Apologies for neglecting the blog over the last few months
but as with everything, life just took over the past year. And with that being
said it is the “last year” I would like to start the debate so to speak.
As you all know we are www.diecastmodels4u.ie and we travel
the country of Ireland every week at either a die cast show, or a Vintage
rally, up highways and down byways in small villages and in the big cities, to
me it is the best job in the world, I get to meet characters and friends every
week. Over the last eight years I have gone through three vans and enjoyed
every minute of every mile, “however” there is always a “However” something has
come to my notice especially over the previous year, and that is the lack of
attendances at these events, that’s covering everything from Auto jumbles to
die cast shows folks. Now from what I hear on the ground are the usual lines
and they are as follows.
1. There
are too many shows
2. They
are too expensive to get in.
3. Traders
are too expensive with stock.
4. Same
stuff at the shows.
All valid points I think but again with the “However”
personally I really do not think they are too many shows, I think Varity is the
spice of life, and this is my living so it is like saying you have too many pay
days so I do take this comment personally as I have a family to raise, usually
the shows are miles apart and are usually organised around other local events
such as county finals and school games days etc., it is important that we
support the shows, local to you, your community, your club, your way of life.
The reason these shows are getting expensive to get into has to do with a lot
of things notably Greed, yes I have said it “GREED” but not on the shows
organisers behalf, a perfect example is of a Hotel that will remain anonymous
but they wanted €7,000 for a hall for one day that’s right €7 grand, plus would
not supply tables and food was more expensive for the organisers than if you
had walked in off the street. Hotels are now looking for separate insurance off
the organisers for the day. That can be anything from €1500 for a day to €3000,
as for outside shows the insurance costs sky rocket to €10,000-€15,000 not including
for outdoor shows portable loos, electricity, and all the other hidden costs
that Joe public just does not see. We have to remember the costs of advertising
these shows and all the extremely hard work that volunteers of clubs put in
year after thankless years. The “Majority of local shows of all genres break
even if that, they are ran by the enthusiast who has an interest in their hobby
and their community, believe me they will be missed when they are no longer
held, the money brought to a community by a vintage run or fair day cannot be
under estimated, the vast majority of shows are Charity based and are done for
local Charities, the village coverage in tourism alone has been phenomenal in
the villages that I have run shows in, yet some villages are reluctant or
unwilling and sometimes down right rude in putting up posters or road signs,
instead of getting behind something that would benefit not only the local shop
the whole village should be getting behind and supporting.
The next point of traders being “expensive” please, please,
oh please, do a quick Google check before you by a die cast model at a local
show, and you will see that the prices are cheaper on the norm than “ANY” cross
sea website or trader, the Irish model trader is cheaper and offers great value
and a face you can deal with, all the traders I know, and I will stand over
this statement, will return a model should it be damaged, they hand out cards
with all sales, and are easily contactable should you not be happy. So don’t
stand at a table or in a tent berating traders who are all Tax compliant and
voice your opinion on something you have not researched or know nothing about.
Sterling prices are more expensive than Euro, and if you still feel that they
are expensive move along to another trader and ask for a bargain ask for a
discount and see what can be done, I can ensure you as a Trader I “WANT” to
sell but I can’t afford to give away either, we all have different wholesalers
we deal with and some are cheaper than others.
As For the same stuff at all the shows this is seasonal
believe it or not, most die cast models are manufactured in China and we are
reliant on production schedules over there, so sometimes there are production
problems in China and we all get the same stuff at the same time, so again it
is a case of trawling around and seeing what’s out there.
So to finish folks let me know what you think. All views are
valid, just keep them civil and remember it is your local show, and your hobby,
but to run down shows or not attend and not support, and then whine that it was
a bad show is unacceptable, there is no such thing as a bad show just a bad
attendance, looking forward to your views, also one final thing if you wish to
review a model or want us to review a model let us know that’s what this blog
is about.
