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Post by dennym57 on Jul 5, 2024 21:46:44 GMT
It official Bob and I won't be at York in October and April is not looking good either. We're just don't make enough sales to make it worth the trip from Michigan. It was nice while it lasted.
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York
Jul 5, 2024 21:58:00 GMT
Post by healey36 on Jul 5, 2024 21:58:00 GMT
Are we talking about the TM booth?
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York
Jul 5, 2024 23:19:15 GMT
Post by Traindiesel! on Jul 5, 2024 23:19:15 GMT
Sorry to hear that, Denny. I'll miss seeing you there! You should go to the Meet anyway, you need more trains!
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York
Jul 6, 2024 0:02:31 GMT
Post by dennym57 on Jul 6, 2024 0:02:31 GMT
Are we talking about the TM booth? Yes.
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York
Jul 6, 2024 3:41:19 GMT
Post by dennym57 on Jul 6, 2024 3:41:19 GMT
Sorry to hear that, Denny. I'll miss seeing you there! You should go to the Meet anyway, you need more trains! I can't afford to go on my own.
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York
Jul 6, 2024 10:29:16 GMT
Post by seayakbill on Jul 6, 2024 10:29:16 GMT
Bummer, its been a few years since my last York, maybe the next one, which could be my last. Question for ya all, If you stop going to York do you drop out of the TCA  ? I belong to the TCA, LOTS, and LCCA, maybe its time to cut back. Bill |
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Post by healey36 on Jul 6, 2024 10:51:16 GMT
Hopefully I still have a few York's left, but I doubt I'd drop out of TCA just because I no longer could go to York. I still find the mission compelling and have made frequent use of other TCA resources, both online and research requests of the library staff, not to mention numerous TCA friends locally. I have not been to the museum since its refurbishment a number of years ago. I did drop my TTOS and LCCA memberships a couple decades back.
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Post by ron045 on Jul 6, 2024 12:21:05 GMT
It official Bob and I won't be at York in October and April is not looking good either. We're just don't make enough sales to make it worth the trip from Michigan. It was nice while it lasted. Sorry to hear this, but completely understand. Based on the lack of foot traffic I witnessed and in talking with other vendors (even local, PA, MD, NJ, NY) there is a large expense in packing up half your store in a truck, driving to the event, hotel, food, staff salary, etc. How many trains must be sold just to make your money back? Folks around long enough remember the days when the Orange hall was just jam packed with manufactures, venders and people. All of the aisles were crowded, and you just prayed someone in front of you didn't start crop dusting. The Orange Hall was like "the show" and there were quite a few well known vendors who could not secure booths and were offered the Purple and Brown (remembers brown?) halls. Purple and Brown used to be high quality halls. Brown no longer exists, and Purple this Spring was a huge disappointment. York is the only reason I join TCA. And since the COVID years, I do not renew until I'm sure I even want to go to York.
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York
Jul 6, 2024 13:36:52 GMT
Post by trainman9 on Jul 6, 2024 13:36:52 GMT
I think that as many here have pointed out going to York is expensive. The average cost of a hotel close to the fairgrounds is approaching $200 or more per night if you include all the taxes. What surprises me is there have been so many new hotels built in and around York over the past five years you would expect there to be more competition.
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Post by dennym57 on Jul 6, 2024 14:35:19 GMT
The cost of hotels is one issue and no new DVDs is another. Tom McComas (TM) is old and has stopped making videos. His son has made some, but are mostly for kids.
The way I see it, all good things eventually come to an end. Age is a factor too. Bob is 70 and I'm not far behind him. There is a lot to do to set up the booth.
As much as I like going there (and Gettysburg) I've excepted the fact that I may never go again.
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Post by david1 on Jul 6, 2024 15:18:03 GMT
I have gone to every show since 1984 and now that I'm older I'm thinking if I should continue. I do enjoy going and meeting friends I only see at York. I know the end of me going to York is coming but I still think I have a few more in me. Besides where can you see so many trains in one place.
Besides Traindiesel still owes me lunch and he gets away not buying me lunch every time. But I got a plan this time!!
Dave
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Post by ron045 on Jul 6, 2024 15:39:19 GMT
I think if you are going for the social aspect, then certainly continue.
I have had my share of good hauls in the past. But now that I have been at this for a while, I either have what I need or I just want something very specific I'm looking for.
The days of buying something because it is shinny or colorful are over for me. Last show I walked away with one freight car. When you considered the TCA membership, the local admission and the cost to get there, that ended up being one expensive freight car.
On the flip side, my son and I spent the entire day together, talking, looking at all the trains and laughing at the prices of some things that the table owner thought was a bar of gold. So in that respect, the cost of the day was priceless.
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Post by dennym57 on Jul 6, 2024 15:45:45 GMT
Spending time with your son is a big plus.
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Post by rtraincollector on Jul 6, 2024 16:43:47 GMT
I got to go once, then I had open heart surgery, and wife had a stroke about 6 months later, she's doing good but long trips wear her out. And York is about 560 miles from us. Just me 1 day trip, but with her at least two days each way so there's 2 more motel stays.
I do not belong to the TCA as York was the main reason.
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York
Jul 6, 2024 20:15:24 GMT
Post by harborbelt70 on Jul 6, 2024 20:15:24 GMT
The cost of hotels is one issue and no new DVDs is another. Tom McComas (TM) is old and has stopped making videos. His son has made some, but are mostly for kids. The way I see it, all good things eventually come to an end. Age is a factor too. Bob is 70 and I'm not far behind him. There is a lot to do to set up the booth. As much as I like going there (and Gettysburg) I've excepted the fact that I may never go again.
But the other big factor is what you can actually get in the way of train items by going to the event. I am not big on sourcing second-hand things and in the past I have mainly gone for the parts and tools that are available. I probably have as many of those as I realistically need to see me out and the rest I can source using the internet, which gives you access to a global marketplace. I still try to visit bricks and mortar hobby shops for the pleasure of it and the same could be said of York. I'll aim to go once more but after that it's probably off the agenda.
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