Really rather disappointed with vendors @ NY Expo

[phade]

Went to the show Saturday morning, and was in as the doors opened to beat the masses. Overall, great show compared to past ones there, and good for a NY show. Hope to see some increased offerings from vendors, such as Sportsman Liquidators. They have a ton more for sale at Harrisburg, but still, they had what I wanted to buy there.

Anyhow, on two occassions, I heard to me what were disheartening conversations. Both were small time vendors, the antler handle knife guy, and then an outfitter (northern one, selling caribou/bear/something like that). I simply overheard them when checking out the respective vendor and the vendor was having a conversation with another vendor or customer.

Both vendors were ticked off at the big sponsors and vendors at Harrisburg. Apparently both of these guys had booths there. The outfitter said "I don't care if they sell guns there (Harrisburg) or not, really I don't. I care about selling hunts." The knife guy was much more vocal. "I lost $14k and I'm pissed. All of the big vendors like Cabelas started this, they pulled out and screwed me over. Its the big vendors' fault. My wife and I had to scramble to find more shows to recover from this because we had no plans. I can't believe they would do this (expletive) to us and screw over the sportsman"...and he went on and on. Never once taking account for his own business practices/strategy, and never once saying anything about the second amendment. He also made it clear he was not boycotting.

Now, let me say I am first and foremost understanding at the pinch that happened with the small vendors. No doubt. I sympathize. But, I draw the line at not taking a stand, not taking accountability for your own darn actions by having a singular revenue stream and no back-up, and then blaming others, all without saying anything about the 2A issue.

I'll be honest, I was at the knife guy's booth and looking really hard at buying one. In fact, I thought the quality was quite good and considered buying one as a lifetime "gutting" knife, as I lost mine a few years ago and made due with mass produced commercial knives. I heard him say he was going to be a first-time vendor at H-burg, and I immediately started reaching for the one I liked to buy it, as a show of support....and then I realized he didn't boycott the show, and then he went on his tirade. Needless to say my money stayed in my pocket. I really couldn't say anything either, honestly, because I was shocked at his lack of accountabiity and the view of the bigger picture. I had to walk away after that conversation ended so I didn't get brought into it.

[G-Man]

Too bad, i have some sympathy for the little guy though, look at all the resturant bars that depend on a sports team, especially buffalo with the sabres, they took a huge hit when season was on hold. Many buisnesses are built to feed off others, a big vendor draws in other small ones looking for the few that will walk in or they carry a custom version, they don't have the option or means for huge mass marketing but can survive by using the traffic created by others. as for the bigger picture i'm sure he just wants to feed his family same as the rest of us, maybe he lobbies in person forthe laws he dislikes, or has written letters to his reps... tough when your buisness feeds your family and isn't a hobby i'm sure.

[phade]

Too bad, i have some sympathy for the little guy though, look at all the resturant bars that depend on a sports team, especially buffalo with the sabres, they took a huge hit when season was on hold. Many buisnesses are built to feed off others, a big vendor draws in other small ones looking for the few that will walk in or they carry a custom version, they don't have the option or means for huge mass marketing but can survive by using the traffic created by others. as for the bigger picture i'm sure he just wants to feed his family same as the rest of us, maybe he lobbies in person forthe laws he dislikes, or has written letters to his reps... tough when your buisness feeds your family and isn't a hobby i'm sure.

No doubt tough for the small guy, but not taking the stand, blaming big business, and not being accountable, tells me that vendor doesn't deserve my money. If he would have said, I understand the position, I'm a small vendor, I believe in the right, etc. I would have bought one.

[SteveB]

Sad they can't see it was Reed's squarely fault and not any of the vendors that pulled out.

[raymerlo]

Now if all the vendors that took a hit would write there representatives and complain

about it maybe there would be a change next year instead of bad mouthing the vendors that did take a stand and made a statement about this BS

[Doc]

That's a real tough situation, and pretty hard to put yourself in their position. Depending on what percentage of the livlihood these shows provide them, there may be a certain amount of panic showing through in their comments. I mean, if somebody were to pull the rug out from under my means of making a living for that year, I might have some strange reactions too. I suppose it's one thing if this is only a hobby-style side activity for them, but if it comes down to putting food on the table and a roof over their head, I probably would react with a bit of bitterness myself. Not knowing what they really had at stake there I think I will with-hold condemnation. It's hard to put myself in their actual position. This may have been a business risk that they didn't (couldn't) see coming, and they are simply blaming the wrong people.

[phade]

That's a real tough situation, and pretty hard to put yourself in their position. Depending on what percentage of the livlihood these shows provide them, there may be a certain amount of panic showing through in their comments. I mean, if somebody were to pull the rug out from under my means of making a living for that year, I might have some strange reactions too. I suppose it's one thing if this is only a hobby-style side activity for them, but if it comes down to putting food on the table and a roof over their head, I probably would react with a bit of bitterness myself. Not knowing what they really had at stake there I think I will with-hold condemnation. It's hard to put myself in their actual position. This may have been a business risk that they didn't (couldn't) see coming, and they are simply blaming the wrong people.

Exactly, and that's why I find it largely disappointing. Take accountability for your business missteps and stop blaming others. We preach that on this site all the time.

Bad shot - it was the BH's fault. It was the bow's fault. It was Cuomo's fault.

Mean neighbor not allowing deer recovery after shooting it on small acreage - it is the neighbor's fault because the hunter didn't contact them before season for recovery rights.

There's poacing all the time, everywhere - hunter blames low deer numbers and no bucks on it - never calls the DEC.

