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Don Stephan WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2,659 Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #45 - Nov 22^nd, 2015 at 5:34pm Possible if not likely there will another vendor or three selling bowls by the next time you exhibit.
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Frank Wilda Senior Member Offline Safety always! Posts: 349 HADLEY Massachusetts USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #46 - Nov 25^th, 2015 at 2:49pm John, Sounds like you did well and you learned a thing or two. Did you have fun?
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John Grace WR Addict Offline Everyone needs a good wingman... Posts: 1,278 Bel Air Maryland USA	Re: My First Show... Reply #47 - Nov 25^th, 2015 at 8:15pm Frank...Good question. I was exhausted that afternoon but had the feeling of 'relief' that it wasn't a disaster. A day or two later, however, once I had a time to digest everything I did really enjoy myself and met some wonderful people who had a lot of interesting questions about wood and the turning process.
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David Hill

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Re: My First Show...
Reply #48 - Nov 25^th, 2015 at 10:29pm

John--guess by now the show is over & you survived
I too use square and they do have a reader for the chip cards with another coming in the works. I use it with the iPhone, but have to have the cover off or it doesn't seat right.
Have found that interestingly folks will "spend" plastic more so than cash----guess it's a sign of the times.

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« Last Edit: Nov 25^th, 2015 at 10:31pm by David Hill »

Everyday liberating nice things from ordinary chunks of wood---and I like gnarly wood, the outcome is nearly always better than the start.

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John Grace

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Re: My First Show...
Reply #49 - Nov 26^th, 2015 at 2:13pm

David...You're quite right and though I cannot recall who first here suggested strongly I grab one they were absolutely right. At least half of my sales were with Square and my three single largest sales were with it as well. That said...I did have some issues with the device not reading some cards and some communication moments where the system simply didn't work as planned. I'm definitely upgrading to a chip version before my next effort and I'm 'tracking' reviews of both the Square brand and PayPal's to see which the 'majority' prefer. In the end I think you're right...it is a sign of the times.

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“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Kipling

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JimQuarles

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Re: My First Show...
Reply #50 - Nov 26^th, 2015 at 4:47pm

John Grace wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 2:13pm:

I cannot recall who first here suggested strongly I grab one

Me, about 20 minutes after your first post. Roll Eyes

I've had the Square for over 3 years, and love it. I used to have ProPay, but left them for Square because ProPay had a LARGE annual fee. I've checked into PayPal and Intuit, and neither seems to be any better than Square.

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Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher.
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"Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.
I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright

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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #51 - Dec 4^th, 2015 at 8:10pm I did a pen show yesterday, and for the first time 100% of my sales were by credit card via Square.
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

John Grace

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Re: My First Show...
Reply #52 - Dec 4^th, 2015 at 9:10pm

Jim...That is both amazing and outstanding. I learned a hard lesson during my sale and either you or others mentioned it as well. Take the *bleeping* protective case off the cell phone before using the square. Fortunately I didn't lose any sales but I did have to take the risk of accepting a check...fortunately it cleared immediately.

How many pens did you sell by the way?

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“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Kipling

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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #53 - Dec 4^th, 2015 at 9:29pm Only 16, but the average price was over $55 and most were multiple purchases. Show was 11 to 3 and there was no charge for the space. It is a senior community that has me come in as an "activity" for the residents. I spoke to at least 25 people that had bought pens from me on previous visits and made a point of coming to say Hi.
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

John Grace WR Addict Offline Everyone needs a good wingman... Posts: 1,278 Bel Air Maryland USA	Re: My First Show... Reply #54 - Dec 4^th, 2015 at 9:53pm Outstanding... When you do a show, do you ever take a small table top lathe with you to do demos, and if so, do you think that ever helps sales?
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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #55 - Dec 4^th, 2015 at 10:55pm Nope. 1. I have been displaying in the carpeted lobby. 2. I have been in a senior center with many people on oxygen. (Dust may cause problems) 3. I don't have a readily portable small lathe. 4. No more room in my Expedition.
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

Bert Delisle

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Re: My First Show...
Reply #56 - Dec 4^th, 2015 at 11:59pm

JimQuarles wrote on Dec 4^th, 2015 at 9:29pm:

It is a senior community that has me come in as an "activity" for the residents.

Well done! So Jim, what was the activity? Did you have kits ready for assembly, so residents could choose the barrel for their new pen? I can see where that would be great entertainment value for folks who don't get out much.

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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #57 - Dec 5^th, 2015 at 1:48am Nope, just what they call a trunk show. I've been there when they had a Navajo woman with 2 tables of Native American jewelry. Another time it was a woman with purses and other accessories. The real activity is the residents shopping.
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: My First Show... Reply #58 - Dec 5^th, 2015 at 6:00pm I just got a call from someone there ordering another pen.
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

Rick Caron

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Re: My First Show...
Reply #59 - Dec 6^th, 2015 at 12:22pm

I bring along a bowl blank with bark on it, a roughed out bowl, And one bowl gouge. Give them an education. Most don't know how much work goes into making a bowl. Greet everyone that walks by. If they stop and start looking at a bowl, start talking about that bowl. The first few shows i didn't talk much, soon learned to run my mouth. Usually they will stay at your both longer, and maybe buy.
I'm still learning Thumbs Up

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