Farmers Markets. Friend or Foe.

Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago to The Gulch: General
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I have had some interesting conversations with customers recently about our local Farmers Market. I support the concept and believe it is how business was meant to be done. Producers sell their items directly to consumers. I am in the unfortunate position of having to compete with our local Farmers Market which is within walking distance of my retail store. In todays government controlled world it is clear that Farmers Markets are basically Black Markets. They operate on Saturday and Sunday when most government inspectors are off. Our local market is held on church property so they don't pay property tax. It is unlikely that they are complying with many of the costly mandates that I am. I still support the concept and I am surprised when speaking to customers about this that they usually say that they should "have to pay" their fair share. I always say that neither one of us should have to pay most of these fees. Curious if you all had any thoughts about this.

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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I don't mind them being exempt from property tax but it is because they are non profit. If they wish to venture into the competitive world of profit then so be it. Play be the rules.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    What does EBT stand for? I thought it was just a regular debit card. Why don't I know this?

    I disagree Rich. Just because someone is "struggling" doesn't mean they should get a discount, and a business shouldn't feel compelled to give a discount because they aren't paying the same taxes/fees as other businesses who shouldn't have to pay them either. I'm against hand outs. Earn it.

    Nope..still lost.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    People on EBT cards are in some cases struggling. Since Farmers Markets get away without paying many of the same fees (taxes) the rest of us pay I could see a discount. This is just another hand out. Hope I found you.
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 11 years, 11 months ago
    Brick-and-mortar shops have advantages to Farmer's Markets (aka Flea Markets?); they also have disadvantages.

    There's a reason why Wal-mart is such a big retailer while producing pretty much nothing (in the way of products).

    Then again, I've also always been hostile to Habitat for Humanity, for pretty much the same reason..
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    the whole time I've known you, I thought you did this on purpose...no, wait...you have
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Robbie, they are paying for the use of the parking lot. For one, churches carry liability insurance as well
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Jesus Christ Almighty! By EBT are we talking food stamp card? If so, this makes me see RED. WTF? And why can you see 'offering a discount'. I'm lost.
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  • Posted by RobertFl 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It must be new this year. I've recently seen it mentioned on the local news. It might have a $20 limit, I don't recall. It's a dollar for dollar match - if you use an EBT.
    Does a merchant get whacked less fees for processing an EBT over a regular credit card or debit card?
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I hadn't heard of that before. A retailer could not possibly compete against that. I could see offering a discount but that seems a bit too generous.
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  • Posted by RobertFl 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    In Nashville, the Farmers Market will double your EBT payment. If you spend $20 on the EBT, they give you another $20.
    Not sure how I feel about that. If the gov't hadn't provided the first $20, I would think that's fine, it's the community helping out its neighbors. But that first $20 was my 20, and the next 20 is the 20 the farmer added to my bill to cover it. I'm technically getting hosed twice.
    I'm pretty sure that constitutes double dippin'
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The Workman's Comp premiums are a huge expense for employers, due in large part to all the fraud in WC. I made a very good living investigating those cases.
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I wonder if most American employees still don't realize that it's the business that pays for Workman's comp. A lot of people I knew, back when I was an employer, thought it came out of the employee's pay...
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes. Workers Comp. is another. I am required to carry work comp insurance for all employees. It's easy to check and see if I am compliant but with them not so much.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Obama voters don't think that deeply to realize, or care, how or who their votes impact. The church idea is a good one, but some might show up on Sunday to hear an actual sermon, you'd have to be prepared for that.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You forgot insurance and liability. Generally very hard to sue a merchant in a farmers market as there are usually more than one that sells the same items and they usually don't provide receipts or other markings to definitively identify them. Thus, you take your chances with what you purchase. A fixed store, on the other hand, is readily identifiable, and easily sued. Thus, they need to carry insurance to protect themselves, which is an additional cost of doing business over/above the regulation.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Probably not even that if it is done outside of services hours. Usually their lots are empty except for when services are being held.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am surprised too at the customers who have Obama stickers on their cars and yet they shop at the Farmers Markets. You would think they would be the first to rebel against it. I thought about becoming the Church of RichRobinson and running a week long Farmers Market.
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