Reports From York

THE GOOD

Went to the TCA customer service desks to re-up for the October meet
and also to check on a possible glitch with my TCA Membership. The folks
at the desks were WONDERFUL! Nice, Knowledgeable, Efficient and Fast!
Was in and out in less than a couple of minutes and even had my October
badge printed out right there.

And while I was there, there were a couple of grumpy members, but they
were handled with finesse and efficiency! Again WONDERFUL! Not like years
past! The computers worked flawlessly and the people were proficient with
them! KUDOS! 

Parking was a breeze! Lots and grass areas are in much better shape these
days. And it looks like they moved the campers WAY back across the race track!
Seems that might be a bit far to walk back and forth from though.

Door guards and TCA pass checkers were polite and observant. But not 
intrusive or arrogant. Nice! Movement patterns in the halls and out on
the campus were very nice! Not crowded or having to dodge at all!

THE BAD

With the new table configuration, there are now aisles BEHIND the tables
for the vendors to sit and mind their stores. However, there were MANY
who chose to put their chairs and boxes out in the pedestrian aisles which
caused jams and sometimes even collisions. Maybe TCA Eastern needs to do a
little better in tutoring the vendors. This isn't brain science or rocket
surgery. But the pedestrian aisles are nicer and wider than they used to be
and that is great, especially with the "wheelies" that like to claim them
as their dominion. Also made carrying larger things out of the halls better!

Sad that there were a lot of empty tables/no-shows. Wonder why? Possible
logistical problems via Baltimore now that the bridge is gone? Maybe vendors
cancelled for fear of hideous travel conditions? Hmmm.

Ingress and egress to major halls like the Orange, etc. needs work! The closing
of doors during crowded conditions is not only inconvenient but is a Life Safety
and Fire Code violation. And it seemed to serve no real purpose! There were a
few problems with people with large items, scooters and wheel chairs getting in
and out. All doors are supposed to be UNLOCKED and major entrances are supposed
to be completely unimpeded.

THE UGLY

Ran across quite a few vendors who were absolutely NOT interested in interacting
with customers! I was with a couple of family members and we were looking for
items that only certain "big time" vendors could supply.  But when we came to their
booths and stood there (finally ASKING for assistance) all we got were icy stares,
no replies, backs turned and conversing with their fellow vendors and a couple of
snide remarks back. This happened to other customers near us as well. As a result,
we were not able to obtain the parts we needed for our projects. Oh well, there is
always the internet and "the bay". These same vendors will undoubtably be along
to whine about how "poor" business was at York. 

Also saw quite a few tables that were covered and unattended ALL DAY LONG. We
got there at the "opening bell" and left at the "closing bell" and these tables remained
unattended and covered. Hmmm! Guess they aren't interested in taking folk's money?

On Friday at about 1530 hrs there was a man down right at the front entrance to the
Orange/Toyota Hall. There were several people trying to render aid. The EMS building
was right next door and there were several York Fair Police/Door Guards inside the
hall. Yet NO ONE came out to render aid. I personally reported the man down to the
TCA door guard and got a terse "we know" and that was it. It appeared that the man
was on the ground for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES before any aid was forthcoming. Not good
at all! This is a BAD reflection on not only York Fair, but TCA Eastern as well. SAD!

THE STRANGE!

Prices! Weird!!! Junk was priced in the stratosphere and nice stuff was priced very good!
And most vendors would even lower their prices on the good stuff! (NICE!) I made some
really good impulse purchases while having to forego purchases of some "junker" cars
and parts due to high prices! (Higher than retail for the same NEW items!) Strange!

OVER ALL VIEW

Was not a bad York! Noticed the "big guys" (manufacturers) lack of presence, but it was
fun seeing people that I have known and dealt with over the years. Also miss the ones
who have aged out and/or passed on. (Hope there is a big train layout up there!) Lots of
changes, some good, some bad, some ugly. But such is Life. It does seem that the October
York is the better show. I guess this year was a lot to do with the calendar shifting, taxes
higher and due closer to the show and TCA enrollment dropping some. But it was still a
great York overall. Been doing this for 40 years now. And it is always something different.

PS ... Didn't hear or see any "fist fights". Actually, not even any loud bad words! (for a nice
change!) The announcements need to be more intelligable. Awfully loud to the point of
sounding like a rock concert. But that is minor. 

Will be coming back in October! YAY!

mrmeep, good to have a post from you. Thanks for the comprehensive report. Alfred

I’ll tell ya, the York Meet is really going downhill. The attendance on Sunday was horrible! The place was practically deserted! Nobody was coming out of the Orange Hall with any purchases! Even the concession stands were empty. I was looking forward to having one of those gourmet hot dogs. Even the security guards were gone. I could have walked right in without a badge. If this kind of apathy continues then the dealers, Lionel and all the importers will be out of business in no time!

I didn’t even bother to go back on Monday. I guess I’ll have to buy on the secondary market while there are still trains being sold!

I don't believe the fist fight story. Things can be blown out of proportion with word of mouth.

It's a fact of life change is inevitable. Lets not scream the sky is falling. We're getting older and a lot of people are too old to travel or are no longer with us.

Oh, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. You failed to read between the lines. 

And, as you mentioned to me at Round the Clock Diner on Thursday, your Yankees stink too! 

HEY, watch what you say about Eddie and my Yankees!