Just bought my early ticket for next week’s meet. Ticket price went up 25%, now $10.00 a ticket. That’s a 25% increase. I guess they felt that if Lionel can get those crazy prices why not them. Still the best show around besides York.
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Spring Thaw? First Frost is in November (at least on this side of the Equator 
Dave45681 posted:Spring Thaw? First Frost is in November (at least on this side of the Equator
And I'll bet we won't see you at Allentown either! 
The price increase starting w/ the Feb 2020 Spring Thaw show was public at/before 2018 Fall's 1st Frost. The show's printed flyers in the fall for future meets listed the $10 price and IIRC their website also listed the higher price. IMHO it's a well run show that generally has something for everyone. As much as the initial thought that a 25% or $2 price increase is much consider that the prior entry fee was the same for at least 4 yrs and the show's related operating costs likely increased each year. Someone w/ a better memory could confirm but IIRC the entry fee 20 yrs. ago in 2000 was around $5.
Keystone posted:The price increase starting w/ the Feb 2020 Spring Thaw show was public at/before 2018 Fall's 1st Frost. The show's printed flyers in the fall for future meets listed the $10 price and IIRC their website also listed the higher price. IMHO it's a well run show that generally has something for everyone. As much as the initial thought that a 25% or $2 price increase is much consider that the prior entry fee was the same for at least 4 yrs and the show's related operating costs likely increased each year. Someone w/ a better memory could confirm but IIRC the entry fee 20 yrs. ago in 2000 was around $5.
Agreed it's a very good meet for the $$. I don't go as much as I used to, but that's just because of too many trains, not because of anything else.
With turnpike tolls and gas, the cost of the ticket is one of the lesser costs for me (only about an hour away), so I'd never think twice about it.
-Dave
I guess I was confused since the ground never froze this winter.
Also consider that many O scale convention and some 3 rail convention shows charge as much as $20.00 for a door fee, a mere $2.00 increase is not bad for such a popular show.
You'll just have to buy more at the show to justify that $10 entrance fee. One of my favorite shows. I have my tickets and am ready to have fun!
Ron
Just a reminder there is no charge for the farmer's market next door!!!!
I'm out! That's ridiculous!
-Greg
No I'm not! 
-Greg
TCA Prereg for York is $16,50 so Allentown not too bad.
Time for my rant.
As a former partner in that show and current dealer I can only say you have no idea how much they charge for renting that venue and costs associated with putting on an event like that. That $8 price was due to go up before the partner transition 3 years ago. I commend them for holding off as long as they could. Are you aware that there is a head charge for every admission ticket collected? It keeps going up, no doubt it has...again. Things aren't as easy nor as lucrative as people might might think.
Do you know that several years ago they jacked up the electrical drop price by surprise and we actually lost money on every drop that year?. We ate that just so there were no repercussions. But howl they did when we had to raise the price to barely cover costs. They've now added a charge for the extra parking lot security for that weekend. Oh, and the hourly price of that went up, too. So did the table rent. There's also promoter's liability insurance. Yup, that goes up too. The fairgrounds has also been fighting a tax reassessment for years that tripled the taxes on that lot. Thank greedy local government for that. Guess who they pass the increase along to?
Someone pointed out the ticket price for York. York admissions are dropping, big time. ATMA shows have been holding their own and been fairly steady even through the decline and/or demise of other shows. Why's that? Marketing efforts.
Most Greenberg shows are now $10. I'll take this show any day over doll houses and toys. Why aren't you squawking about Greenberg? This show predates Greenberg and has remained a fixture on the train show circuit and is celebrating its 40th year.
I do very well at this show as a dealer in spite of the table prices that increased several years ago to mirror Greenberg. There was a howl from dealers over that. Know what? ATMA still sells out tables at every show or darn close to it. Why? because it's a darn good show, in spite of flaws.
Sadly, the days of $10 tables and $3 admissions is pretty much over for large shows of this caliber. I guess there's someone in every crowd who will crow at any price increase then plays the "I'm not going anymore." whine. Vote with your wallet. Better yet, try running your own show.
And finally my favorite saying: Everything looks easy to those who don't have to actually do it.
End rant.
See the rest of you at breakfast!
$10....a bargain.....I've been twice February 2012 and November 2014.......hope to get back in 2021 when work my be done.
A great show.....for the price of a beat-up Scout gondola (without its barrels or canisters)....you can't beat it!
