Vince Pitelka on fri 17 dec 99
Once again David McBeth and I were fortunate to attend the Ron
Meyers/Michael Simon Chrismas sale last Saturday. Ron and Michael have
decided that they do not want to do these studio sales any more, and the
invitation for this one clearly stated that it would be the LAST one. So,
of course the buyers came out in droves. The sale takes place at Ron's home
and studio out in the woods. The pots are set up in and around the studio,
and they stretch a red ribbon between sawhorses about 15 feet out from the
studio. No one passes that ribbon before the sale starts at 9:00. People
show up an hour early to get a good place at the ribbon, and by 8:55 there
must have been close to 100 people waiting. When Ron gave the go-ahead,
complete chaos errupted. People made a mad dash for pots they had been
scoping out from a distance. With my long legs and long arms I managed to
get a very fine large Michael Simon platter and some other choice pieces by
both artists. Within five minutes (that's right, by 9:05) the shelves and
walls were COMPLETELY stripped of every single pot.
As I was walking through the studio to get in line to pay for the pots,
someone turned around abruptly with a large covered jar, and swung it
directly into the platter, taking out a big chip. I was completely
disgusted. I put the chipped platter down, and someone immediately grabbed
it up. I told Michael about it, and he promised to make me another one.
But it reaffirmed his reasons for not doing these sales any more.
The sale was advertised as lasting from 9:00 to 12:00. HA!! At about 9:30,
as I was walking to my car with the pots, a van pulled up, and a family got
out. The father called to the wife and kids "We better hurry while there
are still some choice pieces left." I told them that they were 25 minutes
too late. I would estimate that between $10K and $15K in pottery changed
hands in that first five minutes.
This sale was not nearly as enjoyable as previous ones, but I am still very
pleased with the pots I got. But I wish I had that platter.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Dwiggins, Sandra (NCI) on sat 18 dec 99
Vince--
Ron told us about his yearly sale when he gave a workshop at Clayworks a few
years ago. He described it pretty much as you did. It was hard to believe what
he said about the crazed buyers that completely empty the shelves in a short
time, but you confirmed it.
It probably didn't matter that they said it was the last one. It seemed that
this behavior is standard for that sale. I vaguely remember him saying
something about not really being able to talk to people who buy the pots, and it
isn't a very friendly atmosphere, I guess.
However, what a great tribute to him and to Michael Simon. I wonder if Malcom
Davis' show was as good last weekend in Washington, DC. Anybody attend?
Sandy
-----Original Message-----
From: Vince Pitelka [SMTP:vpitelka@DeKalb.net]
Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 4:56 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Meyers/Simon sale erupts into chaos
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Once again David McBeth and I were fortunate to attend the Ron
Meyers/Michael Simon Chrismas sale last Saturday. Ron and Michael have
decided that they do not want to do these studio sales any more, and the
invitation for this one clearly stated that it would be the LAST one. So,
of course the buyers came out in droves. The sale takes place at Ron's home
and studio out in the woods. The pots are set up in and around the studio,
and they stretch a red ribbon between sawhorses about 15 feet out from the
studio. No one passes that ribbon before the sale starts at 9:00. People
show up an hour early to get a good place at the ribbon, and by 8:55 there
must have been close to 100 people waiting. When Ron gave the go-ahead,
complete chaos errupted. People made a mad dash for pots they had been
scoping out from a distance. With my long legs and long arms I managed to
get a very fine large Michael Simon platter and some other choice pieces by
both artists. Within five minutes (that's right, by 9:05) the shelves and
walls were COMPLETELY stripped of every single pot.
As I was walking through the studio to get in line to pay for the pots,
someone turned around abruptly with a large covered jar, and swung it
directly into the platter, taking out a big chip. I was completely
disgusted. I put the chipped platter down, and someone immediately grabbed
it up. I told Michael about it, and he promised to make me another one.
But it reaffirmed his reasons for not doing these sales any more.