Seriously, I don't think anyone would disparage their situation and I agree with you it is hard to walk a mile in their shoes - BUT - the mirror is the first place to look. Blaming others is easy, but that doesn't make it any less wrong/innaccurate/irresponsible, no?

If the knife guy would have taken an ounce of responsibility or been positive at "finding new avenues, etc." I would have plunked down the cash right then and there. Instead, it was a 5 minute b!t%h fest blaming everyone else but him, and not a note on the 2A.

Edited January 30, 2013 by phade

[Doc]

If the knife guy would have taken an ounce of responsibility or been positive at "finding new avenues, etc." I would have plunked down the cash right then and there. Instead, it was a 5 minute b!t%h fest blaming everyone else but him, and not a note on the 2A.

I'm not sure why the knife guy should have shared in any of the responsibility of what was happening to the show. Certainly he was just another one of the victims of situation. Even the ones that pulled out were victims. His problem was blaming other victims of the decision to not allow the display or sale of modern sporting weapons. His anger should have been directed at this Reed guy. He wasn't thinking clearly on what was the cause and what was the effect.

[erussell]

Should have kept his mouth shut! He probably would have sold a few more. My money would have stayed right in my pocket also.

[phade]

I'm not sure why the knife guy should have shared in any of the responsibility of what was happening to the show. Certainly he was just another one of the victims of situation. Even the ones that pulled out were victims. His problem was blaming other victims of the decision to not allow the display or sale of modern sporting weapons. His anger should have been directed at this Reed guy. He wasn't thinking clearly on what was the cause and what was the effect.

Missing the point, Doc.

He shares responsibility of what was happening to HIS BUSINESS. He's not just a victim. He's a victim in the sense Reed sucks a big one. But, he's also a contributor to his own destiny/success.

Any small business owner worth his salt knows that relying upon one revenue stream is recipe for disaster. That's why there are things called business continuity plans (BCP). He should have known RIGHT AWAY what other show contacts/schedules were, what the show fees for them were, the costs associated with attending such shows, etc. etc. etc. Instead, all he said was that his wife and him were scrambling to recover from this and that it's solely the show's big vendor's fault his business is going to suffer. No, dummy, it's your fault at the bottom line.

This guy said food on the table was going to be impacted and pretty much alluded to pouting and doing little else. Well duh, if my family relied upon me, I wouldn't be blaming the show. I'd be blaming myself for being a poor quality business owner. I also wouldn't be bad-mouthing others at following shows. I'd be working, period. Just because you can't forsee a risk doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You prepare for everything.

[Doc]

Missing the point, Doc.

He shares responsibility of what was happening to HIS BUSINESS. He's not just a victim. He's a victim in the sense Reed sucks a big one. But, he's also a contributor to his own destiny/success.

Any small business owner worth his salt knows that relying upon one revenue stream is recipe for disaster. That's why there are things called business continuity plans (BCP). He should have known RIGHT AWAY what other show contacts/schedules were, what the show fees for them were, the costs associated with attending such shows, etc. etc. etc. Instead, all he said was that his wife and him were scrambling to recover from this and that it's solely the show's big vendor's fault his business is going to suffer. No, dummy, it's your fault at the bottom line.

This guy said food on the table was going to be impacted and pretty much alluded to pouting and doing little else. Well duh, if my family relied upon me, I wouldn't be blaming the show. I'd be blaming myself for being a poor quality business owner. I also wouldn't be bad-mouthing others at following shows. I'd be working, period. Just because you can't forsee a risk doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You prepare for everything.

Yes, in a perfect world, that's exactly how it might work. But then I'm not in his shoes, so I'm not going to judge his business ability. However, I remember that back in ancient times when I used to be on the craft show circuit, there were certain big shows that had to be signed up and paid for quite a bit in advance, and the incomes from those certain major shows had no other significant alternatives available. If anything had happened to them, it would have just plain been lost revenue. But at any rate, if the guy wanted to vent, I probably would have set him straight as to who the real culprit was, if it really was bothering me. I'm just saying that I agree the guy was out of line blaming the outfits that pulled out of the show. As far as his quality as a business owner, I don't think that's even the point.

[dbHunterNY]

although i understand where the small vendors are coming from, i seem to agree with what Phade has said. they have to realize business is a risk in general, and sometimes things fall through. i know of vendors who were in tougher shape than they were from what it sounds like. some dumped lots of money into kicking off their business at the show. they've got other options but it's now a huge up hill battle. one has to understand the great cause of it all too. the 2nd amendment doesn't have to do with hunting, but it does facilitate the means to do so. without hunting there wouldn't be much of a market for them to even have their business.

[Doc]

Well, basically I think the knife vendor was ranting about the wrong people. I don't understand why he was not complaining about this Reed character. In fact, if I had witnessed this conversation, I would have quickly pointed that out to him. But then, I wouldn't have been there myself anyway to hear his tirade, because my own personal protest would have been in solidarity with the outfits that pulled out, and I would have boycotted that particular show.

[phade]

Well, basically I think the knife vendor was ranting about the wrong people. I don't understand why he was not complaining about this Reed character. In fact, if I had witnessed this conversation, I would have quickly pointed that out to him. But then, I wouldn't have been there myself anyway to hear his tirade, because my own personal protest would have been in solidarity with the outfits that pulled out, and I would have boycotted that particular show.

I know of nobody boycotting the NY show this past weekend, so who exactly would you be in solidarity with?

The show in Harrisburg, PA was boycotted and shuttered.

Edited February 1, 2013 by phade

[phade]

The harrisburg pa show was boycotted and closed. The conversation took place at the NY expo, where nobody to my knowledge was boycotting it. Different show.

[Doc]

Sorry, got the shows confused.