Document Content
Vendor Application
Status Guide
Understanding application statuses, workflows, and actions
Generated: January 23, 2026
Table of Contents
4
Introduction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Who This Guide Is For
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Key Concepts
5
Application Status Overview
6
Understanding Each Status
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Incomplete
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Applied
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Received
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Pre-approved
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Approved
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Resubmit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Declined
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Withdrawn
10
Typical Application Workflows
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Simple Approval
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Formal Review Process
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Juried Market with Pre-approval
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Resubmission Workflow
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Decline Workflow
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Withdrawal Workflow
12
Actions You Can Take
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Adding Comments
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Document Requests
13
Automated Status Replies
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
How Status Replies Work
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Setting Up Status Replies
14
Application Fees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Application Fees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Acceptance Fees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Payment Methods
15
Quick Reference
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Status Summary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Status Transitions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Statuses Requiring Reasons
Introduction
When vendors apply to your market, their application moves through different statuses as it progresses from
submission to final decision. Understanding these statuses helps you manage your application workflow
effectively and communicate clearly with vendors.
Who This Guide Is For
Market Managers - Learn how to review and process applications
Market Staff - Understand what each status means for vendors
Vendors - Know what to expect during the application process
Key Concepts
Each vendor application has a status that indicates where it is in your review process. Markets can take
actions on applications to move them between statuses. Vendors see their status and can respond to requests
from your market.
Application Status Overview
Marketspread uses eight application statuses to track where each vendor application is in your review process:
Status
What It Means
Who Controls It
Incomplete
Vendor started but hasn't submitted
Vendor
Applied
Vendor submitted, awaiting your review
Vendor
Received
You acknowledged receipt of application
Market
Pre-approved
Provisionally accepted, pending final approval
Market
Approved
Fully accepted into your market
Market
Resubmit
You requested changes or more information
Market
Declined
Application was not accepted
Market
Withdrawn
Application was withdrawn
Either
Tip: Most markets use Applied → Received → Approved or Applied → Approved as their
primary workflow. The other statuses handle special situations.
Understanding Each Status
Incomplete
The vendor has started filling out your application but has not yet submitted it. They may still be gathering
required documents, photos, or answering questions.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - they see it on their dashboard
Vendor Can Edit
Yes - they can continue working on it
Market Action Needed
No - wait for vendor to submit
Fees Collected
No - application fees are collected on submit
What you can do: You can send reminder emails to vendors with incomplete applications to encourage them
to complete and submit.
Applied
The vendor has completed and submitted their application. Application fees (if any) have been collected. The
application is now in your inbox waiting for review.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - status shows 'Applied'
Vendor Can Edit
No - they must wait for your response
Market Action Needed
Yes - review and take action
Fees Collected
Yes - application fees charged at submit
What you can do: Review the application, then choose to mark it Received, Pre-approve, Approve, Request
Resubmission, or Decline.
Received
You have acknowledged receiving the application. This optional status lets vendors know their application is in
your queue and being considered. It's useful when you have a formal review process or committee.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - status shows 'Received'
Vendor Can Edit
No - still waiting for final decision
Market Action Needed
Yes - complete your review process
Common Use
High-volume markets with review committees
When to use: Use Received when you want to acknowledge an application before making a final decision. Skip
it if you approve or decline applications immediately.
Pre-approved
The vendor is provisionally accepted, but final approval is pending. This status is useful when you need to
collect acceptance fees, verify insurance, or complete other requirements before full approval.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - status shows 'Pre-approved'
Vendor Can Edit
No - waiting for final approval
Acceptance Fees
Collected when Pre-approved (if configured)
Common Use
Juried markets, insurance verification
When to use: Use Pre-approved when you want to give vendors a positive signal while still requiring additional
steps. For example, if you jury vendors before checking their insurance documents.
Approved
The vendor is fully accepted into your market. They can now be assigned to events, added to the scheduler,
and participate in your market. This is the final positive outcome for an application.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - status shows 'Approved'
Vendor Can Edit
Limited - depends on your settings
Scheduler Access
Yes - vendor can be assigned booths
Acceptance Fees
Collected if not already (from Pre-approved)
After approval: Vendors appear on your vendor list and can be assigned to events. If you use seasons, they're
linked to the season associated with this application.
Resubmit
You've reviewed the application and are requesting the vendor make changes or provide additional information.
The vendor is notified and can edit their application to address your feedback.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - shows 'Resubmit Requested'
Vendor Can Edit
Yes - they can update and resubmit
Reason Required
Yes - you must explain what's needed
After Resubmit
Application returns to 'Applied' status
Common reasons: Incomplete product list, missing photos, unclear vendor type selection, missing required
documents, or needing clarification on application answers.
Declined
The application was not accepted. The vendor is notified of this decision. While final, you can still change a
declined application to approved later if circumstances change.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - status shows 'Declined'
Vendor Can Edit
No - application is closed
Reason Required
Yes - you must provide a reason
Reversible
Yes - you can approve later if needed
Best practice: Always provide a clear, professional reason for declining. This helps vendors understand the
decision and whether they might qualify in the future.
Withdrawn
The application has been withdrawn. This can happen because the vendor withdrew their own application, or
because the market withdrew an approved vendor. A reason is required to document why.
