You must be frikkin jokin', fastcamo!!
I made the statement, and stand by it.....didn't jump on Kaizen, just let him know, from a former gun-show dealer, a different perspective.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
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Anyone else hate doing gun & knife shows?
- Thread starter SettSecurity
- Start date
You must be frikkin jokin', fastcamo!!
I made the statement, and stand by it.....didn't jump on Kaizen, just let him know, from a former gun-show dealer, a different perspective.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
The vendor that I find most unusual at local gun/knife/militaria shows is the one with this opening line: "You can't afford that." He does little business and has had some of the same guns and knives for years and years. But that opening line has remained the same.
Then there are the "angry" ones - constantly snarling at anyone they engage with -- even neighboring dealers. I can only hope they find a happier existence.
And the stories about the goods!! All those "mint" (buffed) war relics - "Looks like it was never issued."
The customers match every stereotype mentioned above.
My best buys at shows have been from non-dealers who came hoping to sell at full retail. After repeated opening offers of low wholesale from dealers, some are agreeable to meeting somewhere in between. Others just don't "get" the economics ("But I paid $150 for it and he offered me $60!!!") or understand the goods ("But it's a 38 special.").
Then there are the "angry" ones - constantly snarling at anyone they engage with -- even neighboring dealers. I can only hope they find a happier existence.
And the stories about the goods!! All those "mint" (buffed) war relics - "Looks like it was never issued."
The customers match every stereotype mentioned above.
My best buys at shows have been from non-dealers who came hoping to sell at full retail. After repeated opening offers of low wholesale from dealers, some are agreeable to meeting somewhere in between. Others just don't "get" the economics ("But I paid $150 for it and he offered me $60!!!") or understand the goods ("But it's a 38 special.").
I don't go to that many shows gun or knife anymore.
The single most iritating thing is when the vendor is having an extremely lengthy conversation with someone they know, not about knives at all, while ignoring people who might actually be interested in buying something. Save you gum flappin until evening beers.
The other minor thing is when a vendor thinks they know something about their knives when they don't actually. "420 Best knife steel there is", "Custom Strider for $89!" (Says BUCK on the blade), "SPyderco doesn't make any models called 'SALT' I'll show you my 1985 spyderco catalog to prove it".
The single most iritating thing is when the vendor is having an extremely lengthy conversation with someone they know, not about knives at all, while ignoring people who might actually be interested in buying something. Save you gum flappin until evening beers.
The other minor thing is when a vendor thinks they know something about their knives when they don't actually. "420 Best knife steel there is", "Custom Strider for $89!" (Says BUCK on the blade), "SPyderco doesn't make any models called 'SALT' I'll show you my 1985 spyderco catalog to prove it".
- Joined
- Aug 22, 1999
- Messages
- 667
I stopped going after getting tired of all the POSERS, PHONEYIES, NUTS many years ago. There are good people as well just not as many as there were.
Unfortunately this country has deteriorated into Instant Gradification and that means lieing to people 's faces and intheir eyes.
truly disgusting.
I was once part of a culture that I thought was HONORABLE. It is NOT.
Since I have been doing investigations lately and not as much BG work you would not believe the FRAUD out there either.
As I stated there are good people BUT far and few inbetween...
Caveat Emptor...
Unfortunately this country has deteriorated into Instant Gradification and that means lieing to people 's faces and intheir eyes.
truly disgusting.
I was once part of a culture that I thought was HONORABLE. It is NOT.
Since I have been doing investigations lately and not as much BG work you would not believe the FRAUD out there either.
As I stated there are good people BUT far and few inbetween...
Caveat Emptor...
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
- Messages
- 2,624
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
Could we leave THAT fight over THERE?
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
- Messages
- 425
The shows in my area a mostly pathetic.
I don't attend for the guns. I have a few, what I 'need', but I don't collect them like I do knives. Therefore, I go for the knives.
The last show I went to wasn't even worth the price of admission. Very few knife dealers and even fewer who had something other than cheap imports.
At least the once a year all knife show is this weekend. It's still pretty fun and I'm looking forward to it. Possibly the only one I'll attend all year. Even there it's simply amazing how many vendors have nothing but crap.
