Beef with train shows

quote:

The other beef I have, is why on earth do vendors believe that people are dumb? The prices they had for beat up, dirty, PW stuff was outrageous. I don't get it, anyone could buy the same cars in great condition for $19 bucks on Ebay. I don't know why or how they can sell trains with missing portholes, number boards, headlights, etc and expect someone to pay a lot of money for them. Spend $5 bucks and make the cars look half decent.

Well those vendors are probably stuck in "old School" and try to take advantage of the moment. the other flip side is those vendors also had to spend gas and food and their 6 hrs of time for that show hoping to get a sucka. The only way to stop is "vote with your wallet" You know where to go and you know when you are being "ripped off"

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Originally posted by MrBlack:
I went to a train show in SLC over the weekend and had a nice time. The Lego layout was very cool. I thought it was really strange that they had every scale represented on nice layouts except O. You'd think with the demand for Lionel, MTH, Atlas, Etc. Someone would put up a nice layout with O scale trains. They had some vendors selling O scale merchandise but beyond a couple simple ovals (not fastrack) and a locomotive with a few cars (don't even remember if there was that), there was nothing. It was unfortunate.

Most layouts at train shows belong to individuals or clubs. If there's no person or club in the area with a portable/modular railroad, well...

quote:

The other beef I have, is why on earth do vendors believe that people are dumb? The prices they had for beat up, dirty, PW stuff was outrageous. I don't get it, anyone could buy the same cars in great condition for $19 bucks on Ebay. I don't know why or how they can sell trains with missing portholes, number boards, headlights, etc and expect someone to pay a lot of money for them. Spend $5 bucks and make the cars look half decent.

Mr. Black

People have been selling junk at train shows at astronomical prices since train shows began. It doesn't sell, so they keep brining it back again and again.

Rusty

Take a walk threw some of the member halls at York. Back and forth from their car year after year.

Next Year I may bring my meager layout and be the guy with O gauge at the show. Seems only fair after my rant.

Mr.Black

I actually had a table at a recent local show; it was an interesting experience as I had never done anything like it before. I had some HO stuff to unload, plus I just thought it would be fun to hang out and see what it was all about.

It was... educational...

I'd say half the guys were there to just get out of the house and BS with their buddies for the day. They didn't sell much of anything, and they didn't seem to really care. Mostly older guys who seemed to be of the opinion that it was their stuff and they could ask what they wanted. So they did, and no one bought it The only vendors with interesting tables were actual dealers, and they were selling at dealer prices, which is to say pretty average. No really great deals to be found on trains. I noticed a definite trend towards a lot of NOS (New Old Stock) - stuff they haven't been able to sell for years. Lots of stuff came out of large collections/estates as well. Prices on the older stuff, as mentioned were out of line in my estimation, but I don't know the market that well. I do remember a Railking Challenger with an $1200 price tag on it; maybe I was supposed to haggle? I didi get a good price on a couple of accessories form the guy next to me who just didn't want to take them back home.

The other thing I noticed was that there wasn't a lot of "higher end" stuff. Mostly Railking, Williams, and Conventional Classic type stuff. Didn't see much Premier or Legacy. I got the impression that a lot of the individual tables were staffed by people who weren't exactly "internet savvy". I think some of them were hoping to sell to others of the same ilk. There is definitely a part of the market that is VERY old school, and its hard for them to accept what it's worth NOW vs. what they paid for it a couple of years ago.

No real layouts at my show either. It was a small show, so I wasn't expecting much, but all we got was a fake Christmas tree with a couple of track loops around it where occasionally, a guy would run a train. I think it was used mostly to test stuff before purchase.

I plan on hitting the Greenburg show in Feb near Pittsburgh. I went to one last year that wasn't great, but I was comparing to the World's Greatest Hobby tour I had attended in Columbus two weeks prior and thats not really fair Still, I have to admit that feel like I get more value out of hitting sale forums and eBay from time to time.

quote:

I plan on hitting the Greenburg show in Feb near Pittsburgh. I went to one last year that wasn't great

It wont be any better!!! I stopped going after the first show in the new building. You would be better to go to the TCA show this Sunday in Cranberry

Al

I don't have any problem with trains shows around here...cause there aren't any.
I've been a model railroader for 40 years and I've never been to a train show.
I live in the train show Sahara.