Visible to Vendor
Yes - status shows 'Withdrawn'
Who Can Withdraw
Both vendor and market
Reason Required
Yes - must document why
Reversible
Yes - can be moved back to active status
Common uses: Vendor changed their mind, vendor moved away, market removed vendor due to policy
violation, or season ended without the vendor participating.
Typical Application Workflows
Here are the most common paths applications take through your review process:
Simple Approval
For markets that approve vendors quickly without a formal review process:
Incomplete → Applied → Approved
Vendor starts application (Incomplete)
Vendor submits application (Applied)
Market reviews and approves immediately (Approved)
Formal Review Process
For markets with review committees or formal evaluation processes:
Incomplete → Applied → Received → Approved
Vendor starts application (Incomplete)
Vendor submits application (Applied)
Market acknowledges receipt (Received) - vendor knows you have it
Committee reviews and approves (Approved)
Juried Market with Pre-approval
For juried markets that jury first, then verify documents:
Incomplete → Applied → Pre-approved → Approved
Vendor submits application with photos (Applied)
Jury reviews and accepts vendor (Pre-approved)
Staff verifies insurance and documents (Approved)
Resubmission Workflow
When you need the vendor to make changes before approval:
Applied → Resubmit → Applied → Approved
Vendor submits application (Applied)
Market requests changes - provides reason (Resubmit)
Vendor updates and resubmits (Applied again)
Market reviews and approves (Approved)
Decline Workflow
When an application doesn't meet your requirements:
Applied → Declined
Vendor submits application (Applied)
Market reviews and determines vendor doesn't qualify (Declined)
Reason is provided to vendor
Withdrawal Workflow
When a vendor or market needs to end the relationship:
Approved → Withdrawn
Vendor is approved and active (Approved)
Vendor or market withdraws - provides reason (Withdrawn)
Vendor no longer participates
Actions You Can Take
Here are the actions available to market staff when managing applications:
Action
What It Does
When to Use
Mark Received
Acknowledges you have the application
After reviewing, before deciding
Pre-approve
Provisionally accepts the vendor
After jury, before final checks
Approve
Fully accepts the vendor
When ready to add to market
Request Resubmit
Asks vendor to make changes
When application needs updates
Decline
Rejects the application
When vendor doesn't qualify
Withdraw
Removes an approved vendor
When ending the relationship
Adding Comments
You can add comments to any application to communicate with the vendor or leave internal notes for your
team. Comments appear in the application's activity log and can be marked as read by either party.
Document Requests
Even after submission, you can request additional documents from vendors. The vendor will be notified and can
upload the requested files. This is useful for insurance certificates, certifications, or other documents that may
expire or need updating.
Automated Status Replies
Marketspread can automatically send customized email responses when application statuses change. This
ensures vendors receive prompt, consistent communication without manual effort.
How Status Replies Work
Create templates for each status (Applied, Received, Approved, etc.)
When you change an application's status, the matching email is sent
Templates can include merge fields for vendor name, market name, etc.
Different templates can be set for different vendor types
Setting Up Status Replies
Configure your status reply templates in your market settings under the Applications section. You can create
replies for:
Status
Typical Message Content
Applied
Thank you for applying, we'll review soon
Received
We've received your application and are reviewing
Pre-approved
Congratulations! You're provisionally accepted
Approved
Welcome to our market! Here's what's next
Resubmit
We need some changes (reason included)
Declined
Unfortunately we cannot accept at this time
Withdrawn
Your application has been withdrawn
Application Fees
You can collect fees at two points in the application process: when vendors submit their application, and when
they're approved.
Application Fees
Charged when: Vendor submits their application (moves to Applied)
Covers the cost of reviewing applications
Typically non-refundable
Can be different amounts for different vendor types
Acceptance Fees
Charged when: Vendor is Pre-approved or Approved
Charged once when first accepted (Pre-approved or Approved)
Commonly used for membership fees or season passes
If Pre-approved first, fee is collected then (not again at Approved)
Payment Methods
Method
When It's Used
Credit Card
Charged immediately at submission/approval
Invoice
Invoice sent for later payment
Manual
Payment handled outside the system
Quick Reference
Status Summary
Status
Meaning
Vendor Can Edit?
In Review?
Incomplete
Not yet submitted
Yes
No
Applied
Submitted, awaiting review
No
Yes
Received
Acknowledged by market
No
Yes
Pre-approved
Provisionally accepted
No
Yes
Approved
Fully accepted
Limited
No
Resubmit
Changes requested
Yes
Yes
Declined
Not accepted
No
No
Withdrawn
Removed from process
No
No
Status Transitions
From Applied, you can:
Mark Received - acknowledge the application
Pre-approve - provisionally accept
Approve - fully accept
Request Resubmit - ask for changes
Decline - reject the application
From Resubmit, the vendor can:
Resubmit - returns to Applied status
From Approved, you can:
Request Resubmit - ask for updates (rare)
Withdraw - remove from market
Statuses Requiring Reasons
These statuses require you to provide an explanation to the vendor:
Resubmit - What changes or information is needed
Declined - Why the application wasn't accepted
Withdrawn - Why the vendor was removed