WHY NOT HAVE SOME FORM OF DATE CLAIMING?

[Bigbjorn]

Why doesn't the Combined Council and other organisations running motor and machinery events have some form of date claiming? Tomorrow, Sunday 25th. May, the Historic Motor Cycle club have a swap meet and Concours at Canungra; the Classic Speedway Assn has a swap meet and judged display at Greenbank; the major swap meet at Capalaba High School (used to be the one at Banyo); and the Dayboro Day. A few years ago there was a similar shambles when six major motoring events were held. Yet sometimes weeks will go by without any events being held. Some organisation is needed here.

[zulu Delta 534]

Brian, if the Combine Council Organisations cant give you any satisfaction, perhaps it may be up to you, the vendors, to get together and decide which ones you are going to support, organise your own calendars and notify said function organisers of your proposed massed support or not.
Attack from the other flank, so to speak.
Would be a bit like herding cats I suppose to organise, but at least it is an idea.
Regards
Glen

[Bigbjorn]

Glen, we tried that a few years ago. A group named The Professional Swap Meet Vendors Committee was formed to approach organisers and suggest ways of improving their events. Only one organising club was prepared to listen and did take our suggestions on board regarding needing more entry points and early entry for vendors. One, probably the worst run swap meet in SE Qld, refused to give us a hearing saying that they had run their swap meet for 20+ years and knew how to run a swap meet. My rejoinder was that some of our members went to 25 swap meets every year and knew considerably more and knew what was wrong with theirs. As usual with small groups and clubs, the same few were being left to do everything. After three years of this and feeling like I had been beating my head against a wall, I pulled out. The group dissipated within the next year. Complaining to clubs about multiple events on the same day got an almost universal reply "But that's our date. We've always had that date. Why should we change?" Well todays three events if spread over three weekends would have had the quality professional vendors able to attend all three which would enhance the events by having all the good vendors present.

I no longer go to swap meets. Brian's Retirement Sale is closed except to 'phone and mail orders until a sale is finalised. I would have gone to the motor cycle event at Canungra if I was still working events. More money is taken at motor cycle events than any others.

[p38arover]

I agree about lack of coordination and the need to date claim although I can foresee some clubs saying some other club has taken "their" day or the "best" day of the year.

It doesn't just affect vendors but also enthusiasts of more than one marque or mode of transport.

Shannon's classic car day does or did clash with the British Car Day at Kings School.

I found that in one car club of which I was a member, most of the members were oldies and reluctant to change the way the club was run.

[UncleHo]

G'day Brian

Are you going to come up to the Caboolture Regional Car Club Swap Meet on the 21st of June(Saturday),at Caboolture Showgrounds ?


Swap Sites $10 (larger sites at extra fee)
Show N Shine $10
Public $5

Swap sites entry 5 am @ Gate 3

Overnight camping Friday 3pm --8pm $25 incl.site fee Entry Gate 2

I will be going possibly with the boss in his 1924 Chev 4 Buckboard Ute or in my Landrover Lightweight

Enquiries:Swap 5495 3312 or 0419 331 213

cheers