Transient merchants push their wares in Sisters

Transient merchants sell everything from rugs to sun- glasses during Quilt Show, Rodeo and other special weekend events. photo by Tom Chace

They crop up overnight like a relative who "just drops in for a visit."

They are the transient merchants who hit Sisters during the busy summer season. This week they are here for the Quilt Show. In June it was Rodeo. In two weeks some may show up for the Custom Car Classic.

There's always something special going on in Sisters during the summer months; these events draw tourists and, in turn, migratory salespeople. It's all part of the selling game. Go where the crowds are. Try to sell as much as possible with as low an overhead as possible.

This is not easy work nor is it done without cost.

"We charge a daily fee of $100 to the transient merchant," said Linda Feist in the administrative and financial department of the City of Sisters. "That amount was recently raised by action of the City Council from $40 per day."

In addition to what the city charges, the property owner usually receives a rental fee and "the transient seller must show an agreement for permission to use whatever private land he or she has contracted for," Feist said.

"They cannot use public property or places," she said.

"We issue a bright orange tag which must be displayed prominently at all times. The sheriff periodically checks to make sure the seller is abiding by the rules and paid the proper fees."

According to Neil Thompson, head of city planning, one such transitory merchant actually came before the city council when it was deliberating about raising the fees earlier this summer.

"He testified that an increase in license fees would make it impossible for him to exist," Thompson said.

Feist said that this particular merchant did not return under the new fee schedule.

One of the rug vendors is from Arizona "and tours the country during the summer months to get away from the heat there locally," Feist surmised.

"The sunglass person is from Shady Cove on the Rogue River," she said.

The city has had no problems with these vagabond salesmen for the two years Feist it has been issuing permits and collecting fees.

"We do have several restrictions," she said.

"Each must clean up the sales yard when they leave and abide by the setback rule from streets and walkways. We had to have one booth move back five feet last year after it was set up because of this."

The Oregon Black Swan, a rug dealer, was cited last year, and reportedly fined, for staying an extra day without paying the additional fee.

Those who put in their request for a license for this summer prior to June 11, when the council voted to increase fees, are here at the $40 rate.

"Those coming in after that date are paying $100 per day. The Black Swan dealer refused to pay the higher rate and is not with us this year," Feist said.