48woodie
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Posts posted by 48woodie
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You asked "Why Bump and old topic?".
Because no one from the AACA or the Hershey Region Chapter responded to this thread and it will be a new topic come Oct 14th, 2018.
I have tried to contact The Hershey Region Chapter but no one returns my call.
Mike
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I bumped this topic because it still needs to be addressed by the Hershey Region Chapter.
Mike
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5 hours ago, John348 said:
Mike,
it appears that you are a guy looking to argue you only addressed the points that you could use to turn things around. Like I pointed out and you failed to address that you pay no admission as a spectator to get in.
You have no idea what I bring to sell and the value of it so you have no right to tell me what I should or should not do with what I bring down to sell when I close for the night.
I am about $2000 in the red before I even leave my house on Monday Morning, spaces, port-a-san rental, food, supplies, beverages ice and there are a few other items I am sure I left out. I also did not factor in the weeks pay I give up to be there. I also did not factor in the items that get broken, ruined (by spectators and weather), and lost (because nobody would steal anything would they?). This all done before I look at the extended weather forecast, so like most of the other vendors we are there rain or shine. If I break even that is great, and if I don't that is fine also because I HAVE FUN WITH MY FRIENDS! After all it is a hobby and I do it to relax, and I suggest you should take step back and do the same.
With all of the rules and violations you see vendors breaking, you not even once mentioned the golf carts speeding around risking injury to everybody, could you be one of those guys?
Saturday, ...... We are done on Friday I had enough. besides on Saturday nobody comes to the Red Field except for guys looking for scrap metal. I being a hobbyist like you, I like to go to the show on Saturday and as I did this year even show a car. I am sure other vendors do the same or even like to judge
My Father told me never argue with a guy who is looking for an argument so....
As far as the $8.00 shakes, they are floats and were worth every penny they were good I had four of them and look forward to having one every year. I smoke $12 cigars so $8 for a float is nothing.
If you are so miserable and all of these small things bother you at hershey then maybe you should not go
John,
I am sorry that I am having to post again but ...
Yes, I was a HANDICAPPED visitor to the Hershey Fall Meet in the 2014 and 2015. If you would have read my last posting you would have read that even though I should have used a golf cart, I choose not to. I also choose not to park in the Handicapped Parking.
Again, walk in the shoes of a Handicapped person, a Disabled Person, A person in a Wheelchair.........
As for smoking a $ 12.00 cigar...I had Throat Cancer...I never smoked. You should quit the cigars for your health and Family.
Please don't be rude,
Mike
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This is my last post. Maybe.
I feel that I have accomplished what I set out to do. Make people aware that there is a problem with the Show.
Four years ago in September I was diagnosed with cancer and started Chemo and Radiation therapy. That fall I missed my first Fall Meet in 20 years. My treatments lasted until March the following year. I was down from 190 lbs to 128 lbs and barley able to walk 20 feet.
One of my goals was to make it to the Hershey Fall Meet.
I made it at 140 lbs and able to walk 50 yards before I needed a brake. I didn't park in the Handicap lot and I didn't use a Golf Cart. But as always it was worth it to be at the Hershey Fall Meet.
This is when I started to notice that so many of the Vendor Spaces were being used for Parking and Camping. Maybe it was because I was walking so slow.
The next year I was better but still recovering and able to walk a few hundred yards before taking a brake. Still walking slow, I noticed that the parking/camping spaces seemed to have grown.
Last year I was much better but still a little winded after awhile. Noticing that the parking/spaces had grown even larger, I took a bunch of photos. But I didn't do anything with them.
This year I'm three years cancer free. I'm at 185 lbs and able to walk most of a field without taking a rest. But I noticed the Parking/Camping had grown even larger. Worried that it would get worst next year, I decided I would document this growing problem with photographs and start this tread.
