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Peterborough show


bikey

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Yes - the high price of renting and staffing stall space in proportion to the perceived benefit that the traders expect to get in return allied to the ever increasing number of shows each year!

 

Same reason we didn't go this year - £45 for the weekend when there is nothing we want or need and we don't care much for the entertainment did not strike us as particularly good vfm.

 

It would be interesting to discover the trends in attendance numbers for stall holders, day visitors and campers when all are compared to previous years?

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Guest pelmetman

Speaking as a virgin 8-).... well to a show like Peterborough...... I was amazed by just how much my hobby has become a multi million pound business, its no longer the domain of eccentrics and individuals :-(

 

My first experience with a camper was driving a Highwayman around Morocco in the mid 70's :D............................................

 

Its no longer about the adventure..................but seems more like keeping up with the Joneses 8-) ...........................and very expensive chips :D

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Tracker - 2011-04-19 9:09 PM

 

Yes - the high price of renting and staffing stall space in proportion to the perceived benefit that the traders expect to get in return allied to the ever increasing number of shows each year!

 

Same reason we didn't go this year - £45 for the weekend when there is nothing we want or need and we don't care much for the entertainment did not strike us as particularly good vfm.

 

It would be interesting to discover the trends in attendance numbers for stall holders, day visitors and campers when all are compared to previous years?

Rich,

 

Vicarious Books had an excellent show, we were running very low on some guides and sold out on a couple.

 

The ACSI guide was a very good seller and if anybody is considering buying the book don't leave it too late. Last year it was sold out in June it could be earlier this year.

 

Another small trader that I know well had one of the best shows ever but on the other hand a small panel van converter had a miserable weekend they did not even cover their expenses.

 

Accessory stalls were conspicuous by their absents, even the magic mat man was absent.

 

I don't know about the big dealers but I did see a few "sold" signs on vans.

 

Don

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I enjoyed every minute..yes..more dogs than Crufts [saw one person with 6?]..but ..little mess..the owners used their pooper whatsits.and generally kept them under control

We loved the entertainment..Marty Wild was great [we last saw him 54 years ago at Doncaster Gaumont and he is better now than he was then?] Gordon Bennet..I even enjoyed watching Orville?

I admit to a little hangover..50th Wedding celibrations just before travelling down..but had a fabulous time...we spent..Pork Pies [rubbish..meal on Sunday ditto..but that was no more than expected.

Where on earth could I be entertained each night..some good..some not so..meet some really great people..further spending on cleaning equipment/materials..pork scratchings..

Had a fantastic time..got a suntan :-D

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Don,

 

I'm delighted that many traders had a good show for without those traders there would be no show and neither would the British Motorhome industry be what it is today without them all - large and small.

 

Having used Vicarious Books myself, I see them as, in the main, offering good dependable information at sensible prices and maybe that is the reason they are so popular. Aided by web sites like this, people soon wise up to what is good vfm and what is not?

 

Maybe the small panel converter who failed to cover his costs will not be back and that is always a problem - when a trader fails to cover costs he is prone to dropping out of the show circus - and every one less trader devalues the whole event unless lots of new traders are coming on to the scene?

 

We'll see if we can get to Newbury!

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It was our first visit to Peterborough (been to Newark, Northern, Malvern and Lincoln before) and thought it much the same as the others but food and drink prices were much dearer. Chips at £2.50 a tray and beer at £3.20 just stupid. Obviously the stall holders will blame the pitch fees but I saw no queues at any of the food stalls and during Sundays entertainment there were no queues at the bars either, which just goes to prove that there is a limit to what people can or will spend.

The accessory stalls were all much the same (O'learys missed several shows last year after booking and paying for pitches and I can't believe they wouldn't cover their expenses as when I have seen them at a show, their stalls have been packed with people all through the show). I must admit we went inside very few MH's as we are not looking to change yet, but the dealers must have had a good show as lots of 'sold' labels on MH's.

I thought the entertainment was fist class all weekend. I knew I had seen 'The New Amen Corner 'before and having searched the net, yes I was right but they were called Soul Survivor last year or the year before but I can't remember what show they were at. If at a future show you see a band called Smalls Faces they are also the same group. Just depends what music they are wanted to play.

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Enjoyed the camping,Thursday til Monday good weather....but what a rip off if you needed feeding,lol.

Thought we were at Crufts and the wrong show but hey ho how the other half live , more dogs than motorhomes on the Saturday !

 

See you at Newbury.

 

Phil

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I thought there where less accesory stands, was expecting to leave with a load of junk to fill van, hardly got anything.

On saterday went to a game fair much down on stalls was after a few items and got nothing, so maybe a trend thats affecting all types of show.

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For us it was a cracking show with good weather and good company to meet up with after the winter recess. I waited for about 30 minutes while people were snatching the hand of the "Batribike" man (Ralph) who was running out of stock. We will have to wait until Newbury to collect the wife,s leccy bike.

Wallet said "ouch" when I paid in advance (so I cannot change her mind!)

 

Yes some of the cowshed plots were vacant, its a pity that the maget magnet on the fuel line man was still trading, but he was there. Dave Newell has a new demo trailer which was a significant improvement for his stand. Nice job Dave.

My guess is that many traders expected the weather to be wet for this first show of the season so underestimated the boyancy of the public.

Travelworld had a large selection of Niesmann+Bischoff Flairs lined up and most by Sunday had SOLD signs in the windows. I beileve they were selling off 2010 unsold models and knockdown prices.

