York on Saturday worth it?

After Thursday & Friday you won't need to come back on Saturday, but then, I start looking on Monday.

You're asking for an opinion, so here is mine:  YES. 

You may hear about this that or the other thing about Saturdays at York, but if you get there when it opens, you should do fine in getting to see what you want to see.

Bottom line is this: 1 day at York is 100% better than no days at York.

I agree with John.  Saturday has a light crowd so you can move through the halls at your own pace and see plenty.  Prices also tend to be a little better.

Al

I think it's worth it. I like Saturday at York. The crowd is very light making cruising the halls a breeze. Also a lot of dealers are willing to do a little last minute dealing to make a sale. There are some dealers that start to pack up early, even though they are not supposed to. You'll have a good time.

Get up early so you arrive when it opens, it's worth the drive IMHO. I did this a few times with my son. we had a great time "searching" and always came home with more than a few items.  My dive is over 3 hours and I might do the Saturday thing this year.

I asked the same question a year or so ago when I went to my first York Saturday. It's definitely worth it, the pickings might not be as good as the first 2 days but it still beats any other show volumewise by a mile and as others have said the lighter crowds and folks willing to make deals more than makes up for maybe not finding everything on your wishlist.

I am planning to hit York on Saturday this year after I do it on Thursday, unless I can convince my boss to let me take off Friday instead, fat chance tho, it's his birthday and he wants a long weekend.

Jerry 

If you are looking for unusual or rare items, Saturday may not be the best. If you are looking for stuff to run and it doesn't have to be the holy grail, Saturday is good.

Made some of my best finds and purchases on Saturday.

Get there first thing if you can.

How high do you dive from?

What's the drive like from Suffolk LI? 

Thanks Gents....

Thanks guys. This is making me feel a bit better about not making it on Thursday or Friday for the next year. Looks like I will be down on Saturday!

From Suffolk County it took me 4 1/2 hours last October (from Nesconset). I left after dropping the kids off at 8 am on Friday and was on the fairgrounds at 12:30.

Depending on traffic it could take me any where from 4-5 hours.

I stayed overnight and it was worth it being there for Saturday. I got there as it opened and covered everything I missed Friday afternoon and got some great deals.

Ideally, you would be able to go to all three days, but as it was said before - one day at York is much better than no days!

Thanks Spec. That's what I figured. I am leaning toward the bus ride from commack. I have Friday as my only option. One day is better than none. 

Let me say this about Saturday's. I had tables for many years, actually from 1978-2005. Saturday was a waste, and I reduced my prices to almost giving the trains away and still couldn't sell much. 

I think you may still find some bargains in the Orange Hall from some of the bigger dealers but most of the other halls have been picked over. I agree that for the most part if you are a seller Saturday is pretty much a waste.

However, if I read the rules correctly, folks are supposed to remain until the show actually closes on Saturday, right?  I'm guessing if anything you are looking for is still left, you might get a good deal on it.

Table holders are supposed to stay until 2:00 PM when the meet closes but don't count on it. Usually by noon they are making their way to pack up their vehicles. Local table holders spread out their merchandise to have some items on the tables as required by the rules.

That's largely because the "excitement/buzz factor" that comes with each York show is over by Saturday.  From a collector's standpoint, I suppose anything worth grabbing would have been already snagged on Thursday or Friday.  Likewise in the dealer halls, most of the "good new stuff" is long gone too.

Having said that though... if you can ONLY attend on Saturday, I'd arrive very early and stick to the dealer halls.  By 12 Noon the show is a mere shadow of Thursday/Friday... a night and day difference.  But if something is still out on display by Saturday and it happens to be something that you want, you'll understandably have some leverage to save a few bucks!

Bottom line... Avoid a Saturday-only trip if at all possible.  If the situation dictates it, then do what you gotta do.  But it's not the same as being there on Thursday or Friday.

David

ON Saturdays there is still a lot of trains left in the Blue and Silver Halls. Prices are better on Saturdays and crowds are smaller so you can move quickly. Sellers will stay if there are buyers walking around.

