Hi I've never been to busfest at malvern before, was thinking of going is it worth it? What do you guys think?
It's all the same people and all the same stuff as every other show only bigger and harder to navigate. Having said that I am still going!
We all moan about it how expensive things are, the right knobs that seem to go to it, rain then too hot etc etc But it has a magnetic attraction to it most off us seem to return every year even though we say that's the last time.
Personally I dont think its amazing. I dont go every year and I live down the road from it. I prefer Camperjam if I'm being honest
I used to go to Vanfest and then they wanted to charge me ten bob extra to see a second rate cover band and I, like other folk I could name, have never been back since.
Shows are useful if your after parts, they normally have some kind of special price running, got a good deal on a full set of seals from C&C a few years ago. I only go if i want something.
if you need something for your van it's a good show to go to take a pocket full of cash and haggle a deal
V. big and crowded but Mini_Bungle is right - haggle, none of the second hand part dealers want to take stuff back, I go as its walking distance from me and I like walking around the car park. In my opinion the best buses are there, not in the show and shine, etc...
Must be worth a go if you've never been.. I go every year and enjoy it. Get there early-miss the main crowds and take a cool box full of goodies.. The food there is expensive carp. Oh.. And haggle the deal
Thanks for the replys, can only go on Sunday as working but think I will go have a look went to eastner show the other weekend thought it was very good just no stalls selling parts or panels.
I think it is ten years since I last went. I used to really like it, especially seeing the hundreds if not thousands of vans in the camping fields. Facilities always left a bit to be desired and the cost eventually put me off but it is a mammoth show and dedicated to buses which does make it special. There used to be loads of traders of bus parts too. I won't be going this year as I've got other things planned including a rather good classic car show at Himley Hall in Staffs on the Sunday (6th Sept)
Except some of us did actually stop going. Last time I went was 2010. When they changed the (optional) charge for the entertainment for a (mandatory) charge per camping pitch, I called it a day. Once upon a time it was possible to get stuff cheaper by going and getting it at a show, these days it seems its more expensive! There's certainly a "showflation" on vehicles for sale. I think the only thing that might tempt me back is if there was a big group of good friends going, and even then it's a bit steep for what would just be sitting around in the camp and having a nice chilled out time. I can do that at Techenders.
I've only camped once after the fiasco off booking two camping pitches turning up to be told to find somewhere to pitch up. Driving around to find nowhere left. Full up. We ended up coming with some Germans who allowed us on the club pitch. Even more annoying is that some club pitches only had one or two vans on for big pitches for 20+ vans. In the family camping fields total knobs like my local vdub club did the Indian thing and parked up in a big circle like a wigwam blocking all others off. Only do a day trip now and only been once inside the last four years.
I don't do any shows. Find them too busy and stressful. Would much rather camp just me the wife and the kids somewhere quiet and beautiful and just relax.
