Friends,
For those who have attended before, what is the general feel, take loads of cash or are most traders using remote card readers for purchases?
Is there an ATM on site?
Regards, Peter.
Pete
Usual rules apply with dealers some carry card machines some don't there is an ATM on site but it's one of those that charge for each transaction regardless. Best take cash and card's if your looking to buy loads.
Tony
Cash or cheque for me only...sorry.
As stated, there is an ATM on site but I think people were muttering it was empty during Saturday afternoon last year and it charges.
If you have a budget it might be safer taking cash and leaving the cards at home. :-[
this may sound odd but turn the name of this thread around and you have what all london hiphop artists aspire to get :D
Had hoped to be able to take cards this year, but house move takes priority on funds...............................
With any luck, Dawn and I will be settled for some years to come once we are in, but I will be lacking in modelling space.
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on August 18, 2013, 06:59:33 AM
For those who have attended before, what is the general feel, take loads of cash or are most traders using remote card readers for purchases?
I'd say take some cash for lunch and for stuff you can't easily get elsewhere (eg if BHE are present) and maybe a bit more if you plan to buy stuff at the show. Except for small cheap stuff I try to just take notes at the show then go buy things I'm impressed with online later. Means that
a) I know how to get hold of the seller if there is a fault
b) I have time to think "do I really want this"
and (b) in particular saves a small fortune and outweighs the postage cost 8)
Many of the sellers nowdays are also online anyway.
Alan
A model train retailer I'm friendly with commented to me that people come to shows expecting bargains, and will often try to haggle prices down. This has made him leery of shows, partly because of the hassle, and partly because the profitability isn't necessarily there by the time he's factored in costs of transport etc.
That said, I do find some of the prices on used stuff especially to be surprisingly high compared with similar products as new from somewhere like Hattons. Saw a lot of second hand Farish 4-wheel wagons at yesterday's show around the £7-8 mark, and even really old and crummy stuff was still around a fiver. Likewise a lot of second-hand locomotives at £50 upwards. Given what you can get new for the same kind of money if you shop around online, I wondered who buys this stuff. Presumably those hobbyists who don't like shopping online?
In any event, like Alan, I don't mind spending money at a show for stuff that'd be hard to get elsewhere, or alternatively, for a single item where the postage costs of buying online would offset any small savings. These wretched n-scale sunflowers for example, at £8 a box aren't as cheap as online, but mail order charges would eat up any difference.
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: EtchedPixels on August 18, 2013, 12:26:08 PM
and (b) in particular saves a small fortune and outweighs the postage cost 8)
Many of the sellers nowdays are also online anyway.
Alan
To be honest I go with both, have a figure in my head of what my max speend is. And use cash at the smaller traiders and card where posible and put what ever is left in my pocket back in to my account.
Quote from: porkie on August 18, 2013, 03:20:34 PM
put what ever is left in my pocket back in to my account.
:o :o you have money left after visiting TINGS :o :o Blimey you mist be taking SWMBO with you ;D ;D
Regards
Neal.
Lol yes Neal, SWMBO comes to watch my spending :'(
Quote from: Calnefoxile on August 18, 2013, 03:24:13 PM
Quote from: porkie on August 18, 2013, 03:20:34 PM
put what ever is left in my pocket back in to my account.
:o :o you have money left after visiting TINGS :o :o Blimey you mist be taking SWMBO with you ;D ;D
Regards
Neal.
My misses comes with me and last year she spent more than me too :D
Paul
i usually hold up a garage on the way there so come with plenty of cash
QuoteMy misses comes with me and last year she spent more than me too :D
Well if you will buy large commercial aircraft at these things........
Skyline2uk
Quote from: EtchedPixels on August 18, 2013, 12:26:08 PM
b) I have time to think "do I really want this"
Alan
My wallet really likes that option but sadly it generally gets overruled :worried:
Are we likely to be able to buy any of the new farish or dapol locos promised for sept 2013?
Quote from: Norfolkrover on August 18, 2013, 09:47:37 PM
Are we likely to be able to buy any of the new farish or dapol locos promised for sept 2013?
Methinks you'd need a crystal ball to know the answer to that one :hmmm:
You also have to bear in mind that initially the main box shifters are limited to a 15% discount on RRP for Farish stuff (does this apply to Dapol?) so it really is a case for 'who has the best price'.
Quote from: Norfolkrover on August 18, 2013, 09:47:37 PM
Are we likely to be able to buy any of the new farish or dapol locos promised for sept 2013?
In the past it seems some effort has been made to do this, but I'd expect to get them about the same date by mail order because they'll be going into the retailers and out of their mail order department at the same time. Chances are they'll also be a fair bit cheaper online.
Dapol sometimes have good deals on stock they are clearing out - so it may be older stuff that you get best options on. Bachmann used to have some good deals on returns and 'found in a warehouse' stuff but of late it's become overpriced returns that were allegedly 'tested' but without guarantee and not IMHO remotely good value or properly tested.
The dealers who attend have to pay to move stock in, pay for stand space, pay to move stock back home. Don't expect them to have everything at the show or the lowest prices. OTOH you do get to have a good look at what you are getting.
It's also a good place to see Mercig, CJM, and Millfield resprays in the flesh if they are attending. That is worth seeing, although you may want to lock your wallet away first!
Alan
My budget is dependent on how much it costs to get the car through its MOT.It may need a wheel bearing this year,if this is all it needs then happy days,money to spend on whatever I want.
Pete
:Class31: :Class37: :NGaugersRule:
Quote from: bluedepot on August 18, 2013, 07:08:08 PM
i usually hold up a garage on the way there so come with plenty of cash
interesting, I tried shoplifting once but couldn't get my fingers under the door! Boom Boom!
Quote from: EtchedPixels on August 19, 2013, 12:37:48 AM
The dealers who attend have to pay to move stock in, pay for stand space, pay to move stock back home.
. . . . and pay for their overnight accommodation expenses. Plus, being a commercially organised exhibition, I understand it's not cheap to have a stand at TINGS - rather more than club shows and recently increased in price.
A year or two ago there was a gap where someone pulled out late. It'll be interesting to see who is and who isn't there this year. Don't expect to see ModelZone. ;)
H.
I believe Invicta are taking their space. Also Castle trains i dont believe will be there but i think their space has been offered to an exsisting trader to make their stand bigger.
The cash machine ran out at 1.24pm last year (it was refilled after an hour or so). I know as i was second to last to use it.
Richard