FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – The Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show has been a staple in the community for more than 50 years – but now some scammers are trying to plant some fraudulent seeds.
Whether you’re a business looking to sell at the show or already have your spot secured – there are some things you need to look out for.
”I am a third-generation owner of the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show; my grandfather started the show in 1973,” says president and owner, Becky Williamson. That’s why she isn’t ignoring any of the scams circulating online.
Williamson continues, “When I say it’s personal, it really is personal for me. It’s a legacy and I and I want to make sure that you know I do my grandpa justice in this show.”
Williamson says she’s been sold out of booth space since October. She saw some red flags pop up on Facebook.
“People go on Facebook and act like they’re selling booth space to my show,” says Williamson. She warns, those posts are completely fake.
She explains, “I don’t want people showing up during move-in at the show, thinking that they have a space because they gave somebody their money and thought that it was legitimate.”
Williamson emphasizes, there is no vendor space left for this year’s show. She says to report any users or posts that indicate otherwise. You can be placed on a wait list if you want your business at the event.
It isn’t just businesses looking for vendor space that need to watch out. Williamson says some vendors that already have a spot have received emails offering to sell the attendee list – something Williamson says she doesn’t do.
She says, “Unfortunately, some of those vendors didn’t call or ask me, and did end up spending some money with them and got scammed out of their money.”
Williamson wants to make sure people know these scams are out there, especially because the home and garden show has a lot of local businesses that rely on the event.
She says, “These small businesses, you know, it’s very important to them where they spend their money. They spend their marketing dollars with me, and that’s all they do for the entire year. They get their entire year’s leads and sales from the show and that is how they make it through the rest of the year.”
Williamson says if you come across any posts that seem fake, they probably are. If you have any questions or concerns about the Home and Garden Show, you can reach out directly to her. Her email is [email protected].
You can visit their website for more information: FWHGS Home Page – Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show
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