The way you treat a train show...

It depends on whether I am looking for something specific or just browsing for that thing that catches my eye.

 

I do not like to leave with any area unviewed!

I'll usually skim to determine what's available, then think what it is that I want the most.  Of course, when I hit the lottery I'll just cruise through, buying up everything that attracts me, with my manservant trailing behind to carry it all.  

HAHAHA!  Thats funny!

I keep a list of things I am looking for and usually arrive early.  The list is sorted - the items I would want even if it means I miss out on the others are near the top.  I walk the entire meet scanning everything.  If I find something on the top of list at a really good price I buy it immediately, otherwise I make notes about where I saw what and perhaps add things to the list.  I then go back through and buy. 

Yep, win the Powerball. That's the ONLY way i'll ever get what I want in trains. First item: buy 12,000 sq. ft warehouse.

Back to topic: I usually run thru the aisles once, noting items of interest(and the prices). Then I'll go back to the specific seller and if it's available,  convince myself that I'll e running it instead of adding it to the growing stockpile.

I arrive late hoping that the table jockeys are getting desperate.  I do 2 laps around the show the first one checking out what's on the tables the second one checking what's under the tables.

Usually both.  I generally make a first pass through the tables, with some specific items in mind, but doing a quick scan to see who's got what.  When I'm through, I take a more leisurely couple of trips to look more closely and find anything I might have missed in the first circuit.

The wise thing to do is to browse the entire show to see what is available and to determine who has the best price. Unfortunately I don't always do the wise thing. I have been to many shows where I bought the first item I saw only to see it cheaper at another vendor's table. Sometimes it is best to buy the first item you see. Some items may be rare and by the time you walk the entire show and get back to the original location, the item may be gone.

I go to shows to walk and look. Rarely am I looking for something specific. When I'm at York for the Thursday opening, I make a bee-line for a certain diecast car dealer in the Orange Hall. This Spring, I have to arrive on Friday, so no rush.

I want to arrive early, to get "first grabs" when they break down the doors...this

doesn't work at York, for you have to guess what building you think might have

the best chance of having something you are looking for (if any), and then, of course, there is only about an hour of a window for that one building, and all the

other halls are being "picked over" while you race through the one....

If I am looking for a new item, I hit the Orange Hall first...completely different than I formerly did, hitting the Blue Hall first. 

Local shows...get there early, do a rapid circle tour, to spot and grab (or at least price and locate) the uncommon...then do another leisurely circle, starting at the opposite end to get a different view, and proceed more slowly.  On this trip, if something seemed pricey on the first pass, I might try to get a better price...if not, then out the door...very, very rarely, is there a situation in which more than one of the same item is there to choose...usually there is nothing...

The problem this weekend is that the only show is Wheaton...it is too

far on $4 gas for the el cheapo items I want to look for...and only lottery chances something else interesting will show up..

I usually try to do a skim through the whole show as soon as I get there. This is followed by a more leisurely walk through, with specific focus on tables where i see things of particular interest, so I do not miss anything. Then I might go back through certain areas a third time, if they had some things of interest.

I maintain a "want list" listing item #, list price, and several columns with on-line prices from my usual dealers. Then it depends on the size of the show.

 

Smaller shows I do a quick walk through to see what is available. Then go through a second time to zerro in on things I see that are on my list OR any other great deals. However if I see something "rare" that I want I buy it before someone else does.

 

On Massive shows like the Big E in Springfield, I go through the different buildings in a specific order based on past experience. Because there is so much to see and I am on forearm crutches, I only go through once, at a pritty quick pace (for me) and buy what I want if it is a good deal. There are some venders that I almost always buy something from since they have what I want at a good price.

 

These days I have so much "good stuff" I could open my own store, so I have been buying less. Now I actually look at the layouts and am not as driven to get more product.

 

Paul Goodness

Like any true (or so I was taught in my ed. psyc. class) extrovert, I erratically wander around, jig-zagging completely unregimented, like when I visit a museum, letting myself react spontaneously to any exhibit my eyes fall upon, bouncing around like a ball in a pinball machine. Sometimes, I do have certain details for purchase in mind, and if I come across them I am pleased. Like crafting a layout, the whole experience is playtime.