Maybe I'll make fall 2012 York my first......Maybe

David

The train show sahara is a desert that wanders about, covers most areas, and waxes and wanes.
Around here, it may not be Sahara, but it's sure the arid region (model RR-wise, not weather-wise).
Mobile used to have some pretty substantial shows - in the GATS days. We had a GTE show last year;
pretty much a flop. The people were there, but the vendors mostly, well, stunk. The tables were
way overpriced, also. Dothan, Alabama, a much smaller city than Mobile, has a modest but rather
nice show every year in September. Birmingham, the biggest city in the state, apparently has less going on than Mobile.

It's just such a thin market in most places that it doesn't take much to satisfy it for a while,
which does not make for a steady supply of shows. I envy the guys in the Train Belt (I'm in the Sun Belt);
however, I'd be bankrupt were I there, so...

Someone mentioned a $1200 RK Challenger? I just got one at auction for $214.00 +s/h. Runs like butter;
it only has smoke and a whistle. Maybe the one at the train show had a special $1000 Protosound package.

Jacksonville FL gets one train show a year and you would be lucky to see any train layout of any scale ever.

About 100 miles south in DeLand there is a show about every 3 months or so. I went to it a few weeks ago and was quite surprised. One building full of vendors and another full of layouts. There was 1 O gauge, 1 huge On30, 2 o scale traction, 1 G on the floor, 1 G on tables, 2 HO, and 1 N scale.

quote:

Originally posted by MrBlack:
Next Year I may bring my meager layout and be the guy with O gauge at the show. Seems only fair after my rant.

Mr.Black

Don't diminish your "meager layout". The Cal Stewart meet in Pasadena has had multiple very small layouts the last couple of years (in addition to the large modular layouts). The small layouts are my favorites because they show what can be done in a very small space.

Earl

Does somebody have to bring their own test track to see if the old MPC and Post-War units still are functioning?

Do any train show sellers remember to bring track and transformer when selling unboxed steam or diesels.

Andrew

Mr Black, What show was in SLC last weekend? Never heard about it, there is the WGH Show on Feb 4-5

As for an O Gauge club in Utah, pretty slim pickins. There is one called UTCA, but they really are doing very little anymore. We had a modular layout, but it never amounted to much, except for a palce to run trainsHad had their own show for a few years but they shut in down. A few others have tried but nothing developed.

The Hostlers is probably the biggest group in the state and they do a great show in Ogden during the first part of March. It's mostly HO, but its a fun show.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash:
Jacksonville FL gets one train show a year and you would be lucky to see any train layout of any scale ever.
About 100 miles south in DeLand there is a show about every 3 months or so. I went to it a few w eeks ago and was quite surprised. One building full of vendors and another full of layouts. There was 1 O gauge, 1 huge On30, 2 o scale traction, 1 G on the floor, 1 G on tables, 2 HO, and 1 N scale.

Flash I went to the show and was delighted to see all the layouts. Did you see the permanent club layout that is on the grounds?

quote:

Originally posted by patharm:

quote:

Originally posted by Flash:
Jacksonville FL gets one train show a year and you would be lucky to see any train layout of any scale ever.
About 100 miles south in DeLand there is a show about every 3 months or so. I went to it a few w eeks ago and was quite surprised. One building full of vendors and another full of layouts. There was 1 O gauge, 1 huge On30, 2 o scale traction, 1 G on the floor, 1 G on tables, 2 HO, and 1 N scale.

Flash I went to the show and was delighted to see all the layouts. Did you see the permanent club layout that is on the grounds?

Yes Pat, I have see the HO layout back there before. I was really impressed with the On30 modular layout. It was comprised of modules from two different clubs. Half were from JAX and half from Orlando.
After seeing the G gauge layouts set up on the floor or on tables I got to thinking. Why can't O gaugers get together and run trains like that?

quote:

Originally posted by anzani racer:

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Posted January 23, 2012 07:46 PM Hide Post
Does somebody have to bring their own test track to see if the old MPC and Post-War units still are functioning?