I don't attend for the guns. I have a few, what I 'need', but I don't collect them like I do knives. Therefore, I go for the knives.
The last show I went to wasn't even worth the price of admission. Very few knife dealers and even fewer who had something other than cheap imports.
At least the once a year all knife show is this weekend. It's still pretty fun and I'm looking forward to it. Possibly the only one I'll attend all year. Even there it's simply amazing how many vendors have nothing but crap.
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
- Messages
- 21,269
Play nice, or I'll have to start being mean.
.
.
You must be frikkin jokin', fastcamo!!
I made the statement, and stand by it.....didn't jump on Kaizen, just let him know, from a former gun-show dealer, a different perspective.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Okay now I'm confused. Did you respond that way because you were telling me what you would do if I acted in that way? Were you trying to teach me something? If so I was specifically saying that people shouldn't do that. So there's nothing to "let me know" about. And for the record, if anyone was threatening me physically, I would knock them out without hesitation.
I "GOT" the point of what you were saying.....and I don't try to teach people...unless they ask for it, generally....I was simply making a point that many gun show table holders have a short fuse for BS....yes, there are the pontificaters, the know-nothings, and the grumpies.....but by and large, you are simply dealing with folks trying to make or supplement a living.....
And for the record, back at you....I don't threaten people physically....
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
And for the record, back at you....I don't threaten people physically....
Loud mouth trash talking and obvious body language indicating an impending attack isn't necessary for me. I pick up on signals pretty easily
:thumbup:
Noooooooo..., it's not worse!
all da best,
rats...
p.s. I usually enjoy my time at weapons' shows, but then I love looking at the knives. I have encountered people at them who try to tell me nonsense but that is where information from these forums can be helpful. If I am of good spirit, that usually impacts how things go. That's why I try to remember and wear my Caption Optimistic underroos.
all da best,
rats...
p.s. I usually enjoy my time at weapons' shows, but then I love looking at the knives. I have encountered people at them who try to tell me nonsense but that is where information from these forums can be helpful. If I am of good spirit, that usually impacts how things go. That's why I try to remember and wear my Caption Optimistic underroos.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
It isn't this place, any more than gun shows. It's some of the people some of the time.
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2007
- Messages
- 398
Play nice, or I'll have to start being mean.
That has to be one of the most frightening avatars I have ever seen.
Play nice, or I'll have to start being mean.
Is there some part of this statement that some of you don't understand?
How about some time away from Bladeforums to get the point across.
Thank you.
And thats not a threat, its a promise.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2006
- Messages
- 114
Gollnicks post of 1-20-08 was excellent. Well said!
For years I have attended K&Gs, and in the 1970s I was a tire-kicker only because I couldnt afford what I saw. Eight out of ten people behind the tables were downright friendly.
Im a bit of a talker, so over the years I learned a lot about things I couldnt afford. This friendly education from the table holders has made my love of knives a serious hobby. Be nice and LISTEN when talking over the show table.
Slightly off subject here; I do not try to bargain down any maker, knife, artist, or anyone who did the work. If they, as a seller of their own work, opens up to haggling, then Im all for it! If the table is a purveyor or private collector I'll try to look starved, out of gas, poor; "so maybe would you take, say, $175?". Thats half the fun for some folks including me.
Just in the last three years have I taken a table at K&Gs in central Florida. I did poorly in almost all of them. They were fun, my wife liked the people watching and we quickly made friends with other vendors.
Gun people, in my sampling and observing, are quite content with a cheap Chinese knife as their backup for that 10mm S&W $800 demon they have tucked into their backpocket or belt. Boy do I give those guys grief everytime I get a chance. Not obnoxious at all, but they say $300 for that? Well a little bit of me goes right into the Chinese knife drill. Moves 'em along too!
As a social event with the possibility of coming out with that stunning new skinner I needed (my 14th perhaps??), K&G shows can be a LOT of fun. It is in your expectations. Do not let a sour old goat get your goat.
I fear the first poster of this whatever its called isnt really cut out for work in retail sales or a customer service position. I hope folks will put on a smile and talk and LISTEN.
