Vendor charges at large events

[Go West]

I didn't attend EOT this year, but I did hear that the number of vendors were not as plentiful as what they used to be. One person that was going to go said the cost was prohibitive. Another said multiple big companies were not in attendance like they were in the past. 

I would suggest that the folks organizing and running big matches be mindful of this trend. Your first order of business is for the shooters, always. Vendors enhance the experience at at these events for the competitors and the public. It would be a shame to price these folks out of attendance.

 

This reminds me of the "tax the rich" mantra I've been hearing in politics the past few years. We see people leaving California and NY. Do we want this happening at the matches, too?

 

Just a thought.

 

 

 

 

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

I also noticed the shortage of vendors. I have no inside information as to their success as far as sales go, but this was the first match I have attended where I was able to buy my 2x t-shirt and three hats on Saturday as they are normally sold out by then. 
Putting on this match is a huge undertaking and it is a business decision for SASS what fees are charged but I would be very sad if we lost more vendors over a few bucks. The match is a great experience and part of the allure is being able to see and touch various products in person. I hope we never lose that. 
Regards

    

Gateway Kid

[Scarlett]

I believe that Taylor’s was caught in the winter storm and unable to attend. Ruger was a late arrival. Dillon wasn’t there at all because there was some big show in Germany that 6 people were attending and they couldn’t spare anyone to “man the booth” at EOT. It was disappointing to be sure. 
 

Several of the smaller, unique vendors haven’t been in a couple of years… it’s not all the cost that is charged to vendors. It’s expensive - but Ben Avery charges fees. All the money doesn’t go to the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders! Vendor fee $440. 10x10 tent is $250 20x20 tent is $525 plus sponsorships or Merchandise gifts. Plus, those of us who also shoot, pay for that as well. 
 

I have no complaints - I am intentional about what I sell. If the cowboys and cowgirls don’t SPEND MONEY at the vendors, the vendors won’t come back. I know that we can get a lot of things online and shipped free however, Amazon and Temu aren’t at EOT. They aren’t sponsoring stages or shooters. 
 

I don’t need much in the way of clothing - but I bought a shirt from the Cloak Drummer because I liked the one I got last year and Beverly had another color. I saw things in her shop that friends would like and sent them there to check it out. They made purchases. I waited to buy my UniqueTek things until EOT so it would count towards EOT sales. 
 

It’s a tremendous amount of work to set up/take down at matches and shows across the country. I assure you every vendor appreciates every sale. No matter how big or small. 
 

I appreciate the loyalty and support of my business.

 

Hugs!

Scarlett

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

27 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

All the money doesn’t go to the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders!

Plus one to Scarlett.  Neither SASS nor the Rough Riders have control over vendor prices.  They are set by Ben Avery and Ben Avery has raised the prices significantly the past few years.  It is to the point that for most shotgun matches over at the Clay Target Center only one or two vendors, if any, show up anymore for large tournaments.  While not the whole issue part of the problem over at Cowtown was the increasing range rental and fees that made continued CAS operations economically unfeasible.

Edited March 8 by Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933

[La Sombra]

@Scarlett, you forgot waiting for the truck with your bullets and then unloading that truck!

I can argue that EOT is unique in that the range and not the club sets the vendor fee. At most "large" matches that I attend, the club sets the price.

 

Big thanks to the vendors that show up. I do try to buy "something" from them (Hey @Tell Sackett SASS 18436) at the matches that I attend.

 

La Sombra

[Scarlett]

There are very few “regular” matches that charge a vendor a fee. Land Run is $200 for a 20 x 30 spot.  Most matches simply ask vendors to sponsor to their ability. 
 

@La Sombra I always appreciate your purchases - large or small. 🥰

 

Hugs!