Do any train show sellers remember to bring track and transformer when selling unboxed steam or diesels.

a few years back an older gent would show up at the phily area meets with a card table and several formats of track. he had a few kinds of power to the track.folks would line up to test away. i think the guy had the most fun out of anybody at the meet. it's a shame ebay and the price of gas killed the swap meets.nothing beets a small chat and a handshake when you buy a toy train...rob

That there is a REAL Service. Fun too!

Pine Bluff usually has something for everyone.

When I have attended Virginia Train Collectors meets in the past I've noticed that some of the vendors over-price their stuff. They sell some pieces to folks who are new to O gauge or haven't been mentored by old hands, but they end up taking home most of what they bring. I think they enjoy the socializing more than the selling. If I'm gonna get up at oh-dark-hundred, load up a van with old trains and drive 100+ miles to a meet, I'm gonna price the stuff to sell so I'll have less to unload when I get home. The vendors with the busiest tables have usually done just that.

quote:

Do any train show sellers remember to bring track and transformer when selling unboxed steam or diesels.

Most tables at the train shows I've attended do not have power. Typically the promotor will provide a test track.

Train shows and meets can vary widely, but most promotors I've encountered are fairly consistent. When I find a show that isn't worth my time, I don't go. It's easy.

The beef I have at train shows is a table full of trains and NO prices.

Don't sweat the guys with the overpriced items.Just walk on by.They really don't want to sell anything-its just for "show and tell".

My biggest beef is the folks with "poor hygiene habits" you always bump into.We all know what I mean.

Ricky

In Connecticut, we have a number of train shows each year. At a recent one, we were invited to set up our club's small portable O gauge display, about 42" x 75". It has 2 loops and a trolley.

I was surprised at the number of people who stopped to say hi, ask a question, or just stand and stare. Many families attended and the kids were mesmerized. They took turns pushing the button that ran the trolley.

The show manager is a member of the club, and put us in a spot at the entrance to the show. Perfect location!

All in all, a good day, lots of interest in a visit to our club layout at the Boothe Memorial Railway Society!

I enjoy train shows, and I'm lucky to live in an area where we have them almost every month. I don't go as often as I once did, but I try to get to them several times a year. The prices asked are sometimes unrealistic, but there's usually bargains to be found. Part of the fun of this hobby is in the chase, after all. Once you acquire a desired item, its on to the next...

To answer one man's question: Yes, there generally is a test table set up at most shows so you can test engines and operating cars.
Rob

quote:

Originally posted by anzani racer:

quote:

Posted January 23, 2012 05:08 PM Hide Post
Next Year I may bring my meager layout and be the guy with O gauge at the show. Seems only fair after my rant.

i think you'll have to pay vendor's rent to show your layout..rob

Depends on the show. If you only had a 4 x 8 sheet and a circle of track you might have to. Most shows that our modular club sets up at gives us small stipend (barely covers gas) and free admission to the show.
Fortunately, in our area prices are reflecting the market with many good buys at shows. York covers the gamut from "are you kidding me" to incredible bargains.

Pete

quote:

Originally posted by cbojanower:
Mr Black, What show was in SLC last weekend? Never heard about it, there is the WGH Show on Feb 4-5

As for an O Gauge club in Utah, pretty slim pickins. There is one called UTCA, but they really are doing very little anymore. We had a modular layout, but it never amounted to much, except for a palce to run trainsHad had their own show for a few years but they shut in down. A few others have tried but nothing developed.

The Hostlers is probably the biggest group in the state and they do a great show in Ogden during the first part of March. It's mostly HO, but its a fun show.

Chris,
It was at Thanksgiving point. I've uploaded some of the photos of the lego layout on my flikr account. I should have taken photos of the other layouts but this the one my son was most interested in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73013285@N07/

I really favor the train shows over ebay.
And here is why:
1) no shipping or paypal fees
2) I can inspect an item closer and operate it if need be
3) I can make a friend or two, and even catch up with current friends
4) I can take home what I purchased immediately and run on the layout and not worry about shipping damage or it being left on the front porch.
5) I can ask advice about modeling, repairing, or wiring with a knowledgeable person with some hands on / visual aids.

And lastly I really enjoy the operating layouts and the people there.

The biggest beef I have is the guys that pack up early around 1 pm or 2.
It really is a bummer if paid full price for admission and some of the vendors are gone. Sometimes there are two meets in one day, and if I try to get to both, some of the vendors are already packed up to go home!

