I suspect that the big problem with beach vendors is that so many of them are unsanctioned "free agents". No permit, no license... not surprising given the underground nature of what some of them are selling (and folks are buying). Not judging, btw, I'm just stating what might be the root cause, supply and demand, all that; and I am very familiar with the usual good folks. Some of those clip board toting folks are working the same scam you see along the beaches in Florida... claiming to conduct a survey to engage, then changing to condo property sales mode... happened to us a couple of years back.