Scarlett

[Rattlesnake Slim]

As the President, I am also the Sponsor Liaison for End of Trail. True, the cost of attending events like these has risen dramatically over the last few years. Travel, lodging, personnel, and in some cases freight costs have come close to doubling in the last 5-10 years. The Sponsor and Vendor fees, including tent rental at EOT have not. I think we raised the optional fee for electricity $25 a couple of years ago to offset a large increase by our provider. Otherwise, none of the Sponsor/Vendor fees have risen since we began hosting EOT, and even prior to that in the last few Winter Range years.

 

Scarlett is correct, their attendance is based on whether or not they think they can SELL enough to make it worth while. And while we're at it, please remember to patronize them all year long; and it doesn't hurt to add "Thanks for coming to EOT" in the comments section of your online order later in the year.

[Scarlett]

@Rattlesnake Slim I wish ALL my prices had held like the tent/vending fees! I should have said that. The fees I quoted above have been the same since 2022 for sure! And may have even been that in 2020 when we were there for our first Winter Range. 😉

 

Thanks for your hard work all year long! 
 

Hugs!

Scarlett
 

 

[T-Square]

Plus two for Scarlett. Her effort and contribution to this game are immeasurable. Her honesty is straight-on—refreshing, direct, and sincere.

 

In my professional life I’ve spent plenty of time on the vendor side of association meetings and trade shows, so I’ll add a perspective from that side of the table.

At every level of match—Club, Annual, State, Regional, and National—we as Cowboys and Cowgirls should make an effort to buy a few things from the vendors. That’s what keeps Vendor Row alive and keeps the whole event feeling like a festival instead of just another match.

 

Think about it this way: if a match has 600 shooters, and everyone spent $100 with the vendors, that’s $60,000 in sales. A little from everyone becomes a big deal for the folks who haul trailers full of inventory across the country to support our game.

 

Personally, I usually spend way more than my registration fee. I like a new costumes (last season’s clothes get donated), a nice piece of leather—shout-out to T-Star Leathers—and who doesn’t need a new knife from Page Custom Knives or a few goodies from the mercantiles?  Land Run had an engraver - I think everyone visited that tent at least twice.  Ask me to see my knife with my alias  on the blade !!

 

Don’t forget the SASS merchandise either. You probably need another hat, a mug, or maybe those personalized ammo bags. Sometimes I even hang around the SASS tent just to flirt with C.C. when Scarlett isn’t around to hug.
(Relax… just checking to see who’s still paying attention.)

 

Now, I realize not everyone married a wealthy heiress like I did—but most folks can budget a little. Skip Amazon, retire that same old vest, and buy something from the vendors at the match. Do that, and you’ll never be the one wondering why Cowboy Town disappeared.

 

Another thing we can do is communicate with the vendors we like. Let them know we appreciate them being there—and that we expect to see them at the big matches. When a group of Cowboys starts asking national vendors why they aren’t showing up, it creates more pressure than you might think.

Supporting the vendors helps keep the whole experience alive for all of us.

 

That is all from my saddle,

[Singin' Sue 71615]

8 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

Plus one to Scarlett.  Neither SASS nor the Rough Riders have control over vendor prices.  They are set by Ben Avery and Ben Avery has raised the prices significantly the past few years.  It is to the point that for most shotgun matches over at the Clay Target Center only one or two vendors, if any, show up anymore for large tournaments.  While not the whole issue part of the problem over at Cowtown was the increasing range rental and fees that made continued CAS operations economically unfeasible.

Yes.

It does cost a bit more for vending EOT/WR

BASF charges daily, tent rental...do you want a floor in that tent? It all adds up.

The $$ fee for vending was NOT the reason for some regular vendors not being out this year. If you want to know why...call the vendor.

[Scarlett]

15 hours ago, Singin' Sue 71615 said:

Yes.

It does cost a bit more for vending EOT/WR

BASF charges daily, tent rental...do you want a floor in that tent? It all adds up.

The $$ fee for vending was NOT the reason for some regular vendors not being out this year. If you want to know why...call the vendor.