Being a 1st timer I want to experience all of it including slim pickins' Saturday.  If I'm lucky I might score a deal or two.

Well my badge just came today, so if Saturday is the only day I can do (as it seems), I will do Saturday!

So David, which days are you going?

Michael,

If you only have Sat. I would encourage you to attend.  It took me some time to get to my first York a few years ago, in part because of work, and hearing that Sat was not worth it.

For those who are working, and unable to take vacation, Saturday, while it may not be as exciting as an earlier day, still offers about the widest selection of model train items for O Scale.  In addition you have to opportunity to meet people form the major train companies, which you may not be able to d so at other regional shows.

For those who are retired, or can take the time of work, there is certainly a good amount of activity to enjoy.

I attended saturday this past april and a few people were packing up at 11:30 as well as some dealers.

Go for it.  York is York. Earlier the better. 

Best of luck on your career move Mike. 

I have been to the last two on saturday, Pros and cons...You will have to be there when it opens, less crowded, but they pack up early. I have sent complaints to powers that be but no replys. Last year they made announcements that they could not pack up till 2 pm, this past spring, they were packing up by 11...I think that is a bit unfair to those of us who work all week....Good luck!!!!

Career comes first.  Saturday is worth it, especially if you get there early.  If you know what you want and where you want to go, it is possible to "run the table".

Congratulations and best of luck.

George

I'll probably swing by in the morning Saturday, but I expect that Thursday and Friday will suffice for the most part.

John, that's what I always did back in the days my wife and I would make a nice weekend of the trip.  Even as a first-timer, you'll notice the DRAMATIC difference in the "feel" of the atmosphere on Saturday vs. Thursday/Friday.  If I had my eye on something and it didn't disappear by Saturday, it usually found its way to my car at a discounted price -- a fair price, but just a few dollars less than Thursday/Friday's price.  

David

I have thought about swing by Saturday but by then I decide its a good time to take the camera out and collect Amish souls

Any day you can be at the York Meet is worth it.  It's just that some days (Thursday and Friday in particular) are worth more.  The advantage of Saturday is there are no crowds to deal with.  The disadvantage is that you have a relatively few hours to spend at the event.  And if you're looking for hard-to-find items, the chances of finding it on Saturday are somewhat diminished.

I consistently like to go on Saturday for a couple of hours - usually from 9:30=11:30. Always something that I didn't see before...and something smallish to buy and take home on the plane.  Can't stay any later than 11:30 because Round the Clock calls for lunch.  LOL

You know what, The meet should be Thursday & Friday dealers  9 to 7 & non dealers 9 to 5. Forget Saturday.

Saturday is a great time to take the little ones.  I used to take the younger boy when he was 6.  I would buy him a hotdog and we would tour the Orange Hall together.

Now he's 16 and trains are not part of his world. 

George

Michael,

Congratulations on your job opportunity. As a dealer in the Orange Hall, I would have to say that Saturday is definately worth it. Although not as busy as Thurs and Friday, there is plenty of product available and not the rush of the other days. Yes, some dealers violate the rules and tear down early, but most dealers stay open until the 2 PM closing.

We are there to sell product and it is hard to believe that after all of the involved set up, dealers chose to cut out early. We are there until at least 5 PM and will sell until we're out the door. Stop by and say "hi" and have a great Saturday at York!

JT's Mega-Steam

www.megasteam.com

My opinion.....YES......go to York on Saturday......go early.....some of my best bargains were Saturday buys! Tom

Thanks for all the words of encouragement and congratulations. I will definitely be down on Saturday!

Some years ago I got a Super Deal on some building kits on a Saturday.  I mean it was like buy one get two free or something crazy like that.  I couldn't refuse such a Super Deal!  And, no, I have not built them yet. 

I would vote, YES, it's definitely worth going.  There are still lots of great items.  i am flying out from San Diego so I will be there on Saturday until I get kicked out.  I plan to make the most of every minute I am there.