The Columbia, SC train show today was alright, at least ...

[chuck]

Some of the pricing at the shows is insane. I would see the same guys (and gals) with the same stuff and either the same prices or INFLATED prices! If it didn't sell in the last year for $90 why would you even think it has a chance at $125? Some stupid book says this item has now "appreciated"? You have one-two years of real world, first hand empirical evidence that says otherwise! As far as these being "social" events I've had better times in the waiting room at the dentist.

[Roy]

Some of the pricing at the shows is insane. I would see the same guys (and gals) with the same stuff and either the same prices or INFLATED prices! If it didn't sell in the last year for $90 why would you even think it has a chance at $125? Some stupid book says this item has now "appreciated"? You have one-two years of real world, first hand empirical evidence that says otherwise!

True, but I can get past those tables pretty fast.

As far as these being "social" events I've had better times in the waiting room at the dentist.

I go for the trains. I do enjoy seeing and talking to the guys and gals, but first things first.

I sound like I still go to every meet there is, whereas the reality is that I haven't been to any meets recently. I feel like I've paid my dues, working at the auction, and it's nice to go back, when I feel like it.

[healey36]

As far as these being "social" events I've had better times in the waiting room at the dentist.

A lot of folks refer to York as a social event...I guess I'm just not very social. Unless I run into somebody I know well, I can blow through all the buildings in four hours or so. Of course the money never holds out that long...

[Jim K]

I have to admit I am...avoiding some shows since I don't really need more "stuff". I sort of feel guilty just looking but not hauling a bag with goodies out the door.

The way I think of it, it's their fault I walk away empty handed, since they didn't bring what I want, at a price I'd jump at. Oh well - just more money for my model building projects.

A very valid point! I will spend the $$$ somewhere on some train item. Maybe the next show. Of course my Labelle traction motor kit is not done yet and even I am having doubts about the completion date! But we'll keep on. A few more parts, just a few more parts..........

Jim K

[MurphOnMillerAve]

... This picture was taken just before the show opened:

There were decent crowds later on....

I wonder how many of those orange boxes and other misc. treasures went walking out the door.

[chuck]

"Come on down" This wonderful/fantastic/incredible fill-in-the-blank" could be yours, "IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT"! Maybe that's what they need to do to spiff up their sales, hire models to fawn over the merchandise.

I'm guessing 10%. If they made enough to cover the cost of the tables and the gas they consider it a "successful show". Which is why their prices remain INSANE....Insane....insane (I don't know ow to do a reverb effect in text)

[CWBurfle]

"Come on down" This wonderful/fantastic/incredible fill-in-the-blank" could be yours, "IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT"! Maybe that's what they need to do to spiff up their sales, hire models to fawn over the merchandise.

Anybody remember the attractive woman in bib overall hot pants who worked at one of the dealer booths in the yellow hall at York?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

If they made enough to cover the cost of the tables and the gas they consider it a "successful show".

I go to meets with 4 tubs of boxed up cars and kits, and then maybe another box or tub of built up structures. It's a success if I empty roughly 1/2 the containers and come home with that much empty. If I buy anything, and I buy very little other than detail parts as a rule, that 1/2 empty paradigm remains in effect. This past Chicago meet was at least that good; hence, a success.

Which is why their prices remain INSANE....Insane....insane (I don't know ow to do a reverb effect in text)

And, then I also price stuff to sell - the objective is for stuff to depart to a new home; not make a fortune. Not low give away prices, but realistic and open to negotiation particularly if one is buying several items. Not much negotiation is generally needed though.

Then again, a number of my models that I sold in Chicago are now on eBay at 2-3x's what I sold them for,

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Twenty years ago, when I first discovered this hobby existed, since my father acquainted me with it back in the early 50's , I attended 1-3 shows per weekend , anywhere I could find them among the Mid-Atlantic and New England states . Now, I have no interest in attending any, with the possible exception of the York TCA Meet, and even that's a maybe.

I'd be curious to hear, and enthusiastically invite, your perception of what that likely may demonstrate.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I attended 1-3 shows per weekend.....

One a month is pushing my envelope; there are too many other things to do in this world to be that dominated.....

[G3750]

"Come on down" This wonderful/fantastic/incredible fill-in-the-blank" could be yours, "IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT"! Maybe that's what they need to do to spiff up their sales, hire models to fawn over the merchandise.

I'm guessing 10%. If they made enough to cover the cost of the tables and the gas they consider it a "successful show". Which is why their prices remain INSANE....Insane....insane (I don't know ow to do a reverb effect in text)

So, you're saying "that price is just too high"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqHZWdFVyyQ

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

So, you're saying "that price is just too high"?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I attended 1-3 shows per weekend.....

One a month is pushing my envelope; there are too many other things to do in this world to be that dominated.....

Well, it was 1995-2000, and I was just creating the first layout; then, expanding and re-interpreting it umpteen times , really having a great creative time of it, learning at lightening-speed as I adventured along the model train road.
Then, once I was presented in OGR the first two times, an interest expressed by others to do some modeling for them began to surface . By 2005, I took that opportunity seriously and made my first outreach via TCA Meet @ York. Etc.

Since then, I have sold everything I ever made. My inventory cannot seem to get replenished, and the layout is DONE. Yup. Yup.

[Roy]

Since then, I have sold everything I ever made. My inventory cannot seem to get replenished, and the layout is DONE. Yup. Yup.

I'm surprised God hasn't taken you, yet. Maybe, you have some major diseases to cure, still?

I know I'm getting more satisfaction out of my model building, than I did acquiring factory-built stuff. That may partly explain my absence from the meets.

[jlong]

I attended a club swap meet last Saturday. I was looking at a Minitrix steamer but for his asking price it had to be a good runner. He pointed at a test track across the hall and told me I had to buy it before I tested it. That he would give me my money back if it didn't run. Good grief. These are the same jagoffs that piss and moan we don't buy anything.