We here at the Punk Rock Flea are a small team and we field so many messages on a regular basis that we thought it would be helpful to answer the most frequently-asked ones here for you to save some time and confusion!
Q: HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR NEXT SHOW?
A: ADD US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM FOR ALL THE MOST RECENT NEWS & UPDATES (click the links below, in red). The next PRFM will be on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18th - stay tuned for details on our social media, details will be announced soon! 2023 dates will be announced in the New Year once we have secured venue space(s) and dates. We aim to have all dates and venues for the year locked in by March 2023 (if we are able).
Follow us on Facebook: @punkrockfleamarkethamilton
& Instagram: @punkrockfleamarkethamilton
Q: HOW DO I BECOME A VENDOR?
A: We have an application process to make things more organized and to be fair to everyone. Vendor Calls for Applications are posted individually and well in advance of every event - usually 3-4 months prior to the event date. We also send a heads up with our Vendor Application to our PRFM Mailing List. All of the info you will need will always be on the Vendor Application so you know in advance what to expect. These applications MUST be filled out in full, to help us to save time and remain well-organized on our end collect your information and photos without having to chase you down or scour the internet hunting for details. We literally receive over a HUNDRED applications for each show, so this process is necessary for us to keep things manageable - if you don’t fill one out properly, your application will be skipped. NO ONE WILL BE ACCEPTED AS A VENDOR WITHOUT AN APPLICATION, YOU MUST FILL ONE OUT TO BE CONSIDERED AND AGREE TO OUR LEGAL TERMS FOR THE EVENT - NO EXCEPTIONS. Sorry pals, we can’t play favourites!
Q: HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT SELECTING VENDORS?
A: We give you ONE or TWO WEEKS to get your applications in. Because we tend to receive an ENORMOUS response, our team spends about a week or two curating which vendors will be accepted - so ALWAYS put your best foot forward when applying. We like to mix up our vendors as well - bringing in old and new faces, a wide variety of items to purchase, and to give everyone a fair chance at joining us. We never like to have the same show twice - so even if you’ve been a vendor with us in the past, it does not guarantee you a spot in our upcoming event, and you can always be selected to join us in the future if you try again. Repeat: we don’t play favourites - we just try to curate the raddest selection of quality alternative-leaning vendors!
Q: HOW WILL I KNOW I HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS A VENDOR?
A: EVERYONE who applied will receive an email, whether they have been accepted to vend at the event or gets put on our wait list - and we always call on the wait list as people double book, face an emergency, or fall ill, etc. Accepted vendors will be given notice with instructions on the required steps that follow to secure their spot. You have ONE WEEK to confirm your acceptance and pay your Vendor Fees so we can have enough of a budget to work with to create the event. (Our pockets don’t run very deep!)
Q: WHAT IF I DIDN’T GET ACCEPTED?
A: We have a wait list for everyone who has NOT been initially selected, so that if someone drops out, or plans change, there is still a chance to join us. We generally ask people to confirm whether they want to be on the wait list, so we can avoid contacting people who have made other commitments. There is ALWAYS an opportunity for a cancellation, so NEVER lose hope if you haven’t been accepted. WE ALWAYS RELY ON CALLING ON OUR WAIT LIST when someone can’t make it.
Q: WHAT ARE THE VENDOR FEES?
A: The Vendor Fee for 2023 for all vendors is $100.00 for a 6ft table space. HST is not being charged at this time. If you require a bigger space, you will be asked to pay double this fee to make it fair to everyone for the space we have to work with - if a double space is available - and to offset the scope of the event costs - with the exception of food vendors, who will automatically be given slightly larger spaces to accommodate for their operational needs.
Q: DO YOU MAKE ANY PROFIT OFF OF THESE EVENTS?
A: All of our events are VOLUNTEER RUN. Our team is comprised of seasoned vendors just like you - we work to make this event amazing so that we too have an awesome event to vend our wares. All extra funding left over after the event closes is added to our fundraising initiative and donated to a community organization in need. No one is in this to make a profit - we make sure that as much of our event expenses are spent locally, and with our fellow small businesses, to keep our local economy thriving and working collaboratively.
Q: WHAT DO OUR VENDOR FEES PAY FOR?
