Thread: 4wd swap meet

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Speaking as a professional swap meet vendor, I have issues with most meets. Other professional vendors agree with me that not one of the events we regularly attend is perfect. The problem is getting our point of view across the organisers. Some do the ostrich trick and say "its our event and you don't have to come if you don't like it". This is a recipe for a fading event as vendors won't come if they are buggered about and the buyers don't come because the good vendors don't come. Other organisers, when notified, don't think there is a problem.

Then you get the events that are no longer a motor and machinery hobby event but have turned into fleamarkets, with bric-a-brac, second hand clothes, furniture, pots and pans, junk jewellery, even ladies underwear.

I no longer go to a number of events, including Bendigo, because takings have declined to the point of non-viability. Travel costs are a problem and I now only go to one event that is more than 100 miles from home.

The best ones in S.E. Qld are Toowoomba in Feb., Historical Motor Cycle Club events at Maleny in March, Petrie in July, & Gatton in October. Banyo in May, Mudgeeraba in June, Nambour in July, Jimboomba in August, Beaudesert in Sept. Others do not bring in sufficient takings to be bothered. The Rocklea Chev. Club swap is so variable as to be unpredictable, sometimes crowded out, and sometimes only enough vendors to fill the trotting track and almost nobody in the infield. Beaudesert is poorly organised and run, yet is a good swap meet in spite of the poor access and "little hitlers" directing traffic and parking. Jimboomba is constantly improving since a change of venue and organisers. Banyo is the best swap meet in metropolitan Brisbane even though you can't get in until 6.00am and vendors and buyers are let in together which makes vendor set-up difficult.

I have taken over as secretary of the Beaudesert & District Restored Auto Club and as part of this possition running the Annual Beaudesert Swap Meet helt in September the weekend following the Beaudesert Show.
I added extra promotion to the event and the club in general and will be adding more this year.
last years swap meet was run similar to that of other years to allow me to see fist hand what goes wrong and what can be changed and what should be left the same.
I am currently asking anyone who has ideas on better improving to email me at baeudesertswap@yahoo.com.au and let me know.
in reply to the above quoted post I ask the following:

• What is wrong with the way the swap meet is organised and run and what can I do to improve this.
• Currently there is access throught 2 gates for sites and 3 gates for pedestrians, How do you thing we could improve this.

I don't like running an event and having people leave dissapoint and I found the above quoted post I thought it necessary that I reply asking for feedback and at the same time ask anyong else with comments and questions to ask me directly and I will do all I can to improve everyones experience.

I relation th the ongoing issue of entry no earlier than 6AM on the day I am strongly for a change to entry commencing the afternoon before and earlier entry on the day for site holders to allow plenty of time for setup. I am hoping to have this issue rectifed ready for announcement to stall holders at this years swap meet. This year will be gates opening at 6AM for all.

I lookforward to everyones comments to assist me in improving this event.

Thankyou

Jason
Secretary
Beaudesert & District Restored Auto Club

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Speaking as a professional swap meet vendor, I have issues with most meets. Other professional vendors agree with me that not one of the events we regularly attend is perfect. The problem is getting our point of view across the organisers. Some do the ostrich trick and say "its our event and you don't have to come if you don't like it". This is a recipe for a fading event as vendors won't come if they are buggered about and the buyers don't come because the good vendors don't come. Other organisers, when notified, don't think there is a problem.

Then you get the events that are no longer a motor and machinery hobby event but have turned into fleamarkets, with bric-a-brac, second hand clothes, furniture, pots and pans, junk jewellery, even ladies underwear.

I no longer go to a number of events, including Bendigo, because takings have declined to the point of non-viability. Travel costs are a problem and I now only go to one event that is more than 100 miles from home.

The best ones in S.E. Qld are Toowoomba in Feb., Historical Motor Cycle Club events at Maleny in March, Petrie in July, & Gatton in October. Banyo in May, Mudgeeraba in June, Nambour in July, Jimboomba in August, Beaudesert in Sept. Others do not bring in sufficient takings to be bothered. The Rocklea Chev. Club swap is so variable as to be unpredictable, sometimes crowded out, and sometimes only enough vendors to fill the trotting track and almost nobody in the infield. Beaudesert is poorly organised and run, yet is a good swap meet in spite of the poor access and "little hitlers" directing traffic and parking. Jimboomba is constantly improving since a change of venue and organisers. Banyo is the best swap meet in metropolitan Brisbane even though you can't get in until 6.00am and vendors and buyers are let in together which makes vendor set-up difficult.

If you would like to share your views and improvement ideas with me I wuld be happy to take every single one into concideration when planing future events. I run the Beaudesert Swap Met and anything I can d for you Please let me know my email is beaudesertswap@yahoo.com.au or on the day ask for Jason - Secretary of the club and I will be happy to listen.