My first bit of advice would be to try and enjoy yourself. If you are an impulse buyer (like I once was, recovered), it would help to take a list of things you are looking for. Have some idea of what items sell for (new). Don't pay more for used items than you would for new. Walk and preview the ENTIRE show before spending dime one. It isn't uncommon to buy something at the first tables at first entrance only to find it on the other side of the room for 20-30 percent less (or more). There won't be anything there that cannot be had elsewhere with a possible exception of paper (photos, slides, maps, schedules, etc). Any locomotives you buy (even new), test them Before leaving the show. If at all possible test them before buying them. Any vendors selling new items (probably most of them), get contact info and ask about potential problems and their policy regarding returns. Any Used stuff you buy, check it thoroughly. Check opened building kits for instructions, broken parts, missing parts (as much as is reasonable), etc.
Some people like to go in the final hours of shows figuring that these vendors don't want to carry this stuff home and bargains can be had. The REAL bargains are usually snapped up before the show even opens by the other vendors. Still don't be afraid to ask for a better price. Don't get rude or demanding about it, just ask. They can say no, you can keep your money in your pocket, they can carry their precious items back home with them.
Now for some advice to make it more enjoyable for the people around you. At the risk of sounding rude, leave Junior with a babysitter. Nothing is more annoying at one of these events than a screaming kid, or a huge stroller blocking the aisle, or both.
If you take nothing else I said seriously, follow this one.. Walk and preview the ENTIRE show before spending dime one.
Have fun..
Taking the family depends on whether you are just going to look or if you are there to buy something.
I go by myself because I go through the whole show down all the aisles taking note on who has the better prices and the things I'm looking for.
Once through I go back to the places I saw the best prices or where there was a hard to find item and make the purchase.
You may be able to haggle with some of the people that bring their stuff from home. But the guy's that bring new stuff that usually comes from hobby shops won't deal.
Last year I found new Athearn RTR wood pulp cars for $5. At the LHS they wanted more than $15 each. So bargans can be found. You just have to look around.
Bill
Generally at the biggest shows like the GATS shows the sellers aren't offering things at bargain prices. In my area (Mpls-St.Paul) the non-show flea markets sponsored by the Twin City Model RR Club and the Newport Model RR Club generally have more bargains. Unless I find some hard-to-find item I've been looking for, I generally just enjoy the displays and operating sectional layouts and such and don't worry about buying stuff - which might be especially good if you have the family with you. The last GATS in December I think I spent about $30 on a couple of freight cars I had been looking for, I gave the sellers a once-over but mainly just enjoyed the experience.
As for haggling, it depends. I don't think most sellers would be offended or anything if you made them a reasonable offer. If there's some particular item you're looking for, it never hurts to keep an eye on online sellers and ebay to get a ballpark idea of what it's selling for. Plus there's an advantage to going to regular (quarterly) flea markets in that you get to know the sellers and what they have for offer. If a seller has a particular passenger car or book or whatever marked at $33 and it's been in his display for two or three shows with no takers, an offer of $25 to take it off his hands would have a better chance at success than trying to get a reduced price on a new item that just arrived.
I'm lucky enough to have a wife that really understands. She takes the kids and Dad takes the camera. I don't buy a whole lot at shows. As a newbie, I'm really there to talk to the modelers and get ideas for my layout, you know, pick their brains. Even though the show layouts are modular and sometimes lack the detail of a home layout, I often find some really cool ideas that I can bring home!
Just have fun!
I don't get to go to very many shows but these are a couple of rules I try to remember to follow.
When in awe of the modelling genius I see. I try not too look like too much of a rube standing there with my mouth hanging open catching flies.
When looking at all the stuff for sale I try not to drool on the guys table.
Other than that, I take the family and have fun, take pictures and or video of what inspires. Luckily wifey understands that Dad can't be expected to be responsible when in train overload mode.
Tomorrow I'm going to the Great Train Show at the Pittsburgh Expo-mart and I could use some advice. I went to this same show last year with the wifey and my 2 yr old,
but there was SO much to see that I feel I missed most of it because we got there late and having family in tow distracted me from taking my time and talking to people. Just SO much to see, this place is hugh.
Anyhow, I'm looking for some advice for going to these train shows. I really don't even know what I'm looking to find out, maybe just some experiences, pit falls to watch out for, is haggling prices common practice? Any advice anyone could give will be helpful I'm sure.
Thanks people.