ANST - Merchants (was Belts and their meaning)

[knotwork at juno.com]

Mayne,

I have to step in here in defense of merchants.  I have been a merchant
almost since I joined the SCA about 17 years ago.  Starting out, I just
threw a blanket on the ground and sold jewelry I had found at garage
sales.  Now, I have a tent that cost over $1000, and sell mostly new
merchandise from several sources I have found over the years.  While I
generally come close to breaking even, I don't make much _profit_ to
speak of. 

I chose to become a merchant because I kept seeing things I thought
people in the SCA would like the opportunity to own in order to add to
their enjoyment in playing this game.  (I have a background in marketing
and a good job, so money is not really a consideration.  Including cost
of goods to sell, travel expenses and the occasional merchanting fee,
this part of my hobby can be quite costly!)   Also, being fairly
sedentary, it is a great way to meet people, because almost everyone
comes by the Stone Rainbow booth eventually, and I don't have to run all
over the place.  Although I don;t mind separating the occasional mundane
from his money at Renfairs <grin>, I don't overcharge, I bargain, and I
offer discounts to SCA folks.  I sell mostly books, jewelry, gemstones,
gift items, and toys and candy for the kids. 

Prowess and courage?  Haggling in the marketplace is a delicate dance of
"thrust and parry," and is fun besides.  Largesse?  Besides being
available as a place for others to get largesse to hand out, I am
fortunate to be able to be generous when I want to.  (It's my stuff to
give away, and I often do!)  Courtly behavior?  I assure you that I do my
best to uphold the ideals of the Society.  I have spent many hours at
troll booths and A&S displays and in the kitchen.  Seldom do I set up to
sell at local events so I can be available to help.  (Some people in my
own shire don't even know I am a merchant.)  Service is very important to
me, and being a merchant is a service, too!  Pity for the weak?  One
reason I started handling toys and candy is to have something to give the
children to make their events memorable.  (Yes, I said _give_.  Although
I'd rather the parents bought the kids something, there is the occasional
child that captures my heart, and if a lollipop will make his day, it
makes mine, too.) I also sell some items made by others who prefer not to
be stuck at a booth all day, and my commission is very minimal.

I don't know where _you_ find _your_ merchants, but the ones I know are,
on the whole, fine and decent folks who go to a lot of trouble packing
and wagging around their wares so _you_ can get some "neat stuff" to help
make your Dream come true. 

Another "mere merchant,"

Joanna 

  
On Thu, 09 Apr 1998 00:25:17 EDT maynedelacroix at juno.com (SCOTT A
WAGGONER) writes:
>
>On Tue, 7 Apr 1998 22:46:51 -0500 (CDT) Tim McDaniel <tmcd at crl.com> 
>writes:
>>On Mon, 6 Apr 1998, Dennis Grace <amazing at mail.utexas.edu>
>>wrote:
>
>>
>>Shouldn't most of us be doing that for some of the virtues
>>of the Chivalry?  After all, many of the chivalric virtues
>>are virtues for others.  E.g., no prowess and courage would
>>be expected of a mere merchant, but largess, courtoisie, and
>>pity for women, priests, and the weak in general are
>>commendable for him.
>
>>Tim McDaniel
>
>Hate to break in on this but I just have to ask... Where are you 
>finding your merchants??
>
>Let me dissect your comment...
>
>no prowess or courage :  You have never paid three dollars for a 
>hotdog at the movies? 
>        You have to be pretty brave to charge that!!
>
>largess: Oh there's a concept!  A merchant giving stuff away for the 
>asking!
>
>courtoise: Couldn't find that one exactly in the Webster's  so I will 
>accept that a merchant on COMMISSION would be courteous...
>
>
>Pity for the weak:  Oh, PLease!!!!
>
>
><g>
>
>Mayne de la Croix --- The original MiB
>Gate's Edge Canton, Barony of  Stargate,  Ansteorra
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