free to listen to the music that starts at 7pm and everything is packed up and done by 10, so a fun night for families to get out and be social. The bands don't get paid, and they have no problem getting quality bands to play for free (being friends with several of the regular bands that play they view it as free advertising, a chance to try out some new songs, and just enjoy performing). This has always been organized by a building owner on the corner of the two side streets, and they did an amazing job. However, in April, the building owner closed its doors and no one has taken over anything. Some of the uptown businesses went to the city chamber of commerce to take over Thursday Night Live to keep the extra business in the uptown area. The chamber took it over... and it has been chaos.
First, you have to have a license to be part of the farmer's market. Seems ok, the license is free, you just apply and get approved. Well, the license application requires insurance and tax id. That's ok too, I already have both so no biggie. Then they said it would be $100 for the summer. I didn't think that was too bad, if I go every week it only cost me $10 per week. Definitely cheaper than 99% of the shows I do and a regular customer base. Worst case scenario, I don't sell anything and just paid $10 to listen to music and drink beer. I'm ok with that. Chamber said I could pay at the first night and be ok. Great! I'm excited, can't wait.
Then... yesterday... I got caught in a group chat. Now, this is my first year doing this event, and the event is going on its third summer, so vendors from previous years are feeling a kind of ownership. They're upset about the fee - which is varying wildly between vendors from $25 per show, $20 per month, $100 for the summer, or $250 for the summer. I don't know if the variation is based on what you are bringing to the market - the guy who quoted $250 makes calzones and pizzas on his grill, the lady who quoted $20 per month does crochet blankets... you get the drift.
Then, they're upset because they have to have a tax id.
Then, they're upset because they have to have insurance. (Sorry, I don't care if you selling produce, baked goods, crochet blankets... just protect yourself and your customers. One mistake could cost you a whole bunch of money. Someone steals your stuff out of your car, you're out a whole bunch of money. yadayadayada)
So... being me... I made myself a target. I told them I was ok with the fee, this is a well advertised event, and like any business owner I should pay rent. I'm ok with the tax id because if I sell something I should be a responsible person and pay taxes. I'm ok with insurance because I like having my backend covered. These are all things that business people do, this is the cost of running a business. Oh boy, did they let me have it. Told me all about how this is not a business for them, so they shouldn't pay taxes, and don't need insurance, and why should they pay rent for something that has always been free [well, they might have me on that point]... then the cherry on the top... they just want to come and sell their stuff to make money.
I had to leave the group chat. I can't deal with that kind of stupidity.
