Winston Salem Gun Show This Weekend (10/28 and 10/29)

HMP said:
And I heard some folks complaining about Jerek/Backwoods yesterday...a particular shop that didnt sell much at all but knows how busy J and his wife always are
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And that's how you know that you're doing it right.
 
You can sell two guns at msrp, or 20 guns at a discount. Make the same money. The thing is... Word of mouth will help the "20 guns" dealer... Then he's selling 40 guns... Etc.

Both are solid sales principles to keep the doors open. One is just more profitable than the other.
 
HMP said:
And I heard some folks complaining about Jerek/Backwoods yesterday...a particular shop that didnt sell much at all but knows how busy J and his wife always are
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yep, skutttlebutt was couple of promoters were 'pressured' to not invite Jerek to their shows to stifle competition.... know of another dealer that was done that way....
 
llaht said:
yep, skutttlebutt was couple of promoters were 'pressured' to not invite Jerek to their shows to stifle competition.... know of another dealer that was done that way....
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"WE" need to let the promoters know that "WE" are no longer supporting their shows by coming if they play that game.
The other dealers need to step up their game and play like big boys and girls.
 
I walked around on Sunday. Handed out some business cards. Bought a shirt...

Signed up for the hickory show to do laser engravings at the show.

If your in the hickory area and need it engraved come on by and get it done while you wait.
 
I just went to the promoter's website and sent them an email thanking them for their choice of vendors, specifically Backwoods Bang Shop and another.
If they hear enough positive comments it will drown out the whiners.
 
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The free market has a way of leveling the playing field. If the promoters try to intercede, they and the other "innocent" exhibitors will be the losers. Those of us (yours truly included) who go to shows with Backwoods as a top priority will simply stop attending. This means that any other vendors we might have patronized will lose (ammo, targets, holsters, used guns, turkey jerky, etc.).

As far as I know, one promoter already caved to the pressure. The next time it happens, I wonder how the promoter would appreciate a bunch of CFF members standing in front of the ticket office carrying picket signs saying:

NO BBS

IS BS​
 
Jeppo said:
The free market has a way of leveling the playing field. If the promoters try to intercede, they and the other "innocent" exhibitors will be the losers. Those of us (yours truly included) who go to shows with Backwoods as a top priority will simply stop attending. This means that any other vendors we might have patronized will lose (ammo, targets, holsters, used guns, turkey jerky, etc.).

As far as I know, one promoter already caved to the pressure. The next time it happens, I wonder how the promoter would appreciate a bunch of CFF members standing in front of the ticket office carrying picket signs saying:

NO BBS

IS BS​
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Count me in.

Jerek and his family are good people.
 
I'm thinking about this more. A bunch of gun sellers complain they won't participate if Backwoods does because they can't sell if Jerek's there. What would happen if they do go away, Jerek takes a few more tables, and brings another 2 or 3 extra bodies?

Jerek would compensate for the promoter's lost revenue by buying more tables.
Jerek would sell a lot more guns (helping pay for the extra tables and workers).
Jerek could display a broader assortment of guns (which is better for all customers than seeing G19s on every vendor's table), many of which we rarely see in shows.

Seems to me the only losers would be the uncompetitive vendors that don't like coexisting with BBS.

The winners will be everyone else.
Jerek will win.
All gun buyers will win...the existing BBS customers will have a broader assortment to paw and the buyers who don't know BBS will save a bundle.
The promoter will win because consumers will tell their friends, "Stop buying online 'cause there's a kickass vendor at the gun show".

Did I miss something?
 
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Jeppo said:
I'm thinking about this more. A bunch of gun sellers complain they won't participate if Backwoods does because they can't sell if Jerek's there. What would happen if they do go away, Jerek takes a few more tables, and brings another 2 or 3 extra bodies?

Jerek would compensate for the promoter's lost revenue by buying more tables.
Jerek would sell a lot more guns (helping pay for the extra tables and workers).
Jerek could display a broader assortment of guns (which is better for all customers than seeing G19s on every vendor's table), many of which we rarely see in shows.

Seems to me the only losers would be the uncompetitive vendors that don't like coexisting with BBS.

The winners will be everyone else.
Jerek will win.
All gun buyers will win...the existing BBS customers will have a broader assortment to paw and the buyers who don't know BBS will save a bundle.
The promoter will win because consumers will tell their friends, "Stop buying online 'cause there's a kickass vendor at the gun show".

Did I miss something?
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You missed something major from the promoter's point of view. The three vendors who threatened to not come back have a combined 40+ tables at $65 per table per show times 4 shows per year.

I'm not in favor of a promoter allowing himself to be bullied like happened in this case. Plus, I like BBS a lot. But, you can better understand why a promoter would be in a quandary when something like this happens when you know the details. It isn't a matter of "a few" tables.
 
@cubrock, thanks for that. When I'm 100% certain, I finish my ramblings with a ! When I'm not 100% sure or maybe don't have all the facts, I end with a ?

So, now that it's clear that my scheme probably won't work, should be go back to the picketing proposal?
 
Jeppo said:
@cubrock, thanks for that. When I'm 100% certain, I finish my ramblings with a ! When I'm not 100% sure or maybe don't have all the facts, I end with a ?

So, now that it's clear that my scheme probably won't work, should be go back to the picketing proposal?
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I'd certainly voice your displeasure to the promoter in such cases. That is the only way they will know how the decision impacts them with the public.
 
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cubrock said:
You missed something major from the promoter's point of view. The three vendors who threatened to not come back have a combined 40+ tables at $65 per table per show times 4 shows per year.