Put yourself in the shoes of a Handicapped Person, a disabled person, a person in a wheelchair, most anybody over 65. It is selfish and inconsiderate to think that it is right to take up swap spaces for convenience parking and camping when there are parking lots, camp grounds and trailer parking right across the street. Put yourself in the shoes of the person who can't take vacation days and shows up on Saturday expecting 9,000 vendors and theres only 2,000 actual selling spaces. Or the young enthusiast who couldn't miss school and showed up on Saturday to only 2,000 actual selling spaces.
9,000 Flea Market Spaces should mean 9,000 Flea Market Spaces.
Wednesday through Saturday should be Wednesday through Saturday.
7am to 5pm should be 7am to 5pm.
Regulations are written to be followed and should be strictly followed or they are useless.
I am going to join the Hershey Region Chapter and see if I can get on the show committee.
Thanks for listening,
Mike
I will be at the $3.00 Milk Shake Space at 1pm on Thursday 2018 to buy you a reasonably priced Milk Shake. This might be a mistake.
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Does anyone have any ariel photos of the Hershey Fall Meets from 2015 2016 2017.
Thanks,
Mike
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1 hour ago, Steve Moskowitz said:
Just a quick hit here. Everyone should know that the choice of food vendors and their prices are nothing that the Hershey Region or AACA control. That is the sole purview of HE & R. Nor does the region or AACA get a percentage. Just to make this subject clear.
As to the now famous or infamous milk shakes. If they were the ones on the Chocolate Field I had two!!! I have no idea what they cost but they were delicious and calmed my upset stomach down. Well worth the price.
Got to a race at Charlotte or Daytona, go to a baseball game or football game and look at the prices! It is the nature of the beast, fair or not. I am sure expenses are up to do these events for the concessionaires with weekends and the like but I agree prices are not inexpensive. I also wish there were more vendors with a few more healthier fares
The "Milk Shake" Vendor in question is in the South Red Field.
I also enjoyed the Milk Shakes in the Chocolate Field and in the Hershey Store at 1/2 the price.
Mike
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3 hours ago, Restorer32 said:
Amen. We introduced 3 new members, young by the way, to the Hershey experience this year. They had a great time and never complained about the vendors, the parkers, or yes even the $8 milkshakes
They don't have anything to compare it to.
Maybe next year they will notice.
Or when they turn 45 and there's one vendor per isle ? (sarcasm).
Mike
It's great that we have new/young members.
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16 hours ago, MCHinson said:
You can't control when a vendor might close his or her space for a short time. You insisted that all vendors have to be open from start to close each day. Some vendors share a space so someone will be available most of the time. Some are run by individuals. A vendor might not know when someone in his or her group will be available to staff their space. When an individual vendor needs to go get something to eat or has to go to the porta potty, they can't plan when that will be with much certainty.
You also suggested segregating vendors by hours of operation. Totally impossible.
Maybe you would be happy if they just closed the Red Field. It appears that all of your photos were taken in the Red Field. Did you go to any of the other Fields? Wednesday-Friday, I covered most of the swap meet. I was tired on Friday afternoon and skipped most of the Red Field. I usually start in the Chocolate Field and Red Fields early in the week and work my way towards the Orange Field by Friday. I am usually so tired by the time I make it to the Orange Field on Friday that I don't think I am as good at spotting stuff in the Orange Field as I was earlier in the week. This year, I decided to do something different and started in the Orange Field and worked my way back towards the Red Field by Friday.
It may have worked for me because I spotted something that a friend wanted in the Orange Field on Wednesday afternoon. He was able to get over there Thursday morning and was waiting when that vendor opened and bought what I had spotted for him.
Now, I remember why I hesitated to wade into this discussion. I hate to try to help someone and then feeling like I am being personally attacked for having responded.
I have made some suggestions for improvement of the swap meet here on the forum in the past. Suggestions for changethe to Hershey Fall Meet will always receive a lot of scrutiny. Minor changes might be possible but you can't make significant changes without a lot of thought to the potential unintended effects. Something that has been running for 50 plus years has reached a point that many things have been tried and discarded because they did not work as well as hoped.