The sale was advertised as lasting from 9:00 to 12:00. HA!! At about 9:30,
as I was walking to my car with the pots, a van pulled up, and a family got
out. The father called to the wife and kids "We better hurry while there
are still some choice pieces left." I told them that they were 25 minutes
too late. I would estimate that between $10K and $15K in pottery changed
hands in that first five minutes.
This sale was not nearly as enjoyable as previous ones, but I am still very
pleased with the pots I got. But I wish I had that platter.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Tom Wirt on sat 18 dec 99
----- Original Message -----
Subject: Meyers/Simon sale erupts into chaos
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Once again David McBeth and I were fortunate to attend the Ron
> Meyers/Michael Simon Chrismas sale last Saturday.
> When Ron gave the go-ahead,
> complete chaos errupted. People made a mad dash for pots they had been
> scoping out from a distance. With my long legs and long arms I managed to
> get a very fine large Michael Simon platter and some other choice pieces
by
> both artists. Within five minutes (that's right, by 9:05) the shelves and
> walls were COMPLETELY stripped of every single pot.
>
This is the same thing that has made Warren MacKenzie crazy. Same thing
happens at his sales (now run in conjunction with others). People aren't
buying the pots, they're buying the potters. Grab and go regardless of
quality or how the pots suits the buyer. Mac's philosophy was that the
buyer really needs time to hold the pot, turn it around see, touch, feel.
When NCECA was here he was especially disappointed. Did a kiln opening, the
NCECA people came grabbed and ran. He watched for 10 minutes and left in
disgust. These were people who were supposed to know better.
We've watched people in our booth taking a lot of time get all embarrassed.
They feel they should be making up their mind faster. We go out of our way
to encourage them with lines like..."I'm sure glad your taking time to
select your pots. It's the only way to get one that's right for you."
I really hope we never reach that stage where it becomes grab and go.
Tom Wirt
Jim Bozeman on sat 18 dec 99
I can remember times where you could have hot apple cider and just sit
around and chat with Michael and Ron. The sale was very relaxed and laid
back. Sounds like it has turned into a zoo. Jim Bozeman
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Vince Pitelka on sun 19 dec 99
>This is the same thing that has made Warren MacKenzie crazy. Same thing
>happens at his sales (now run in conjunction with others). People aren't
>buying the pots, they're buying the potters. Grab and go regardless of
>quality or how the pots suits the buyer. Mac's philosophy was that the
>buyer really needs time to hold the pot, turn it around see, touch, feel.
Tom -
I understand your point, and I understand Warren MacKenzie's frustration,
but I think this situation is different. The Meyers/Simon sale was never
advertised, other than a card sent to friends and colleagues. The sales
have always been exciting, and there has always been a bit of a rush, but
people were polite, and there was a lot of good-natured horse-trading after
the initial rush, so that the pots usually ended up in the hands of people
who really appreciated them. There are no bad pots at this sale. Anything
you get is a beauty. But this year, it went downhill in a big way. As I
said, it was chaos. Not much fun at all, completely different from previous
years.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Tom Wirt on sun 19 dec 99
Subject: Re: Meyers/Simon sale erupts into chaos
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
. It seemed that
> this behavior is standard for that sale. I vaguely remember him saying
> something about not really being able to talk to people who buy the pots,
and it
> isn't a very friendly atmosphere, I guess.
A second thought on this, too. When we run our studio sale, we hold pots
back. We can effectively display maybe 250 pots on our shelves. For a sale
(usually 3 days) we'll make 400 to 450 and put the extras out as we go. We
also schedule a kiln opening (120 more pots) on the last day about 1:00 pm.
That way the folks who can't make it Fri or Sat can still get some
not-picked-over pots. Actually, Sunday's gotten to be a big deal now where
it used to be a dud. End of sale we'll have maybe 200 pieces left which go
into the showroom or to the next show.
Tom Wirt
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