The Realities of trading at model shows - a trader's perspective

[Weaver]

Interesting blog post, especially for show organisers, here: https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/blogs/news/the-realities-of-trading-at-model-shows

Posted on Twitter by Chris Meddings, who says it chimes with his own experience, here: https://twitter.com/chris_meddings/status/1427639837411131412?s=20

[PR19_Kit]

I wonder what he means by 'European and other shows are every different'?

[Weaver]

I wonder what he means by 'European and other shows are every different'?

Don't know, but I've asked the question.

[zenrat]

Fascinating.  Thanks H.

I can't speak for the big shows in the other states but at the Australian Model Expo in Melbourne there is no under the table trading.  If you want to sell your stash you get a table at the Swamp & Smell on the Monday.
I've often wondered how much theft goes on.  Both from traders and from the tables.

[Weaver]

I wonder what he means by 'European and other shows are every different'?

Don't know, but I've asked the question.

Here's Chis's response:

"In my experience of European shows, namely scale model challenge, moson, KMK and a couple of others, they actively work with traders to give you the best possible experience. The pricing is better, they are super polite and helpful, they help you organise your accommodation to find good places, make sure you get refreshment, come around during the show to talk about it, make announcements during the show promoting traders, don't allow under the table sales and don't allow clubs to sell from their stands. But mostly, they are just friendlier."

I've run two tweets together there for easy reading. Here are the original tweets:
https://twitter.com/chris_meddings/status/1427939461472608256?s=20
https://twitter.com/chris_meddings/status/1427940335678857218?s=20

[PR19_Kit]

I've never been to a show in Europe, not a model show as we know it anyway, but I have attended a few Flight Simulation events in Holland as a participant, not a paying guest. My experience of them was exactly as Chris explained, the organisers couldn't do enough to ensure my experience was as comfortable and easy as was possible.

It occurs to me that this may BECAUSE I'd come from abroad, and the treatment may have been 'special' because of that, but I can't prove it one way or the other.

Having done a number of FS events in the UK as well, my experience at them was mixed, some good, some APPALLING! 

[loupgarou]

I am surprised that he writes"don't allow under the table sales and don't allow clubs to sell from their stands". I have never been to the shows he quotes, but I am a regular visitor to the big Houten Euro Scale Modelling,as well to the Mons, Hoboken, Affligem shows in Belgium,and many other regional ones in France and Germany, and EVERYBODY is selling OVER the table. I always thought it was normal. 

[NARSES2]

At some UK shows I've seen second hand traders replenishing their stocks via under the table sales so it's definitely "horses for courses".

[Hobbes]

I am surprised that he writes"don't allow under the table sales and don't allow clubs to sell from their stands". I have never been to the shows he quotes, but I am a regular visitor to the big Houten Euro Scale Modelling,as well to the Mons, Hoboken, Affligem shows in Belgium,and many other regional ones in France and Germany, and EVERYBODY is selling OVER the table. I always thought it was normal. 

At ESM, non-traders can sell but they have to book (and pay for) a separate table to do it. No under-the-table sales are allowed.

[Martin H]

At some UK shows I've seen second hand traders replenishing their stocks via under the table sales so it's definitely "horses for courses".

True enough. Paul Davis is well known for trawling the under table sales for future stock.

From various conversations with traders I have found that most arnt that bothered with the odd small box or two of kits on sale under the table, its when its hard to tell a club stand apart from the trade stands that really gets their backs up.  (as did happened at Telford pre kitswap days) When a club takes the mick like that it is a case of unfair competition.

Some shows like Telford and the Scots nationals run a kit swap in place of undertable sales. It adds to their revenue stream as they will take a cut of each sale as an admin fee.
Clubs like Brampton seek a donation for what ever charity they are supporting from those who are selling under the table. Failure to donate can jeopardise the clubs chance of an invite for the next year.
Others will have a limit on the number of sale boxes allowed infront of a club stand. And many will just leave every one to fight it out.

[Weaver]

In the days when I was selling a lot of stuff under the table, if I had several copies of the same kit I'd put one in the UTT box and leave the rest either in the car or at home to avoid antagonising the traders. If I'd been asked to pay a fee to sell UTT I'd have been happy to pay it, as long as it was proportional to the amount I was selling or the size of the space or something like that.

[NARSES2]

I've only ever bought from the Kit Swap at Telford twice and on both occasions I've felt hard done by. Won't be bothering again. 

From various conversations with traders I have found that most arnt that bothered with the odd small box or two of kits on sale under the table, its when its hard to tell a club stand apart from the trade stands that really gets their backs up.  (as did happened at Telford pre kitswap days) When a club takes the mick like that it is a case of unfair competition.

That's the feeling I get Martin and think it's a perfectly reasonable point of view

[Nigel Bunker]

In future I shall be very careful buying from 'under the table'. During lockdown I went into the loft to get a Fujimi F-14A which I had purchased several years ago at the Milton Keynes show.  I sat at the table, opened the box and found that the contents were an Italeri F-14. In future I shall be opening the boxes before I buy.

[zenrat]

I always open the boxes before I buy at a swap meet.  I like to check the clear parts.
If they object I don't buy it.

[NARSES2]

That's the problem at Telford in that you can't check the contents of boxes in the kit swap. I've been done twice, both times the seller had screwed the vacform canopies, and won't be buying again.