09/11/2026
While looking for local events to promote TechKnowCo, a gentleman reached out to me about a vendor opportunity. He called and told me the cost of a table would be $650.
I explained that I’m a small business and $650 simply wasn’t in my budget right now, so I politely declined.
He then told me he could offer me a “discount,” but that he would be on the line for it. The new price? $550.
I told him I would think about it, but even around $300 would be more than I’m comfortable spending on a vendor table right now.
Here’s the kicker: there was no pricing listed on the website I had been looking at, so at the time, I had no way to compare what he was telling me.
Fast forward a little later in my work week…
I received an email from the actual company hosting the vendor opportunity.
The vendor table price?
$65.
Not $650.
SIXTY-FIVE DOLLARS. 😭
WHEW. I dodged that one!
And honestly, this was a good reminder for me as a small business owner: Never let urgency, a “special discount,” or someone’s confidence pressure you into spending money before you’ve had a chance to verify the details yourself.
Sometimes saying, “That’s not in my budget,” isn't just protecting your wallet.
Sometimes it's protecting you from paying $585 more than you needed to. 😅
Small business owners, has something like this ever happened to you?