Our club passed on Greenberg this year due to the proximity to Christmas and because we were already setup in a Storefront in Midlothian. Can't speak for all, but some shows do pay for layouts to be displayed. We may very well pursue setting up at one or more shows for 2012.

As for the cost of items, the vendors do have to pay to show. I understand trying to make a profit or at least breaking even. If there is an item you want, there's nothing to lose if you make a reasonable offer. Some times you get a deal. Some times you just keep walking to the next table. No fuss, no muss.

Just my $0.02.

Gilly

I have been selling at train shows and my prices are good with room to deal. If you don't stop and ask you won't know. At the end of show people stop and say they are surprised I didn't sell the item. Doesn't matter how low you go on the posted price, not interested is not interested.I tell anyone that stops to look, that this is a swap meet, flea market, not a store. I'm flexible
Clem

MrBlack,

Welcome, you are a new member here? Certainly, this is the first time I've met you!

I am a fellow newbie to train shows here in that I have not yet experienced Fall York or Spring York.

Please take what I have learned (about train shows)into consideration:

1. People will try to con you out of your money (not just at train shows),
2. There are vendors of all different types there, (not just Local Hobby Shops) but also those who think they can sell off antiques and different levels of stuff (choose your word here)at different levels of disrepair,
3. Always keep your cash in your pocket,
4. Always be willing to walk away first until they can meet your price,
5. EBay has a distinct disadvantage, you can't touch it like you can at a train show, you have to negotiate the item with the seller, by asking the right questions, and there is the time factor(often, you have to wait 2 to 3 weeks) for it to arrive by mail and then there is the added cost of shipping and fees,
6. Do your homework on the internet first about an item you may want to buy,
7. Start with your Local Hobby Shop(expanding to several) in your area,
8. Begin at the entrance to the train show with the map (believe me at my first train show I wasted so much time looking at items that weren't even related to trains)to plan your time and visits,
and Finally,
9. Try asking for advice here first with the Buy/Sell forum, it is well known that this is such a special hobby, why not look with honest people? I have made 4 deals here from across the country.

Welcome once again! Do you have your TCA membership yet? I won't go off on that tangent but you haven't been to a train show until you've been to a York (in Pennsylvania) This is from one who hasn't even been to one yet!

Looking forward to making a new friend!

Mike Maurice
TCA member in good standing

quote:

I have been selling at train shows and my prices are good with room to deal.

Beleive it or not, sometimes items won't sell if they are priced too low. People assume there must be something wrong with the item.

quote:

Originally posted by rattler21:
I'll bet you haven't heard this before.
............. It became apparent that these two hobbyists arrived early to enter with vendors to avoid the ten dollar admission ticket.
John Mateyko

After stopping at a local motel for the free breakfast.

Pete

I went to the show last weekend in Plano, Tx. The place was absolutely packed to the brim. Both parking lots were full - so I had to park about a 1/4 mile away - which I thought was terrific that so many people were attending.

A handful of vendors had put out product that was clean, price was posted, etc. Unfortunately, some thought the Lionel part number on the shipping box would be the main attraction, while others were presenting their freight cars from the "heap" viewpoint.

Following the lead of the "heap" bargain table, were tables that probably should have been tested for eColi. I'm not a clean freak by any measure - but dang!...you just had to wonder where some of that stuff was found! Not just dust > DIRT!

I'm still laughing about the dude sitting on a fold-up chair with 3 or 4 cardboard boxes at his feet clear full of busted up stuff. He had that glazed-over look - so all he lacked was a tin cup.

I spent a couple hours - but left empty handed. Hate to say it. I really hate to say it. But, I'll have to pass on this one next year.

Still - I wonder the impression of those 'first-timers' to the hobby.

I attended the Plano show on Saturday also. Very little O gauge and what was there was poor. I have to agree with Mark 440 on this.
However, I did meet some new friends that wee known only through this forum. Definitely worth the $10.00.

Living in the Chicago area, makes the DuPage Show very convenient both for selling and buying. That and catching up with friends makes me count my blessings.