Peter
I went for the first time last November. $8 seemed too low. $10 is still a great price for this show. I really enjoyed this show. I'm going to see how the York two day format works out for me in April? Then it will either be Allentown or York in the fall. Too far of a drive from Maine for both shows.
Ted, you might have missed my last line, “still the best show around”. Now about that greedy local government, maybe it’s time for a party change in Allentown. See you next weekend.
I find the Allentown shows to be my show of choice. The size of the show, number of dealers, is just right. I always come away with something at a fair price. It's only just under an hour from me, up the Northeast Extension. Parking is easy. Ten dollars doesn't bother me. Heck, look at what you can pay for a night out at a restaurant. And all that good food doesn't stick with you long.....LOL
The closest show is in San Antonio. That would be 250 miles away. Excuse me if I don't see the price of admission as an issue.
CNJBill posted:Just bought my early ticket for next week’s meet. Ticket price went up 25%, now $10.00 a ticket. That’s a 25% increase. I guess they felt that if Lionel can get those crazy prices why not them. Still the best show around besides York.
With the price of gas, tolls, manufacturers ridiculous list prices, etc $2 doesn't even figure into the cost of going if it is a good meet.
Ted Thanks for the clarification. Considering most will spend 4-5 hours at the show that only $2 an hour for a GREAT show with LOTS of product offerings. In the grand scheme of things with gas and tolls. the cost of admission is a drop in the bucket. Cant make it this show but will be there in the fall.
TedsGG1 posted:Time for my rant.
As a former partner in that show and current dealer I can only say you have no idea how much they charge for renting that venue and costs associated with putting on an event like that. That $8 price was due to go up before the partner transition 3 years ago. I commend them for holding off as long as they could. Are you aware that there is a head charge for every admission ticket collected? It keeps going up, no doubt it has...again. Things aren't as easy nor as lucrative as people might might think.
Do you know that several years ago they jacked up the electrical drop price by surprise and we actually lost money on every drop that year?. We ate that just so there were no repercussions. But howl they did when we had to raise the price to barely cover costs. They've now added a charge for the extra parking lot security for that weekend. Oh, and the hourly price of that went up, too. So did the table rent. There's also promoter's liability insurance. Yup, that goes up too. The fairgrounds has also been fighting a tax reassessment for years that tripled the taxes on that lot. Thank greedy local government for that. Guess who they pass the increase along to?
Someone pointed out the ticket price for York. York admissions are dropping, big time. ATMA shows have been holding their own and been fairly steady even through the decline and/or demise of other shows. Why's that? Marketing efforts.
Most Greenberg shows are now $10. I'll take this show any day over doll houses and toys. Why aren't you squawking about Greenberg? This show predates Greenberg and has remained a fixture on the train show circuit and is celebrating its 40th year.
I do very well at this show as a dealer in spite of the table prices that increased several years ago to mirror Greenberg. There was a howl from dealers over that. Know what? ATMA still sells out tables at every show or darn close to it. Why? because it's a darn good show, in spite of flaws.
Sadly, the days of $10 tables and $3 admissions is pretty much over for large shows of this caliber. I guess there's someone in every crowd who will crow at any price increase then plays the "I'm not going anymore." whine. Vote with your wallet. Better yet, try running your own show.
And finally my favorite saying: Everything looks easy to those who don't have to actually do it.
End rant.
See the rest of you at breakfast!
LOL! $10.00 tables?
Its a New CENTURY for cripes sakes! Who does that? The cheapest I have seen is $20.00 tables AND YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
Im looking forward as a hobbyist trying to thin my collection at this show!
I've been attending the Allentown Spring Thaw meet since 1990. The admission price at that time was $5.00 as I recall. This meet is just as good now as it was 30 years ago. A $5.00 increase over a 30 year time span is pretty darn good. They will receive my money again this year, God willing. Great meet or show or whatever.
Get over it! Sheesh!
CNJBill posted:Just bought my early ticket for next week’s meet. Ticket price went up 25%, now $10.00 a ticket. That’s a 25% increase. I guess they felt that if Lionel can get those crazy prices why not them. Still the best show around besides York.
it started at $5 30 years ago.......
If you do the math, it comes out to a $.017 increase per year. It has nothing to do with getting "those crazy prices"
I find it hard to believe $10.00 is gonna break the bank on anyone in this hobby. It just a fixed cost for the day that you amortize into the cost or purchases
