I've seen this sort of thing with shows generally. Auto jumble and parts traders are slowly being replaced by too many "lifestyle goods" sellers (i.e. Mostly tat). Prices at shows are either more than online or the same. This kills off what used to be a huge attraction for me - getting stuff I needed for less at a show. I realise traders need to make money, but it seems that the cost of attending shows seems to mean it's more about being seen at the show and therefore getting more web traffic, than actually making money there. If pitch prices have gone up, then this is only going to exacerbate that problem. Same thing with auto jumble - people have less hassle and cost just selling stuff online through forums. It's a shame, because I think a lot of people see something that used to be good about shows and is no longer there.
Maybe we could have our own swap meet somewhere central. the tlb swap meet would help me clear my garage out yearly and maybe help others.
i'll still go in February though so if anyone fancies camping for a fiver it's a good way to catch up.
Yep in! When i went to tekenders I took a box of swaps, only a small one and tbr bought a bigger one to df, so I suppose we could just bring along our swaps to df and tekenders without making it an official swap meet?
Tbh Lou and I saw this coming. I have been bleating on about people ripping fellow dubbers off for ages on the quiet. Some things are reasonably sort after enough to make a fair price justifiable, but a lot of stuff just isn't. Secondhand heater cables for example are two a penny (£5 a pair max ) then again a good pair of original heat exchangers should command a decent price. I have mostly tat btw, however it may be valuable to someone else and they are welcome to it, It would be nice if we swapped something in exchange but not essential!
lol no, I've got a fair few heat items but probably only good for us busses, got some exhaust stuff plus underfloor gastank and washer bottle etc.
You'll find in the most part it's down to the venues wanting more which drives the cost up for the organisers. Liability insurances etc it all goes in to bump up the price
used ta do antiques at these places , theyve almost blown their own trumpet now too, greed greed greed, they want bucks off you for a stall then charge people bucks to get in ( it makes buying an item expensive unless your gona buy big time) and corner they market with the food outlets too, they will suffocate in the end , the main reason i go to shows now is for cheap camping with free entertainment and with some like minded people and the odd bargain . It must be really tough for you professional traders these days. Internet is prob the cheapest way or word of mouth i suppose? Weather and time of the month play their part too, payday time of the month is normally better ive found. Good Luck
Used to have manager make staff appraisals using words like that, apparently on mine I had a tendency to on occasion 'blows his own trumpet', apparently I was 'Autocratic', and also 'didn't suffer fools lightly', he asked me what I thought about it, and I replied I'd never learned to play a musical instrument and didn't own one, always voted Monster Raving Loony Party as otherwise it was a wasted vote, and the only insufferable person I knew was him. Apparently I passed the appraisal...wonderful place to work the Ambulance Service.
Think this is definitely the way to go...much more in keeping with the spirit that first appealed when I got into buses... Lovely vibe at Techenders...
I went to Dubfreeze two and three years ago and it was good, so sad to hear it's not what it was, although I had planned to go this year so I'm glad I missed it! The best show for swap meet this year was Stonor Park for me - I had the works Caddy van rammed with VW bits, and did really well - and it was £15 quid (I think) for a decent pitch!