I normally have a good look at any layouts first, and then, starting by the entrance, I will proceed aisle-by-aisle, making my way to the furthest point from the entrance. If I purchase anything large or heavy, I will normally leave this with the stall-holder to be collected later.  Once I reach the furthest point, I will make my way back to the entrance by a more direct route, picking-up my purchases as I go. This way I don't have carry large or heavy items any further than is necessary. It also gives me the opportunity to revisit any stalls which warrant a second look.   Of course, this intended routine is subject to change at any time that I feel like it. 

I rarely go to shows to buy anymore, maybe some small items but that is it. I find I can get better deals online, sometimes on eBay, ogr forum, and thru the club magazines. 

 

Most train shows IMO are a thing of the past and will wither away in the coming years. I used to go to shows 2 times a month, now the only show I attend is Allentown and York.

Hamburg Pa is another gem to add to this list, here in the Northeast, IMHO.

Your right Hamburg is another nice show.

Funny I've never really thought about it - If I am by myself, after I get in, I start in one corner and go down every aisle and visit every layout - trying not to miss a thing! It's more the experience of the show and what I'll uncover than anything. 

If I'm with my youngest, we go visit what he wants to see - the layouts where he can run something.

It really depends if there is something special on my wish list. If there is, I will go on the hunt for this item(s) first.

 

For those who skim the entire show first checking on pricing, The old saying if you snooze, you loose plays out here. More times than I would want, I saw an item at a great price only to find it gone when I returned. I woke up one day to realize that if it is an item you want at a good price, buy it!

 

These days when I go to a show, I am much more interested in the cottage industry guys who make specialty items for the layout.

That sort of happened to me at York once where one guy had an 18023 Lionel Western Maryland Shay for $500 - 15 minutes after I saw it, it was gone~

I'm not that anxious to buy things; I go largely for the entertainment value to look at old trains. I often find the best bargains on Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday, I attended a TCA meet in Ringgold, GA with several friends and my youngest son, so this is fresh in my mind.  When I walked through the door I began to scan tables.  I proceeded in this manner through the entire room, stopping to visit with folks along the way, while making mental notes of anything that interested me.  Like most of us, I can't afford everything that grabs my attention so, after completing my rounds, I went back and negotiated for the few items I really wanted and could afford.  I then spent the remainder of my time there simply visiting with friends and renewing some old acquaintances.

 

Curt

Since I model in S, train shows present a different M.O. for me.  I usually go through very fast, keeping an eye out for the few S sellers.  It's rarely more than 10%.  So that means I spend a lot less time looking at specific tables (but not necessarily less money).  But it's fun to look, and when I'm looking for O gauge items for friends, I do the "Skim fast, go back to specific table" thing. 

 

I also look at train shows as more in the line of entertainment any more rather than getting anything I need or want.  By the way, most of my purchases lately have been from the boxes under the tables rather than on top...

 

Jerry Poniatowski

Bashing and Salvaging in Wayne, MI

I have a shopping list, take care of that. then walk the aisles and see what catches my eye

If I'm at York, I go to the Orange hall first.  Then to the Purple hall.  Then maybe all the other halls in no particular order.  If I'm at a small show I just walk thru starting with the first aisle.  If I'm looking for something special I'll either find it or I won't.  No big deal,  there's so many items out there if it's not at one show I can usually find it at another show or on eBay.

 

Rick

Being an evil and powerful Model Rail Baron, I grant the more popular train shows and meets the privilege of walking through and making my selections prior to the show's openings.  With my personal assistants in tow, when I see an item I like I nod my head and they arrange the purchase and delivery of those items.

 

Once I have completed my rounds I allow the show to open.  At that point I will continue to stroll the aisles amongst the attendees for their excitement that they can tell their children and grandchildren that they saw me at the show.

 

Ha! And you thought you were waiting for the national Anthem at York before the doors opened!