It works. It may not be perfect, but it works. If it did not work, people would not attend. There were lots of people in the swap meet fields that I was in.
I found great deals on several items that I needed this year. I got some even better deals on some things that some of my friends needed. For both of the past two years, I have found multiple items at Hershey for local friends who could not attend. Each year, my friends were happy with what I found them and the good prices on those items. I had fun. I was tired when I left for home. It still beats buying stuff online. I look forward to next October.
MCHinson,
I stated earlier that I understand that Vendors need to leave their spaces to use use the washroom, to eat, etc..
I did mention separating Vendors by hours open but I was being sarcastic. Someone else did mention segregating vendors by type of items sold. This would be a good idea.
Yes, maybe closing the North Red Field and the South Orange Field is a good idea. There was no where close to 9,000 vending spaces being used for vending. These areas could be used for volunteer parking, possibly free vendor parking or Handicapped Parking. Have you noticed how far away from the show the North Handicapped Parking is ?
I was able to cover the entire show Tuesday -Friday. The photos that I posted were taken on Thursday. This grouping of photos I posted are mostly from the Red Fields. I can post the rest of the 50 photos I have of the other swap areas that were being used as parking and camping if you want. It would be interesting to see an ariel view of this years show.
You are wrong about the attendance. It is way down. In the past there would be three large parking lots. Do you remember when they closed the White Field to make it into parking. Now it's mostly used for campers. There is a parking area NW on RT 39 which is for overflow. It use to be filled. They would also park cars up by the High School, not anymore. Most of the vendors I spoke to said that the attendance is down. This is partly due to the internet but not solely.
Mike
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19 hours ago, charlier said:
Since we are talking about the swap meet layout maybe the following suggestions should be considered as well.
Car Club Tents on Vendor Spaces.
How about gathering all the Car Club Tents in the Swap Meet TOGETHER in the same row(s) instead of spreading them out amongst vendors trying to sell parts??? If these tents are in a few rows, signs could be placed at the end of the rows. These signs could be nothing more than two big pieces of wood hinged at the top so they are free standing. Clubs could then thumbtack 8.5"x11" signs on this wood to advertise they have a space in the row and when their club activates are taking place. This wood sign could also note that there are No Swap Meet Vendors in this row so swap meet buyers/customers could skip the row(s).
Maybe clubs could reconsider when they hold their meetings/gatherings and have them late in the day if they are not already doing so. That way vendors who want to attend the meetings would not be closing up shop during prime selling times.Commercial Vendors (ie Coker Tire, Universal Vintage Tire, Snappin Turtle Tie Downs, Meguiars, etc).- How about grouping them all in rows on the same field? To some extent this is done already with Coker Tire, Universal Vintage Tire on the same field.- How about grouping the vendors that sell trailers, trailer accessories (ie tiedowns including Snappin Turtle Tie Downs, etc) and the vendor that always has a big display of trailer tires and accessories?- How about grouping the vendors that sell tools, sandblasting cabinets, paint equipment together?- What about grouping all the companies that offer services together? (ie chroming businesses, restoration companies, car radio repair companies,upholstery companies, etc). Many of these companies/vendors come to Hershey every year so organizing them should be more predictable and thus easier.Antique Insurance Companies.How about grouping these companies together (Hagerty, JC Taylor, etc). This would make it easier for their current customers to find them to conduct business. It would also make it easier for potential new customers to shop for insurance instead of walking MILES to visit these companies currently scattered ALL OVER the fields. Doing this might increase exposure for these companies and increase sales due to customers being able to find them in a much more timely manner than they can now.Increasing Vendor Sales
I have seen a number of posts by vendors about decreasing and/or lackluster sales. If one reads posts in this forum from prior years this trend appears
to be happening for the last 5 or 6 years now.A couple of weekends ago my next door neighbor had a yard sale on a Sunday. Another neighbor had one as well. My next door neighbor used technology for her sale by using the Facebook Marketplace to list information about her sale and to post photos of items she was selling. Her sale was an BIG SUCCESS with 98% of her sales the DIRECT RESULT of Facebook Marketplace. The other neighbor that did not use technology had literally no sales to speak of. This example got me to thinking that Swap Meet Vendors at Fall Hershey could use Facebook Marketplace to boost their sales.
