What Should I be Looking for at My First Pipe Show?

[dechuckie]

Hi All,
The Chicago Pipe Show is taking place this weekend about 30 minutes from where I live, and I'll be stopping by there tomorrow(Saturday). It's my first pipe show, so I was hoping for some advice, or maybe some answers to these questions:
Should I bring pipes to swap or sell?

Will there be pipes sold there that are priced lower than typical retailers?

Will there be free or discounted tobacco samples?

As a newbie pipe-smoker, is there anything I should be looking for in particular?
At the very least, I'm hoping to meet and smoke with some friendly fellow pipe enthusiasts, but any other advice would be appreciated...
Thanks!

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I've never witnessed or done a pipe selling or swapping at a show, so can't help ya there.
Typically the pipe prices drop a bit on Sunday. Being the last day carvers are looking to hopefully come home with less pipes than they showed up with and will often bring the price down a bit.
Most blenders will bring samples of their blends. Pretty sure it gets weird tax wise so they don't sell at the shows. There's usually a few tables with vintage out of production tins and occasionally there are some people who've cracked a vintage tin to share with anyone who wants a bowl.
In general I'd say just soak it in. You'll be overwhelmed by all the pipes and tobacco. My advice is talk to as many people as you can. You'll learn a lot.

 

[cigrmaster]

Bring 5 grand with you and go nuts.

 

[dechuckie]

Thanks, Lord. Didn't know that about tobacco sales, but hoping to pick up my first American hand-carved.

Headin' out!

 

[dechuckie]

...And 5 grand would be nice, but 400 bucks will have to do!

 

[saltedplug]

If you spend that $400 on one pipe I'm sure you'll find something very nice!

 

[mso489]

You can take a real short course in pipes and tobacco if you want. Ask questions yourself and listen in when others do. Don't try to make all your purchasing decisions on the spot; pick up business cards when appropriate. Some prices are knocked down a few bucks, and sometimes more, and if you tune in carefully, you can sometimes negotiate, although this is a test of tact. There are plenty of samples of tobacco blends, so bring a few, probably small, pipes, plus matches, pipe cleaners and a pipe tool or two, for that purpose. Take your time smoking to sample blends; you can't really know what you are tasting unless you relax and experience the blend. I like to wear a denim jacket with several big pockets for all of this, plus purchases, or a sports jacket with pockets would do the job. If you are like most, you could spend the day just studying the pipes.