The admin work it takes to go through all of all of the applications you have clearly never done. Sometimes there are hundreds of applications and only a handful is selected due to space. It’s an admin fee as a competition. If you don’t get in it’s not the right show or too many applications.

Commissions I understand, application fees I even understand. But I knew of a gallery once that had a 50% commission, a $35 application fee, a $45 STOCKING fee AND a $25 DROP OFF FEE.

soooo icky to be taking money from people you may not even accept

I get it's a lot of work to go thru apps, but I hate when it's the same 30-45 vendors every time. Why am I applying then?! And then the app fee isn't applied to your table fee if you do get in...

The only one I've applied for that had an app fee was $25 which was honestly fine for me to pay. It applied to my booth fee if accepted, and as long as I sign up for the following year at the end of the event, I don't have to pay the fee again. I think they use them to help weed out vendors that wouldnt be a good fit for the event. If it was a nonrefundable fee that didn't apply to booth rent if accepted though, that's slimy.

Never heard of this before so maybe it’s not a thing in the UK (thank god) so I totally agree! Jesus Christ how is anyone justifying charging application fees? If anyone’s arguing that it’s an admin fee because it takes so much time to look through applications, include that in the cost of the tables for people that DO get a spot! Shouldn’t be taking money from people who aren’t benefiting by getting a space!!!!!

I've never had to pay an application fee. Where is this happening?

Agree agree agree agree

Call out these vultures

There’s a maker’s market here in Nashville charging $600 for a booth. Fuckin ridiculous