I did not see Charles Ro at York this time. I know they bowed out in April due to COVID, but this time???? Anybody know the story? Thanks.
Cheers,
Price
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They don't go to York anymore.
Charles Ro passed away. His son never liked attending the show so they won't be back. From what I was told it never was a cash flow positive show for them.
Scott Smith
The cost was not worth the effort,they do better at home five days a week.
CharlesRo will only the the large scale show in Springfield for now on. I had a long talk with JR and as others have stated, York or the Amherst show is just not worth it.
Not surprising. That is a long trip, that and the logistics to say nothing of the cost of meals and lodging you have to sell a lot of stuff just to cover your overhead.
Plus the wear and tear on the merchandise.
Maybe before the internet it was at least justifiable but today, why would you unless it is to blow stuff out the door, or see old friends?
When you think about all the expense to sell at York (or any show) as a full blown dealer, everything should cost more than you can buy it for online or at the store; yet almost everyone expects a deal.
Do you have a little wiggle room on the price?
But I think Nicholas Smith will be returning to York from what I heard from @Cmontagna
@NIKHIL posted:But I think Nicholas Smith will be returning to York from what I heard from @Cmontagna
My understanding was that NS was going to be here this week. I was sorry that they weren't there.
@Former Member posted:Maybe before the internet it was at least justifiable but today, why would you unless it is to blow stuff out the door.....?
And the old blowout days are long gone, as we know, killed by simple economic reality and accompanying build-to-order operation.
@NIKHIL posted:But I think Nicholas Smith will be returning to York from what I heard from @Cmontagna
@Former Member posted:My understanding was that NS was going to be here this week. I was sorry that they weren't there.
I was told a month ago that they would be attending York. Haven’t heard why they didn’t.
Last thing I heard from Nicholas Smith was no more York shows. That was months ago, so maybe they're still on the fence? They weren't there however. 
I may be stopping by Nicholas Smith’s tomorrow before heading to the airport. I’ll see what I can find out.
York is a blast but for a dealer it isn't without drawbacks. I'll give you a quick breakdown. Booth and tickets $1700, hotel $700, trailer rental $300, salary to staff $1500, vacation time used $3000, meals $500, gas $550. This is before 1 train is sold. So naturally when you have an off day like last Friday one begins to question the benefits.
@Trains4Me2 posted:York is a blast but for a dealer it isn't without drawbacks. I'll give you a quick breakdown. Booth and tickets $1700, hotel $700, trailer rental $300, salary to staff $1500, vacation time used $3000, meals $500, gas $550. This is before 1 train is sold. So naturally when you have an off day like last Friday one begins to question the benefits.
@Trains4Me2 That makes sense - seems like that's why there are greater chances of Nicholas Smith returning to York (because it is within PA) than Charles Ro (which is in Massachusetts, several hours away from York) !
Just left Nicholas Smith’s store and sitting at the airport gate waiting for our flight home.
I politely mentioned to the gentleman behind the counter that I didn’t see them at York. All he said was “Not this time.” And with no further engagement he walked away. It’s a whole different vibe in their store. I could go on but it doesn’t matter at this point.
I have bought so much from Nicholas Smith’s Trains. They have a great website to navigate and they just updated it. Sales are good. 
And we know Ro does just fine. 
@Traindiesel posted:Just left Nicholas Smith’s store and sitting at the airport gate waiting for our flight home.
I politely mentioned to the gentleman behind the counter that I didn’t see them at York. All he said was “Not this time.” And with no further engagement he walked away. It’s a whole different vibe in their store. I could go on but it doesn’t matter at this point.
A York or two ago, we visited Nicholas Smith in our pre-meet journeys and I had a conversation about York with one of the employees and he flat out stated that they didn't have enough employees to keep the store open and cover the York meet at the same time, and that since the store sells more than just trains, closing the store was not an option.
Andy
@Trains4Me2 posted:York is a blast but for a dealer it isn't without drawbacks. I'll give you a quick breakdown. Booth and tickets $1700, hotel $700, trailer rental $300, salary to staff $1500, vacation time used $3000, meals $500, gas $550. This is before 1 train is sold. So naturally when you have an off day like last Friday one begins to question the benefits.
You hit the nail on the head! My guess--based on a lot of on-scene discussions with these folks--is that 90% of manufacturers/after-market suppliers/dealers in the Orange Hall would fully agree.
That said, I had a great time at York last week, and have had a truly great time there each time I have attended over the past 25 years.
@Andy Hummell posted:A York or two ago, we visited Nicholas Smith in our pre-meet journeys and I had a conversation about York with one of the employees and he flat out stated that they didn't have enough employees to keep the store open and cover the York meet at the same time, and that since the store sells more than just trains, closing the store was not an option.
Andy
Andy, that’s the thing. I visited the store after April’s Meet and in conversation with an employee, and without asking, I was told they’d be attending the York Meet in October. Not as big of a presence but they’d be there. Then just last month when I called them to inquire about an order I had, I was told again they would be at the Meet. So something must have changed between mid September and last week.
I don’t know how many people they have working there but I saw at least six people behind their many counters. They never closed the store during the previous York Meets when Chris Gans was running the store. I didn’t speak to the employee that told me they would attend York. I know he was there but I didn’t see him and couldn’t wait around because we had to get to the airport.
I stopped in to buy a couple cabooses to match the locomotives I bought at York late Saturday afternoon. Didn’t have time to search for them before they played “Happy Trails” at the Fairgrounds. 
