We have been packing up materials for our trip to Iowa this week for Handworks, our favorite woodworking/sausage show in the world.
Our booth will be in the same place as it has been during every Handworks. We plan to have almost all of our titles with us, all of our tools and some of our apparel. (Basically, we won’t be bringing the T-shirts, chore coats and vests – we don’t have the room to travel with all the sizes.)
To make your experience better, we will have two different ways for you to check out when you buy something from us. If you just want to pay for something and head to the next booth, we are going to have an “Express Checkout” person on the right side of our booth. They will get you on your way as fast as possible.
If you want to chat (also great) we will have the “Chatty Checkout” people – basically me and Megan. We can sign books, answer questions and the like – and process your order. Our line will move slower than the Express Checkout line.
We’re trying this to attempt to reduce customer frustrations during the last three Handworks. I can remember one customer bending my ear for a good 15 minutes while the people behind him simply wanted to pay for a book and bolt.
We want to make everyone happy. So use the Express Checkout (there will be a sign) if you are in a rush.
We’ll be accepting cash, checks and most major credit cards. The first 300 or so customers will also get a free embroidered Woobie with their purchase.
Hope to see y’all there!
— Christopher Schwarz
Thanks for the info Chris. For those of us visiting this gathering for the first time, where is the ‘usual’ booth location? At least which barn? Looking forward to meeting you, Megan, and other woodworkers.
We are in the Festhalle barn. When you walk in the main entrance, Lee Valley will be on your right. Walk forward and you will see our booth next to Benchcrafted.
What’s a check?
It’s like cash, but you get to write out the exact amount on the bill and the bill can be any design you like. Occasionally, they’re made out of rubber and bounce.
I usually just contact my bankers in Zurich and arrange a letter of credit.
Even funnier: The children of my Norwegian friend Klaus had never seen cash until recently. They were mesmerized and confused by it.
There are a few establishments near me that refuse to accept cash. I’m old enough to recall when a lot of places wouldn’t accept checks or cards.
I hope to see you at the show.
It’s my first time, is there anything I shouldn’t miss?
You’ll see more of the show than I will! We are generally glued to the booth (in a good way).
Say hi to everyone – from me.
Can’t wait
What a thoughtful and awesome way to accommodate everyone!
Any chance you could bring a couple moleskin vests and chore coats so we could see them and try on the different sizes? I was hoping to check them out at handworks rather than guess and check through the mail.
We will try. We are dragging a trailer and four people. If I have to choose between apparel and Megan…..
I think I’m glad you didn’t finish that sentence
Will there be some sort of map of who/what is where? It sounds like there are 4 different locations to see things.. I have also heard rumors of demos by non-vendors.
Yup. There will be maps!
Looking forward to my first handworks. On a side note, I’ve not received any emails of lap blog posts the past several days.
WordPress rolled out an update recently that is causing us all sorts of headaches. I hope we can get things working again…. Apologies.
I’m sad that I won’t make it to Handtools… But I received a package from LAP today and it reminded me to thank you for the effort you make to not use plastic in shipping, even down to the choice of sealing tape.
This is a wonderful idea, especially since you and Megan are so personable and fun to chat with. If I choose the express lane, know that it is only because I live 10 minutes from y’all and want to yield my time to other customers/fans.
Hey, this is awesome. Checking in on my flight now, I’ll be the one asking for any further tips on how to sharpen a card scraper while I purchase your “Sharpen This” book. Glad to hear you’ll have copies available. Thanks again for everything Chris and Megan, look forward to seeing you there.
I’ll bring a tribute for the Willard Street Store Clock.