Can You Visit A Pipe Show Without Buying?

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mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,433
Would you, could you, visit a pipe show without buying anything? Or just pipe cleaners and a pipe nail? Okay, my first reaction is, why would you? But I have been to a pipe show where I'd just incurred a serious dental bill. I bought a few things, but not what I'd planned. Also, I usually know some of the pipe carvers and others with tables at the event, so I feel some need to support the event. But I think there is a rationalization for going as a spectator. First, you support the show by paying admission and showing up. Most shows would rather have an attendee that doesn't buy anything, than not. In fact, whether you are a newbie or a long-timer, you may learn a little more from a "dry run," with your attention and energy not taken up with the excitement of purchases. If you talk to carvers and others behind the table, you can gain a lot of information, and pick up some business cards along the way, for future contact or reference. Best of all, whether you are buying or not, you get to see close-up and handle hundreds of pipes, and each one informs you about their qualities and deficiencies, the fit and finish of various brands, and nuances like how well stamped they are and how carefully the stems are turned. I think everyone could benefit by having every third pipe show you attend a "no-buy" zone, and see what more you can learn. Will I do this? Maybe not. But I don't think it should be an aversion or a disgrace to attend a show and postpone the buying until the next time.

 

jaytex1969

Lifer
Jun 6, 2017
9,517
50,591
Here
I think this may fall under the Ron White philosophy:
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability..."
jay-roger.jpg


 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,433
Yeah, the self-restraint required is considerable. If you don't long to buy something, you probably don't have a strong interest in smoking a pipe. But a no-buy pipe show experience might be a worthwhile exercise. Also, it might send me down to my local independent pipe shop the next morning.

 

crashthegrey

Lifer
Dec 18, 2015
3,810
3,566
41
Cobleskill, NY
www.greywoodie.com
I am probably in the minority here, but I think going to a paid pipe show with an admission price and buying nothing it totally acceptable. It is like porn, maybe I just want to look at the pipes and not take one to my room. I don't believe I have ever actually done this at a pipe show, but I see no problem with it. I have actually seen non-pipe smokers pay to come in just out of morbid curiosity about what it is like. However, if there is no admission price, then yes, please support the pipe show by purchasing something.

 

scloyd

Lifer
May 23, 2018
5,941
12,033
Whether it's a pipe show, art show, model train show or a gun show I go with the intention on buying something. I have left shows empty handed. I don't go to boat shows, classic car shows, sports memorabilia shows or coin shows because I have no interest in those things.

 

philobeddoe

Lifer
Oct 31, 2011
7,404
11,575
East Indiana
I’m not going to drive several hours each way just to look, if I was short on cash I would just stay home. You can do as you like, I just wouldn’t see the point.

 

npod

Lifer
Jun 11, 2017
2,942
1,024
Yeah it's easy. Just cover your eyes and don't look at the tables. You will never be tempted to buy a pipe that way.

1672370-poster-1280-video-man2.jpg

However, make one small glimpse at the pretty pipes and ...

SuarezCandy.jpg


 
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I hesitate to say this... but if someone goes to a pipe show expecting a deal, they will be sadly mistaken. A pipemaker is not going to fly somewhere with all of his stuff, where he paid to have a table, and give stuff away at a discount. Then, you the customer, has to get a hotel room, drive or fly there, and pay to get in.
Don't get me wrong... I love going to pipe shows, but they really aren't about getting a new pipe. They are about the camaraderie. A vacation with friends and fellow pipers.
But, if you think you are going to get a deal at a pipe show, ha ha, my last pipe show purchase got me an Ardor Bulldog at about three thousand dollars, if you include travel, hotels, etc... But, if I had not of bought that pipe, hanging out with a bunch of old men that smoke pipes and are cranky... like me, would have cost me about the same... except I would have come home empty handed.
There really just isn't any point in not spending an extra $500 or so to get a pipe to remind you of the event. Besides, $500 would just be a drop in the bucket in all that you would be spending on just being there to begin with.
If pipe events were just all about getting a deal on a pipe, then they would have just never become popular at all. Because there is no incentive for anyone to cut a deal, because everyone there has paid out the nose to be there.

 

npod

Lifer
Jun 11, 2017
2,942
1,024
I will also add, avoid alcohol and your chances of resisting a purchase go way up.

 

puffy

Lifer
Dec 24, 2010
2,511
98
North Carolina
I haven't been to a pipe show in some years now.I have enough pipes.Last time I was at one I went looking for a Nording.I found two.I couldn't make up my mind between them so I bought both.I never went to a pipe show unless I was looking for something.

 

crashthegrey

Lifer
Dec 18, 2015
3,810
3,566
41
Cobleskill, NY
www.greywoodie.com
Pipe shows used to be guys showing off their pipes and hanging out, maybe trading and dealing on the side, but the company is the key. That's a big reason why I like the Kaywoodie Holiday "show" which is less show and more party.

 
I think I would enjoy a huge pipe swap without any companies involved. No huge fees to anyone, no pipemakers, unless they want to come and swap like everyone else. That could be a lot of fun.

I'm not against pipemakers, or even tobacco companies, but it would be neat to see what it could be if it was just a bunch of guys swapping their pipes and having fun.

 
I would definitely love a local swap meet. And, if I knew of a local swap meet going on somewhere, where I wanted to meet the folks there, I would go. But, I am not about to go across the entire US to pay thousands for a pipe again. I may go to New Orleans, or Atlanta for a pipe show, but Las Vegas and Chicago is just too much. Chicago, I have been and done, and have the T-shirt.

 

kcghost

Lifer
May 6, 2011
13,152
21,419
77
Olathe, Kansas
You can go to shows and not spend money I suppose, but why would you. You can certainly get deals at shows but not from everybody. You have to be patient and make an off when it seems right.

 

tschiraldi

Lifer
Dec 14, 2015
1,813
3,555
55
Ohio
My 1st pipe show was local ( Columbus) so no big expense for travel or hotel. I went fully intending to buy a new pipe and maybe some tobacco, however, I kept heeding the advice of many about not being impulsive. "Make a few laps around the room first" they said. Well, I did so many laps I got dizzy! I couldn't pull the trigger on anything! I paid my admission, bought several raffle tickets, and more than a few drinks, met several new friends, but walked out with no pipe or tobacco. I did take some cards, and purchased a pipe I had seen at the show a month or so later (couldn't get that one out of my head). This year, I bought 2 pipes and 3 tins of tobacco.

 
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