I'm not overweight, disabled, a Jazzy jockey, or a dog lover. This being said, we all have the right to breath the air and to occupy 3 or 4 square feet of floor-space. Let's try to be understanding of and kind to each other. Try to put yourself in the "offenders" shoes and see if that doesn't cause you to count to ten before you judge others.
Then I take it you have never been to the shows in Carsile , Pa. or Hershey , Pa . You need to learn about swap meets . It's like a Ladies clothing store with a one day sale with 75% off everything ! Go to one like that and you will understand what a swap meet is all about ! You need to learn to open your mouth and say something so they will move or push your way in like everyone else ! If you go to stand and wait your turn , you will never get anything ! Retro Jim
Yup, if you don't like it, sit home and watch your fuckin' football! It's a small building with a million people with cabin fever, get a grip.-MIKE
I've been a vendor and a buyer at the Wichita swap meet for years. After reading this thread, I'd have to say that this area has the most polite people in the nation! There aren't many of the rude and inconsiderate types here at our swap meets. Yeah, there's a few, but not many.
Went to Nashville this weekend and saw alot of the same things ya'll are whining about, but it doesn't slow me down. I can figure out who the seller is pretty quick while some guy is bsn him and make an offer on something and put it in my bag and move on. Later he will be trying to figure out what he did with that part. I love talking about my cars, but first Im scanning the swap meet for some deals, then I can come back and talk. While my buddy was asking someone about a part and they were going back and forth with, what do you want, what will you give, I found the guys partner and made a deal and paid him. Told my buddy to pick up the part and lets go. He didn't even realize I was negotiating. I think the longer you talk, the higher the price!
That may be true at swap meets. But as a seller I have found one fact to be true. The person at the swap meet with the Big Mouth. Usually is not a serious buyer. or if they buy something they want it for pennies on the dollar or buy it to resell it. I sell most stuff to the quiet question asking people. Not being said to make anyone mad. Just the truth from the other side. Then again I will always do all that I can to help a polite person much more than a person who is rude. I think most sellers feel the same way. Its not all about quick money.
I really dislike following the empty wagon pullers. I always politely ditch my buddies and agree to meet up later in the day. Then I hit the aisles alone to find what I'm looking for and generally get my best deals that way. I will socialize at cruises and car shows, not swap meets.
"Excuse me, but YOU have a lot to learn- sounds like you're part of the problem, a militant power bullshitter...please have the common courtesy to get out of the way of the folks that actually want to buy & sell...but folks with your "entitlement" attitude sure aren't helping. I always bring at least a couple grand if I'm just buying, and am seriously looking for parts- not a tea party... " OK. Let me see if I understand this then. When you go to a swap meet you have maybe 10 to 15 times as much cash on you as I do. So therefore any of your priorities overrule any of my prioroties. Is that about the gist of it? Um, you do realize that you're not shopping at Neimann-Marcus, don't you? It's a swap meet. So everyone else is supposed to react to the amount of cash you... Wait a minute. What's that sound? Oh, I think my "Sense Of Entitlement Detector" just went off. Or it might be my "Irony Meter". They sound pretty similar. Anyway. Next time people get in your way at the swap meet, try loudly announcing, "Step aside! I'm carrying over $1000 and I need to get thru!" That should send the po' folks a-scattering. Maybe a few of them will even follow you out to the parking lot. Damn. Now I've set off my "Sarcasm Alarm". I don't have much problem with kids at swap meets. But the dogs should be left at home. I always feel much more sympathy for them than their owners. Maybe their owners could just wear a t-shirt with their dog's picture on it that says "Bingo's sorry he couldn't be here today, but it's just too hot and crowded around here. And besides, he has a tendency to snap at people carrying large wads of cash". And if anyone here starts selling these shirts, I'm expecting some kind of commission!
"Zombie apocolypse" LMAO. My sentiments exactly! This year there were more BSing dickwads than I've ever seen. In the aisles, in the doorways, in the connector aisles. Jeez, pull it to the side! How about the gal with the HUGE wagon and 2 or 3 kids. She needed flashing lights and an escort car, she was taking up so much aisle. Whew, I feel better too.