I'm not in favor of a promoter allowing himself to be bullied like happened in this case. Plus, I like BBS a lot. But, you can better understand why a promoter would be in a quandary when something like this happens when you know the details. It isn't a matter of "a few" tables.
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Actually more like 24 tables. I ran 10 there. So a net of 14 tables. Also with another vendor that pulled out (they ran 4) the net was 10. The promoter said 40 tables as well. But apparently I can't count or it was a gross exaggeration

I'm not sure I can provide exact figures without naming names. But between the 3 vendors, they had 24 tables.



Nonetheless, I appreciate all the support guys. I really do. You are all gems to me.


But again to make sure everyone is aware. We are still at all of the C&E shows and all of the Dixie shows. We were only booted from 2. One was Salisbury and the other was Asheville. Salisbury we were only able to work once a year due to the calendar but as far as Asheville... we would gladly return if given the opportunity and the guarantee not to be booted again.


In addition to this, the Asheville show has a significant wait list for vendors. So even if I weren't going to pick up extra tables, there would be no issues filling them.
 
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cubrock said:
I'd certainly voice your displeasure to the promoter in such cases.
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knifeman32 said:
Actually more like 24 tables. I ran 10 there. So a net of 14 tables. Also with another vendor that pulled out (they ran 4) the net was 10. The promoter said 40 tables as well. But apparently I can't count or it was a gross exaggeration

I'm not sure I can provide exact figures without naming names. But between the 3 vendors, they had 24 tables.



Nonetheless, I appreciate all the support guys. I really do. You are all gems to me.


But again to make sure everyone is aware. We are still at all of the C&E shows and all of the Dixie shows. We were only booted from 2. One was Salisbury and the other was Asheville. Salisbury we were only able to work once a year due to the calendar but as far as Asheville... we would gladly return if given the opportunity and the guarantee not to be booted again.


In addition to this, the Asheville show has a significant wait list for vendors. So even if I weren't going to pick up extra tables, there would be no issues filling them.
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I hope you get to come back to Asheville. As far as my numbers, I was going off the most I've seen them run in recent years, not this last show where one of them didn't show and the others had fewer tables than sometimes in the past. Wasn't trying to speak for how many tables you had there, so I left that out, hence, no net number.

Hopefully, no one infers support of anything from my previous post. Just trying to give a clearer picture as to what was involved. If I erred in my counting, please forgive me.
 
cubrock said:
I hope you get to come back to Asheville. As far as my numbers, I was going off the most I've seen them run in recent years, not this last show where one of them didn't show and the others had fewer tables than sometimes in the past. Wasn't trying to speak for how many tables you had there, so I left that out, hence, no net number.

Hopefully, no one infers support of anything from my previous post. Just trying to give a clearer picture as to what was involved. If I erred in my counting, please forgive me.
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No offense taken by any means Steve. For the past 9 months to one year, he has cut his tables back drastically. I don't see that changing honestly. He rarely works any shows anymore. Also, the other two run 7 tables consistently. One of which doesn't really do NC shows anymore other than Asheville. So a total of 24 tables taking away my 10 and another vendor's 4, leave 10 tables unaccounted for. These could be filled very easily. Hell, I'd do it if need be.

It is what it is. To me, it's really not the point of tables or anything like that. I think it's bad business. But it's not my business to run. I wouldn't want the promoter making decisions regarding my business so I can only respect the right he has to make decisions regarding his own business. Granted I disagree with it.


I hold no ill will towards anyone. I just want to work gun shows, sell guns, and go home to take care of my family. I do miss visiting the customers that we have up that way and I certainly miss Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack.


Again, I appreciate the support from everyone and I would gladly return to the Asheville show if asked. Business is business. Grudges don't make money and only cause folks to lose sleep. I sleep well when given the chance.
 
knifeman32 said:
No offense taken by any means Steve. For the past 9 months to one year, he has cut his tables back drastically. I don't see that changing honestly. He rarely works any shows anymore. Also, the other two run 7 tables consistently. One of which doesn't really do NC shows anymore other than Asheville. So a total of 24 tables taking away my 10 and another vendor's 4, leave 10 tables unaccounted for. These could be filled very easily. Hell, I'd do it if need be.

It is what it is. To me, it's really not the point of tables or anything like that. I think it's bad business. But it's not my business to run. I wouldn't want the promoter making decisions regarding my business so I can only respect the right he has to make decisions regarding his own business. Granted I disagree with it.


I hold no ill will towards anyone. I just want to work gun shows, sell guns, and go home to take care of my family. I do miss visiting the customers that we have up that way and I certainly miss Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack.


Again, I appreciate the support from everyone and I would gladly return to the Asheville show if asked. Business is business. Grudges don't make money and only cause folks to lose sleep. I sleep well when given the chance.
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Well said.
 
ronn47 said:
"WE" need to let the promoters know that "WE" are no longer supporting their shows by coming if they play that game.
The other dealers need to step up their game and play like big boys and girls.
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I agree 100%!! This is BS all the way around. I say we start our own NFL style "boycott" of this promoter and his shows. He makes waaay more money from attendance than he does the vendor tables. Lets organize and make it happen!!
 
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RJT said:
I agree 100%!! This is BS all the way around. I say we start our own NFL style "boycott" of this promoter and his shows. He makes waaay more money from attendance than he does the vendor tables. Lets organize and make it happen!!

Here is the information below of the promoter.

http://www.cegunshows.com/contact-us.html
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It wasn't a C&E show this happened at.
 
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