Container FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)

I’m interested in selling at your swap meet, on a container space.  What do I need to do?

We currently has several container spaces open.  Simply come down and visit us.  We'll show you a map indicating which container spaces are available.  You are able to choose any of these spaces you like.  We can sign you up immediately and you can start selling that same weekend. 

To sign you up as a permanent vendor, we will need to see your picture ID and a valid, California State Board of Equalization Resale Permit.

What are the fees involved?

All container vendors are Reserve Vendors.  A Reserve Vendor is a vendor who, in addition to the Daily Admission Fee, pays a monthly fee, called a Monthly Reserve Fee, for the privilege of having the same space each and every week. This Reserve Fee is currently $70.00 a month on Saturday and $100.00 a month on Sunday.  (The Monthly Reserve Fee on Friday nights varies from month to month.  It's $10.00 during the winter and has high as $70.00 during the busy summer months.)

Thus, all of our Container Vendors pay both a Monthly Reserve Fee and a Daily Admission Fee.  For most spaces the Daily Admission Fee each Saturday is $20.00 and $35.00 each Sunday.  (The Friday Night Daily Admission Fee varies from month to month.  It's $10.00 during the winter and as high as $30.00 during the busy summer months.)

In addition to the Monthly Reserve Fee and Daily Admission Fees, we are currently charging container vendors $100.00 a month for the rent of the container.

If you're interested in being allowed to keep your tarp and canopy up permanently, and not having to take down each day, we have an optional Overnight Canopy Fee.  This Overnight Canopy Fee is available on both a monthly and daily basis. 

If you require electricity, we also have optional Electrical Fee, also available both daily and monthly.

With all things considered, the average total cost is approximately $700.00 per month, to sell here on a container space, for the entire month each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   Again, this monthly fee will vary, depending upon your space, the time of year, the number of weekend days in that particular month, and your particular electrical and overnight canopy needs.

How much does it cost to move in?

This varies also, depending upon when you first move in.  The monthly container rent fee, the monthly reserve fee, and the monthly overnight and electrical fees are due in advance.  If you move in during the middle of the month, these fees are all pro-rated.

We also need a $200.00 deposit on your Knox Box.  This entire $200.00 deposit is refundable and returned to you as soon as you decide you no longer wish to rent the container from us.

What is a Knox Box?

The City of Santa Fe Springs requires each container and structure have a Knox Box installed. A Knox Box is a tiny “safe” attached to the outside of the container.  In it will contain keys to your building. You provide a duplicate set of keys to the Fire Department who will then lock these keys inside this Knox Box.

Only the Fire Department has keys to these Knox Boxes.

What is the size of the container?

Most all of our containers are the same size… 16 feet in length and 8 feet wide.  Most all containers have a single, 6 foot roll-up door.

Immediately. We have several open containers available now.

Are they any restrictions concerning the container I should be aware of?

 Yes.  The Uniform Building Code does not provide for occupancy of containers.  Containers may only be used for storage and/or display of your product.  You cannot sell out of it, or work inside it, or allow customers to enter it.  You will need to sign a document stating you understand and will abide by this.  Also, containers are not approved for installations of electrical lighting or electrical outlets.  Any electrical installation must be removed immediately.  Any additional lighting must be temporary and placed outside the container. 

If I have a container space, what time must I arrive by, each day?

 On any particular day, for various reasons, many vendors with containers choose not to come out and sell.  During the times of the year when we sell out, we are often forced to turn stand-by vendors away, who would otherwise be happy to use your space.  To give us an opportunity to sell every space in the swap meet, we must impose a deadline for you to arrive.

 All Container Vendors are required to be in and on their space by  

4:30 p.m. Friday
8:00 a.m. Saturday
7:30 a.m. Sunday

If you are not on your space by these designated times, we will assume you are not planning on selling that day, and there is a good chance we will sell your space to a stand-by vendor.