I'm an old timer and learned by trial, error and a lot of support from other vendors.

Something you can consider when you buy a trailer or cart, is that many sellers of used units will go with you to your first few outings to show you the ropes (if they are reasonably close to home). You can always make it part of the deal!

As for the prizes, their are bad apples (operators) in every business, I'm sorry that she found one. There is also a big difference between the carnivals regular staff that travels from fair to fair with them, these people are employees. The concession people, for the most part, are independent business men and women, like yourself, who want to make money, but provide value at the same time.