[Discussion] Need advice! Another vendor has a similar item to my longtime best seller, selling for half the price at an event I'm going to. How to damage control so I don't lose my audience?
Hi all! I have a very popular tote bag design with 10 different colors and design variations that has helped my small business immensely the past few years to a point where I can now comfortably sell it many of them for $35 without complaints.
The issue is that it's gained traction online so there's bound to be dupes but I told myself as long as I don't run into them at an event I'd be somewhat okay with it lol. But low and behold one of the 15 other vendors at the big event I'm going to has one of them.
Now the issue is she's selling it at the event for $20. She only has 1 version of it fortunately out of the 10, although she's added pockets and embroidery on the front art instead of screenpressed like mine.
Many of my fellow vendors/artists and even friends have told me not to cut prices just because of this other person, but I'm wondering if I make some sort of bundle or how to handle this so it doesn't affect my business? I also worry if customers will compare us but my friends say they dont pay that much attention, esp if mine has the version they want, whereas she only has 1 version. Any help would be great!!
I've traveled all the way from the east coast to the west coast for this and worry about the potential losses for this situation.
Edit: Thank you for the comments! Some people posted to put a sign that says 'original creator' but my friends are nervous it will cause long term issues with the vendor space and host because ive created this environment of tension now. But also i dont want to be passive either ugh.