paying a percentage of gross plus booth fee

Hi all! I've been planning on face painting at a weekend long local music festival. The booth fee is $200 which includes 2 festival tickets and camping (that pretty much makes my booth fee $30). They've just informed me that they also require a 10% of gross sales for the weekend. What do you all think of this? I've never been asked for a percentage before and am not sure if I should do it or not....

It is usually one or the other. I do not think I would pay both, unless you have done this before and made good money from it.

Not a chance. If it wasn't in the original agreement, I would drop it like a hot potato.

Hi there my MI friend! Agree with with the others, they should not be double dipping! I've not done more than a 3 day festival tho. Could still be very profitable. Good luck! Let us know what you decide:)

I wouldn't ... don't subtract out the "extras" they are giving you, those things don't cost them anything out of pocket, but they want to take from your pocket.

Thanks, ladies! Perry- great point! I hadn't looked at it like that. Griffinblue- hello fellow Michigander! I emailed them back and asked them to reconsider the additional 10% and to view face painting as entertainment- that it's an attraction as well as a kid's activity and also makes for great promotional photos, yada, yada, yada...I'll let you know what comes of it.

Exactly, Painted Lady - you hit all the right points. Especially the fact that's it's entertainment. I did a music festival this weekend, and the kids I painted were photographed constantly by all the media strolling around. One picture wound up as one of only two on a nearly full-page spread for the major paper here. So the festival people need to hear again and again how we are an asset to their happenings. Asking you for both fees is NOT right. And your income depends on so many factors anyway. For example, my booth was humming along on Sunday night when BOOM. Thunderstorm. Lost at least a couple hundred dollars by being shut down the rest of the show. THAT'S another reason why one fee is enough. You take a risk every time you book an outdoor event, and the promoters need to meet you halfway.

Success!!! They waived the 10% so I'll only pay the booth fee. Thanks so much for all of your input. JJJJJ- excellent points!

Good for you! Enjoy the weekend!

Unrelated... I love Traverse City! It's about a 3 hour drive from where I live, and my family always used to take trips there. I was supposed to go last weekend but plans fell through... but it's nice to meet another face painter (kind of) close by!!

Hi Janna! Yes, I love Traverse City too. I feel so lucky to live here! Nice to "meet" you!

That's so fabulous!! Way to stand your ground!

Thanks, Katrina! It feels great! So glad I stood up for myself!