So of all those who attended the Swap Meet, what was your opinion? Keep in mind this was the first one held at this location.
Was timing an issue?...... GoodGuy's show at De Mar same time.
Location?........ Can't be seen from freeway.
Advertisement..... Was it advertised right?

My opinion is: First one to early to tell. However as mentioned above. Better advertisement needed. If a major event is happening elsewhere, think of attendance. Other events, GoodGuy's show at De Mar is an established event and a lot of people planned to attend this show for months in advance.

What can be done to improve this event? Should the Swapmeet be held at the same time as the F100 Western Nationals?
I know Classic Pickups Garage as well as Pickupslimited would want to know this information. Tips on future Swapmeets should be listened to. I would like to see this SwapMeet continue but based on yesterdays attendance it may not.
Opinions Please:

 

The first of any business endeavor is going to have it's rough spots. I think getting the news out to the Right people is key.... A lot of people go to SoCalCarCulture.com for news of upcoming events, and I didn't see anything about it there. It may be that I missed the posting.

Many of the popular events as far as swaps, are held in places that are not easily visible, or readily well known, but the people will find them. Spreading the news at the local cruise nights in and around So Cal with a little footwork is a big help. Dropping flyers in hot rods at shows, has always gotten my notice.

Another things was how many sellers gave up by noon and were folding up shop as people were still coming in. Not everyone will be the earlybird... I can understand the little guy who has sold out pretty much everything he has, but it would be a good idea to get sellers to commit to a certain time frame. That could be tough though!

It seems if there were a few more supply houses, and repair shops brought in to display their wares, they would help advertise to promote their own interests, especially in these tough times, and therefore they would help promote the event.

The location was in all honesty a drawing card, it is a very pleasant location, and being Freeway close was a real plus. It was just a nice pleasant walk in the park, with a lot of really nice people. My only fear is that in July, it could be very hot there... Thank God for the trees though, they will help keep it bareable in the mid summer heat.

I extend my Kudos to those who put it on the event, it is just a matter of smoothing out a few rough edges.

As for having the event concurrent with the western nationals, well it would help to get it on the map!

Of course this is all my opinion, I am sure there will be a lot of varying opinions, but there has to be a start to any great endeavor, and this was a pretty good start.

 

Honestly, I would hate to see a swap meet at the WestNats. That show is all about the trucks, and IMO a swap meet would cheapen it.

I think the guys are were on the right track with this event. I'm sure they learned a lot from this one and will work hard to make the next one even better.

 

[quote=SteveBricks;10176213]Honestly, I would hate to see a swap meet at the WestNats. That show is all about the trucks, and IMO a swap meet would cheapen it.

I have to agree Steve it is about the beauty of the truck, and the artistry of the builders. But so many shows eventually evolve into so much more! I would rather that it is not a concurrent event. Let the show be the jewel!
K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid! It would however get the swap on the map!

 

Definately correct Steve. About swapmeet sameday as Nat's.
I'm sure a lot was learned from this first swapmeet. I wanted to post this, trying to gather more information. Possibly information that might have been overlooked.
Problem: Why did vendors leave early? Solution: ?
Problem: Lack of public turnout. Solution: ?
Problem: P.A. System, could not here it. Solution: ?
Problem: Sponsors, should more be involved? Solution: ?

I would definately like to see this event work out.
I thought it was organized very well. Pickupslimited personell always do a good job of getting people to designated area's. Their also friendly and witty not to mention funny as hell. They make any event a pleasure.
I'm sure there's more wrinkles to iron out, just trying to help. I enjoyed myself. Made a few bucks, met some nice people and hopefully made a few contacts for parts and or buyers for parts.

 

Robert thanks for starting this post. The swap meet idea came about a comment from the western nationals. We were asked why not have a swap meet at the show. It was talked about at a meeting and we came up with the same option. The F100 Western Nationals is about a truck show and the swap would not fit well with it. But a few of us felt a swap meet would be a nice add to the location and could take off. So we started the process. We checked the dates not to hold the swap on the sames dates as pomona, long beach, or irwindale and things started to roll.

We had a nice turn out of sellers and the buyers are the key. Promotion is the key to this kind of event and the most hits came from SoCalCarCulture - Car Show and Events Calendar. Dave posted our event and things took off. We hit the hot rods shops and shows with flyers. We got corp sponsors and they helped to market the event.

Things we are going to do. Add a car show for $20 bucks to help get people in. 3 or more in a car is $20 bucks that includes the parking. Market in the local papers and hopefully some good word of mouth will get out. There are a few other things but these ar the main points that should bring in more people.

