2008 Woodie Awards
On second thought . . .
The ASBG flea market isn't so bad after all
Ehren Fish
Issue date: 4/29/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
A short time ago I wrote a rather irate editorial on my experience at the flea market without knowing both sides of the story.
I have since had the opportunity to learn the other side of the story from the Associated Student Body Government advisor, and the reasons for some of the seemingly unfair things, which I witnessed while waiting in line to get my selling spot in the parking lot.
The reason that the merchants have to be there at midnight is because that's when they choose to start lining up anyway (first come, first served), and before they were allowed on campus at that time of night they would line up in front of neighboring businesses and wreak havoc.
It got to the point where the surrounding businesses were going to sue the school, so Delta had no choice but to hire someone to be on campus at midnight, so that people could line up in the parking lot and the college could be a good neighbor.
The cars that pulled directly up to the gate and were let in ahead of everyone else were prepaid vendors who had reserved their spot at least a month in advance.
Prepaid vendors pay no less than one month before they want to sell, and if they, for some reason, don't make it to the flea market on time, or even don't make it at all, then they don't get their money back.
My former article on the subject was somewhat biased, even for an editorial, due to the fact that it was written after having experienced 30-plus hours with no sleep.
It's rough getting up at that time of morning, and not getting to sleep until almost midnight that night.
Needless to say, my entire attitude on the experience to begin with was rather sour, and all of these seeming "injustices" didn't help it any.
Now that I have developed a better understanding of what has gone into any given weekend flea market at Delta College, I have better respect and appreciation for the work put into it by the students here.
There is so much time, money, and dedication that the participating vendors, purchasing community members, and Delta students don't see.
It takes someone to open your eyes and get both sides of the picture.
Consider this article an apology and my former challenge to ASBG retracted.
I have since had the opportunity to learn the other side of the story from the Associated Student Body Government advisor, and the reasons for some of the seemingly unfair things, which I witnessed while waiting in line to get my selling spot in the parking lot.
The reason that the merchants have to be there at midnight is because that's when they choose to start lining up anyway (first come, first served), and before they were allowed on campus at that time of night they would line up in front of neighboring businesses and wreak havoc.
It got to the point where the surrounding businesses were going to sue the school, so Delta had no choice but to hire someone to be on campus at midnight, so that people could line up in the parking lot and the college could be a good neighbor.
The cars that pulled directly up to the gate and were let in ahead of everyone else were prepaid vendors who had reserved their spot at least a month in advance.
Prepaid vendors pay no less than one month before they want to sell, and if they, for some reason, don't make it to the flea market on time, or even don't make it at all, then they don't get their money back.
My former article on the subject was somewhat biased, even for an editorial, due to the fact that it was written after having experienced 30-plus hours with no sleep.
It's rough getting up at that time of morning, and not getting to sleep until almost midnight that night.
Needless to say, my entire attitude on the experience to begin with was rather sour, and all of these seeming "injustices" didn't help it any.
Now that I have developed a better understanding of what has gone into any given weekend flea market at Delta College, I have better respect and appreciation for the work put into it by the students here.
There is so much time, money, and dedication that the participating vendors, purchasing community members, and Delta students don't see.
It takes someone to open your eyes and get both sides of the picture.
Consider this article an apology and my former challenge to ASBG retracted.