While it is true some vendors and AACA members do not have smartphones I saw PLENTY of vendors and buyers using smart phones this year.
Do vendors even know about Facebook Marketplace? Do they have any clue as to how posting some of their items on the Marketplace would open them up
to a MUCH BIGGER potential customer base and attract YOUNGER Customers whose money is just as Green as us older folks? What about using Craigslist to advertise your vendor space at Hershey? There is a Swap Meet section on Craigslist that I see some people use for Fall Hershey and Carlisle. One again ,use Technology to Work Smarter Not Harder to make it easier for customers to find the products you are selling WITHOUT spends 2-3 days walking 15-20 miles.Those vendors that are not familiar with Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist could seek out younger family members or friends that could help them post information about their Swap Meet space goodies that are For Sale.
Better Information for all Fall Hershey Attendees - Information Signs.
How about posting signs at each of the Main Spectator entrances to the swap meet? One sign should include the RULES OF THE SWAP MEET. IE no riding of bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, etc. Making an announcement over the PA systems every few hours is Okay but that is SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH.Another sign might simply post the question... Looking for parts, accessories, etc???? The Fall Hershey Program available for purchasehas a comprehensive list of vendors and is available for purchase. This sign could also tell people to check out Facebook Marketplace and/or the Harrisburg Craigslist site to see Fall Hershey Vendor information.If posting these signs at all the spectator entrances is too much them post them in High traffic areas (ie where the main groups of Food Vendors are located and/or at both ends of the footbridge).People who have NOT been to Fall Hershey much before have No CLUE AT ALL about the rules and could really use some help finding parts which would also boost sales of the Fall Hershey Program book and usage of Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist.=============================BTW, I had a good laugh when I read about the vendor(s) who got upset about people taking photos of their stuff.
I took a LOT of photos of some items along with the vendor space location tag and texted that information to other car enthusiasts I know. Some were at Hershey and went to look at and/or BUY the items. Other friends could not be at Hershey so I offered to buy the items for them. In some cases these photos/texts resulted in SALES. So next time maybe these vendors need to think before they bite the hand that is feeding them SALES.
Thank you Charlie,
These are great ideas.
I hope someone from the Hershey Region Fall Meet planning committee is reading this thread.
Mike
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21 hours ago, tomcarnut said:
I have two spaces and friend has two space that are in a parallel row. Both my friend and I along with another AACA Ohio Region friend have motorhomes so we can stay on the field. We park the three Motorhomes on three spaces and use the fourth for most of vending but use space along the sides of the motorhomes for some stuff. We also take turns "watching the store" making sure everything is priced. We set up Tuesday afternoon and pack up Friday. Our location in the Red Field by the stadium is not too good for sales and I rarely sell enough to pay for the spots despite bringing a lot of parts. We stay open from 8am till 6 or 7 PM sometimes. I have been coming to Hershey since 1970 at age 12 and vending for 20 years or so. I always make sure anyone who is in our spaces bring stuff to sell. We also let other club members and friends put out parts to sell at our tables. My only thought is to shorten the meet by a day starting set up on Wednesday so more might stay and vend on Saturday making it better for folks with limited vacation. I believe that was the case years ago. I remember at lot more going on Saturday in swap meet areas with most people leaving Saturday night instead of Friday. Generally the vendors are tired after four days and leave Friday. If we set up on Wednesday, more vendors might stay till Saturday.