Ive been going to the Monroe and Puyallup Wa. shows for a number of years now. And from what I can tell it really is about seeing folks in the same hobbie a couple times a year and sometimes you find a part you need or something you cant live without. But mostly I go to hang out with my old swapmeet buddy and look at rusty stuff. Sorry for blocking youre way to that giant stack of overpriced smallblock chevy intake manifolds but catching up with the bro's is what its all about! If youre in such a hurry to find that part try ebay, chances are youll find it online.
]"Excuse me, but YOU have a lot to learn- sounds like you're part of the problem, a militant power bullshitter...please have the common courtesy to get out of the way of the folks that actually want to buy & sell...but folks with your "entitlement" attitude sure aren't helping. I always bring at least a couple grand if I'm just buying, and am seriously looking for parts- not a tea party... " What a knob.
When I was in Turlock it was like a big reunion. A lot of people were hanging out & talking. I don't mind it I just roll my eyes & keep hunting for goodies. The wagons I can do without because I almost tripped over a few. Just another day on the hunt for treasures. It's all worth it or I would stay home.
It isn't what its all about. Car shows with the lawn chairs is for catching up with friends. This thread from what I gather is about having your cake and eating it too!!! You can chat with your friends (matter of fact I prefer that you do) I just don't see what is so hard about stepping off to the side to do so!!!! By the way I hear the next 2 weekends at the Puyallup Fairgrounds have been cancelled due to rain!?!?!
i know exactly what you are saying about stalled swappers jawing in the aisles. but we all do it . Some times I avoid Eye contact with some fellow rodder not to be rude but to keep searching for deals. Any way a swap meet is still a great social event where we all catch up so no need to get too stressed out . B.S is still what its all about. Lfe is too short to get stressed about fellow rodders BSn in the aisles.
Had a Great Time at the Hamburg Swap Meet. Sold a bunch and bought a few nice things. Yes the place was packed! Thank God it was. We have very few Quality swap meets in WNY. Going to Hershey on Sat at 11am tells alot..
Leave your dogs at home and be aware of what is going on around you. I have the same issue with all the wagons. 'lot of thoughtless people out there.
I sometimes drag a small wagon but try to keep it out of people's way. If I chat with someone I'm at least friendly and I never insult their items or price no matter how bad it is. If its something that just interests me, but I have no plans to buy, I might ask a question or two to learn something, but I don't tie them up if there are others with cash looking to buy something. Last few I have been to, if its on pavement, I have been taking a Razor scooter with me. Not the motorized kind you sit on, but the folding kind you push. If I have a busy day and can't spend several hours at a swap, I can zip around the empty areas on the thing in no time and spot things. I might look funny, but I get exercise, and cover a lot of ground in short time, then I can go back and look at certain things closer. Also helps as a dolly to wheels some things back to the car.
wow... six pages bitching about swap meets. un-be-fucking-lievable. I used to make a good part of my income going to swaps and selling on ebay. went to every one I could make it to and back home in the same day. did this for 5 years... every swap I could get to, and I'm in California so that's a bunch. then lets not forget all the ones I went to for the 30 years before that when I was a normal swap meet guy. I have nothing to ad to this bitchfest. if swap meets cause you grief, stay home.... then there is more parts for me.
wny has quite afew swap meets I go to at least a dozen every summer dunkirk,lockport ,medina, marion,buffalo,farmington,syracuse,ect.....
Grilles? What grilles? Too many people blocking the aisles---didn't see 'em Naw, my 40's complete, just beat I WOULD have had those fenders had I seen 'em first
If some one asks what you want for something tell them what you think its worth or a bit more, but don't winge if they lowball you if you say you dont know make an offer
i love swapmeets, most of the people are nice enough and i am able to ignore those who aren't. i've made a lot of good friends over the years buying from or selling to at swapmeets.
I get tired of seeing non auto stuff too... BUT the best deal I ever got was 1,500 records (45RPM) for $40. Milk crates full!!! I've made over $2k so far selling them one at a time to vinyl heads!