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- I'm probably not going to purchase a booth at the Army Conference - even if there is space remaining. Lately - and even before the shutdown, every single time I was offered a pretty good playing job that I had to turn down... and (make no mistake) even though it's a killer to drive there, set up, stand there for 2 or 3 days, pack up, drive home, unload, and sort things out, it's always a lot of fun, and I really enjoy seeing everyone.

- Typically, I have shown John Packer instruments, my mouthpieces, and a used instrument or two. I'm thinking that most everyone has now seen John Packer instruments, there are typically back orders on the most popular models - which further reinforces my idea that I really don't need to be displaying them anymore, I offer free shipping to buyers' doorsteps - so there's really no advantage of displaying at a show, and winters seem to be getting colder again, and it seems to become more likely that I'll have to drive home in the snow and ice.

- IF I DID GO... I'm wondering about simply bringing the mouthpieces and offering my table as a consignment table for people who want to sell their instruments at the show, but don't have a place to put them on display. Yes I would charge a percentage, but the problem would be that instruments could end up being offered on consignment that might be priced by their owners as unrealistically high (and I wouldn't want to try to be the one whose job it is to bring those people into Realville) or in a condition that I might not consider to be selling condition (which could also cause hurt feelings). Thus, I'm thinking that this isn't a good idea either.

Feel free to comment. Feedback is why I posted this.
LOL... if I decide that even posting this thread is a bad idea, I'll ask the monitors to make it disappear into the cornfield.

I’m not quite clear about what the bad idea is quite yet…

If you do come and have a booth, you could just bring mouthpieces and as many components as needed. And have a sign plus mention that you are a fine seller of John Packer instruments.

But everything you've mentioned makes sense to me too. Whichever outcome you and Mrs. Bloke decide, as long as it you are both happy and out of harms way, that is all that matters.

... The part below can safely be ignored...

Maybe even offer an exquisite tune-up, a Be-"bloked" (bespoke) special for those who already own a Miraphone 98 Siegfried. Because those fine tuba folk have very fine tastes... And those owners might not mind their tubas be elevated to the next level of excellence. Kinda sorta like how car dealers or tuners, Shelby for instance, does with Ford Mustangs etc.

@PlayTheTuba

I'm not stingy, and I'm not afraid of cooties, but the instrument of what you speak will dent if someone looks at it wrong.

@Dents Be Gone!

A "fee" is a very good idea (thanks).

I don't mind consignments (all that much), but not (as with the situation described above) only a minute's notice/(frantic) agreement...and with me ONLY giving an instrument a (somewhat) detailed inspection after I've already agreed to show their instrument.

Typically (with actual consignments), I have people pay money (on the front end) to put their instruments in the condition that I would raise instruments (that our shop actually OWNS) prior to offering them for sale (ie. "gig-ready" and also NOT all beat up or dirty).

The thing about people handing me instruments AT the show would be that NONE of that would be possible...so it would be a "what you see - or what you might NOT see - is what you get situation...so (yup) a FEE...and the buyer pays ME a fee (separate transaction) and pays the SELLER for the tuba/euphonium.

If it's only about the potential dough, it's probably a no-brainer not to go.

I mean this without trying to be too preachy or whatever. But we are all getting older, and there are people I'm sure you haven't seen since before COVID and may not see again, and folks that I'm sure would like to see you.

An important part of a gig is "the hang." If I had a chance to go see old friends, but make maybe 40-60% of what I'd make otherwise (plus accounting for travel time and gas and all that), I'd probably elect to see the old friends unless I was hurting bad financially or didn't want to deal with driving in January DC muck and yuck.

Get your second run of Sellmansberg II/Shallowbergers?

I have a couple instruments I'm bringing -- likely a bell-front Buescher, this huge Kruspe BBb, a euph or two -- but I don't know if they're quite ready for Display Status.

You should get a booth, bring the mouthpieces, and boxes of stuff from the Blokeplace attic. You'd probably make a killing.

LOL... Frankentubist crap addicts... (the next reality show)

... part of it is that I really do avoid cities for quite a few reasons, and it's not as if that one (if not that spot) is not an obvious target...

bloke wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 3:31 pm - IF I DID GO... I'm wondering about simply bringing the mouthpieces and offering my table as a consignment table for people who want to sell their instruments at the show, but don't have a place to put them on display. Yes I would charge a percentage, but the problem would be that instruments could end up being offered on consignment that might be priced by their owners as unrealistically high (and I wouldn't want to try to be the one whose job it is to bring those people into Realville) or in a condition that I might not consider to be selling condition (which could also cause hurt feelings). Thus, I'm thinking that this isn't a good idea either.

Make sure you get a booth with a pool table. Those will be in high demand this year.

I just can’t see the value to Bloke of attending the conference this year, maybe another year but not this one. As far as I understand matters Bloke has more work than he knows what to do with and can sell more instruments than he can receive from his supplier, his mouthpieces sell too. Yep, it’s nice to meet old friends but that can be done in other ways, at better times and for less costs.

Handling instruments on consignment is a disaster waiting to happen. A poor instrument will, by association, tarnish his name and so will a poor deal.

The many costs in attending aren’t insignificant and are immediate whilst the benefits - if any - are intangible and longer term. Are there risks to going? Certainly there are always risks. Accidents happen, diseases spread, items are stolen, items get broken and other stuff just happens.

bloke wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:18 pm @PlayTheTuba

...but the instrument of what you speak will dent if someone looks at it wrong.

Only ToneControZ©®™ (forgot the spelling) are allowed!! No dents!!