Ray Marion

Hi. Still new to the forum and just getting back into the hobby with my kids. We went to the show in Fredericksburg, VA this past weekend. First train show for any of us. Here are some observations:

1>weather bad outside (sleet and snow), good crowd turned up. Parking lot mostly full.
2>The majority of the tables and vendors were train related. I have been to other trade shows where every other booth has a masage table, jewelry, discount sunglasses, etc.
3>We were looking for 0-scale products (track, buildings, accessories, etc) and there was a decent selection.
4>Pricing-some of the prices were outrageous. Others were reasonable. We picked up 10 pieces of fastrack for $18.00, a 2 foot metal bridge for $20, and 5 MTH buildings for about $50 each. We also bought two boxcars that will complement our Santa Fe line but my wife and son made the decisions on those so no comment!! But we saved on shipping, taxes, and got to examine everything up close.

5>Education--we were hoping to pick up some handy tips on how to build mountains, how to wire accessories, and put in roads. One of the vendors was selling hobby tools (foam cutters) and had a video presentation and let us use the tools to cut sample pieces of foam. Very helpful. We bought one.
But didn't see any workshops or "how to" presentations regarding the hobby.
Is that the norm for these type of shows?

6>Displays-great 0-scale display when we entered the exhibit hall. Several other scale displays in the back of the hall including one with the amusement park that someone has referenced on this forum. Good stuff and we came away with some great ideas.

Since we are "newbies" and it was our first show, I think we were pleased that we drove 40 miles to attend. Most folks were friendly, nice to our kids (even though I didn't see a lot of kids in attendance), and we brought home some new stuff. Will probably go back next year.

Mr. Black, you use the plural word "shows" in your complaint. Not all shows are disappointments, not all vendors are crooks and not all trains events or shows lack O gauge layouts. You just happened to attend one which had those faults.

I have learned to go to the shows and events other model railroaders rave about. That way I know what to expect when I attend. Better luck in the future.

TEX
Steve

My beef is train shows/swap meets where the aisles for the vendors' tables are
too narrow. Then, when people with an agenda like this:

3) I can make a friend or two, and even catch up with current friends

block those narrow aisles with no regard to others, it's not worth the price of admission.


TomB

I like going to train shows but we don't get too many of them here. They are usually small ones when we do get them. I go to hang out with friends and see what's out there. Rarely do I actually buy anything since most things don't really grab me as anything I want. As has been said you've got the dealers who are selling at essentially retail price or you've got endless rows of people selling second hand used stuff that is often nothing more than junk. Most of it overpriced. Every once in a while I'll see something that I am interested in and I'll either buy it if I agree the price is fair or I'll negotiate. If I don't get my price, I walk. It's as simple as that. I have gone to many shows and not bought a single thing. That may not be what people trying to sell things want to hear but I'm not alone in this regards. I went to York for the first time last spring and even it was no different. Building after building, row after row of the same used overpriced junk. However there can be some real gems hidden in there if you look closely. It's the name of the game. That's why I still go to shows even though I most likely won't buy anything. There just might be something hidden in there that I want. Maybe not but I won't know unless I go.

Guys,

I have been to three shows in Jersey all Greenberg: First in 2009 (ok,but not great),2010 (getting pretty poor) and 2011 (the worst).

Needless to say, I will not be returning because in three years I have seen a rapid decline but this year I will get my supply from online dealers and from the buy/sell forum. The rest will be obtained from Spring and Fall York shows.

IMHO.

Mike

This thread's title is completely misleading. I opened it hoping to read tales of hamburgers, steak subs, maybe a little prime rib action at shows. I was already to tell my pepperoni story.

car shows are the same. there are most who clean up thelr 40 plus old parts to get a blt more $. then there are the few that have stuff that looks like their parts have just come off the Titanic and they unloaded the stuff off a dump truck. and you see the same garbabge year after year. and the seller ls surprlsed that they get no sales........

I've noticed that prices are starting to drop lately at the last couple shows, don't get me wrong there are a couple of old-timers that have been lugging around the same old over priced junk for years, but I've also seen some pretty good deals. This weekend I picked up a NICE postwar Lionel 736 for $200.00, a really NICE 3462 milk car for $15.00 and a 3/4 full bottle of smoke pellets for $5.00!!!!!

My biggest issue with train shows is that it should be a requirement to have and USE deodorant!! The show this past weekend had way too many guys there that needed to use a little soap and deodorant!!!


Paul