Shopsmith Forums

I haven't been to one here very recently. There is a show in Indy this month but even though it is close I won't go. I have a hard time paying out $16 a person to go be sold something...
I used to drive to L'ville KY to the big farm show (one of the largest) and walk in for free.
I don't mind going to a vendor show where they charge a couple of bucks for parking or even $2 or $3 to get in just to keep all of the kids in the neighborhood from using the place like a playground but paying a high admission just to be exposed to a bunch of vendors is like going downtown and paying to get into a store...
The last show I went to had an additional charge for the seminars. That is OK but that meant that I was paying all of that admission for the vendor section...
I'll pass.

robinson46176 wrote:I haven't been to one here very recently. There is a show in Indy this month but even though it is close I won't go. I have a hard time paying out $16 a person to go be sold something...
I used to drive to L'ville KY to the big farm show (one of the largest) and walk in for free.
I don't mind going to a vendor show where they charge a couple of bucks for parking or even $2 or $3 to get in just to keep all of the kids in the neighborhood from using the place like a playground but paying a high admission just to be exposed to a bunch of vendors is like going downtown and paying to get into a store...
The last show I went to had an additional charge for the seminars. That is OK but that meant that I was paying all of that admission for the vendor section...
I'll pass.

I agree that paying to become a potential customer is distasteful. But let's be fair about this. Admission to these shows is only $10.00 (plus parking maybe). But the one I go to does not even offer food booths.

They offer free tickets to military members including retired military (myself included). They let my wife in free, too. (They know who the boss is!)

dusty wrote:I agree that paying to become a potential customer is distasteful. But let's be fair about this. Admission to these shows is only $10.00 (plus parking maybe). But the one I go to does not even offer food booths.

Actually this show is $16 plus parking and the last one wasn't much of a show. Nothing like they used to be. That is at least $35 for two of us not counting any seminar charges to attend a fairly crappy show.
The problem of course is not the vendors that have to pay too much themselves to present their wares but the money grubbing organizers that often don't really do all that well at putting on a good show. They are better at showing a company profit.
I'll still pass.
I also "ALWAYS" pass on an auction sale (I go to a number of auctions) that charges a commission from both the buyer and seller... Such things that are "distasteful" will only get worse if no one stands up and says "enough!"
As a card carrying maverick I have no qualms about voicing my opinions of things I don't like, not only places like here but in letters and emails to those that set policies.
When Home Depot, Mennards or Lowes put an admission booth in their stores I will quit going there too...

I may try and go to the one in Atlanta. I did not get into wood working and carving until about 25 years ago. I have never lived any where in that time that was near one of the big tool shows. I wood like to see one before I am buried with my Shopsmith.

jayhawk wrote:They offer free tickets to military members including retired military (myself included). They let my wife in free, too. (They know who the boss is!)

I sent them an email asking if there was a retired militray discount. Their response was that active duty gets in free, nothing about retired militray. Maybe they don't know the difference, or maybe the ticket booth didn't know the difference between an active duty ID card and a retired ID card. I'll probably go to the Columbus show regardless. If you click on the coupons tab on their website you can print a $2 off coupon. It's better than nothing.

Sincerely,

Ron309753

FYI FYI FYI

http://blogs.popularwoodworking.com/editorsblog/Woodworking+In+America+2011+Sept+30Oct+2.aspx

Ron309753,

I've shown my retired military ID for the last two years at the customer service desk and they thank me for my service and give me a free ticket. I'm sporting a goatee so they shouldn't think I'm still active duty. LOL Have fun.

CV:

While in Atlanta you will also want to take in Highland Woodworking. They might even have an evening class that would interest you. They are in a neighborhood with a lot of boutiques and small restaurants, so your wife will enjoy the stop also.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com

The first show I attended was 1999 in Sacramento Calif. It was a really large show with seminars all day long for free. Didn't attend any for a few years, but has been the last three years, also in Sacramento. Admit the show is not as large as before, but seminars are still free. I get a $2.00 off coupon from the internet so the price is $8.00 for entry. If I get there about an hour before show starts parking is free. If not parking is $5.00.
So all in all the show is not as good as it use to be but it still has a lot of free information and venders give a lot of small but free merchandise away. I look at it as a way of getting out of town for a few days and still learning a bit about woodworking. I think it is a good value for the money and pretty sure I will attend again this year.
They do have a food vendor, but there the food was not good and the prices were terrible, so I avoided that spot and always had a couple apples with me to get me through the day. And yes it is a 300 mile drive one way for me to attend. Some willl call me crazy , but I still find ways there to enjoy myself.