New reservation process coming

[The Chris McKenna]

Dear Friends and fans of the Nominoichi,


Well, as the subject said, we are looking to bring in a new system of table reservations.

Overall the whole event will be almost the same as last year. The day, time, location, etc... will all be the same.

But last year, and every year, we have asked you to email in your reservation information and I have done the work of copying and pasting those details into my master table list, then sending out a "You have a table" letter to all the sellers. Tables have been assigned on a first-come, first served, basis and all that takes a lot of work.

A lot of work.

... and even after all that, it's never been fair to those who have to work, or are busy, on the exact hour and minute the tables are available.


So this year things will be different.


We are developing a new system to register for a table, an ONLINE system. People who want a table will be able to create an account, then use that account to register for a table, and input all the data (table type, section, selling partners, any NEXT TO requests, etc...)

This information will be collected over several DAYS, and once it's done a random selection of people will get tables. You'll no longer have to send an email within the first 90 seconds, you will have enough time do this on your own schedule, and there'll be NO priority for those who do it early or later. This new system will be random and fair for all people who apply.

It will also send you an email to confirm you have registered for a table and so there shouldn't be any more problems of "missing" table requests.

Again, I just want to stress this is something we are still working on, and while I hope it will be ready to go this year, I can't say for sure yet.


There are also two important points to consider before you panic:

Last year over %80, (close to %90) of the people who applied for a table were successful. That average has been quite stedy for a few years, so I don't think changing the system will result in a flood of new applicants. Your odds of getting table will be the same.

The rules about cancelling will not be changed, particularly: IF you cancel your table you are NOT allowed to participate as as a seller in the same year at another table. Therefore, any groups that try to game the system by applying separately, and then plan later cancel and join back together at one table, will be disappointed.


Anyway, that's what we've been up to.
Please let us know your comments and questions.

... and as always, thanks for your interest in the Nominoichi!

[folsensory]

I’m not a seller (only ever a buyer from the Nomi) but so far this new process sounds like it could definitely alleviate stress on those hoping to sell & help to make everything fair. Thank you for the hard work being put into the Nomi, as always!

[Michelle]

Chris, thank you very much for this update! I can imagine all that copying and pasting you have to do every single time is too troublesome for you. Having an online reservation system makes a lot of sense.

Does this mean applying for a table will now be subject to a hard deadline or application period? Would registrations close after X number of days or a certain number of requests have been received?

[xiyuue]

Changing to an online application is GOOD.

However, I don't agree with changing the first-come-first-serve.
Last year it took almost a day to fill up all the spots even with FCFS in place, so I don't think there's an issue with people being busy. Plus, if you're TRULY tied up, you can give all the info to your friend and ask them to help you apply. People who put work into getting a table at the right time were serious about Nominoichi.

[The Chris McKenna]

We are planning to keep the reservation window open for a few days. The cut off will only happen at the deadline, not once we reach any limit of requests.

Then we will take a random selection of people from the total list to assign a table, and a few to place on stand by. When you apply, or what section, or any other factor will have no influence on your chance to be selected.

While we do value and appreciate our most hardcore fans who eagerly wait to be the first to send in a table request, each year I hear from people asking to move the start time as they also want to participate but that exact day and time is inconvenient. This year we are looking to remove that pressure by allowing everyone a fair chance to get a table.

We have been considering this type of system for a few years, but now it’s happening and code is being written. I can’t say for sure if we’ll get it done for this year, but that is our goal.

[ajthecollector]

Thank you for this great update! I'm hoping to partner with someone for a table and this has raised that someone's chances of securing us one significantly--here's hoping it can be up and ready on time for use this year!

[mikan]

I am not too happy with the new system (since I have terrible luck with lottery systems) but I can comply with it. I ask that you ban people who are there like mini dealers that are selling new things only (and imported for the sake of selling). To me Nominoichi is like a garage sale and a place to sell things you have not used or no longer need (preowned). Also, I usually have a table with my sister. Can we both apply and if we both get a table can one decline and join the other?

[The Chris McKenna]

I’m not exactly sure how we could determine the newness of an item, nor what an appropriate limit of such items would be to ban someone from a table.

But to your other point. No. Don’t do that.

If you want 2 people to share a table then have one person request one table with the other as a second seller. Do not request 2 seperate tables and then plan to cancel and merge later when you get exactly what you asked for.

Anyone who cancels their table will not be allowed to participte at another table.

[rainbows]

I like the overall idea; I know last year my table-mate was very concerned that the e-mail was sent in within the first minute/not at 7:59pm. It might get rid of the some of the stress of needing to be ready to hit send at 8PM sharp. Although, I do have a couple questions.

1) If there's multiple people at the table, will everyone need to have an account/linked to the application for a table? My helper knows nothing about anime and comes to help me out as a +1.

2) If we ask to be beside a certain person, will that affect the lottery system at all? (Like person A gets in because person B got picked in the lottery)

3) Is the event still going to be sectioned off like it was last year? (Games/Manga/etc.) In regards with the lottery system, would that mean if you want a specific/popular section, would there be individual wait lists for each section if one fills up faster ... or would they just get filtered into a General section?

[The Chris McKenna]

Well, it is our intention to remove that pressure and offer a longer window so people can sign up on their own schedule. (Also last year you didn't HAVE TO send it in right at 8:00, we were still accepting requests that came in hours later)


1) No. The process (although it's still being developed and subject to change) should work like the regular email version. Only one person at each table will need to make an account. That one person will fill in the data (name, email address) for themself, and for anyone they want to share a table with.

You'll only need to make an account if you are going to reserve your own table, not if you are going to help out at someone else's table.


