First pipe show.

Is it always wise to have cash on hand. Still a number of vendors should accept credit card, check or PayPal. If you are willing to negotiate a price, having cash on hand can also help you obtain the best deal. Along this line do not forget the power of bundling items.

You should be given a name tag where you can place your affiliations along with you name (You might also include your Patch handle). The best place to meet folks is in the designated smoking area(s).

At least at a pipe show I'm sure you can touch some of the goods without getting slapped or kicked out!

Cash is the best way to go, as the sellers ma or may not accept credit/debit cards, but with cash the don't get dinged for transaction fees....I have been told a few times "Thanks for using cash". It is bad form to offer a lower price than what is posted at the table of a pipemaker.

I agree having cash on hand is the best policy though a number folks will take other forms of payment ( Credit Cards may have a fee associated with using them, though I was never charged one at the event.). Of course cash is preferred by the vendor, it makes life easier on them, can be less expensive and, with some, is hard to trace come tax time.😁

Is negotiating price bad form? It can be, but it matters how you approach things. There are many hobby related items at these shows including pipes, pipe tobaccos, tampers, bags, racks etc.;A mixture of used, restored and new items. If I barter, I do so politely, sometimes simply asking what is the seller's best price for the item(s)? If the person states that is the price, I make.my decision. Other times, I am a bit more bold and approach things differently or make a counteroffer depending on the circumstances. It works best if you communicate well, know how to read people, are courteous/polite and have courage and knowledge. It helps to know your product, to understand how much meat is on the bone, to avoid low ball offers that can be offensive. Knowledge also allows one to see a good or discounted price for a straight forward purchase, again avoiding offense. All being said and done, if you are unsure or have to ask, a question should not be considered bad form. How far one pushes things is a different matter.

PS The point being approach folks as individuals and explore your options. If you have a fairly decent grasp on how to communicate and when to engage, you will be fine.

Yes, it is when you are dealing directly with the pipe maker.  The community considers this to be very bad form to do this at a pipe show.  The pipe makers work hard for very little money.

However, if you are dealing with a dealer, then negotiate away.

The Kansas City Pipe Show handed out name tags at their registration desk. So it appears that name tags may or may not be given out depending on the pipe show. Can it also have to do with one's awareness of what is being offered? I tend to think with different organizers one finds differences in organization😀. In any case, I appreciate the information johnlawitzke .

I appreciate the clarification johnlawitzke and should have been more careful in my statements trailboss. Still when some pipe makers sell items other than their personal creations, I look at those things as fair game. With lines at times blurred, I was largely thinking of the hybrid pipe maker-vendor and other sellers in my response. Given the right circumstances, I am also not opposed to negotiating with anyone as noted below.

So far I have not negotiated with pipe makers about their creations. My past negotiations were largely aimed at the general sellers who sell many things; sometimes with a focus towards custom pipes or a single pipe line. Even so if a pipe maker has an interesting creation whose price is higher than I can afford, I will ask my questions with due reverence to their craft and position.

Some folks here have the money to pay what is asked to support the hobby. I support this activity. The "pipe community" also has a position which I can respect. However, though respectful, I am not one given to follow the herd, nor am I financial able to do what others can. So if I see the opportunity and the circumstances are right, I will break with form with good grace, respect and hold my conversation.

No offense intended..

By the way, if anyone here is at a pipe show and they think it's me here are a couple pics of my tattoo's on my left forearm  so you will be sure it's me.

Each one is a machine I either own or have restored. I have a few more to go but am taking a break during the winter since my skin tends to get dry and irritated.

Love the tats and learned something new about you!

You need a Moxie tattoo!!!

Nice art, Ken...and just to mention without sticking my nose where it isn't needed...a buyer/vendor last year was carrying a lot of cash...whether it was because it was a setup at the bank or because he made the mistake of flashing his cash roll...he got robbed in the parking lot...so be careful of the roll that is seen by others...some not-so-nice people know that where there is a show there is cash...so be aware of your surroundings all the time...be it at the hotel or at the show...and don't be like him...a victim.

Your not sticking your nose in, just looking out for me. I have a system where I have my cash spread around so I don't have it all in the same place. I'm not bringing a lot with me and my goal is more towards meeting up with fellow Patchers.

In that case, the victim had made a pre-arranged withdrawal of $40,000 cash from a bank near the Chicago Show and was robbed in the parking lot of Pheasant Run while walking alone(!) back to the show from the bank.  His pack also contained several Ivarsson, Nordh, etc. super high end pipes.  Not a random robbery.