I have seen pictures posted of some gorgeous pens bought at pen shows. Accent on the plural: pens.

I'm curious to know, what is the average amount of money spent by the Average Joe at the average pen show?

Having never attended a pen show before, I have absolutely no idea of the moneys involved.

t!

(Dratted poll won't let me include dollar signs!)

I think that vaires a tremendous amount. There are people who spend in the multiple thousands, and some just a few dollars. The one thing that seems to be a common factor is that people usually spends 2-3 times the amount that they plan on.

ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS....BWHA HAA HAA HAA HAAAAAA.......

Actually I've only been to two shows in the past year, and like most novices to shows, I was too overwhelmed by the spectacle of so many pens and stood around like a zombie without a clue.
If your planning to go to your first show, there's good preparatory reading on www.richardspens.com

Dr. not so Evil

Anywhere between just the price of entry ticket to thousands I have no interest in vintage pens, so for me, once I figured out how to tackle the show within the very short time I had, it was just checking out and trying out different pens. I ended up buying nothing, but next time around, I will have a better idea of what I am interested in and what a good price is (some vendors WILL give you far better prices at the show than if you later buy from them online or in their stores).

But to attempt answering your question, how about at least making sure your show budget is part of your overall pen budget?

Now here's a slightly stupid question that's still related: How does one find out if there any pen shows in their area? Several links I've found so far point to the LAST pen show around me which is obviously out-of-date now.

Here you go, Sonnet.

Pen Show Calendar

I'd have to agree. For me I get pen paralysis as there are so many choices and so many pens that I just can't decide and usually end up buying some ink.


Same thing happens when I am able to visit a pen store too many choices and I freeze up. I guess that's because it usually takes me a good numebr of weeks before I can decide on a pen to buy.


Kurt H

I have to admit to voting 0-50. I've only been to one show, and I went a week after buying the new car. So, I had very little to spend. I did get "da book" and a few bottles of ink, but that was all I could handle at the time. I mainly went for the experience of being at a pen show.....a place where there were pens laid out as far as the eye can see, and people around who didn't look at you like you were from mars for discussing pens.......

yep, I'm planning on being at the next Raleigh one too. <G>

Thanks for the link. Now I know when the next Philly pen show is

Well, since I had to spend money for two nights' accomodation at a Portland hotel, I figured I should spend at least the same amount on pens and merchandise! I mean, why spend $150 on a hotel and only buy $50 worth of pens, right? (that is my logic anyway) If I lived in a city that was hosting a pen show, I would spend a lot less, but since that Portland show was the only one I could attend....
I spent about $350 total on (heavy) pen books and large pen cases (things that would cost an arm and a leg to ship to me, in other words) in addition to 3 pens....

Money to spend at a pen show?????
Do you mean that some of you are allowed to go to a pen show with more than the entry fee in your pocket..... SWHTM stopped that after I went to the DC Pen show the first time... she even frisked me to make sure I was not hiding a credit card somewhere....
Man, some of you are just too lucky...

I should point out that there is a handy website (calendar) for pen shows in Europe, as well:

Link to EUROPEAN PEN SHOWS (multiple pages)

Huh, just noticed this one Maja
Now that's interesting rationalization!

So, because I live near Toronto and don't have to pay for the accomodation, I shouldn't spend a lot?

Fortunately, I have until next July to think about this

I agree with Karin on this. Elainomics says if I don't spend $ on airfare, then I have that money to spend on pens. Now if I lived in California and flew to the DC or NYC show that gives me a few hundred dollars to spend.

I do see your point though. What I wrote doesn't really make sense but if I stayed a couple of nights at a hotel near a pen show, I can't very well just spend ten bucks on a pen can I?

How much are the usual entry fees?

I went to three shows, and spent $100 for the first two, and $150 at the the third. Each time, I decided before going what would be reasonable to spend and took that much in cash with me. Yes, I did have my credit and debit cards with me, but I did not even think once of using them.

BTW, having "just that much cash" can help in a bargain. It happened twice to me :

Seller : "I'll let it go for $xxx."
Me : "Would you take $xxx-$75 ?"
Seller : "I'll take $xxx-$30."
Me, opening wide my wallet so that the seller can see I'm taking everything out : "I have $xxx-$75."
Seller, after 10 seconds of silence, starring at the wallet and the bills : "ok, for you I'll let it go for $xxx-$75"

Of course it's the whole game, and the seller would have let it go, but it could have taken a few more minutes. Both time were just a few minutes before the show close. Helps a lot too.

Betty, the entrance is usually around $10.

Never been to one yet, T.

A few months ago I would have said that I'll need to get a bank loan first before going to a show, but now that I'm a bit more focused, I would say that I would be looking at roughly $200-$300 a pen (don't think there'll be sumgai prices at a penshow anyway), so depending on how many pieces are available, I might be looking at a few multiples of that.

So in actual fact, I might need to see my bank manager anyway. :doh:

G.

Hi all,

You are all so lucky to be able to even consider going to a pen show. I would have to come up with huge air fares to travel to the US or Europe first. Wouldn't leave much for a pen huh.

Oh well, one day .....

Trace

Hi again,

I am so excited, today I found out that there is a pen show in Melbourne in November. Can't wait, better start saving my pennies.

Trace

The North Texas show is at the end of September. I plan on spending multiples of the admission. Of course, the admission is FREE!

Ron

I'll be at my first show this coming weekend in Dallas. I may have to update my post after I get back from the show.