2) No. The "next to" system has no effect on your chance to get a table and it only applies if both people get a table, if only one gets in and the other doesn't, then that's the way it goes. That's also the same way we've done it every other year, it's not new and it's not changing.


3) Yes. We are bringing back the same sections we had last year. There are no limits nor minimums for the number of tables in each section, and if wish to join one it'll neither improve nor hinder your chance to get a table.

As for standby, even last year we just maintained one master list. The sections are not absolute and sellers can sell any ALLOWED items from any table, regardless of the section. (i.e. you don't HAVE TO be in the Manga section to sell Manga!) Therefore, any time a table needed to be added from the stand-by list it just got assigned into the opening, regardless of what section it's in.

I think this year we'll keep the same system of one master stand-by list. However, that's a great question and something to consider for the future.

[ghospie]

Feb 25, 2019 19:59:25 GMT -5 The Chris McKenna said:

We are planning to keep the reservation window open for a few days. The cut off will only happen at the deadline, not once we reach any limit of requests.

Then we will take a random selection of people from the total list to assign a table, and a few to place on stand by. When you apply, or what section, or any other factor will have no influence on your chance to be selected.

While we do value and appreciate our most hardcore fans who eagerly wait to be the first to send in a table request, each year I hear from people asking to move the start time as they also want to participate but that exact day and time is inconvenient. This year we are looking to remove that pressure by allowing everyone a fair chance to get a table.

We have been considering this type of system for a few years, but now it’s happening and code is being written. I can’t say for sure if we’ll get it done for this year, but that is our goal.

I'm not trying to be grumpy, but people could just go onto their outlook and schedule an email to send at 8pm.

This lottery system is a fair way to deal with the overabundance of requests, but for us hardcore fans who have been eager and punctual every year now we risk not getting a table...

Would there be any way to add a line of code to prioritize those seller(s) from year(s) past? The dealers room iirc has a similar system in place wherein sellers who have previously vended get their spots back for the following year if they so choose. 

[frettiko]

Also not very hyped about the lottery system. I have several friends who take part in the lottery system for other sections of the con, and none of them like it either (mostly because a couple of them depend on cons for their livelihood and not getting in seems to be a regular occurrence), because while it does technically make it more "fair" it seems to only be benefiting people who didn't make time in their schedule to apply for something they're serious about as another user said above.

I'm definitely another person with terrible luck so if anything this new system makes me MORE stressed. I've always gotten in because I've waited patiently for the submission time, even going so far as to request my break at work for the submission time so I wouldn't miss it. And though you say the chances are going to be the same, they won't really be as now there is a serious risk I and others won't get in if we fall in that 10%.

I hope enough people agree with us that you'll reconsider the lottery, but I do fully support an automated system to relieve you of what I can imagine is a heavy workload.

[The Chris McKenna]

Well first let me say a big thanks to everyone who is commenting. We do try to read and respond to everything. Although not everyone is going to agree with every decision, I'd like you to know that what you have said has been heard and considered.

Now on to some specific points:

It is our belief that the old first come first served won't work out well this time. For one thing, depending on what type of table you want there's going to be more or less data to enter on the website. We want to give you the time it takes to get it right.

For example: Suppose you want a full table, along with 2 other sellers, and to be next to another table. That's going to take time to type in. Yeah, perhaps just a few minutes, but it's still time when compared to someone who just wants a half table in the general section. They'd just have to click one button with no changes. Additionally, part of the account creation process involves getting an email with a link to activate your account. Depending on the speed of your mail server someone might be able to do that a lot faster.

Applying for a table is no longer going to be as simple as sending in a pre-formatted email at a specific start time. This will now involve a few moments of work on your part, but all together it will take days of work off me and be fair to everyone who applies.

We are going to try it this year and then see what happens. Although, if it's a complete disaster and we can't think of any better solution, then next year we may go back to a first come first served type of system again anyway.


Also, just to be clear: The Nominoichi is NOT a mini-dealers room, and it wasn't designed to operate like one.


We have never given any preference to our returning sellers over new ones. (Although one year they did get a discount, but that was related to another thing, and new sellers were given the same chance to get a table as returning ones) We have always tried to be fair and give an equal chance to everyone who wants to apply, regardless if this your first or tenth Nominoichi. We think with the new online system we are working on that a shift to a lottery system will help us maintain that goal.

Finally, if your livelihood depends on sales at the con, then please consider applying for a vendors table. They do have a system of welcoming returning sellers each year and you can sell a LOT more, and make a LOT more money in there than in here.

[pomelo]

Once again, Chris, thank you for all of your hard work.

I'm a bit pensive about the new system, and I agree with frettiko- the previous system, with a set deadline and very specific outline, has always given me peace of mind. The 'lottery' idea makes be a bit uneasy. That said, I do see how it gives every an equal and fair chance. I'm certainly going to try out either way, and I wish the best to everyone who hopes to get a table.

[nemesismess]

Mar 4, 2019 5:24:47 GMT -5 The Chris McKenna said:

Finally, if your livelihood depends on sales at the con, then please consider applying for a vendors table. They do have a system of welcoming returning sellers each year and you can sell a LOT more, and make a LOT more money in there than in here.

Hello Chris, thank you for your information, greatly appreciated. 

I just wanted to say something about this.

Nomi is a much cheaper option than a vendors table and many sellers at Nomi can afford a Nomi table, especially at the time and budget it is at. Nomi seller cannot afford a vendors table or even have the materials to run a vendors table all weekend. Yes they get a lot more traffic but a lot more traffic might not be what typical Nomi sellers can handle. Also when I checked the Vendors page on the website I didnt find any info other than waiting list

I know from selling at Nomi by myself, with friends and others that this is important event for attendees. Like you said peoples livelihood depends on this event, I know people I've been with have waiting a year or more to sell at this event