Please continue to post your ideas. Y ou can send me a email or call me 714 552 1919.Thank you Ed.

 

Hey Ed, Thinking outside the box is best. outside opinions and comments get results. especially when no one in the brainstorming room comes up with an idea.
Kinda like when the big rig got stuck under the bridge. All the top engineers and road safety experts were brainstorming on how to get the rig out without destroying the structure. Several hours go by, when a little girl said "Why don't you let the air out of the tires"
Many people here have great ideas, now is a good time to share.

 

Your right on target Robert. Since yesterday that's all we been doing. We owe it to the sellers to get the buyers in there and keep them in for awhile. Hence car show. goal with that is to make it affordable as possible. now a days a car show cost as much as dinner for two. A $20 car show for American Classic's with awards and 50/25-25 just might help the cause. Best of show and top 10 people choice awards. You know the swap meet buyers start to leave from any meet about 12 so the car show activities will kick in for a couple of hours to end the day.

 

How many swap meets have you attended? The real buyers, "the people in the know" are there at first light, some come before first light armed with flashlights.

By 9:00 AM the goodies will be gone, and then, the only people left walkin' around are the cheapskates, the baby stroller set and the clueless!

People who sell as swap meets usually begin packing up around eleven, because they are well aware that all the real buyers have left.

This has been SOP since the first swap meet was held.

Ed: Have you ever attended the F100 Super National's three day show and swap meet held in TN?

A huge success every year, and IMO having a show without a swap meet is ridiculous. You will attract far more people when you stage these events together.

btw: Robert also typed this same jazz into an ongoing thread in the 1961/66 forum. You may not like what my opinion is, but as they say, opinions are like ******** everyone has one.

I have a bit of experience with all a this, cuz I've been buying and selling at local swap meets since 1965.

 

Geez Bill are you always so positive? Too answer your question, I have been going to swap meets and garage sales for over 30 years, I can't attest to many more years then that, becase I am not some crotchety old man who rarely has any positive input. I have gone to a great many swaps that have lasted well beyond the late hour of NOON!

Costa Mesa Fair grounds, has a few every year for the car and truck enthusiast's as does Pomona AKA La Fair grounds (the Good Guys events). Long Beach Vet's stadium has a monthly swap which runs from 6am til about 3pm or 3:30. Actually Costa Mesa has weekly swap meets ( SAT & SUN) for pretty much anything you can imagine buying, that run from 7am til 4pm. I did not just fall off the turnip truck nor am I mister number Know-it -all.... My point was that you have to entice sellers and buyers into staying longer to promote sales... It is a point of retail sales, which you missed completely it is refered to as promotional sales.

As for Featherly park being tough to navigate, Maybe it is time for a newer walker, or a hover round I found it to be quite a pleasant location, the shade of all of the trees made it a very nice Cool location.

Yes Mr. Bill You are correct about opinions but, keep in mind most people don't give a damn about negative opinions nor do they listen to them. People are however accepting of positive opinions and constructive criticisms and appreciative of them too. As the old saying goes if you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all....

 

You think you can negotiate that gopher laden field w/a Hover-round? You'd need one w/4WD.

It's a disaster, you have to watch where you step, because of the gazillion gopher holes and the horrid uneven ground.

If you rolled into a swap meet at noon, you didn't need anything very badly.

The facts are, the early birds that show up have the money, are ready to buy, The people that show up in the middle of the day are lookie-loos, won't find any goodies, because all will be gone.

You complained that people were packing up at noon. Well...these are experienced swap meeters, know that the serious buyers have all gone home.

I admit I'm a crotchety ol' grouch. I've earned that right after spending 35 years waiting on idiots at Ford parts counters, losing my tolerence in the process.

 

Hadn't noticed.

 

he he he bpounds you are killin' me!

ND So you've earned the right to be a grouch? LOL that is too funny!
So in other words you have a right to disregard manners and be impolite? You must be a joy to live with! But hey that is fine with me, it is not my problem! I choose not to be that way, as it sets a bad example for my kids, even though they are in their 20's I still like to lead by example.

Funny thing My Father died last year at age 87, he had spent most of his life fighting pain from his years in the military, and from the stress of running an Oil Company, but he never felt it was his place to ever complain. As he always said " Son take it like a man, and act like a gentleman"! I guess we have different attitudes on what is acceptable behavior in Humanity!

 

Please, guys...if you feel the need to go back and forth on this take it to PM's. That's not the purpose of this thread.

 

No problemo Steve.. My apologies to those that had to read the dirty laundry section of this post! Sorry for the High Jacking , now back to your regularly scheduled programing!


Cheers and beers!