Disappointed with the GATS

[Anonymous]

I went to the GATS that was here in Boise last June (my one and only experience, so I'm not in a position to say whether they are or aren't what they used to be). Much of what has been said on this topic would apply to the Boise show and me -- not a whole lot of what I was looking for, a lot of lower-end RTR stuff, and so on. BUT, what I also saw were a lot of families there to see the show, and a lot of those families scooping up those items and getting at least an introduction to the hobby without busting the family budget. Given some of the other threads discussing concern about the future of the hobby, this is a good sign. For about a week afterward, my daughter kept wanting to "Go with Daddy and see trains."

I'm envious of those of you who can make short trips of seventy or so miles and choose shows. The 400 miles or so (each way) trips to Portland, Spokane, or Salt Lake for a train show just isn't feasible. So, I will be sure to put my money down and take my chances on the next GATS here. If nothing else, it's another chance to "Go with Daddy and see trains."

TrummyandElla

[Anonymous]

All train shows benefit the hobby in one form or another. I personally have experience the largess of the Greenburgs from the 80's to the 90's in Baltimore area and have always had a taste for "Class" ever mind the fact that I may have only 50 dollars or less to spend.

The GATS here in Little Rock Ar has been sent back to next year. They were supposed to hold one this winter but apparently decided to shuffle a few months more before they hold it again. There is one I think in Memphis (3 hours from me) in end of Feb. I probably will pass on that one.

Pine Bluff Ar will have a good show (Not GATS) first weekend of April. This is my one show that I found to be very friendly, easy on the money and lots of stuff to go thru. I expect that GATS may ease some of the fees next year at the little rock fairgrounds but at 7 dollars for parking and another 7 to get into the door... I would wait and see how it goes at Pine Bluff.

$14 dollars is real money when you are trying to acquire that one item or swing a bargin at the tables.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I wish I had the problem that some of you have where there are so many trainshows that the GATS gets diluted or repititious! lol. Living out here in West Texas, it's always a few hundred miles to any show. While looking a vendors and getting bargains is always a great thing to do (found a couple of real good deals on structures at a show in Ft. Worth last month) what I enjoy most is seeing the layouts that folks have set up. Yes, lots of them were not my scale (lots of N and Lionel) but they were all enjoyable to watch (especially the G scale set up they had on the floor). I very much enjoyed looking at other people's craftmanship and it really got me pumped up to get home and get to work on my projects. The other way cool thing was walking past the various Lionel vendors and trying to identify the cars that I had growing up. My favorite car as a kid was the submarine on the flatcar and I can't tell you the great feeling I got inside when I saw one and explained to my fiance (her idea to go to the show!) how that was my favorite car. It was also way cool to see the kids at the show watching the trains of all scales operating - reminded me of going to train shows and hobby shops when I was did with my dad.

Did the money I saved on my two "bargains" equal the cost of admission, the sodas and burgers? Nope, not even close. Was the price of those things worth the fun I had in looking at other people's accomplishments, the reinvigorating (sp?) of my own motivation to get back to work on the layout and the joy of remembering what fun I used to have with my dad? YOU BETCHA!!!!

[Anonymous]

The last GATS I attented was not that great either. A bunch of mean "old guys" (to me[;)]) who didn't show enthusiam or so much as a grin. I really prefer the local shows myself. Nice, friendly people from my area who I can relate to.

[yellowducky]

I should start a tread called "Happy GATS".
Not disappointed in any way including $6 admission (go to gats.com for a $1 discount coupon) and $3 Coliseum parking.

Good show at Ft. Wayne, IN.

Fine layouts with very friendly folks, in most scales, including the Lego club from Mishiswaka(?).

Big variety of everything (except Lionel parts).

I bought O/027stuff , Thomas wood stuff including powered Bertie and male/male connector track ( I homemade several 12-18inch straight track pieces out of new 30 year old hardwood flooring pieces on a table saw), a piece of S gauge curve track, an Aristocraft 'Lil Critter' B&O engine, and a few assorted other model train items, all totaling- lots of money but good to great prices (did I tell you I'm into all sorts of scales/gauges, and do hands on trains for kids at libraries, churches, Science Central, and once Auburn Parks Dept.).

Their hands on for kids was good, but should have included O/027 and Large scale/gauge to be great.

Only could find about 3 hours time on Sun. afternoon, but talked to several people, including venders, club members, other patrons, and even the three "doormen" (on the way out)!

This was probably my 5th GATS show (they only do one per year here, and used to be every other year).
All were good.

[SP4449]

I can add something from the layout display point of view. As members of the NMRA division in Eastern Nebraska we have a large HO scale modular layout we make a point of displaying at each GATS that is in the area and have done so for a number of years now. We have a great time doing the show because we enjoy the hobby and love the opportunity to answer questions the public has about how this or that detail was done (one of the modules has a very realistic corn field that draws a lot of attention), who the manfacturer of the train/loco/car/building is, how the modules are built, and to just run trains. Many of us don't have a home layout and reli***he chance to exercise our purchase from the last show. Some of the persons we helped with information have become active in the hobby, have later joined the division and have modules of their own. The division has expanded to include a Z scale layout and an N scale layout. We have encountered individuals or groups that have a less than desirable attitude but, as a group, we have determined that we will make sure those that contact us will have a good experience and come away with the feeling that this is the "Worlds Greatest Hobby". We are especially friendly to the kids and young people.

One of the factors that has effected how GATS is doing show wise, is that owner ship went from the business in Chicago to one in Las Vegas, Nevada, and now California. We found they were trying to run the show from there without the local representation they had before the change and therefore were turning dealers and layouts away because of some errors in how much floor space was available. As was mentioned in an earlier posting, many shows had a lot of empty space that could have held more layouts or dealers.

