Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Just returned from our Best- Early Bird Swap in WA State. Tried to buy my next years' stall and Found 'WE QUIT' thanks and goodbye from the Model T club [organizers]! Upon discussions this is the Third? Large Swap to be Retired in our area!! Salem -Fathers Day[Model A]; Early Bird {Model T], and maybe a Monroe, WA [Fall Meet]. Workers are tired and elderly. When are the younger clubs [sports cars, imports, et.] Going to take these events over?? Internet does not replace the Social fun. Newc

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Newc, started to see a downturn at Portland last year with a lot of vacant spaces in the expo buildings. Also noticed some vacant space at Albany in November. I think this may be my last year at Portland due to the sky high prices of hotel rooms and the crime around the area. Sad state of affairs when you go out to eat and see the restaurants have security guards in their parking lots and restaurants closed and boarded up at Delta Park. I will miss seeing many friends from the area. The social aspect is half the fun of going. I've been going for over 30 years.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Lets all hope the larger meets (my RG puts on the Spring Monroe meet) continue. What Dale said is true, as old-time members decide they no longer want to do all that work (or die). I was in charge of the Spring Monroe meet for 10 years back in the late 1980s, I no longer live near Seattle, so it isn't practical for me anymore. There are few new young members coming into the RG too which is a problem everywhere. Young people aren't interested in these cars so much which is why the values are going down.
Maybe other clubs (tri 5 Chevy, Chevelle, Mustang) would take the meets over.

Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Fuel prices are the deal breaker.
Most folks cannot subsidize the cost(s)
of vending at a swap meet any longer.
It is just not cost effective.


Jim

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Happy to report that my club's swap is enjoying a resurgence. Years ago, we had a 2 day swap at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, got pushed out by the Goodguys, then a downturn in swaps for a bunch of years. Now, at the old Alameda NAS, we're growing back to major swap status! Watch for us twice a year: 1st Saturdays of May and October.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

We have not had a good swap meet in the Anchorage, Alaska area for almost 10 years. There has been a few tries in the last 5 years, but very few vendors- attendees. It is a sad state of affairs.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

A cancer that is effecting not only SWAP meets BUT National and Regional car clubs as well....AND unfortunately our beloved EV8 Club!!!!

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

I used to go to Moultrie, Charlotte, Maggie Valley (later in Fletcher), Iola, Chickasha, and Belleville most years and have also been to a variety of other meets a time or two. One of my favorites was in Sedalia, Missouri where when they started a 30 x 50 vendor space was $25 and is now maybe $50. Last year I went to only Charlotte, and it was a wasteland compared to most years pre-COVID. Huge numbers of vendors did not come, people who had set up there for decades. People who used to come by for years to gab did not come, and I hope they are okay, but don't know. I do know I missed seeing them. This year I will not be going to any of the meets to set up and I no longer have spaces at any.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Lets face facts. Yes Portland as a city is in the toilet and the last time I went it was over half dime store junk being sold that had nothing to do with cars. The early bird swap was run by the model T club which is sadly dwindling in numbers . Gas prices are sky high. Covid scares people away from large events and yes for those who come from afar, lodging is very expensive. I like swaps like most of us but you have to admit that as of late we are buying and selling more on line then ever before. So looking at all of this we can see how our beloved swap meets are falling by the wayside. Our hobby/life stile is changing and we are feeling it . We all need to stay in touch , stay on the road, go to the shows and enjoy it to the fullest for one day these to shall pass.
Tim

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Instead of a show and shine maybe we need more of a show and swap.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

Al, it certainly is a good local swap meet. The included car show also helps.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

In my opinion, you have stated the truth as simply as can be stated. I would add that eBay and the likes have hit the swaps a blow as well. I stopped swapping a couple of decades ago. Why? I got very tired of guys offering me pennies on the dollar for my parts. Literally pennies on the dollar. I go home, put the stuff on eBay and get twice, even four times as much as I was asking at the swap.

It's not the cost of going to the swap.

Re: Swap Meet woes in the Pacific NW
 

I have very mixed experiences at swap meets. I go to the PreWar meet in Chickasha, Pate, and a more local meet in Fredericksburg TX that is almost always hotter'n heck. Chickasha is dying but is the rare meet where I need to look at every space. Pate is so huge something will be interesting, and my club helps put it on. Fredericksburg is great half the time and nothing the other half. I have friends that go to all three, helps keep me attending.