Do You Haggle With Carvers?

[bigvan]

With the Chicago show right around the corner, I'd like to pose a question to the group. At pipe shows I have no problem when haggling the price of a retailer's pipe. It's part of the fun. But I feel guilty about haggling with the guy who actually carved the pipe. I feel like I'm insulting by offering less than the price that's marked.
But should I? I've met a lot of the carvers and none of them strike me as a "delicate artist" who would take offense at a counter offer. Yet I'm still hesitant.
So what do you do? Do you haggle with carvers?

 

[unclearthur]

I am always up for a good haggle. But sadly I will not be going to Chicago.

 

[collin]

A carver is obviously skilled in the arts involving cutlery,....be very,..very careful.

 

[unclearthur]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n3LL338aGA

 

[marmal4de]

Perfect video!

 

[fatman]

I say HAGGLE AWAY. Not just w/carvers, but w/any one! I went to a B&M and wanted to but 2 pipes, we'll say $150/ each...could get the same for $250. on line....the owner had NO HAGGLE ROOM! Well........NO SALE!!Jeez, thats riduculous! Hadn't been back since!

 

[igloo]

I always haggle over price for any major purchase . I tell them what I will pay and tell them the wife has the money . Then stump off for a smoke . The wife rolls her eyes and writes the check . Works every time . Everthing is just stuff to me , and there are always better deals to be had for whatever Iam looking for if the seller does not haggle with the price .

 

[strongirish]

I have haggled on pipes before, some will and some won't but I have revieved some really great deals haggling with the carver. As the Senior Moderator over at PipeChat.info, we do a POY every year and I often haggle to get the best price for my members on them. What is the worst that can happen, they say no, but often they say yes. The best time to haggle is towards the end of a show when they afre faced with having to haul their wares back or not with a little discount.

 

[julesholling]

No harm in asking. You can normally gauge the reaction to the haggling as soon as you mention the first price. If the reaction is one of shock and horror then there's no haggling to be had there.
But as strongirish said the best chance for a reduction in price is at the end of the show. People would rather sell at a bit of a discount than carry their stuff back home again.

 

[winton]

I have sold my wooden bowls at craft shows. I don't mind haggling, but don't insult me. If the price is $100, don't offer $20. Don't point out flaws. I already know them. Also, it depends on how "hungry" I am. Is this the item that will push me into the black? Do I need the sale for gas money for the ride home? Do I have more orders than I can possibly handle? I am always more open to a volumn deal, than just 1/3 off one item. Also, I am much more flexible at the end of the show, compared to the first hour.
Every man is different.
Winton

 

[unclearthur]

I turn a lot of bowls for sale at SCA events. For soup, not pretty. I haggle, trade and generally play the part of a tenth century woodworker.

 

[lagavulin92]

Haggle if the piece doesn't represent the carver's pride. I heard the most extraordinairy pieces are usually withheld for special and privileged clients anyway and will never be seen on the tables. Good judgement is key. And yeah, don't point at the flaws lol

 

[tanless1]

Winton nailed it. Keep your bracket reasonable. Know where you expect to end up before you start.

 

[fullbent]

I find haggle as part of the fun of trading!

 

[bubbadreier]

I like to haggle as well. I think you need to wait until the end of the show to get the good deals though!

 

[atwageman]

I will haggle, but in a positive way. I'm not some bonehead that will look at a $250 pipe made entirely by one carver and insult their pride and workmanship by expecting a mass produced Peterson type price of $70. Ive seen that happen at shows. Ive come close a few times of wanting to tell those types of buyers to go home and play with their basket pipes. NOTE----Im not saying Peterson's are basket pipes, just using it as a price point reference.
Outside of haggling....If there's a pipe I'm wanting to purchase and regardless of price I always run a pipe cleaner thru it. If it does not go thru one end of the pipe to the other without effort I leave it on the table. 99% of carvers don't mind this and don't take insult to it. For me a pipe must not only look good, but must be drilled spot on. PERIOD.

 

[thesmokindragon]

could haggle with a carver, not a briar cutter; this job SUCKS! Hit a rock hidden within or zone-out for a second and your day goes from bad to complete disaster! :crazy:

 

[smokindawg]

I don't find anything wrong with haggling. I learned it running flea mkts with my parents when I was 8 or 9. I judge whether I will haggle on an item by the starting price point of the item. If it's already a good deal, I'll usually won't even try. But I decide on a sale to sale basis.

 

[maduroman]

the warden is the queen of haggle.... i think she could out-haggle satan hizself...

 

[sjpipesmoker]

Why not, what's the worst that can happen...THEY SAY NO?