I've been talking to a few western collectors lately regarding bottle shows and I thought I'd share what was discussed. The bigger picture is that many collectors don't make it to the shows for two simple reasons: they can't get off work Friday, and they don't go Saturday because the 'good deals' were already made the day before. Since many of us collectors are not lucky enough to be retired, it is often difficult for us to get a day off for the Friday shows. My question is this: why don't the shows run Saturday and Sunday ? Or perhaps just Saturday ?
Just a thought...............
Just a thought...............
I've heard these comments many times and I think it all comes down to the same answers each time. Saturday shows are great for local attendance, but if you want to draw the distant collectors, it will still exclude those that can't get off work Friday, which is needed for travel time. It's brutal for those that get home from work at 5 pm, then have to head back out at midnight to drive 6-8 hours for a Saturday morning show, especially as a dealer who needs to unload and setup, as well. Unfortunately, you can't please everyone. Sunday show days are usually lightly attended and dealers tend to want to sneak out early for those with long drives home.
ReplyDeleteSo for those that can take time off from work and need to travel some distance, we tend to like Friday/Saturday Shows, leaving plenty of time Saturday afternoon or Sunday to make the trip home. I must say, don't discount the second day for deals. For the Auburn/Roseville Show, many dealers are very slow at setting up and often don't get everything out until Saturday morning. I am guilty of this myself. Last year I shopped all day Friday and found little to buy. My best purchase came on Saturday when a collector arrived to set a few choice items out on his buddies table. Hardly anyone noticed, especially other dealers, since they had stopped shopping and were manning their own tables. One thing is certain: if you don't attend at all, the show will provide you with zero opportunities. ;-)
I believe we could accommodate more bottle show goer' s by rearranging our show schedules. I believe by adopting the old Federation show schedules we could accommodate more individuals. Start the shows on Saturday at 1pm to allow those driving fair distances to have plenty of hours to get to their destinations. Have the show until 6pm. Run the show on Sunday from 9am to 3pm so that the sellers have sufficient time for traveling back home. I think this would the best compromise for all.
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ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of good deals and bottles on Saturday. I've kicked myself a couple of times for jumping the gun on Friday and not waiting until Saturday. I'm more patient now and it usually pays off.
ReplyDeleteSo why not just Saturday shows? One awesome compacted day of buying/selling/trading, rather than two mediocre days. Anything after about 12 noon or by 1pm on the 2nd day of a show is dead & nearly everyone is ready to pack up by then. If you shorten the time of the show, there would be a much more constant buzz & flury.
ReplyDeleteSure there are deals on the second day of a show, but if the show was only one day, those same deals would still be there...only much sooner (at the finale of the first day). I'd rather spend the other day (Friday or Sunday) commuting to/from show/home, digging, seeing collections, or hanging out with friends in the hobby.
ReplyDeleteAnytime I go to a multiple day show now, I just attend the first day and go digging the second day. It's also a lot easier on the wallet. One 8 hour day show seems like a ridiculous amount of time as is to blow all my money.
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ReplyDeleteI'm usually burnt out after about an hour on the first day of a show and I never come back for the second day. I think we should do a test run on one of the upcoming shows.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed both the Southern Cal club's ( Los Angeles & San Diego ) both do (1) day shows. I'd like to get comments / feedback from those members and attendees of those shows. Also the Downieville show is also (1) day, but that's an exception, because dealers can place items under their tables (no selling) Friday afternoon. There's also dealer setup on Saturday morning. You'd be surprised that a lot of this is driven by the Dealers ( 2 Days Selling vs 1 Day Selling & Dealer's Travel Days ). I think IXL has it pretty right.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the Los Angeles Bottle Club, I believe I can speak for the club in saying that the main factor for our one day only show is rental costs of the building. Rental costs are getting outrageous in So Cal and sales of dealer tables barely cover our costs for one day. If we had a two day show we'd have to double the cost of the dealer tables. I don't think I would be stating anything far from the truth in saying this is likely also the case for the San Diego Bottle Club and their show.
ReplyDeleteTravel situations don't seem to be as big of a factor for attendees at our shows down here, as we get very little support from collectors outside Southern California. We seldom see any of the active collectors or dealers from Northern Cal attend...maybe because we hold one day shows? On the flip side, I can think of many So Cal collectors that regularly attend the larger Nor Cal 2-day shows. Maybe there's an answer to the 1-day verses 2-day shows hidden in there somewhere? -- Dwayne
Dwayne,
ReplyDeleteI am on board with the costs of doing a 2 day show. Our little show cost for building rental has doubled I the last few years and we use what is supposed to be a community facility - our school gym.
Travel is also an issue with the Downieville show - we are buried in the mountains and it takes a dedicated collector / dealer to make the long and winding trek to Downieville and we try to make the trip worthwhile for them by putting on the Friday night wine tasting BBQ event and having enough quality dealers and merchandise at the show. Downieville has always been about a small town friendly low key event for collectors and dealers to get together in a relaxed situation.
