Things an exhibitor should expect at a craft show

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mrcook4570

mrcook4570

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Mason, WV, USA.
1. 'Nice work' = I am NOT buying.

2. 'I'll be back' = I am NOT buying. (however, once in a blue moon, this statement is proven to be false)

3. 'How long does it take to make one of those' = I am NOT buying.

4. 'Do you have a website' = I am NOT buying.

5. Only blue-haired ladies and stay at home moms look on Thursdays.

6. Only a woodturner will stick his finger in the opening of a hollow form.

7. People WILL try to write with your bottle stoppers, regardless of the size and placement of your signs.

8. People WILL sword fight with letter openers.

9. Kids WILL flock to your booth and attempt to write with EVERY pen. Their parents will NOT be anywhere in sight.

10. Everybody has an Uncle Bob who makes pens JUST LIKE THESE (pointing to your most intricately designed kitless pen), but he just gives them away. You should be ashamed for trying to sell your pens.



Please add your own :biggrin:
 
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From a person you see at every show: "Your stuff is so pretty, I could just look for hours!!" (And they do, without ever buying anything!!)
 
mrcook4570 said:
1. 'Nice work' = I am NOT buying.

2. 'I'll be back' = I am NOT buying. (however, once in a blue moon, this statement is proven to be false)

3. 'How long does it take to make one of those' = I am NOT buying.

4. 'Do you have a website' = I am NOT buying.

5. Only blue-haired ladies and stay at home moms look on Thursdays.

6. Only a woodturner will stick his finger in the opening of a hollow form.Where else would they put buggers?:eek:

7. People WILL try to write with your bottle stoppers, regardless of the size and placement of your signs. I didn't see you at my shows. And when told what they are for, they get this stupid look on their face.

8. People WILL sword fight with letter openers. I only lay one out so no one can fight back.

9. Kids WILL flock to your booth and attempt to write with EVERY pen. Their parents will NOT be anywhere in sight. And sometimes they will bring over the parents and leave you wishing it was just the kids. You can reason with the kids.

10. Everybody has an Uncle Bob who makes pens JUST LIKE THESE (pointing to your most intricately designed kitless pen), but he just gives them away. You should be ashamed for trying to sell your pens. That's when I tell them to talk to Uncle Bob.


Please add your own :biggrin:
Click to expand...

And don't forget, the infamous: Did you make these? No, I've got a sweat shop where I pay $1.75 a day to have them made.
 
Questions: A bottle stopper??? WHy would you want to stop a bottle????
Answer: Get back on the little bus before they take away your jello.

Question: I bought one of these from a guy at another show and it doesn't work, can you replace it for me? Why are your pens so much more expensive than his were?
Answer: I think you need to think that one out for your self, I'll be happy to replace the pen for you, but you will have to pay me and then ask the other guy for the refund. I'll write yoiu a note (don't miss that bus, there are a limited number of seats).
Question: I was at a show last year and was looking at a pen you had, do you remember which one it was, I think it was made of wood?
Answer: Sure do, it was this one and I was so impressed with you that I kept it at the same price for you but only if you take it now. (please don't lick the windows on the bus)
 
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After answering a question describing some of my exotics and where they are from, I got these questions from diffrent people at different times:
"Did you cut down all these trees yourself?"

"Aren't you afraid that you are aiding the destruction of the rain forrests?"

I even got this one once after confirming that the burl was indeed cherry:
"No wonder I have trouble finding fresh cherries much of the time."
 
alamocdc said:
After answering a question describing some of my exotics and where they are from, I got these questions from diffrent people at different times:
"Did you cut down all these trees yourself?"

"Aren't you afraid that you are aiding the destruction of the rain forrests?"

I even got this one once after confirming that the burl was indeed cherry:
"No wonder I have trouble finding fresh cherries much of the time."
Click to expand...
Looks like the same little bus gets around.
 
tim self said:
And don't forget, the infamous: Did you make these? No, I've got a sweat shop where I pay $1.75 a day to have them made.
Click to expand...


[FONT=&quot]Geeze Tim, you are more generous than we are![/FONT]:biggrin:
 [FONT=&quot] A few more for Neil's bus...[/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]Is this for sale? (No it's out just there to taunt folks.)[/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]How much is this? (While they are looking right AT the price tag.)[/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]Is this really wood?? (Yes) …..pause….No, it's not!! I can tell!![/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]Can you tell me how you make this? (Sure, classes are every other Saturday, just 3 states over and start at $100.00.)[/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]I saw a pen just like this at Walmart for only $5.00. (And you are here because...?)[/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]Who actually buys a handmade pen???[/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]You have a lot of nerve charging $100.00 for a pen![/FONT]

 [FONT=&quot]What is this for anyway? What does it do? (Makes me rich.)

[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Where do you buy your inventory? (Usually at a juried show.)

[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Is your display for sale?

:rolleyes:
[/FONT]
 
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I usually take my grown son with me to do the selling, he is in sales and good at it. It is all baffling and brilliance if you know what I mean. I have heard so many believable lies coming out of him that I wonder what he got away with as he was growing up. But he makes sales, and that is all we care about.
 
alamocdc said:
After answering a question describing some of my exotics and where they are from, I got these questions from diffrent people at different times:
"Did you cut down all these trees yourself?"

"Aren't you afraid that you are aiding the destruction of the rain forrests?"

I even got this one once after confirming that the burl was indeed cherry:
"No wonder I have trouble finding fresh cherries much of the time."
Click to expand...

Billy were those questions from texas or Ohio?

Inquiring minds want to know. :biggrin:
 
I have gotten alot of:

"What Kind of wood is this?" as they pick up an blue and purple pearl swirl acrylic or Snakeskin.
 
OK, here we go!
"Real wine drinkers dont need stoppers, there's never any wine left!"...no sale
I want this, let me go get my Mom (or wife)!....no sale
I want to see the whole show before I come back and Buy!"...no sale
Do you have a website?? no sale
I want your card, I'll call you and order one!...no sale
theres many more...I'll be back when I think of them.
 
MLKWoodWorking said:
Billy were those questions from texas or Ohio?

Inquiring minds want to know. :biggrin:
Click to expand...

Mike, it was Ohio. I haven't produced anything since moving home... yet... getting closer now that I got the shed built, but that's another story.

But I did take what inventory I have left to a show with my brother back in October (he sells cigars and a few crafts he buys from prisoners). It was a BBQ cook-off here in San Antonio. I didn't expect to sell any, but it didn't cost me anything so...

I did get the usual, "Oh I could never pay that much for a pen. I always lose them."
 
Dean, I point that out also. you don't loose them when they matter enough to you. Actually I have many instances of hearing from my customers or family members that my pens actually make there way back to them because everyone knows who they belong to.
 
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