Indianapolis O Scale Meet

While I can't make it, I do know some of the hi rail guys here is Cincinnati are going on Friday.

You're right. There hasn't been any discussion on this topic. I am going to be there with three tables of locos and cars, both O and On3. I hope a lot of poeple show up.

It is probably being ignored because of the dealers show up Friday and leave before the show is over leaving the people coming on Saturday hanging. Very rude of the dealers for those that drive all that way and nothing left to see or buy. I do not know why Jim Canter runs a show that way.

Stephen 

Well you have to remember, the dealers are there to do business.   If they learn from experience that they don't sell anything after lunch on Sat or whenever, they probably figure it is not worth staying.  

 

I don't have a table at this show, but I often get one at the Cleveland show.   It is a one day show and the operator requires that you not pack up until 2 pm.   However, I notice that seems to very little activity after about noon or so.   

Last year, i had traffic all day Thurs/Fri, absolutely none on Saturday.  When I left at 2, I was one of the last guys left.  Other dealers practically ran over me to get out thru the door beside me.

John, are you going down just for Friday?

No, I'm still under house arrest after my 5 day stint in cardiac care.   Sorry.

myself and two friends driving up thursday afternoon.. leaving saturday pm. 

I do two shows per year; Chicago and Indy. I don't start packing up until maybe an hour before the closing hour. I keep anything on the tables that people have shown an interest in. Those dealers who leave "super early" are doing those of us who stay a favor. I have made some nice sales in the last two hours of a show. I hope that we see many visitors at the show. I will have 6 NYC Hudsons, 6-7 SMR locos, some nice SP stuff, a nice selection of On3 locos, passenger cars and some O Scale cars and kits. I also found some logging stuff that will be for sale, along with some structure kits. Stop by and visit. I am going to price many things to sell. I have some items that need to move on and make room for new inventory. I will also have two of the SMR Pennsy D6s for sale. They are beautiful!

Glad to hear that you are one of the few that stay. The dealers that say they don't sell anything and leave early guarantee that they don't have sales. A show is like a store to the customer. If you are open at a stated amount of time, the customer expects you to be there at that time. You just don't close shop because sales are slow, that is part of doing business.

I notice that the O Scale Indy Show flyer states O Gauge on it. Is 3-rail now part of the show?

Stephen

I was just in Louisville, KY last week but, darn it, couldn't figure out an excuse to stay. I helped some friends move from Sioux City to Louisville last week. Too early or too late. Can't win

 

Dick

IF you didn't go to this show today, leave home 2 hours earlier than usual, tomorrow, to find it, unless, and maybe even if, you were there last year when I think it was moved to this now highly difficult to find location.  I missed it last year, but had been to several of the easy to find east side shows.  MAJOR construction on I-70 east of Indy and construction is still going on on east side of airport on the west of Indy...roads screwed up, street signs gone=big problem!  I arrived over an hour late, and was ticked!! 

Flyer only gave an "Executive Drive" address which 3 local yokels in 3 gas stations (the ones that spoke English) had no clue where "Executive Drive" was.  It is off Sam Jones Parkway, the old airport access, which is off I-70 where it passes south of Indy.  Indy I am very familiar with since I have been attending shows of various kinds in Indy for years, but with major airport and street reconstruction, all bets are off.  If only the flyer had said that above, OR provided a map.

If anyone reading this has anything to do with putting out flyers or advertising

a show, don't expect that because you are a local and know where everything is,

that people flying in from Christchurch, N.Z., or whereever have a clue where

Deepmud Street in Hicksville, Ohio or wherever is...provide a map and tie it to the Interstates,, this great American road system that people use to get from Point A to Point B.

(you'd be surprised how many maps I've seen of a bunch of local roads and no

shown direction/connection to the nearest Interstate)

"Flyer only gave an "Executive Drive" address which 3 local yokels in 3 gas stations (the ones that spoke English) had no clue where "Executive Drive" was.  It is off Sam Jones Parkway, the old airport access, which is off I-70 where it passes south of Indy.  Indy I am very familiar with since I have been attending shows of various kinds in Indy for years, but with major airport and street reconstruction, all bets are off.  If only the flyer had said that above, OR provided a map.