Yes… ask the vendors you missed seeing. They will probably tell you - there’s some embarrassment to saying “I can’t afford it” or “I barely made expenses” or whatever… sometimes vendors will tell Tommy and me what’s up. I ask them to do the survey and share what’s what - but hardly any do. One year, Rattlesnake Slim told me I was the only vendor who answered the survey. We all saw what last years shooter survey did for this years match, right! It can happen with vendors, too!! 
 

Hugs!

Scarlett

[Joe LaFives #5481]

I'm going to chime in here too.  With the expansion of categories and awards to 10th, the cost has risen exponentially.  That cost has to get transferred somewhere.  Additionally, I know many vendors have simply retired.

[Scarlett]

17 hours ago, Joe LaFives #5481 said:

I'm going to chime in here too.  With the expansion of categories and awards to 10th, the cost has risen exponentially.  That cost has to get transferred somewhere.  Additionally, I know many vendors have simply retired.

The fees I pay at EOT have been the same since I first went to Winter Range in 2020. I don’t know of any match, EOT included, that uses vendor fees to help cover match costs - other than the tent/tables etc that I’m actually “renting”.

 

Missed seeing you this year! 
 

Hugs!

Scarlett

[Matthew Duncan]

On 3/8/2026 at 3:51 PM, Rattlesnake Slim said:

…The Sponsor and Vendor fees, including tent rental … think they can SELL enough to make it worth while….

Venders have to pay to sponsor a stage plus pay to have the privilege to attend plus the tent rental too?  If this is correct then how can they cover overhead especially with SASS’s participation decline?

[Bison Bud]

My wife is into doing craft shows around here and we have also seen a sharp rise in vendor fees over the past couple seasons that I feel has indeed affected the overall vendor participation.  I do know there are shows that we used to attend successfully that have simply priced themselves out of our comfort zone and we no longer attend!  As others have already stated, we need to sell or die and lately it's been difficult to even get our vendor fees back at most shows.  One simply can't do many shows that lose money overall.  Most shows around here have also started charging admission fees in the order of $5.00 a head that I believe has cut down on customers as well and the less traffic the less sales.  However, another big issue is that the customers that do show up simply are not buying like they used to do and I contribute that to the economy, etc.  In reality, I don't blame them for being frugal, because I know that I have to get value for every dollar I spend and this situation sure appears to be getting worse rather than better.  All in all, it has become more and more difficult to be a successful vendor and that is pretty much widespread as I see it.  So please support the vendors that do show up, both during and after the show.  I think we all agree that the vendors do add to the overall experience and want them to show up and keep coming back!  Good luck and good shooting to all.   

[Rattlesnake Slim]

7 hours ago, Matthew Duncan said:

Venders have to pay to sponsor a stage plus pay to have the privilege to attend plus the tent rental too?  If this is correct then how can they cover overhead especially with SASS’s participation decline?

 

Vendors do NOT pay to sponsor a stage. Vendors ONLY pay to rent a tent if they want one, and only pay what the tent rental company charges us. The vendor fee pays for the daily Ben Avery vendor fees, and other infrastructure that vendors use; dumpsters, toilets, overnight security in the vendor area, EMT services, etc. 

[evil dogooder]

We were asked to vend at eot 4 years ago.  The cost we were told was North of $3000 before tent rental.  Donation of product and cash.  For us to pull a trailer 3200 miles round trip, on top of that made it a no brainer.    We don't even vend at state or regional because there was only one match we made a profit on. By the time we pay for staff and everything the math doesn't add up.   That is one of the reasons why we make a point to try to purchase something at every event we go to.  If we don't personally need anything we give the items to new shooters or donate them to other matches as prizes.       Being a small shop we understand how even $20 can make a difference if enough people do it. 

[Blackwater 53393]

Years ago, when I was vending at SASS matches, selling cowboy/girl clothing, bullets, and custom hats, I was asked to bring my entire operation to a very big major match. “You’ve got great products, you put on a super show, and your prices are excellent!” was the gist of the invitation.

 

When I got home after the match, I reached out to the contact for information.

