Blue_eyes_small
Reputation: 69

A fish vendor threatened to kick my ass when I caught him scamming me. The farmers market offered me a $20 coupon for my troubles. Should I take it?

No exaggeration: A fish vendor at the Friday farmers' market got extremely defensive and threatened to punch me out when I contested a falsely labeled product. The market managers saw this and apologized for behavior of his they said is common, but beyond their control. I didn't want a gift certificate, but I do wonder if farmers markets are structured so as vendors have complete autonomy. A supermarket would have fired him and faced scrutiny for false labeling.

8 Answers

  • Nyan-cat-ftw-video2463_small
    Reputation: 1747

    Waitwaitwait, he was selling something that was labeled as something else... in a fish market?

    Ohdeargodinheaven please tell me you swooped on the perfect opportunity to say "Wait a second, something fishy is afoot..." or some related comment.

     

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  • Img_3380_small
    Reputation: 3727

    You should take it. If you don't want it you can give it to me :)

    That is absolutely RIDICULOUS though. I'm shocked that there isn't some sort of farmers market "code of conduct" in place to deter this type of shit. A repeatedly nasty vendor could have a seriously negative impact on how people view that particular market.

    Can I ask what was mislabeled?

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  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 71

    The market managers absolutely can (and should) kick him out of the market. The fact that they are aware of the issue and haven't already done so probably means this is a longtime and popular vendor, and they are trying to balance customer demand with bad behavior. One of the basic rules (there are MANY, and they vary by market) for anyone selling anything at a farmers market is properly labeling products. If you can prove that the product was mislabeled, they would have hard evidence of a violation. While I realize this isn't the most concerning infraction, it might be the easiest to prove. If this was indeed at the Madrona Market, I would try contacting the Seattle markets via email or phone and see what they can do. The behind the scenes organizers may not know about the issue and may have more power to remove a vendor. Here's the link for all the contact info -

    http://www.fremontmarket.com/contactMay.html

    And the rules -

    http://ballardfarmersmarket.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/sfma2010applicationpack.pdf

    The markets are very selective about who they let in, so they really ought to be just as picky about who stays. There are many vendors who would be willing to fill their spot. Oh, and to answer your actual question, of course you should take it! Spend it anywhere but at this asshole's booth. Good luck.

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  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 1

    Take, but keep calling the guy out every weekend if the mislabeling persists. Perhaps you could make a cottage industry out of collecting $20 gift certificates from the reticent (cowardly) staff. If the guy actually hits you, so much the better.

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  • Finn3goof_small
    Reputation: 1728

    Where are you? I don't even know of a friday farmers market in Seattle.

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  • Ccfm_sept_3_2008_copyright_nfma_small
    Reputation: 23

    You might also try directly contacting the organizers or organizing body of this market and tell them what happened.
    In King County and in fact throughout Washington State, there are numerous different, independent organizations that operate farmers markets. Some are non-profit, some are for-profit, some are volunteer, some are city or government-run...there are numerous models for farmers market organization, and organizers are free to operate as they wish, and to include whatever types of vendors they wish to (eg., crafts or no crafts, organic or not, etc). That being said, thanks to the long-time work of some active market organizers, there are more standards and rules in place than in the past. The Washington State Farmers Market Association has some information on standards and rules for farmers markets in King County and Washington State (http://www.wafarmersmarkets.com/resources/wsfma-Rootsmemberguidelines.html), as does the Puget Sound Fresh website (http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/farmers_markets.htm). You might also check out this article on the Farmers Market Coalition website: http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/definition-task-force-announcement/

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  • Icon_small
    Reputation: 1605

    I'm with the other commenters, it blows my mind that the farmers market doesn't have a policy in place to kick out crappy vendors. But, yeah, take the $20. Maybe if they're forced to hand out enough coupons, they'll have to change their policies.

    I'd also look into reviewing/rating this farmers market and vendor at various points around the Internet. Other people deserve to be warned or know they're not alone if they face this same crap.

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  • Sacri_ordines_by_charism_small
    Reputation: 3722

    Holy Mackerel! That sounds like one outspoken crabby old fishwife - (perhaps you're secretly a french king...?) *

    The guy is truly being a dishonest little tuna pimp? Call the vice squad on that Fishmonger!

    So what was the crime specifically:
    Was he trying to pass off his cod piece for a fullsized chub?
    Or was he mispricing just for the halibut?

    Imagine the nerve, trying to mussel you / get roughy with you...

    (Sorry. *sheepish grin* But seriously, call the cops if a vendor tries this)
    *
    (wiki: In many countries, the fishwife was proverbial for her sharp tongue and outspoken speech. In Medieval France, the ones in Paris were known for their special privilege of being able to speak frankly to the King himself, when he ventured into the marketplace, and voice criticism without fear of punishment.)

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