A thread was started by me awhile ago on this very topic of pre-selling at a show before the doors open.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271703
The debate over this issue by everyone was interesting to say the least.
Personally, I still disapprove of dealers and makers getting together at a show before the doors open.
Firstly, and most importantly, it's not fair to the showgoer. That's the main reason I won't travel very far to go to a show, like Atlanta, because eventhough I know the greatest knifemakers in the world will be there, I feel my chance of just seeing their knives is slim.
I've never been to a show of this size and caliber so maybe I'm wrong here. I know this stuff occurs at the large, but smaller, shows I've gone to.
Secondly, I think it gives the wrong impression to the collector about the true demand for a particular maker's knives.
What I mean is, I think it's quite different for a knifemaker to stand there in front of his empty table on Friday and proudly boast about "being sold out 30 minutes after the doors opened" when all he has done is sell most of his stuff to dealers at a discount the night before or as soon as the doors opened versus the knifemaker who actually puts all his knives on his table and sells them to the collectors, instead of dealers at a discount, who come to the show.
Dealers are very important to both collector and maker.
Let me say that again.
Dealers are very important to both collector and maker.
But, this knife show activity is not good for shows.
Just my opinion.