 

Some you win and some you lose.

 

Newbury next then!

 

C.

 

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we had a lovely weekend not been to peterbrough for years did not spend a lot,  one of the best part of going to a show is meeting like minded people and talking for england .chilling out with a good wine.for the price less members discount you can't beat it .there was lots to see and do lots of bargains to be had
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Must admit we enjoyed ourselves, but were disappointed in not being able to mooch around O'Leary's stuff or Motorama etc. I was specifically after a magazine holder (the diamond elastic/plastic thing to put neaer the bed for my MMM mag) and the only one I could find was too small and even they sold out eventually. :-(

 

Bought a few bits (4 barrels, 6 tables etc ... as you do ... :D ) plus some good holiday apparel from the stall selling Regatta jackets etc, a nice big Lafuma chair type storage bag for £10 to put Romy's trailer buggy in, and some other little bits - oh, and the Air-ride suspension of course! :-D

 

Hubby's wanting to go to the Cheshire show in July and combine it with a holiday for the week (I think he wants more barrels! 8-) ).

 

We got the Movelite awning out and it was really nice to have somewhere to sit out and have our meals without a cold wind blasting us, so that will definitely get some more use.

 

As for dogs, there were indeed loads, our next door neighbours, Barry and Pam, had a Westie called Poppy who was initially a bit growly, but actually got on very well with Lily and Romy, and another near neighbour had an elderly Westie who perked up immensely when our dogs went over to see her. Our dogs loved pottering in and out of the motorhome and rolling about on the grass and saying hello to passers-by.

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I went to the show with my sister, thought it was great, although we did miss O'Leary's and so there were one or two things on the shopping list that we couldn't get. We thought there were lots of people there and we had to be patient at many of the small stands because of the number of people waiting to be served/advised.

 

With regard to the disappointed panel van converter, my experience of working at shows (of a totally different nature) is that you may do no business on the day, but you never know who is going to come back to you later, maybe years later. It's all about getting out there and being seen, assuming you can afford the overheads of course. It is also important to talk to your existing customers.

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Hi Pelmetman.

Why are people that have new vans thought to be just keeping up with the Joneses.

the first motorhome I purchased was an Autotrail Highwayman that I brought from someone that had returned from France I stripped all of the white goods out and it took me about eight monthes to do it up we then used it for a season and found out that we liked motorhoming and went to look for a newer one we did not intend to buy a new one but we did not think that we were keeping up with the joneses we though that we would get away and enjoy ourselves then everything went downhill.

We have another new one that replaced the useless one and are looking forward to our journeys in it.

You are welcome to a cup of tea or the hard stuff if we have it anytime weather you have an old van or a new one they both get you where you want in the end

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Guest pelmetman

Thanks Don :D

 

Funny enough we had several people come up to say how good our van looked for its age :$

 

Just being pendantic Micky :D but dont you mean a "Autohomes Highwayman" (?)

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pelmetman - 2011-04-22 8:11 PM

 

Thanks Don :D

 

Funny enough we had several people come up to say how good our van looked for its age :$

 

Just being pendantic Micky :D but dont you mean a "Autohomes Highwayman" (?)

 

No pelmetman it was an 1992 Autotrail apache and on the back and front it said Highwayman and I always quoted the name when I contacted Autotrail for parts I dont know if the previous owner had put that on but it blended in with all the other signwriting so I always thought it was a highwayman pardon me for my ignorance if I am wrong :$

Just one thing if your van is old or new it is your pride and joy so what does it matter what anybody says

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Mickydripin - 2011-04-23 11:46 AM

 

Just one thing if your van is old or new it is your pride and joy so what does it matter what anybody says

Well if I see him on a site I will make sure I park up my LeVoyageur as far away as possible. One has certain standards to adhere to you know. Can't be seen mixing with the hoy poloy. (lol)
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peter - 2011-04-24 10:12 PM

]Well if I see him on a site I will make sure I park up my LeVoyageur as far away as possible. One has certain standards to adhere to you know. Can't be seen mixing with the hoy poloy. (lol)

 

Thats one of the reasons I drive an old camper :D ...............................I'd hate to wake up in the morning next to that shirt (lol) (lol) (lol)

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Guest pelmetman
Mickydripin - 2011-04-23 11:46 AM

 

No pelmetman it was an 1992 Autotrail apache and on the back and front it said Highwayman and I always quoted the name when I contacted Autotrail for parts I dont know if the previous owner had put that on but it blended in with all the other signwriting so I always thought it was a highwayman pardon me for my ignorance if I am wrong :$

 

Well you learn something new everyday :D......I doubt Autohomes would of been pleased with Autotrail knicking one of their names :-S........unless as you suggest it was the owner putting his monica on it :D

 

I seem to recall Autotrail have always used names connected with American Indians to label their vans

:D

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pelmetman - 2011-04-25 8:31 AM

 

peter - 2011-04-24 10:12 PM

]Well if I see him on a site I will make sure I park up my LeVoyageur as far away as possible. One has certain standards to adhere to you know. Can't be seen mixing with the hoy poloy. (lol)

 

Thats one of the reasons I drive an old camper :D ...............................I'd hate to wake up in the morning next to that shirt (lol) (lol) (lol)

Do you mind! I'm not that sort of chap. I didn't know you were a shirt lifter Dave. (lol) Maybe the clue is in your statement "Old Campers" (lol)
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