The Quality of train shows today

[Chuck]

The train shows lately seem to be attracting the large dealers and business dealers who tend to be very commercial in their merchandise. When I go to a train show, I look for the dealers that are not the "business" dealers -- the ones that make their living off train shows. They tend to have the same items and pricing as a hobby center. I look for deals and the unusual/unique items -- the business dealers tend to carry what will sell which is what a hobby center will carry. The smaller 1-2 table dealers tend to have the unusual items and good deals. I was at a show this summer where I came across a guy selling off his surplus track and other items he no longer needed. We got to to talking and he ended up giving me one heck of a deal -- $2.50 for turnouts -- #4's and $6's. I dropped a lot of cash into his pocket! Here is the thing that really turned me off to the business dealers -- I overheard two of them complaining about this guy and some other "yard salers" that were taking business away from them. These "one and two table guys" shouldn't be allowed in the show. Nice. Unfortunately, I have come across this attitude from other vendors at other shows. What a bunch of jerks. Thus, I tend to buy from the non-business dealers. Just my two cents...