Well this has been in the works for a long time now. It's an interesting article which directly effects my business on the boardwalk here in Ocean City, MD. The most important thing that I can take away from this is that I get to set prices. While this may seem like a bad idea, I actually make more money setting prices on the boardwalk. I have found that the people who were going to give me extra money do so anyway, and the majority of people that want to try to take advantage of the fact that I work for tips, are required to pay a reasonable amount.
I don't know how it's going to work out with the other performers. I think that it really should only apply to performers who create tangible pieces of art on the boardwalk. I think another requirement should be that you must actually physically produce the art on the boardwalk (in front of people), rather than just bringing something from home. This will help to keep people from trying to "test' the "original artwork" theory by bringing things like maybe a piece of furniture to the boardwalk.
You can find out more about what is going on here: http://tinyurl.com/3k5jpfn
The most important thing I have found so far in my experiments with setting prices is that it makes my work day FAR LESS stressful. It's very difficult to deal with so many people daily, and then get involved with "haggling" for money. I can't help but feel insulted when someone puts anything less than a dollar in my bucket for a balloon (my prices for animals range from a dollar to two dollars, pretty reasonable if you ask me).
Far too often you will make balloons for a large family of 5 or more children, and the parent will put a single dollar bill in your bucket. It's hardly worth the time and effort, as the cost of the balloon sculptures themselves cost more than a dollar just to make. (5 or more) So not only are you inadvertently telling me that my time or talent is not worth anything to you, but your also not going to even cover the cost of the balloon, therefore causing ME to spend money giving your children balloons.
Many people are of the impression that you can buy 100's of these balloons for a few dollars, but that is not the case. I use Qualatex balloons, and they range from 5 cents to 15 cents a piece (depending on color, and the number of balloons ordered) In fact there is only one retail store in the area that even sells the balloons. I get the rest through my distributor. I too offer the same balloons for sale on my website at deeply discounted rates at:
http://www.bobbyballoonz.com/twisty-balloons-260-balloons.html
I do not however have a retail outlet, they are only available for purchase on my website.
Bobby Balloonz
http://www.bobbyballoonz.com
rleavittiii@yahoo.com
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