Personally I think the 49er clubs move from the old town Auburn venue with grass, trees and two buildings to wander through to a site in a big city with a big asphalt parking lot is not an upgrade for the better. But then I'm just an old collector that lives in the mountains. - rs -
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ReplyDeletePersonally I will attend as many shows as I can based on the overall experience and the strong chance to add a nice piece to the collection...the location is secondary but the charm of Downieville, and the comparative stark and paved over setting of Reno, Anderson, Canyonville,and now Roseville does create a "personality" for each show. This is secondary to getting a green IXL, or colored Renz. I will say that spouses and significant other's will attend if there is something attractive for them to do while the glass hounds do their thing. Having an historic setting does make the experience more memorable though. I still go for the glass, so wherever it is, I will go if at all possible. Since the show dates are typically publicized a year in advance, it should allow ample time for one to plan with their employer and take a day or two of vacation to attend.
ReplyDeleteSome of my best meals have been in the most modest "dumps" as far as restaurants go, and while the atmosphere might have a little to be desired, the meal was the prize. I feel the same way with shows. I know of one Northwest collector who uses a" Star trek" transporter, yet the rest of us make the oftentimes long drive...DM
Gentlemen, I really appreciate all this thought out discussion on this topic. As one who's tasked to oversee a western show the comments are well taken, I don't think any blog has had this much activity in a while, thanks...PR49r
ReplyDeleteI always wondered just how Dr. green was able to transport himself so far and fast.
ReplyDeleteThe San Diego & Los Angeles Shows are Good for us So-Cal Collectors, low travel fee's, 1 1/2 hour drive, lots to do besides the shows. I can't speak for the Los Angeles club, but, the San Diego Club is small and to tell you the truth there isn't a real huge public interest down here. Seems the further North you go the more interest in the old bottles, I can tell that by looking at what's in the antique shops. We do get a good crowd though in San Diego, I sell well at both locations. The only guy I can think of I have seen down here from up North is Tom Q. most of the others don't come down here, I was told it because there is no good glass down here, HaHa..OK. I do know that it cost a lot to travel up North to go to shows. As it has been said a guys see a lot of the same over priced stuff from the same dealers every show Whoopee. But, Up North is where the History, the Diggers, the Bottles are so what are ya going to do? Someday I hope to get back up that way and hit my favorite shows. I used to really enjoy coming up and hitting the show, buying and selling and going digging for a few days afterwards, much fun, haven't done that for awhile. I liked Auburn's Show, except the parking, but, it was a fun show, I hope somebody will write up a show report for Roseville. Good Hunting Everybody.
ReplyDeleteIf we want new blood in the hobby, then we must stop doing the shows on Fridays since the young guns all work on the weekdays. Further, the spouses would be more likely to attend the show if it was Saturday only since there is no way in hell THEY would take a day off for a show.
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ReplyDeleteBottle shows are never going to meet everyone's desires. Some of the old shows were Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Conflicting schedules will make it difficult to attend all show opportunities. Many people like the 2 day shows. Even when I was working I could arrange my schedule to make it on Fridays to the shows I considered important. If you're only reason to attend is to have the best opportunity to find an elusive bottle, remember many of these deals are done prior to the shows by networking with other collectors . Half the fun of attending shows is to get to know the people develop the relationships with them and enjoy seeing old friends. This is really evident in the way the Downieville crew hosts the Friday night event. While change is seldom welcome it is inevitable. You will have a much better chance of buying or trading by attending both days of a show as new things do appear on Saturdays. Remember the people and clubs that host these shows do it for the betterment of the hobby. Try not to prejudge the days they choose or the location of the event. It is an opportunity to gather diverse people together that have one common interest that binds them. Be careful not to ruffle to many feathers or those old birds might fly the coup. MAX BELL Cal 49er.
Hmmm..well as a bottle spouse, I have been to many many 2 day shows AND taken time off from my full-time job to do so.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you that very few Washigton dealers would set-up at a one day California show - we'd still have to take a day off to attend, due to the lonnnnng drive. That's true for places like Canyonville as well. Not worth it for that short a show period.
Plus, we always bring a "Saturday box" (or 2) of new material to replace what sells on Friday.
Also remember the Peruvian bitters you guys were all excited about? The one w/o a monogram? Bought at an Oregon show on Saturday, mid-morning - sat there all day Friday. So you can't make sweeping generalizations about "all the good stuff is gone by Saturday" because you just never know. But as someone said, you'll never make everybody happy.
Excellent post, Bottle Wife! I think that really sums it up!
DeleteAs a bottle wench wifey, I can say that it would be great to do Saturday only shows. That way I don't have to take a day off work, and we only get to waste one day of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteshoot, I'm just glad there is a show to go to
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