A: Vendor fees pay for the following expenses: venue rental, graphics, signage, printing, sound system rentals, our DJ, performers, our photography/videography, and most importantly and biggest of all, our ADVERTISING. We dump a HUGE amount into social media ads, as well as cross-platform advertising in all formats of media to spread the word as wide as we possibly can. So really, for all that work and infrastructure, it’s an amazing deal. We like to make sure the fees stay as low as we can possibly keep them, so it’s affordable and you can make your money.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BOOTH SIZES?
A: Booth sizes this year are a standard 6 foot table per vendor, with an minimum 4ft depth. You are allowed to have a backdrop, but make sure there’s nothing in front of your booth for people to run into - we need to keep that space clear, some people have mobility issues. Please note that you can keep things under your table, or in your vehicle if you need to store items. We all need to work together to ensure that everyone has an equal space.
Q: DO YOU PROVIDE TABLES AND CHAIRS?
A: NO - we NEVER provide tables and chairs. You will have to provide your own. We just don’t have the budget or storage for this.
Q: DO YOU PROVIDE POWER?
A: Though we do have access to outlets, there are very few outlets available to vendors as our power needs for food vendors and our entertainment take priority. PLEASE BRING A SOURCE OF POWER FOR YOUR BOOTH and make sure ALL DEVICES ARE CHARGED PRIOR TO THE EVENT. Rechargeable and wireless charging devices are widely available - arm yourself. Bring your own extension cord and power bar IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, but DO NOT RELY ON POWER BEING AVAILABLE TO YOU for the duration of the event. We will do our best to accommodate those who lose a charge on a device, but there are ZERO GUARANTEES that this will be easily available with so many vendors on the floor.
Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING AS A VENDOR?
A: Your table, chair(s), table cloth, any display items you may need, money box & float (we never provide float for vendors), debit/credit device (NO ATMs will be on site), shopping bags, lighting (for evening events), decorations, business cards, signage, any tools and tape/zip ties you may need, batteries & charging devices, the floor plan so you know the load-in details and where your spot is, a garbage bag for your booth (to dispose of more easily after the event), YOUR WARES (lol, of course), snack & parking money, and a big cheerful attitude and smile for the people you’ll greet at your table to ensure more sales because you kick ass!
Q: WHEN DO WE RECEIVE THE EVENT LOAD IN/OUT DETAILS & INSTRUCTIONS?
A: Load in/out details with a floor plan to see where your booth is located will be sent to you a week or two before the event so you know EXACTLY what to expect on the event day. PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK IN with a PRFM crew member when you arrive as a vendor on show day so we can help you navigate to your space and make sure you know all the details.
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING I CANNOT SELL AT THE PUNK ROCK FLEA?
A: YOU CANNOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SELL ANYTHING DEEMED ILLEGAL, UNSANITARY OR DANGEROUS. We urge you to NOT sell drugs, firearms, weapons, explosives, tobacco products, alcohol (without a permit), biohazardous materials, fireworks, flammable substances, poisons or toxins of any kind, foods without a health inspection certificate, or live animals. RACIST, HOMOPHOBIC, OVERTLY OFFENSIVE or SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT WILL BE REFUSED. If you can’t take it on a plane, or if it might hurt someone, leave it at home please, use good judgement, don’t be a dick - kids will be at these events.
Q: IS THE VENUE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?
A: YES. Our events are usually at The Cotton Factory, and there is a freight elevator with an attendant that will be on site to take you up to our event from the back parking lot entrance. PARKING FOR THIS EVENT WILL BE FREE at the rear of the building, and the side streets of the neighbourhood. The event space itself is a flat hardwood surface in a giant room on the 3rd floor that is brightly lit by lots of windows and beautiful daylight streaming in. Washrooms are available on this floor in the event space. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about accessibility.
Q: WHAT ABOUT COVID PROTOCOLS?
A: We will not be enforcing the use of masks - vendors and patrons will be able to make their own choice in that regard. However, we will provide free disposable masks to all, as well as hand sanitizing stations throughout the event. First Aid and Naloxone kits will also be on hand. Please be respectful of others’ decisions on how to keep themselves and others safe. Please DO NOT attend an event if you are feeling unwell and put others at risk.
Q: WHO DOES THE FUNDRAISER MONEY GO TO?
A: We usually donate our fundraising money and any excess funding to one of our local charitable organizations in need - in the past we have donated to SACHA, Food4Kids, Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, the Native Women’s Centre, Mission Services, the Good Shepherd Centre, as well as Living Rock Ministries and many others.