Tom in Cincinnati
Tom,
So you use 3 of your 4 spaces for camping and 1 for swapping ???
This is exactly what I'm talking about.
Thank you for being open from 8 am to 6pm.
And I agree with you about changing the days from Wednesday to Saturday.
Mike
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17 hours ago, John348 said:
I was hesitant to get involved in this thread because it really is not going anywhere.
Yes there would be more spaces............... empty ones and a lot less vendors! I for one would be one less vendor who buys 5 spaces and share 4 other. if that were the case so you think we should hump ours tuff back and forth across the street everyday, and pay to park after we already paid for a vendor space..... I have an idea maybe we can carry everything you purchase back to your car this way it would be even easier for you. It is a hobby and even us vendors are hobbiest also. I don't mind my neighbors at Hershey who camp there, I look forward to seeing them each year.
Here is thought, buy a program and look for the vendors who might have what you're looking for and you can save some steps. There is no admission fee for spectators so what is there to complain about? You get in for free. If you don't like the $8 milk shake then don't buy it.
John,
No one is saying that you should haul your stuff anywhere. Just cover it at night like the others.
How many of your 9 space are actually used for vending and how many are used for parking/camping?
My Father taught me to always end a sales pitch with a joke........thats what the "Milk Shake" is about.
Mike
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MCHinson,
Which regulations are unenforceable ?
Mike
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Thanks, Charlier.
Mike
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I saw this on Craig's List and though someone might be interested in it.
Mike
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Why can't the Vendors park in the regular parking lots like the rest of us.
Less parking more swap spaces.
Mike
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MCHinson,
It is broke and it needs to be fixed.
I know at least 30 people who no longer come to the Fall Meet because of the additional walking they have to do because of the abuse of the Show Regulations. And I know another 50 people that don't come because they can only get late on Friday. Since when are Swap Meets on week days anyway??
Closing the show on Friday makes no since at all.
So the people who work or go to school don't get to go to the Greatest Swap Meet in the World ?
Start the show on Wednesday not Tuesday and have it say open for those who can only come on Saturday.
Not everyone is retired.
Mike
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That makes better since but you would have to increase the size of the show or eliminate the number of swap spaces.
Mike
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Dear MCHinson,
Thank you for your service in the law enforcement.
So, being in Law Enforcement you know that laws and regulations must be strictly enforced for them to work:
We don't let someone speed just because they are late for an appointment.
We don't let someone steal a phone because they lost one.
And we don't let someone park in the Handicapped Parking spaces just because they are just running in to get a Milk Shake.
If " all " the regulations are not going to be enforced why have any of them.
You said in your post that some of the regulations are unenforceable. Which ones ?
There is parking right across the street from the market. The old White Field is for camping which is also right across the street. There are also Handicapped parking lots adjacent to the swap meet. Maybe they need a free Vendor Parking area just out side of the swap meet. Or eliminate the South Orange Field the the North Red Field and make those Free Vendor Parking areas.
Here's a thought. The region could hire shuttle services from the parking lots and the camping grounds to drop the people who can't walk that far off just outside of the show.
There are clearly many people who are not Vendors using the Vendor Spaces just for parking, Vendors using spaces for convenient parking and people putting out just the minimum garage sale junk to make it look like they're vending. This one small problem can and should be regulated.
If a camper is parked across the back of the the swap space and they are vending in front that makes since. When a vendor using a swap space for their camper and another for there towed car thats not right. I know that the people with campers need a towed car to get out and buy staples but they should then park in the regular parking areas like the rest of us. Not take up a designated Swap space.
Swap meets are for both the Vendor and the Buyer. It seems that this one is leaning towards the convenience of the Vendor.
Mike
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Dear R-32 & Trimacar,
Your thought of alternating the rows....Row A vending and Row B right behind you for parking now leaves me walking an entire row and only seeing half the vendors ??????????
