RVA Makers Market — The Fine Print

By submitting an application to vend at any RVA Makers Market event, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms, policies, and expectations.

APPLICATION & ACCEPTANCE. This is a curated market. Acceptance is determined by product quality, brand consistency, and professional presentation. A complete application includes your business information, bio, social media or website links, product photos, and a photo of your booth or table setup. Incomplete applications will be reviewed in later rounds or may not be reviewed at all. Applicants must maintain an active website or professional social media presence for the jury to review. Priority is given to She's, They's, and Gays who submit a complete application with clear and beautiful branding. Acceptance to a previous RVA Makers Market does not guarantee acceptance in future markets. The vendor list is curated fresh for each event to highlight both new and established makers.

PRODUCTS. All products sold at the market must be handmade by the person selling them. You are only authorized to sell items that were listed and approved in your application. Any additions or changes to your product line require prior written approval. Your placement on the market map is based on the product category listed in your application. Out of respect for fellow vendors who have been curated and accepted to sell in specific categories, unapproved items may not be sold at the market.

FEES & PAYMENT. Vendor fees are flat with no commission on sales. The specific fee amount varies by event and venue and will be listed in the application and on your invoice. Payment is due immediately upon receipt of invoice, and your space is not reserved until payment is received. Invoices are sent via Square from hello@rvamakersmarket.us. Alternate payment is accepted via CashApp at $makersmarkets. After three reminder emails without a response, your invoice will be canceled and your space will be offered to another vendor. Your business will be added to the vendor list and content calendar only after payment is received.

LATE FEES. A 15% late fee is applied to any invoice paid more than seven days after the due date. Your invoice may be canceled if we do not hear from you within 24 hours of the reminder email sent on the eighth day.

REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS. Refunds are issued for cancellations made more than 15 days before the event. Cancellations made between 6 and 14 days before the event are refunded by gift card only if an adequate paid replacement vendor is found. No refunds or credits are issued for cancellations made fewer than 5 days before the event. The money has already been spent to produce the event.

GIFT CARD CREDITS. Credits may be applied toward a vendor fee at a future RVA Makers Market event. Credits do not reserve or guarantee placement. All credit holders must submit a standard application and be accepted through the jury process. Events are curated for category balance and preferred dates cannot be guaranteed. Credits are valid through the calendar year of issue. One credit per invoice. Credits may not be split or combined with other discounts.

TRANSFERS. You are allowed one free date or venue change request per year. Subsequent transfers cost $30 and must be requested at least 15 days before the event.

PREFERRED PLACEMENT. A $50 upgrade fee is available for vendors requesting a specific prime location within the venue.

ILLNESS POLICY. Do not attend the market if you are feeling unwell or have been in contact with someone who has contracted an infectious illness. In this case, your fee will be transferred to a future market at no penalty.

NO-SHOWS. Vendors who do not show up and do not contact us will not be eligible for future events and programs.

WEATHER. All markets are rain or shine. If market organizers cancel due to extreme weather, vendors will receive a credit toward a future date within the same calendar year. If a vendor cancels while the market has not been canceled, no refund is issued.

SOCIAL MEDIA & PROMOTION. All vendors are required to actively promote and engage with the market on social media. This includes tagging us in at least one post on your preferred platform, sharing the event on your social media or website or email list, sending invites through the Facebook event, and engaging with content from fellow makers. A fee of $20–$25 (amount varies by event) will be charged to vendors who do not fulfill this requirement. Vendors who are exceptionally active in sharing, commenting, and tagging other makers will be highlighted and given priority for features in our posts and paid ads.

BOOTH & SETUP. A polished, professional booth setup is a requirement for acceptance. No grid walls, storage cubes, or backdrops are permitted unless explicit permission has been given. Only two people may be behind your table at any time. Space types, table provisions, and what you need to bring vary by venue and will be detailed in your event-specific vendor packet. For outdoor events (typically April through September), you must provide your own 10×10 canopy tent with adequate weights of at least 30–40 lbs per leg.

LOAD-IN & LOAD-OUT. Specific times are provided in your event-specific vendor packet. Do not arrive before the stated load-in time. After loading in, move your vehicle immediately to make parking available for shoppers. Do not begin packing up before the designated end time. Vendors who pack up early without notifying Marie will not be invited back. We encourage vendors to barter and shop with each other after market hours.

VENDOR CONDUCT. Market vending is a performance and you are the principal character of your table. Put on your human suit and get ready to talk. Makers are most successful when they look excited to be there and can speak confidently about their work. Be kind to all neighbors, staff, and visitors. You are responsible for loading and unloading all of your materials with respect to the building and those around you. You break it, you bought it.

LEGAL & COMPLIANCE. Vendors are 100% responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required local and state business licenses and seller permits. You must collect and remit applicable Virginia sales and use tax for all sales made at the market. Vendors are responsible for their own business or personal liability insurance. By applying, you waive all claims against the market and its venue partners for loss, damage, or injury. Proper permits are required for all food and beverage sales.

BY APPLYING, YOU AGREE: (1) Payment is due on receipt of invoice and your space is not reserved until payment is made. (2) If you pack up before the designated end time without prior approval, you will not be invited back. (3) You will put on your human suit and be kind to all neighbors, staff, and visitors. (4) You will actively promote the market on social media and engage with fellow vendors.

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