Aargh! Gun Show dealers leaving early!

[nofishbob]

I have exhibited at trade shows where it was in your contract that you had to stay until closing.

If you packed up early, and you got caught, no booth for your company next year!

We became masters of stealth packing....how much could we pack up without being obvious?

These shows actually had people checking on this.

We were like sprinters in the starting blocks waiting for the closing time...

Obviously, the intent was to make the show actually be open for the full time that visitors PAID to be there.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'm still wondering what the OP meant by "informal contract".

 

[Centaur 1]

Only contractual obligation I have ever had while doing a gun show was that you pays your money and you gets your tables.

The show is open from 9-5 or whatever.
As an independent businessman you are under no obligation to stay there until they decide to close.

You say the dealers missed sales and you are right. They missed sales that weren't happening at the brunt of the show or had more lucrative shows to attend the following day so they boggied early.

If the only fee involved was the dealer paying for the table I'd agree with you. Since the consumer is paying an entrance fee, he should be entitled to stay until the advertised end of the show. When the dealers leave early the consumer is paying for a service and he should be allowed to get what he payed for.