Scheduling is definitely another factor. In addition to GATS in February, 2005 , there is a local train show that month, and our division train show in April, then nothing all summer or fall. The shows are so close together it sometimes creates the feeling that there is too much going on. A comment was made that dealers are making a living at the shows. They are on the road all summer following the weekly scheduled shows and one I talked to, covers the entire area east of the Mississippi (he was visiting family in Nebraska was his explination of why he was in this area). As for the scheduling, the venue for the show has to be locked in at least a year in advance so changes are difficult to make.

My personal observation is reflected in the statement posted earlier, that contained the term "swap meet". Shows in the 70's and 80' s were real swap meets where individuals came together, arranged for a table and sold or outright swapped their excess, possibly getting something more desirable in the process. Now that dealers predominate the show, it is difficult to find "deals" among them because they are trying to recoop the cost of their travels. I miss the swap meets because during the barter, a true contact with someone interested in the hobby can be made and information and experiences can be exchanged. On the other hand, some dealers make a point of purchasing "estate" materials and are willing to make deals, particularly on loose items not in boxes that are difficult to store and transport.

As a show attendee, if I came away empty handed, it was probably for the best. I didn't need to spend the money. [;)]

[Anonymous]

We have a GATS here but I have found it lacking
I usually get a t-shirt or two for my kids but that is about it.
I have never seen anyting I couldnt pick up for less online or at the LHS. I do know that most of my grandpa's steam locomotive books are a collectors item. I told one vendor I had two particular books ion hardback and his eyes popped out of his head.

[Anonymous]

Our club (N-Trak) participated in every GATS show that came to town. They used to hold two, one in the RiverCenter in St Paul and one out in Shakopee at Canterbury Downs. We have mixed emotions about setting up at the shows especially at the RiverCenter. It's difficult to get access as they limit the number of vehicles that can go into the loading area even though there's plenty of room. Try lugging an N-Trak module and all of the "stuff" that's needed to put it all together from a distance. We even have to pay for our own parking and most of us beleive that if we are participants we shouldn't have to pay. Talking to GATS they say it's not their problem, it's the venues (RiverCenters) policy. We talk to then about changing venues and they shrug it off. If you're not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. At one GATS show they limited the number of passes for club members and only after threatening to take down the layout did they finally hand out enough for every member. It's bad enough to pay for parking but having to pay to get into a show where you are an exhibitor trying to bring in more of the public is uncalled for. The last GATS show that was held at RiverCenter was a disappointment as far as the number of vendors.

The other venue (Canterbury) is a racetrack. Most of use prefer that as the access is easy and there is no parking fee but it is far from the major population center.(Minneapolis/St Paul).

Our club elected not to attend the last GATS show being held at the RiverCenter. We told GATS about the parking issue and getting enough club passes but received no reply. Turned out to be a moot point as GATS cancelled that show and will not be showing in the Twin Cities for all of 2005.

I too have noticed that the vendor turnout has gotten worse. I just came back from Trainfest which was a great show (I just got the credit card bill to prove it!!!!!). That'll be the benchmark for the next few years.

[jabrown1971]

Something that I really have issues with in regards to GATS is the hours, 11-5 c'mon. 11 is ok to start, but folks have so much on a weekend now that they may not get there at all. Stay open til 8 on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. Maybe even mix it up a bit and recruit folks who can come on Fridays from say 5-9. Other than that, my remarks from yesterday still stand.

[espeefoamer]

I went to the recent GATS show in Pomona and spent $14.00 on parking and admission.I had been looking for power for my Tropicana train for several months, and found only a dummy GP 40 lettered for Seaboard Coast Line. I could not find any cabooses.At the show I found an Atlas Seaboard GP 40 for $65.00, and a Seaboard caboose at another vendor for $5.95. I also bought 2 books at a good discount. I had a sucessful trip.

[jddav1]

I also attended the recent San Diego GATS. I too found it disappointing. There were many good layouts ranging from n scale to european HO. There was even a large LEGO layout. What I saw was a large contingent of LIONEL/American Flyer and G scale. A few of the dealers there were willing to barter but in general the new equipment was at retail prices. There really was a large amount of junk there and one table even called it junk. Is there a better quality train show with equipment in better shape?
Jeff

[PennsyHoosier]

I also went to the GATS in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was okay. I would have liked a greater number of vendors. The best of the bunch was LHS Hobbyland, which was offering some serious deals--and then had a coupon you could take out to the shop itself. I did, and saved some serious money.

Worst thing about it was that it was in the worst room in the Memorial Coliseum. Like walking around a dingy basement.

But overall it was okay.

[chutton01]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jddav1

There really was a large amount of junk there and one table even called it junk.

Heck, nothing wrong with calling junk 'junk' - just put up an 'as-is' sign and we'll understand - the problem is with pricing junk as 'full-retail' - an old lifelike boxcar for 50 cents - you can weather it and put it on timbers as a scrap yard's storage shed.
An old lifelike boxcar for $10.00...well, not so good...

[BRAKIE]

This past weekend I went to 2 local Train Shows.One in Marion(Oh) Saturday and the Willard Show on Sunday..Both shows was a bust due to near full MSRP..Then you had several older Atlas/Kato locomotives for ONLY $99.00 each! Freinds you can usually pick these up for $45.00-60.00 dollars-less sometimes.Now how about a old Mantua GP20 for $35.00? The list goes on..I did however enjoy seeing old friends at these shows and the coffee and apple pie was good.[:D] The better shows will be after the Holidays I 'm athinking.
I suppose the prices was up due to Christmas..Sorry no sales on my part when better deals can be found at some of the discount hobby shops I go to, on line hobby shops and of course e bay.[}:)]