Another Rant - RavenCon09
I was supposed to be
vending at RavenCon this year. I had so much fun last year when I went, and 3
of the staffers invited me to come back this year as a vendor. My friend Chris
(the lady in the Elven gown in the photos) was the reason I went last year, and
she goes as a vendor - she sells "Gently Used Books". Chris has a store in
Charlottesville, Oakley's Gently Used Books, and she
carries an eclectic and comprehensive mix of genre's - from history and
philosophy to children's books to "how-to" to Sci-Fi and Fantasy. And I KNOW
I've missed several categories there! The big thing about Chris' shop is that
99.5% of the books are used, but they are in pristine condition. No ragged-y a*sed
books in Chris' store.
Anyway - last year, Chris told me that she was
vending at RavenCon. Pregnant pause. Did I know they had a Masquerade? A
costume contest? Another pregnant pause. I looked at Chris. "Are you offering
to wear one of my outfits in the costume contest, Chris?" Yep. It was that
simple. Talking her husband Jim into the whole thing was a little more work,
but he came around. And we won Best in Show. I don't know who was the more
proud, to tell you the truth! Long before the Masquerade, I had been asked if I
wanted to come back this year to vend. I told them I didn't know, but maybe.
To be perfectly honest, I'm skittish about large groups of people I don't know.
Then Chris asked if maybe I wanted to share a double table with her this year.
Perfect solution! Yes. So the two of us have planned on it all year. And I
have been sewing furiously for the past couple of months. Here's the rub.
Apparently, the vendor director DIDN'T approve
of this, and even though Chris sent in a reservation and PAYMENT for the double
space back in January - we didn't find out that she (meaning ME) was not
approved for this until mid MARCH, and Chris only got her usual 1 table. Oh,
and "we're sold out of vendor space, sorry - no more tables available." Chris
made phone calls (not returned), and wrote emails (no answer) about this mixup.
Chris felt absolutely horrid, and thought she had done
something wrong, and that she had let me down! She even offered to give me half
her vending space!!
Last week, I finally wrote a couple of emails
myself. I wrote to the vending co-ordinator (about NEXT year's RavenCon vending
spaces) expressing my disappointment in their staff and coordination. That's
when I found that apparently, vendors have to be vetted in, and I hadn't been
approved. Well, why didn't they just SAY so, instead of jerking Chris (and by
extension, me) around? Then I got a letter from the RavenCon "Chair" stating
that the vendor co-ordinator has to assure a balance in the vending room, and I
have been a valued vendor in the past, and will be welcome in the future... I
informed him that 1. this would have been my FIRST RavenCon as a vendor, and 2.
no one asked WHAT kind of merchandise I would be selling - so the "balance in
the vending room" goes right out the window, doesn't it?? Funny, I haven't
heard back. I also told them the entire reason for my pique was the way they
treated Chris, and that I have other markets
for my merchandise and will use them.
So. Any of you who might have been expecting
to run into me at RavenCon09 (since I mentioned that I would be vending there
this year) - don't bother going if that was your reason. I will NOT be there.
Nor, I think will I bother with them in the future.
I've added this search bar - you can search my site, or the web. It opens
up in a new window, so you don't 'lose' me [grin]. Wouldn't want you to
forget where you were! Just choose whether you want to search the
web, or this site and click on the big button. Have fun!!
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