Surviving The Merchants or How not to break your budget at an event
This is mostly common sense. There are ways to shop without running over budget in the mundane modern world and those general rules also apply to SCA events. But it's the SCA and its a world set apart and it is very easy to become so involved with how beautiful the items are, how friendly and helpful the vendors are and the desire to have the best in period wear and gear that its really easy to blow your budget to bits.
Honestly, I had shopped very little at events locally. But when I went to Estrella my budget was blown in the first 20 minutes... its a week long event.
Rule Number One
NEVER shop for clothing first. You can always back track if you see something you really want. Clothing and weapons/armor tend to be the most expensive items so don't buy the first thing you see. Shop around.
Rule Number Two
Watch for Quality. When there are alot of vendors selling the same type of item, sometimes quality suffers so really look items over before you purchase them. See if the merchant gives a warranty on higher priced items.
There were numerous people selling baskets at Estrella. I chose to pay $20 more for a basket because the vendor guaranteed in writing that if ANYTHING happened to the basket, including my own stupidity, he would repair or replace it free for the lifetime of the item or the owner whichever came first and the guarantee was transferable. Not only is this the most solid basket I have ever bought for $50 but I know it will outlast me.
Rule Number Three
Be willing to haggle. If more than one person is selling an item ask the person if they are willing to take a lower price for the item or to make a trade.
Near the end of the week at Estrella I was seriously running low on cash and I found a silver and moonstone necklace I had to have... but it was $50. As I spoke with the vendor she told me that she needed a new web page...right up my alley eh? So I offered to take the cost of the necklace off of the cost of a web page. The deal was struck. I have my very gorgeous moonstone necklace and she will have her web page in about two months. And I am still making over $200 on the deal.
Rule Number Four
If you can buy it somewhere outside of the event do not buy it at the event. Items like this will almost always be cheaper at Walmart or Kmart. Sometimes this rule is wrong. Some vendors will give you especially good buys on things like this but be very sure before you purchase an item that is generally available in the mundane world.
Rule Number Five
When you do finally shop for things like garb, shoes and armor, try them on. Do not eyeball this or you will be very sorry. Even though a vendor will let you return or trade an item that does not fit, in the midst of an event it is easy to put off trying things on and then it might be too late to do anything about it. Try things on over your clothes... or plan ahead and wear very light clothing so you can try things on and get the most natural fit possible.
Rule Number Six
Shop with another adult if you have kids. Just like at Walmart kids will make you nuts with "I want that or I want this" while you are shopping. Worse yet, this is a flea market type atmosphere and it is easy for curious hands to pick up things that are not theirs and vendors are more than eager to help your kids pester you to death. The second adult can corral the kids and keep them out of trouble while you shop.
Rule Number Seven
Get contact info, business cards etc from everyone you buy from and anyone you may want to purchase from in the future. This is the simplest way to keep up with people and make contact after an event if there is a problem with an item or if you need more of something. It also allows you to browse and not buy knowing that you can reach the vendor at a later date when you can afford to make the purchase.
Rule Number Eight
Carry snacks. I know this sounds silly but the food vendors abound and they are expensive so bring along munchies.
Rule Number Nine
If you are going to eat from the vendors bring along Imodium and Dramamine. No one will be selling this and even if the food is good you will end up needing this stuff just because your system will get upset with too many strange foods. These two items will help you avoid an emergency room bill from food poisoning or dehydration.
Rule Number Ten
Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Vendors hear everything and see everything and you do not want to give away how much you are dying to have something if you are going to haggle over the price.
That's it folks. As I said before, its all common sense and worth repeating. You keep these ten rules in mind and you will be able to shop effectively and pay the rent at the top of the month.