Janet taking things out 2014-04-29 07:23
Dear Dorene,
I am forwarding some correspondence with Janet that refers to the sale of items at the Liberty Road address. The city will require vendors to have a license and for customers to show ID. Yet, since I have a license I can sell any items you like for you, If this is OK with you I would like to online inventory what you have for sale there. I will insure care of and process the sale for you. No charge!
It works very well for me to have some seed items there and not look empty.
These regulations will force me to take a more online approach to the business there. This may be for the best, people will get a low cost way of selling items, and the business can tap into items for sale from a broader market.
Thanks for helping me get this started.
Claudio
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
Don't come pick up your items, I can sell them for you !
Date:
2014-04-28 10:05
From:
To:
janet heilman <janetbh@yahoo.com>
This will be better all around... The regulations do not say these items can not be sold. It only complicates how they are sold, if I add more value to the transaction I can compensate for the restrictions.
First we want nice things for sale there! People that have nice things for sale really don't want to work at a flea market. But, they may like to come on the weekends to decorate a booth, price items, help sell, all while sipping wine and chatting with close friends.
I will do a full inventory of what you(plural) have there for sale, I will insure it for 1/2 of its sale price, and will only take a 33% commission on things that are sold. This way we can have better inventory for sale, people will be assured that there will be no loss, and they will get the best deal in town! Other consignments do not insure, and charge 50%.
For those of you that helped get this started, you can donate if you like, but there will be no charge.
The buyer can go to a local flea market online, they don't need to get up early to get the best things, each day they can see what new items are added, and can snap them up if they choose.
It also pushes me to look for vendors that have new items, develop the restaurant with a variance, and focus more on tech, yoga and sewing classes. All which I think is permitted.
I just became admin for this http://www.meetup.com/westgeorgiatechnologycircle
The farmers market, and the plants and having things for sale outside may be permitted. It could be that the City does not understand its regulations. After all we are the first "Flea Market" to ever have a license.
After all they are all free market, anti socialist republicans !!!!
What do you think?
On 2014-04-28 09:08, janet heilman wrote:
Claudio,
I'm sorry to hear about all these restrictions and regulations. Unbelievable. I doubt that vendors will want to jump through these hoops. Especially people that are selling their personal items.
Might it be time to change to another concept? A yoga warehouse, or a sewing institute? I believe the sewing place, located in the strip mall that also has Pier I (in Douglasville) closed, and became Anna's Linens. Don't know if it closed because no one sews anymore, or if it relocated. And honestly don't know if there are enough people out there wanting to learn how to sew that could sustain a business.
I guess we will need to pick up our items? I won't be able to do it this week though, so it will need to be the following Monday, May 5 if that's okay with you.
What about the new vendors that you signed up? What do you plan to do?
From: "claudio@metroecho.com" <claudio@metroecho.com>
To: janetbh@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 9:41 AM
Subject: Update
Greetings,
We were visited on opening day by the City and were told that we can not operate outside. Although I don't see any restrictions in the regulations I think its best we not butt heads with the city at this time. This will also prevent any outdoor farmers market.
We also can't have vendors, like we had selling personal things without business license. In addition we need to collect a drivers license and keep strict records of all sales of used Items.
http://libertyhaus.com/sites/default/files/Flea%20Markets.pdf
Looks like a restaurant is not permitted as well. http://libertyhaus.com/sites/default/files/Flea%20Markets.pdf
Working on plan B...
I included below the emails I have had with the City.
Claudio.
Claudio,
When you came in to get your occupational tax certificate for the flea market, I indicated that the rules may change in the near future. Our City Attorney is taking a look at our current ordinance and will be revising it in the near future. In the meantime, you will need to comply with the current ordinance. That is, all of your vendors will need to come into city hall to obtain an individual permit to sell their goods. They will also need to comply with the rules regarding keeping track of sales. I have attached a copy of the current ordinance for your convenience.
I also mentioned when you were in my office that you would not be able to have outside sales. My Code Enforcement Officer tells me that there were people outside last weekend selling goods on tables that were rented for $10 each. This is not permissible.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this.
Janet L. Hyde, M.S.
GSWCC Certified Level IB and II
Director of Community Development
City of Villa Rica
571 West Bankhead Highway
Villa Rica, Georgia 30180
(678) 840-1213
Reply
Janet,
We did have a small opening Saturday before last, but it was only that one day. I had offered a booth rental for $10.00 per day, and had only one person. I had no intention of having anything outside, but it was such a nice day they wanted to be outside, and I understood no objection in the regulations of being outside. The event that Saturday was set up by some local ladies that wanted to help, it was more private than public. None the less, I apologize for the people outside.
Correct me if I am wrong, vendors are required a business license, yet the flea market can sell independent of those vendors. For instance someone brings items in for sale and we sell it for them, or we purchase items and we sell them.
You may have already seen our website and understand that this is part of an online application that is to be used by a variety of merchants. It is an open and participatory environment. I believe that everyone involved wants to build an upscale business that resembles a Flea Market, as opposed to a building full of junk for sale. I would like to see the ordnance permit a restaurant, an outside area for garden sales and a farmers market. Could this be included as permitted uses? It would make a more interesting venue, what do you think?
If you could assist me with a couple of aspects of the regulations...
Sec 6-126
The records of such transaction shall be made on a form prescribed by the coordinator of inspections.The form shall be dated and require a description of the property and the amount of the transaction.
If it is suitable for you we can provide an online version, and in addition what is offered for sale is pictured online. I can set a form to generate for each sale, and give your inspectors access to this information online.
All sales of used or previously owned merchandise shall, in addition to the foregoing, require an accurate description of the property, including identifying marks and manufacturer’s identification numbers of the items sold. Additionally, as to the purchaser of such items, the flea market vendor shall obtain and verify from current valid identification presented by such person his name, current address, sex, race, height, weight, and date of birth. A current, valid driver’s license with photograph shall be positive identification.
This aspect of the regulation is the most debilitating, as most people are not accustom to presenting ID in order to purchase at flea markets. In particular if you do not have a drivers license you would not be able to purchase. Is this the aspect of these regulations you wish changed?
We look forward to creating valued new venue for Villa Rica, your suggestions are valued.
Thank you,
Claudio Avendano 404 520 3333