Vendor Information

The Way It Works

       Each vendor is given the first ten papers, and their badge, free of charge.  You “pitch” the paper for a dollar donation and everything you make is yours.  After the first ten, you can return and buy each additional paper for 25 cents each.  You are allowed to return old papers that you don’t distribute for the new issue or if your papers get wet then you can return them for dry ones.  However, you must return the old papers in order to get new ones.

       The public may give you more than $1.00 for the paper, but you cannot ask for more than the $1.00 suggested donation.  This is for legal reasons.  People who violate this rule will be suspended and possibly terminated.

       Realize that this gives you independence to be your own boss.  There are no set times that you have to work.  As long as you stay on public property, such as sidewalks, and don’t block entrances to businesses you should be okay.  Some places to stay away include ATMs, private parking lots or doorways.  Some grocery stores will allow you to pitch at their entrances, but always ask first.

       If you are on a sidewalk and a business owner tell you to leave, please, feel free to stand your ground and politely announce your right to be there.  If they continue to badger you then simply find another place to work.

       We ask that you tell your friends about the paper.  You can buy papers at the office at the ARCH 500 East 7th Street from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  (512) 305-4122.

Vendor Rules

            There is a Vendor Code of Conduct that everyone must sign before they are given their badge or initial 10 papers.  The rules basically come down to being sober, drug free and polite.  We are not going to tell you what to do on your own time, but when you are wearing the badge you represent everyone involved with the paper.  If we hear that you have been using while distributing the paper then you will be immediately suspended with no refund on the papers you still have.

       You must wear the badge when you represent the paper.  This is for your safety and so that others cannot run scams on the paper.  We tell people to only buy from badged vendors so that they know that people have gone through training and are committed to the project.  Do not give your badge or papers to anyone else, including other vendors.  This could be grounds for suspension.

       Be polite.  It’s great to talk to people, but try not to be rude.  Use your own common sense.  If someone is rude to you, try to blow it off and go on to the next person.  Don’t follow people down the street after they say no.  Don’t insult people.  Never touch anyone.  Fights or racist/sexist remarks are grounds for dismissal.

       Vendors need to be at least one full city block or two street crossings from one another.

Technique Tips

       Promoting the paper should not be very difficult, but you need to be smart about where and when you work in order to be successful.  Here are some tips that may help you to start:

·      Read the paper.  It helps to know what you are giving to the public.  If an article in the paper is exciting to you, then you will be able to excite others as well.

·      Don’t act like you’re panhandling.  You should be proud of what you do.

·      Try to look and act your best.

·      Events are good places to find people who may support you.  If a spot is slow, try another place.            

·      Don’t approach people, let them come to you.  Once they are near you, ask them if they are interested.

After a while, you will develop your own technique that you are comfortable with.  In the future we will update this for other vendors from suggestions of current vendors.  These issues will also be discussed at vendor meetings.

Dealing with Police Officers

       As of August 2000, permits for charitable solicitation are no longer necessary, however, sometimes our vendors run across APD officers who are still not aware of this.  If you are questioned, show them the back of your badge, where this information is printed, along with the phone number for the City Clerk’s office and editor’s phone number.

       Also for your peace of mind, in the orientation packet you’ll receive today, you’ll find a letter signed by the City Clerk and printed on the City Clerk’s office stationery.  It’s not likely that you’ll need it, but some vendors like to carry it with them whenever they pitch, just in case.

Incentive Program

       Incentives are an important component for the success of this paper.  We want you to know that your hard work is appreciated.  The incentive program will grow as the paper grows into a stable member of the Austin community.  These are some of the incentives we have now:

1)    Receive 25 papers free after you distribute your first 100.

2)    Receive 25 papers free when someone you recruit to be a vendor distributes their first 100 papers.

3)    Each issue, the vendor with the most sales will be highlighted in the paper with a background of that person and a photo (if they want).  The First Place of the Month will receive 50 papers, 2^nd place 30 papers, 3^rd place 20 papers.

4)    Receive 10 free papers if article is published.

Note:  We are working on more incentives for vendors including gift certificates to eateries, HEB, new tennis shoes, haircuts, tote bags, etc.  Let us know if you have any other suggestions.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor.  Please tell your friends about us.

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