A Poll - Is Pre-Selling At A Knifeshow...??

[RWS]

Thanks, Kit and Frank.

 

[marcangel]

Now let me thank Frank, for summing up my opinion on the commentary. Nobody here is telling any maker how to run their business, but they might learn something from the views that are discussed in this open forum. Free enterprise and freedom of speech are something we all pride ourselves on.

I'd like to comment on Bastid's statement regarding Bill Moran. What he does is a PUBLIC SERVICE . Anyone with half a brain knows that he is not attending shows to sell knives. He is there to promote the industry, makers, and collectors. He is a gentleman who gives a flying patootie, and hopefully is enjoying a bit of what he helped create. Perhaps the same could be said of Ron Lake and Bob Loveless, and I'm sure others that don't readily come to mind. Somehow I don't think these gentlemen have to worry about "pre-sales" !

Perhaps the question should be posed a bit differently. Rather that speaking about "moral obligations" (hey this is business, he who gets the last buck wins), we should ask does pre-selling adversely effect the maker/collector experience? Does it adversely effect the outcome of the show? Does it hurt the hobby/industry as a whole?

Let's go back to one of my origional statements. If a maker DOES pre-sell why can't he AT LEAST stipulate that the knife stays on the table until the end of the show? Chances are, he'll find the dealer a buyer and who the hell can argue with that?!

 

[RWS]

Perhaps the question should be posed a bit differently. Rather that speaking about "moral obligations" (hey this is business, he who gets the last buck wins), we should ask does pre-selling adversely effect the maker/collector experience? Does it adversely effect the outcome of the show? Does it hurt the hobby/industry as a whole?

In retrospect, I think these questions that you suggest would have been more poignant.
However, It was said by me very early on in the "getting Impatient" thread, and was the basis for my arguments, that this is not good for the shows. Others also pointed this out I believe.

Also, in the very old thread on this very topic which I started way back, which I referenced to in the recent "Getting Impatient" thread, I made the following statement:

"It is my belief that knife shows are very important for this industry, despite the fact that some dealers would rather take it upon themselves to sell all the knives for the makers instead, IMHO.

I also believe that some die hard collectors, such as myself, are becoming frustrated about certain habits of some folks at knife shows.

If these habits continue, it will have a negative effect for this industry in the long run.

Every industry known to man needs a certain level of organization and conformity among its members to succeed in the long run despite the common "every man for himself" mentality of the competetive individuals that make up that industry."