Now I just have to finish it!
Doug Arnold said:You will!
Now I just have to finish it!
Was there anything in the hall (swgrs) other than the pizza layout, or just trains running at the Fairplex ?
Does not seem to be any chatter for this show, like we normally see regards the ECLSTSs, the former bts, and sometimes the ngrc !
Were the vendors and exhibitors at this SWGRS plentiful enough, happy enough with sales, happy enough with organizers during the show, that there will actually be another show next yr ?
nite,
doug c
I am not a good one to comment on this because I was at the layout most of the time but I have some observations.
Being there on Sunday I really did not see that many people coming in to see the show. Was the combination of parking costs and ticket costs just too high for many people?
There was plenty of room at the show for displays but the number of dealers was down. And I heard there weren’t too many bargains to be had but there were a few.
Have we moved beyond train shows and is it easier to jump on the internet when we want to buy something? Do we just rely on our ever-dwindling supply of stores or do we shop online and have it mailed to us?
What do they charge to park at that facility and show entry ? I may have not selected the right pg., or have just not seen it on the swgrs site earlier.
I ‘fondly’ recall that parking was free at the York Fairgrounds (till '04) my last visit to ECLSTS And now also at our new venue (last 4 yrs) up here for SUPERTRAIN in April.
Personally I haven’t moved beyond attending LSTSs but it is lack of sufficient funding to do so (plus acquire new g-gauge gear). Sadly can’t do both. 
doug c
It cost $6 to park and $10 to get into the show. That $10 per ticket, I think, would discourage most families.
Doug, I did notice the show was a bit light on vendors and attendees - reflective of the times. I for one would not want to run a business that relies on disposible income, it has to be tough.
I personally prefer a swap meet atmosphere with lots of used junk, broken and discarded toys looking for a new home - and haggling with the owner for the best deal.
I ran on the layout midday Saturday and then went inside the hall to see the show. The show price was $8 with a $2 off coupon sent by SWGRS to me in an e-mail. The parking is about eight bucks. We parked in the administration lot the last couple of years (free). But this year, that lot was full because of another event at the Fair. I found the show to be slightly smaller than last year, but there were some good prices. The lousy economy is STILL affecting the show. I bought some things from Jonathan (EMW) and got a good deal on the T5000 throttle. Went to see Mark at Silver State Trains where I bought a box of AMS NG ties. Personally I go to these shows to visit old friends and vendors(also old friends).
Actually I felt the first SWGRS show in June 2010 was probably the best. The problem with that was it shared the crowd with the BTS. Two shows the same weekend separated by about eight miles, gave the vendors a problem.
John Miller said:
Doug, I did notice the show was a bit light on vendors and attendees - reflective of the times. I for one would not want to run a business that relies on disposible income, it has to be tough.I personally prefer a swap meet atmosphere with lots of used junk, broken and discarded toys looking for a new home - and haggling with the owner for the best deal.
John,
I think you have hit on a key point here…Back when I worked at a hobby shop we sold older store stock at the shows at HIGHLY reduced prices. So I got to “work” the shows 10-15 years ago. That store no longer has tables set up at the shows but this past weekend an annual “Train & Toy show” was held not too far from Buffalo. A co-worker has a small business custom painting & printing custom decals for folks. He sets up one table and peddles his gear. I had offered to go and help him keep an eye on things. So this was my first trip to a show and a refreshed experience from behind the table instead of in front of it. I recieved a vendor badge but stuck it in my pocket so it was tough to tell that I was “working” if I was not behind the counter. Lots of “customers” lamenting no good deals…lot’s of “vendors/dealers” lamenting that there were lots of people but no one spending money. I myself spent about $180 on stuff. 2 things from vendors that were decent prices and I was able to work the one guy down to $50 on a USAT 70T hopper and got a GREAT price on an Aristo box car at the other ($25). my other three purchases were from a table set up by the local GRS selling off an estate and some of their personal collections. A little wheeling and dealing there too. They had R1 LGB switches at giveaway prices. the rest started higher than I could afford. At this show there was no “junk” or swap meet items per se. Mostly dealers. There were at least 8 tables that had ANY large scale stuff at all on it. 5 were stores and 2 were “dealers” and one was the local GRS.
Somehow the customer and vendors mentality has shifted away from each other. We do not want to talk about the manufacturers mentality of how and why they produce what they produce and when.
Chas
my wife was in the shopping center business, and she always defines success as the bag count. She says it does not matter how many people attended or how full the parking lot is if there are lots of empty hands. And when she means bag count, its purchased merchandise, not trade show crap that god only knows why we pick it up.
I do feel for the hobby shops, since I for one slow down on that when a show is approaching, since I might find a “show special” and no trade with the brick and mortar establishment.
I might stick my toe in the pond and visit that spring time show somewheres out in the boonies back east… Damn what is the name of the place?
“I might stick my toe in the pond and visit that spring time show somewheres out in the boonies back east… Damn what is the name of the place?”
York, Pennsylvania. The fairgrounds there hosts lots of shows, including the train shows by the TCA and the East Coast Large Scale Train Show (ECLSTS) for folks with our personal affliction.
Best,
David Meashey
I agree with my brother ! OMG! I prefer the “swap” meet type event! Bridge Masters here in Socal has a warehouse of LS stuff. They had about 5X stuff at BTS in Ontario than SWGRS. I talked to the owner about going by and being a “picker” as we prefer “barn finds” over new just because of the cost. I was told that I would have to call in advance and that they are only there three times a week for only a few hours and not on the weekends. Must be nice to be sitting on a “boat Load” of LS without an attempt to service the Socal enthusiasts as the available brick and motar outlets are far and few between. Oh well. And if John goes east (York) he has to have Prime Rib at Coombs Tavern while he is there!!!