What you like to see in a maker at a show

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
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Okay, most all of us have read and posted on the thread about proper behavior at a show. That's for the customer to maker. But how about from the other side of the table?

I try to just be myself, but still it sometimes seems like I'm forgetting something.

I don't like to sit down and talk to people, but it gets a little hard on flat feet to stand all day, so I bought a director's chair and this puts me up at eye level all the time.

I always seem to say, "Hi, how are you today, feel free to pick anything up if you'd like."

This seems appropriate, until you've said it to one guy, then another walks up and you say it with the first guy standing there...and the first guy looks at you like, "Hey, you just said that to me! Broken record...!!!"

One of my biggest faults is probably pointing out any and all flaws. I always figure the customer is making their decision based on whether or not they can live with said flaw, when in reality they don't even see it.

So how about it? What do you want to see from a maker at a show???
Nick :)
 
A maker at a show has to be a juggler of sorts, they have to watch their table, and the customers and have to be attentive to the prospective buyer, all while looking cool and poised, nonchalant even.

Now what I'd like to see is a maker who is genuinely excited about his work and is willing to talk about his work without pointing out his own perceived shortcomings. Sometimes the makers themselves can be their own worse critics. Not a bad thing, but most people want to look at the good points of the knife they are considering buying.

I also want to see a maker who can spread himself out among the prospective buyers. It is quite frustrating wanting to buy a knife and the maker is in a 30 minute conversation with someone else.

Hope this helps a little Nick.
 
I really don't expect a maker to be anything other than friendly and willing to answer questions about his knives when he has time. If things are slow and the maker doesn't mind spending a little time chewing the fat, I kind of enjoy that as well. I have only been to smaller shows were things often slow down enough for this to be possible. At a show like Blade or any show when the maker is busy, all I want is for him/her to say howdy and take my money if I want one of his/her knives. If I want to gab with the maker, I will come back to the table as many times as it takes until I think things are slow enough for the maker to spare a little time.

When a maker is enthusiastic about his/her knives and really wants you to handle and try the knife and is more than willing to answer questions, that always gives me a good feeling. When a maker just sits behind a table looking bored and grunts when you ask him a question, I do not find that I want to do business with him/her.

I know that things can get stupid busy and realize that just because a maker has been unable to get around to me, does not mean that they are purposely avoiding me. Just a friendly nod in my direction and I will wait as long as possible to get my turn. If things are really busy I will come back later. If I am not one of the first people to get to one of the really busy tables, I understand that my chances of getting the knife I wanted are slim to none. So coming back later and putting in an order may be my only option.

To summarize, just acknowledge me in a friendly manner and if it is possible take the time to answer my questions and show me your knives and I will be happy and go away having enjoyed the encounter. It will also be the start of a relationship that could well lead to purchases at the show, or in the future. Act like you really don't care if I am there and you can be sure that there is not a chance in hell that we will ever do business.
 
Everything KWM said....and.....please, PLEASE put a price tag on each of your knives! (if I have to guess and walk away because I guessed too high and you're in conversation with someone, you've lost a sale. Happened this past weekend at the CKG show....)
 
To the greatest extent possible - given time and space limitations - I'd like to learn something from every maker at a custom show. I'd like to know why a particular knife (or his/her knives in general) was made in a particular way, what experience the maker brought to it, what philosophy, etc. My interest extends even to knives whose style does not at this time interest me, because I never know when I will someday become interested in that style...
 
This will not be a revelation, but 95% of the folks who come by your table will walk away without a purchase. If you're lucky..... :(

MAKE sure that you are quite happy to see them whether they are spending cash or not.:D This day.

Just as Matthew explained wonderfully, you will make such an impression on a buyer for the next go-around, and although we, as buyer/collectors, will play the role of a buyer, it may not be this time around. Long faces are a lasting memory!