Could we turn this tread thing into how to run a good table & be a good buyer? Gollnick covered it so well I almost didnt post, but I am a bit of a talker!
Fred aka Maineboatman
Maineboatman@cox.net
For years I have attended K&Gs, and in the 1970s I was a tire-kicker only because I couldnt afford what I saw. Eight out of ten people behind the tables were downright friendly.
Im a bit of a talker, so over the years I learned a lot about things I couldnt afford. This friendly education from the table holders has made my love of knives a serious hobby. Be nice and LISTEN when talking over the show table.
Slightly off subject here; I do not try to bargain down any maker, knife, artist, or anyone who did the work. If they, as a seller of their own work, opens up to haggling, then Im all for it! If the table is a purveyor or private collector I'll try to look starved, out of gas, poor; "so maybe would you take, say, $175?". Thats half the fun for some folks including me.
Just in the last three years have I taken a table at K&Gs in central Florida. I did poorly in almost all of them. They were fun, my wife liked the people watching and we quickly made friends with other vendors.
Gun people, in my sampling and observing, are quite content with a cheap Chinese knife as their backup for that 10mm S&W $800 demon they have tucked into their backpocket or belt. Boy do I give those guys grief everytime I get a chance. Not obnoxious at all, but they say $300 for that? Well a little bit of me goes right into the Chinese knife drill. Moves 'em along too!
As a social event with the possibility of coming out with that stunning new skinner I needed (my 14th perhaps??), K&G shows can be a LOT of fun. It is in your expectations. Do not let a sour old goat get your goat.
I fear the first poster of this whatever its called isnt really cut out for work in retail sales or a customer service position. I hope folks will put on a smile and talk and LISTEN.
Could we turn this tread thing into how to run a good table & be a good buyer? Gollnick covered it so well I almost didnt post, but I am a bit of a talker!
Fred aka Maineboatman
Maineboatman@cox.net
Gun shows seem like a difficult venue for high-end knife sales.
After all, you can get a lot of gun for the same price as a decent custom knife.
The same guy that might part with $500 for a knife in one context, might find that more difficult to do when there's a nice Glock next door for $450.
After all, you can get a lot of gun for the same price as a decent custom knife.
The same guy that might part with $500 for a knife in one context, might find that more difficult to do when there's a nice Glock next door for $450.
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2007
- Messages
- 66
OK, gang, this has gone way out of hand...let me clear up a few things.
1. I'm not a knife-maker, but I do respect and admire them...and sell their wares.
2. I love knives. Always have, always will, despite being female.
3. I decided to engage my lifelong passion by trying to sell at shows.
4. I LOVE talking about knives and will greet ANYONE who stops by with enthusiasm and respect.
5. I had the vast majority of my knives out for handling--including the customs--so people could pick them up and look at them, which I was encouraging them to do.
I came here after a very hard day of smiling, jumping up to greet, engaging in conversation, letting anyone and everyone tire-kick, thinking I MIGHT get a LITTLE support. HAH!
It's unfortunate that some of y'all have chosen to pin every bad vendor's sin on me, but I'm not that bad vendor. I got tons of compliments on my display, and at least 20 people wanted to know if I'd be there next month, and at least a dozen asked for my business card. DOES THAT TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT ME???
Oh, I agree...and that's why I handle every single knife on my table like it was made of gold. And I put a nice black velvet sheet over the table, and use nice display cases. Did I mention I got a LOT of compliments on "nice display!?"
Yes, I know, and I make it a point to dress in a nice cowgirl shirt (complete with pearl snaps), a Stetson hat, nice jeans and such...and it goes without saying I and my apparel are clean. (Who on earth would appear in public UN-clean? Oh, wait, the great unwashed!)
Perhaps I should've brought a tall stool, as I have a defective artificial knee and am in chronic pain. But YES, everytime I had "incoming", I GOT UP, and made it a point to greet everyone with a big smile and greeting! (Even though 1/3 of them merely grunted back, or were unresponsive.)
It's a 10-hour show. I have hypoglycemia. I have to eat a little something every few hours, but I am quick, neat and ladylike about it...and discreet. What really rattled my cage were the CUSTOMERS who came to look at my knives, sloppy burrito in hand!
