[Boatanchors] Is the Hamvention DEAD???

[Kim Herron]

>
>Hi Gang,
>
>       Just some observations from one whose been at Dayton for the last 
> 15 years, selling in the flea market.
>I believe that the DARA people have killed the goose that laid the golden egg.
>
>         First year I went there, it was possible to sell your stuff out 
> of the back of your vehicle, with a table behind it
>and sit in a chair.  Your stuff was a couple of feet out in a 35 foot 
>aisle, and nobody complained.  The place was full
>of people looking and buying stuff.  The cost of the space was $25.00 for 
>all three days and the ticket was
>$15.00.  6 years ago the Nazi and SS fleamarket committee showed up with 
>the space police, tent police, insurance
>police and aisle police and thoroughly pissed off the ENTIRE flea market 
>vendor population. Vendors have been
>leaving and not coming back since then, and it's gets worse every 
>year.  Flea market spaces have gone up 400
>percent.  You CANNOT sell out of one space at all.  I've been bitched at 
>every year for the last six about my 17' 9"
>truck sticking out in the aisle 9".  I have to buy three spaces to do what 
>I used to do in 2 and that third space
>cost me $150 this year.
>         Several years ago we had temporary passes for someone who bought 
> something heavy or large to carry to
>get close to the building with their vehicle so the trip was 
>minimal.  This year we had an inside vendor (who pays
>$800 for a 10 X10 space and had 3 of them and in the VIP parking lot in 
>front of the building) who was told that it
>was IMPOSSIBLE for him to put his truck in the other lot for a short time 
>so he could pick up a wood console radio
>that he'd paid big bucks for.  He had to carry it a 1/4 mile in the rain.
>         I could go one with LOTS of stories, but I believe that you get 
> the point.  I KNOW who is making these
>stupid rules and it AIN'T the city of Trotwood or the Fire Dep't.  It's 
>the Hamvention. Period.  They've lost sight
>of one very important thing and that is that everyone of us that show up 
>at that show are CUSTOMERS!!!!!
>Whether you come to look and buy or sell inside or outside, you're still a 
>customer.  Marshall Field put a quote
>on the inside of his store in Chicago: "The customer is always 
>RIGHT."  Right now, the DARA's customer base is talking
>REAL LOUD to them and they aren't paying any attention. People are fed up 
>with the insolent treatment and uncaring attitude
>of the Dara Club and the Hamvention committee.  If they are going to turn 
>this trend around they are going to have to make some
>major changes in their administration of this show.  If they don't, I 
>believe that in less than 5 years it will disappear because it
>won't be able to pay it's expenses.  An example of that is that one whole 
>wing of the arena was empty inside.  8 years ago, it was not possible
>to get ANY space inside. They had a long waiting list of people that 
>wanted in.  8 years ago you couldn't count on getting
>space in the fleamarket and they were sold out.  Not anymore, but if you 
>call about a space or want one at the show, they will
>lie to you and tell you that it's sold out and there aren't any available. 
>Real smart.  I will have to look at whether it's worth it for me to
>go back next year, but I'm leaning heavily in the direction of not 
>going.  We'll see what the Hamvention package looks like for next year,
>but my guess is that it will be more of the same and if that's the case, 
>my spaces will be empty next year too.
>
>
>
>Thanks!!
>
>Kim Herron  W8ZV
>1-616-677-3706

Thanks!!

Kim Herron  W8ZV
1-616-677-3706