If anyone reading this has anything to do with putting out flyers or advertising

a show, don't expect that because you are a local and know where everything is..."

 

So you've never heard of Mapquest, Google Maps, etc.?  You could have printed out a local map and/or detailed directions in about 3 minutes.  That would have spoiled a good rant though. 

For those that went to the show (could find it!) can you give a report? any photos?

 

 

Apparently coloradohirailer is still circling the airport and never made it to the show 

Railroad-guy - Did you go to the show?

If you go to the internet for directions you would find that his rant is justified. People shouldn't put him down when the map does not show a new road nor all the messed up construction and closed exits. Give the guy a break. The show has a bad reputation for dealers leaving when they feel like it. Some even leave Friday eve. The show is starting to suck. Jim Canter has lost control of the show and the dealers go and come when they please. Bad for the customer as one never knows if there is anyone left when you pay $ and get in the hall.

Stephen

Not this year but in the past four years I did and posted comments and pictures. Whether the the location was good or bad it would seem to me that if he had time to post what he did he would have time to post what was there.

OK guys I went to the show.  I found it easily with mapquest. I was a vendor and released my line of new structure kit and they got a great reception from all who saw them. Some even bought them.  The show ended at 2 which I do think was a little early but most all of the vendors stayed put until about 1:00 and things had died down to the point that not many people were shopping.  I had a blast as I did last year and look forward to it next year. 

 

Ken Burney

that guy from AR

WK Burney Scale Models

Thanks for the update Ken: 

- Quote 'The show ended a little early but most all of the vendors stayed put until about 1:00 and things had died down to the point that not many people were shopping"

This is without a doubt a contradiction in statement. Why would vendors leave when there are still shoppers and yet you said that show could be longer? As I stated before the vendors who left before 1:00 and those that left before closing are just all out rude and inconsiderate. You just don't treat customers with ill respect by closing your business, restaurant, or any shop while people are in your place of business. These venders are the bottom of the pile as far as I am concerned, Do I need to write Opinion?

Stephen

 

Mapquest?  I don't think I can get that on my car radio....so miles from home with

no computer with me (since I had been to the show before and knew were it was

SUPPOSED to be, before the playing field was tilted), I, and anybody else from out'

of town trying to find the place, was SOL.  I, with some effort, found the flyer for

this year's show on the net..STILL no map!

Nothing like watching an argument rekindled after a 2 yr. hiatus.... Wow.

Considering it has been two years since the original complaints were posted about dealers leaving early and this years show is combined with the "O" Nationals, why don't we wait until it's over before we beat it up again?  I also agree on Mapquest, Google Earth or a cheap GPS in your car (or a phone ap) ..................this is the 21st century, pretty hard to get lost these days. 

 

The alternative is we have no Indy show and I certainly don't care for that option. 

 

Butch

But you CAN get it on your computer! Simply type in the address you desire to start from, and the address you desire to go to, and then PRINT OUT THE MAP & INSTRUCTIONS. 

As noted, I was traveling and did not think I'd then, two years ago, need a computer...

THIS year I finally found the flyer...NO MAP, NO SHOW TIMES, which are much earlier

now than on previous Fridays at the other location.  So I showed up two hours late,

with no times shown on posted flyer.  However, tables WERE manned, I found stuff,

and it was worth the trip.  It is just like pulling teeth to get all the information.  Maybe

you have to belong to a secret society to be privy to all the details?  They were done

with construction, so the hotel could be found and accessed.... It is especially annoying

because there are so few O scale shows where you can find stuff....but you need to

pick up everygody's card and make notes...because that may be the only place you

ever see stuff anybody in two or three rail can use.  Many do no advertising.