Don't know who you're talking to here, because it most certainly isn't me.
See above comment. I wouldn't dream of being that disrespectful!
Yes, I did, all the time, to everyone. It's my nature.
Been there, did that. Told 'em all about Anza knives and my customs. Unfortunately, I got a few indignant "I know!"'s back from the know-it-alls.
Absolutely. A sweet little girl bought a $3 folder from me, and I made a big production out of it for her, made her feel special. A little boy paid me $4 to sharpen his brother's $5 folder and I gave him a sharpening lesson. I love children!
I did that, and enjoyed it!
(I'm starting to suspect you think I'm kind of a jerk, but I'm really not.)
Yes, I know, and I do. I know a lot of docs, and I know they're very casual. And I don't judge on casualness of clothes.
You may have hit on something--I'm really just an introvert and I have little patience for the great unwashed. Plus, I can't stand the waste in effort of hauling in tons of inventory, then hauling 90% of it back out. It's very inefficent.
I think I'll be selling out of the antique stores and other stores for now.
But I darned sure won't come back HERE looking to commiserate, or get support, or cry on anyone's shoulders. Y'all are mean. You made a rough day even worse.
1. I'm not a knife-maker, but I do respect and admire them...and sell their wares.
2. I love knives. Always have, always will, despite being female.
3. I decided to engage my lifelong passion by trying to sell at shows.
4. I LOVE talking about knives and will greet ANYONE who stops by with enthusiasm and respect.
5. I had the vast majority of my knives out for handling--including the customs--so people could pick them up and look at them, which I was encouraging them to do.
I came here after a very hard day of smiling, jumping up to greet, engaging in conversation, letting anyone and everyone tire-kick, thinking I MIGHT get a LITTLE support. HAH!
It's unfortunate that some of y'all have chosen to pin every bad vendor's sin on me, but I'm not that bad vendor. I got tons of compliments on my display, and at least 20 people wanted to know if I'd be there next month, and at least a dozen asked for my business card. DOES THAT TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT ME???
Oh, I agree...and that's why I handle every single knife on my table like it was made of gold. And I put a nice black velvet sheet over the table, and use nice display cases. Did I mention I got a LOT of compliments on "nice display!?"
Yes, I know, and I make it a point to dress in a nice cowgirl shirt (complete with pearl snaps), a Stetson hat, nice jeans and such...and it goes without saying I and my apparel are clean. (Who on earth would appear in public UN-clean? Oh, wait, the great unwashed!)
Perhaps I should've brought a tall stool, as I have a defective artificial knee and am in chronic pain. But YES, everytime I had "incoming", I GOT UP, and made it a point to greet everyone with a big smile and greeting! (Even though 1/3 of them merely grunted back, or were unresponsive.)
It's a 10-hour show. I have hypoglycemia. I have to eat a little something every few hours, but I am quick, neat and ladylike about it...and discreet. What really rattled my cage were the CUSTOMERS who came to look at my knives, sloppy burrito in hand!
Don't know who you're talking to here, because it most certainly isn't me.
See above comment. I wouldn't dream of being that disrespectful!
Yes, I did, all the time, to everyone. It's my nature.
Been there, did that. Told 'em all about Anza knives and my customs. Unfortunately, I got a few indignant "I know!"'s back from the know-it-alls.
Absolutely. A sweet little girl bought a $3 folder from me, and I made a big production out of it for her, made her feel special. A little boy paid me $4 to sharpen his brother's $5 folder and I gave him a sharpening lesson. I love children!
I did that, and enjoyed it!
(I'm starting to suspect you think I'm kind of a jerk, but I'm really not.)
Yes, I know, and I do. I know a lot of docs, and I know they're very casual. And I don't judge on casualness of clothes.
You may have hit on something--I'm really just an introvert and I have little patience for the great unwashed. Plus, I can't stand the waste in effort of hauling in tons of inventory, then hauling 90% of it back out. It's very inefficent.
I think I'll be selling out of the antique stores and other stores for now.
But I darned sure won't come back HERE looking to commiserate, or get support, or cry on anyone's shoulders. Y'all are mean. You made a rough day even worse.