 

”Our entry fee for vendors is $XXX.00.” I could have lived with that.  

“OH! You’ll either have to have another tent or rent one of ours because your tent isn’t acceptable.” I asked what it would cost and was told “$XXX.00 for one the size you’ll need.” I would probably have gone along with that as well.

 

”I hate to say this, but you’ll have to pay a fee for electricity because we can’t have you running your generator on the property! That’ll be another $XXX.00 per day.” Now I’m dragging out my calculator to add upp the up front costs!!

 

”Hey! They tell me that you sometimes stay late at night to complete orders for your customers! You won’t be able to do that here.”  The scales just tilted to the “NO” side, but I was still considering the idea.

 

Me, “I usually stay in my tent unless the weather is really bad.”

 
“NO! Sorry, we can’t allow that! You’ll have to seek other lodging!”  Now the scales have really tipped over to the negative!

 

Me again, “Will there be other vendors there who offer the same services?”

 

”Why, yes! We have several vendors from nearby who sell some or all of what you carry!”

 

I hit the calculator! Vendor fee+tent rental+electrical fee+hotel bill+fuel+employee pay+meals+incidentals=$X,XXX.00!! Not to mention the cost of merchandise for this event.

 

Me, “Do all of these fees include the match fee for me and my helper?”

 

”Oh, NO! We can’t do that!” 😡

 

Me, “So I’m paying $X,XXX.00, driving four thousand miles, round trip, and basically taking the better part of TWO WEEKS to come to your match to compete with local, established vendors after spending all that money and time and I don’t even get to shoot unless I also pay match fees?”  I paused to give them time to respond, but all I heard was silence.

 

Me again, “I want to apologize for wasting your time. I misunderstood the invitation that I was offered by your representatives.  Maybe some other time!”😖

 

I hung up and took a couple of nearby annual shoots where I was welcome, offered a place to stay on the grounds, could get there in a matter of hours, and was given two shoots for the cost of gas, match fees, and a small donation of goods or service to be given as prizes.  Oh!! And they provided meals too!

 

Just one such example of what vendors are sometimes expected to do.

[watab kid]

On 3/8/2026 at 9:44 AM, Go West said:

I didn't attend EOT this year, but I did hear that the number of vendors were not as plentiful as what they used to be. One person that was going to go said the cost was prohibitive. Another said multiple big companies were not in attendance like they were in the past. 

I would suggest that the folks organizing and running big matches be mindful of this trend. Your first order of business is for the shooters, always. Vendors enhance the experience at at these events for the competitors and the public. It would be a shame to price these folks out of attendance.

 

This reminds me of the "tax the rich" mantra I've been hearing in politics the past few years. We see people leaving California and NY. Do we want this happening at the matches, too?

 

Just a thought.

 

 

 

 

i cannot disagree , your making a great point , some of us miss the vendors at events - we plan to purchase and they dont show , im not saying that this is a trend but i am saying my experience is seeing less vendors over the years ---jus t sayin 

[Rattlesnake Slim]

In the interest of facts and transparency, the vendor fees for EOT are listed on our website HERE. They have remained the same since our first EOT in 2022.

[T-Square]

My contribution:  I've said this before; we have a revenue problem not an expense problem.

I know very little about vending at a SASS match, other than my natural interest in business operations - but for $840 in fees and using a 3x multiple, I would need $2,520 in sales to break-even.  Yes, the 3x multiplier is just a simple way to consider cost of goods and other expenses.

If there are 600 participants, I would need $4 DOLLARS from each in REVENUE....  or 60 sales at $42 each.

It was said in a previous post, if all 600 shooters spent $100 each, the revenue would be $60,000 - enought to support 23 vendors ($60,000 / $2,520) at break-even.

I certainly make a healthy contribution toward the revenue number, more so when my wife IS NOT with me !!  LOL

In summary, SUPPORT YOUR ON-SITE VENDORS they add much to the spirit of the games.  What's a hundred bucks?! You can't take it with you !! 😆