Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 37,911
I had a private show at the store last Friday. Normally, we do it on a Sunday, but there were scheduling conflicts with the Cantata I was singing, so we tried a weekday. I really figured it would be less than normal , but I just do them as a customer builder anyway. Sales isn't the prime target. Normally I do between $1000 and $2000 for these shows.
Well, was I ever wrong. The first three people in the door at 10AM (they were waiting before we opened) bought over $2000 in knives. The day was busy until we closed at 7PM. The tables looked like they had been ravaged. Just for example - I started with 25 oyster knives and twelve folders.... I ended with five oyster knives and one folder. I sold one man a set of Japanese kitchen knives for $1200. I was reeling when I went home....only to find messages on my voicemail from customers wanting more knives. I met people Saturday afternoon and Monday to deliver them. I also had emails for orders for three custom Kitchen knives and two hunters. This morning there was an email wanting to buy the remaining oyster knives. I haven't even written up the bank deposit yet, but the show's total will end up over $10,000. (Of that, only three high priced knives accounted for about $3000, the rest of the sales and orders were all between $30 and $450). I have never had anything like this happen.
I guess the name recognition thing has hit locally.....or maybe it is a "Christmas Miracle", ..... I can't really explain it,..... but as my wife would say, "Thank You Jesus!"
Well, was I ever wrong. The first three people in the door at 10AM (they were waiting before we opened) bought over $2000 in knives. The day was busy until we closed at 7PM. The tables looked like they had been ravaged. Just for example - I started with 25 oyster knives and twelve folders.... I ended with five oyster knives and one folder. I sold one man a set of Japanese kitchen knives for $1200. I was reeling when I went home....only to find messages on my voicemail from customers wanting more knives. I met people Saturday afternoon and Monday to deliver them. I also had emails for orders for three custom Kitchen knives and two hunters. This morning there was an email wanting to buy the remaining oyster knives. I haven't even written up the bank deposit yet, but the show's total will end up over $10,000. (Of that, only three high priced knives accounted for about $3000, the rest of the sales and orders were all between $30 and $450). I have never had anything like this happen.
I guess the name recognition thing has hit locally.....or maybe it is a "Christmas Miracle", ..... I can't really explain it,..... but as my wife would say, "Thank You Jesus!"
