If you look at the individual shows as listed in the newspaper and the Tucson Show Guide, many are listed as buyer-only/wholesale shows. This is only about half true, many will let you in, you just can't purchase. However, one will find as you wander that most 'buyer-only vendors' generally will sell to the general public also. If they don’t want to sell to you, you haven’t lost out on anything, and there’s nothing to be fearful, uncomfortable, or embarrassed about. It’s just business, and the vendors would be lucky to have you want to buy their merchandise!
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So, leave the big shows and head to the Frontage Road Vendors, who will sell to anyone and everyone. In fact many times the prices will be better at these open venues. But as with everything in Tucson, "Buyer Beware", most of the time rules do not apply to the street vendors and unless you know what you are looking for or see something that is just plain exciting, be sure of what you are buying before you plop down your hard earned cash as there are NO RETURNS. Oh, and yes "cash", most street vendors do not take checks or credit/debit cards.
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