July 8, 2026
How to Evaluate a Market Like an Experienced Vendor
One of the more challenging aspects of vending isn’t working the event—it’s deciding whether the event is worth applying to in the first place.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.
Most of the information you need simply isn’t available, and what is available rarely tells the whole story. You have to build a grounded sense of whether an event is worth your time before you commit your money, your inventory, and an entire weekend.
The best evaluation is going as a visitor first.
Walk the event. Look at the mix of products. How diverse is it? How specific? Then talk to the vendors. Most vendors are friendly—if they’re not slammed, they’ll talk to you, and they’ll tell you what it’s actually like. I’ve had a lot of those conversations with people considering vending themselves.
You’re not going to find everything you need to know on the website. The evaluation has to include experiencing the event in person.
Before you apply, I recommend two things:
Visit the event.
Talk to vendors.
What clues can you take from observation?
Is the crowd carrying food or purchases?
If people are mostly carrying food items, is the sun out or is it overcast? How comfortable do people look walking around? Uncomfortable people don't tend to linger. If people are carrying shopping bags, look for logos to help determine what they purchased: home goods, personal items, crafts, or used clothing.
Are people lingering or just passing through?
Most events are set up along streets which creates a natural flow but also has the side effect of creating pass through areas. Are people taking their time and lingering or are they walking by without really paying attention to vendor tents?
Are customers buying from multiple booths or only food vendors?
This observation will tell you a lot about people who pop into your booth or walk past. One pattern I’ve noticed over the years is that people carrying food rarely make a purchase at my booth. They’re often walking with children or focused on eating rather than shopping. On the other hand, customers carrying several shopping bags have usually already shifted into buying mode and are more likely to make a spur of the moment purchase.
Are people arriving with purpose or simply killing time?
This is a generalization, but it's fair: Most people visiting local markets are there simply to get out of the house. Some arrive with a shopping list, but many are there just to browse and enjoy the day.
Do vendors seem engaged with customers or staring at their phones?
This is self-evident: Vendors staring into their phones aren't selling. A booth can look busy all day and still have mediocre sales. Lots of conversations don’t necessarily translate into purchases. Don’t mistake activity for revenue.
Is there enough product diversity, or does every fifth booth sell the same thing?
Some event organizers do an excellent job curating their vendors and go to great lengths to make sure there is a reasonable balance to competition. Some don't give a shit and only care about filling empty slots. For every vendor selling the same product(s) you are selling, you can expect your share of revenue to be cut proportionally, no matter how "good" you think your product is.
If four vendors are selling jewelry, you’re competing for the same pool of customers. Even if your work is stronger, every additional competitor reduces the number of people who might otherwise have stopped at your booth.
That’s one reason curated events often outperform larger events with hundreds of vendors.
These simple observations will often tell you more than an organizer’s website ever will.
Don’t decide whether an event is good after thirty minutes. Markets have a rhythm. Some are busiest at opening, others after lunch, and some don’t really come alive until the afternoon. Stay long enough to see the event settle into its natural pace.
Talk to vendors
Most vendors are friendly and willing to help, but remember they’re working. Even if they aren’t actively making a sale, they’re there to earn a living—not spend twenty minutes answering questions. Be respectful, keep your questions brief, and don’t overstay your welcome.
Vendors talk to each other. We know each other. We make friends, and we spend a lot of time comparing notes—what events are like, how sales went, who’s worth applying to again.
Most vendors won’t tell you exactly how much they made. Some, like me, will tell you point-blank whether the day was good, bad, or break-even. Most won’t share specific numbers, and that’s fine—you can still get a clear sense of whether an event may be worth your time.
Just remember that if you’re talking to vendors outside your category, the picture they give you will be skewed.
If you’re an artist working in the craft category, talk to people who sell what you sell. Art is a very tough product to move on a great day. It only moves when people have extra money in their pockets—it’s a splurge, an on-the-spot decision. People don’t show up to events looking to buy my particular product. They see it, they like it, and they buy it.
There are products people do show up looking for: clothing, soaps, candles, sunglasses, belts, leather goods. Art isn’t usually on that list.
Conclusion
No website can tell you whether an event is right for your business. That’s something you’ll have to figure out yourself by visiting events, talking to vendors, and paying attention to what you see AFTER you start vending.
Eventually, you’ll build your own baseline. You’ll learn which organizers you enjoy working with, which communities buy your products, and which events simply aren’t worth your time.
That’s when you stop guessing and start making informed business decisions.