This is worst than whats going on now?????? As the regulations are now I should be able to walk down one row ( I/4 mile ) and lets say see 100 vendors on my left and right. Your idea leaves me still walking a 1/4 mile and only seeing 50 vendors????? I am now walking twice the distance.
And they would have to double the size of the swap meet? Or cut the vending spaces in half ?
Now there would be only 4,500 spaces?
That makes no since.
Mike
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If you would take the time to re-read the Flea Market Regulations they are very straight forward.
# 4. No Flea Market spaces shall be used solely for camping or parking.
# 10. Failure to abide by any regulation will result in immediate expulsion and possible withdrawal of future flea/swap meet privileges and AACA membership.
These two are straight forward.
And # 11 defines who is responsible uphold these regulations.
# 11 The decision of the flea/swap market chairman, appointed flea market official, or any AACA National Director shall be final on all matters.
If I was a Vendor with an isle full of campers and parking spaces I would be upset. Most people I spoke with skipped those isles.
On another front.......#6....."Alcoholic beverage consumption on the premise is prohibited".
Mike
I just got back from the Plush Horse Ice Cream Parlor. I bought this wonderful Milk Shake. $ 3.50.
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MCHinson,
Streamlining an event does not guarantee it's end.
The demise of a swap meet is having to walk 20 miles to see 9,000 swap spaces and there are only really 5,000 spaces being used for vending.
Or showing up to a car show advertising 9,000 swap spaces on Saturday and there are only 1,000 spaces being used because the vendors just decided go home .
Why don't they add the real information in the advertisements.
9,000 swap spaces is no where near the truth. Open 7 am to 5 pm is also not true?
Wednesday through Saturday also not true.
Again, look at the photos at the beginning of the thread......thats the demise of a swap meet.
The Hershey Region needs to check the other active forums. This is not the only Forum commenting on this years Show.
Mike
I like a good milk shake......but who pays $ 8.00 for one???
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Here's a suggestion:
If you advertise the Fall meet to be open Wednesday through Saturday ..and being open from 7am to 5 pm then that's what it should be.
Also if you advertise 9,000 vendor spaces then thats what it should be.
I do understand that some vendors might not make the meet due to unseen circumstances.
If not it's false advertising.
If the show can not keep the vendors there on Saturday because it's to many days to be there then change it to Thursday through Saturday. This would make the swap meet available to the common Joe who has to work or the young enthusiast who may also have to work or go to school. Maybe you could move all the vendors that are only open sometimes to one area and the serious vendors who will stay open 7am to 5 pm to the other areas?
Also campers should be in the camp grounds and cars should be parked in the parking lots. If the buyers have to make it to the swap meet from the parking lots and the camp grounds so should the vendors.
If the volunteer workers, car show judges or the AACA Directors need parking spaces in the swap meet then close the North Red Field and the South Orange Field...most of these space were being used for campers, parking or where empty. Then you can have the volunteers that work at the south end park in the "Old" South Orange Field and the volunteers who work at the north end park in the "Old" North Red Field. This does not seem to hard to do?
And why don't they have these "meetings" scheduled for after 5 pm when the swap meet is closed?
We keep hearing how the "Hershey Region is a big region and they're a very wealthy region". Why don't they hire someone to police the vendor spaces. That doesn't seem to hard?
No matter what is said vendor spaces should be used only for vending and they should be open as advertised. Please look again at the photos at the beginning of this thread...it's ridiculous.
It would be interesting to hear what the Hershey Region thinks about what we're saying on the thread? Lets hear from you guys.
As for the $ 8.00 Milk Shakes...I only mentioned it as a joke...but still who buys an $ 8.00 Milk Shake. (2018 I will be selling "Who Buys $ 8.00 Milk Shake" T-shirts.
Mike
This one is going to get me in trouble.
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Wanted: Ariel Photo of the Hershey Fall meet from 2015 2016 2017?
in General Discussion
Posted
Bump.