Coop
 
Being a part time knife maker at the present time, I make 4 knife shows a year and use them to visit,buy supplies, and talk knives. I do not depend on sales at the show for a living. I do it because I enjoy it and of all the great people that I meet while attending these shows. They are also a great opportunity to learn about knives and check out the different styles of the different makers. My knives are not the kind that will halt the foot traffick :). They are good users and that is the market I like to make knives for.
As mentioned before, with the noise and crowd, along with being a little hard of hearing, do not worry about repeating yourself to a maker. I also like to stand and talk but a little rest once in a while sure helps.
 
too many people............not enough time.

Everyone wants to be treated individually, and rightly so, but you cant spend 15 min- 45min with everyone, it just isnt possible.

One thing I have noticed that might raise an eyebrow, but if you want a knife and the maker is engaged in conversation, you need to intervene, because sometimes it will go on and on until you are totally frustrated.

It is a complicated issue.
 
I like when Nick points out every little flaw on a knife. It makes me feel more educated. :) The worst thing is to buy a knife at a show and be stoked about it, only to have a bunch of flaws that you didn't see pointed out by a friend. It gives me the "gee, I just got taken" feeling. A maker who is willing to point out the problem areas may deter people from buying the knife, but I think the people who do buy are going to appreciate the knife more.

I bought a director's chair
Click to expand...
You and TF think you're some kind of superstars? ;) Can't sit in the low chairs like everyone else? :eek: :p :p

I think with Mayo a good strategy to get his attention would be to throw cash down on the table, pickup a knife and say "mahalo's bruddah." :)

Man, Friday can't come soon enough.

~Mitch
 
For the buyer's...be polite to the other folks waiting in line to get the maker's ear, and if you aren't buying, then take a break from flapping your gums and let a potential 'buyer' step up to the plate...

And don't be rude by holding both the other guy and the maker hostage while you ramble on pedantically.

For the seller's...recognize that while shooting the breeze with some old chum may be a great way to pass the day, it's rude to potential buyer's to ignore them.

A look in their direction, a wink, or a comment like "I'll be right with you, feel free to pick up whatever you like...", should do to hold the potential buyer's attention for a few minutes...

At that point, if the 'gum flapper' doesn't get it, you can always smile at him, say 'riiight', and then start answering the questions of the new perspective buyer...

But, if both you and the 'gum flapper' don't 'get it', I'm walking...

Mel

--Mitch, agreed...but it's Saturday for us, see ya there!--

Sheldon and Edna
 
Mayo is right also. A lot of times, I am wanting to buy a makers knife that is on his table, but he has a constant crowd of people that are just talking and not buying. I feel as tho it is rude to intervene and just walk around the show one more time hoping for a chance to get my 2 cents in and buy the knife I was trying to get. A lot of times you can see in the table holders eyes that he sees that you want to buy and gives you that HELP look. That's when I will make my move and crowd my way in. I try to do it in a respectful manner. After a while, you can get pretty good at it. Manners go a long ways, but sometimes ya gotta cut in.
Greg
 
Hi Coop,

95% won't buy a knife! I'd kill for 95% of people not buying a knife. The number is probably closer to 99%.

Especially at a show like the Blade Show, where you may get 5-8,000 people coming by your table. If you got 5% of the people buying a knife....wow!

But your point is well taken. Very few people will buy a knife from you at a show, compared with the number who actually walk through the door.

So rejection at a show, as it is with any type of sales, will be a major part of your business. Try not to take it personally.

Ok, someone asked about getting a makers attention at a show.

Follow these steps:

1) Pick Up the knife with your left hand

2) Hold several hundred dollars in cash in your right hand.

You will have the makers undivided attention!

Maker looks at non paying customer and says, Excuse me please. Being polite as Melvin pointed out.

Most people at your table understand you are working.
 
Friday can hold off for a bit if you ask me ;)

I could use some extra time...

Thanks for the replies guys, beings as I'm so new to this the help is really appreciated.

Hey Mitch, have you ever seen a big dagger with a Timascus guard, damascus/Timascus spacers, Timascus handle, and Timascus Pommel???

You will at the show!!! :D :D :D
Nick
 
Hey Nick,

That's actually what I would like to see from a certain maker ;) Thought I'd ask, but didn't want to push it!

~Mitch
 
A friendly smile and an acknowledgement of your presence at the table would be a nice gesture.

:D

Daniel
 
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