Ok I have not heard how the vender area was this year ? We all know the losses of several vendors and sponsors have hurt the show. What are your opinions of the vender area? I could not attend this year because of work. Please keep it nice thanks TROY
Didn’t appear to be any blank spaces to me. Trainworlds area was occupied by Piko. Bachmann occupied the area where AristoCraft usually set up right inside the front door, there were some new vendors that replaced others that weren’t there. Some of the vendors I knew personally had no complaints about sales. I saw some pretty good deals, I’m sure there are others who will chime in.
I did notice that Nicholas Smith didn’t have as much as they did in years past. The vender hall was pretty full. There was a few small spaces that were empty, but not many. There was still a lot of Aristocraft product to be had, and I saw a lot of stuff being carried out the door. So the vendors were moving product.
It was a wonderful show… Kudos to Harry, Kathy, Scott and all the crew for a great job…
Agree great show. I would think sales went well especially Nicholas Smith. He did not have much left by Saturday morning, same for a few other of the better venders. Then you had your usually overpriced venders selling dusty old stuff that you see year after year. Attendance seemed very light to me especially in the layout hall.
I asked at Nicolas Smith on Friday morning why he seemed kind of sparse. “Oh, Thursday night I guess all the layout guys came in and bought a lot.”
Vultures!
Hey Lou,
More like the early bird getting the worm. Is it a fair practice ? Not for me to judge, the vendors have to make money. I actually scoped out the dealer side Thursday afternoon after helping out in the layout hall. Made my list of things to look for. Some were gone, and I was one of the first into N.S. Friday morning. But. there were still lots of good stuff left, just not the things I was shopping for.
I did see lots of product leaving the building, and the vendors seemed happy.
Still a great job by Harry and his team.
Pat
Totally agree. Remember that the vendors and the layout workers can’t always get away even for a potty break. It’s the only chance they have to shop. I really appreciate the guys who come and set up a layout. I know how tired they are when the show is over, and I’m going home while they have to pack up and schlep it all back to wherever.
Yeah, thanks to Harry, all the vendors, and the layouters. (I just made up a new word)
Any word if there going to do a fall show? Glad to here the show went well
Well as a vendor my sales were up from last year. I did not sit down all day Friday I could not get into my own booth because of the crowd I had to stand in the aisle
Mike
Mike - what was your booth name? What were you selling?
He was over next to Nicholas Smith…Beacon Hill Trains.
Lou as Ken said I had 2 booths and a mixed bag of things New and used parts -motor blocks-sound systems-buildings-power supplies I also had a lot of my own stuff as I am going back to narrow gauge so the mainline is going I had SD45’s and lots of new old rolling stock many pieces that have been out of production since the early 90’s and late 80’s
Mike
I thought the show was good. I was wondering what it would be like what with the death of Aristo and WI Trains. But, the vendor area was populated and lots of layouts to view. To me it seemed attendance was down but talking to one of the big vendors, he said he did well on friday.
Terry
At the top of my wish list was an Aristo-Craft streamline passenger coach. It was Mike of Beacon Hill Trains that sold me a pair for just $225. www.beaconhilltrains.com
The second item on the list was a new lighted magnifier to replaced my damaged one. I bought a better model for $85, and a spare tube light from B&B Hobby Supplies. He is the tool supplier in the corner with all the layouts.
Good show. I really wasn’t planning on buying anything. Had some ideas. Then found my ideas. Oh no! Then two of my " friends " found what I was really looking for. Another oh no. Now I’m really in the hole. My wife should see what I was really looking for sometime in late Fall. But I do have a big smile on my face.
Nicholas Smith was PACKED right after the show floor opened on Friday. Walked thru later in the afternoon and they had moved a noticeable amount of goods. Star Hobby had large stacks of rolling stock in front that were 50% reduced by 2:00 Friday. Bridgewerks had stated that they had sold more than 60% of what they brought by noon Friday. Phoenix was not as busy as prior years. I regret not buying a board for my Hartland LePort Forney. Always next year.
It seemed that Piko was trying to make a splash at the show. I saw a lot of buildings being bought. I think economic conditions are still affecting the market. I spent only 1/4 of what I spent the past 2 years.
Paul Norton said:
The second item on the list was a new lighted magnifier to replaced my damaged one. I bought a better model for $85, and a spare tube light from B&B Hobby Supplies. He is the tool supplier in the corner with all the layouts.
I bought a neat little tool set from that vendor, he had some nice stuff and decent deals.
Just my thoughts which mean absolutely nothing as this was the first year I ever attended this show…
I thought there was plenty of everything for people to buy, I seemed to find a lot of items I was interested in and was looking to purchase…however, as others mentioned some vendors were willing to deal and others… thought they had gold on there hands.
I really wanted a LGB piece I had found to add to my collection, but it was with a vendor that didn’t want my cash… so I went and bought the Accucraft center cab diesel from the nice people at Reindeer Pass.
What puzzled me was why a Friday/Saturday show and not Saturday/Sunday?
We were fortunate enough to be able to take vacation time from our work to travel and get there for Friday, but most people have to work and it makes it impossible to get there especially with the show closing at 5pm.
I don’t know what the turnout was on Saturday as we had other plans and went to visit the train museum.