Is it worth going to the boat to show hunt for bargains?

[Boathook]

I don't think that the boats shows have the bargains that they used to. What they are good for is comparing products and hopefully actually seeing them. I have also found it worthwhile having a shopping list and knowing the prices of the items. Sometimes you do get a good price for ordering at the show.

 

[neilmcc]

Thanks for all the input.
I didn't consider the train because I intended buying the equipment there and bringing it home with me. I have decided that I am unlikely to save enough on what I wanted to buy to justify the travelling etc so will buy on the web or locally.
I will go again to Excel as usual, my son lives not far from there so the whole trip is worthwhile and I get to poke about all the new gear then.

 

[GrahamM376]

I am doing some revamping at the moment and need (want) to buy some new equipment, wind instrument, chart plotter, autohelm, ropes, and a number of other bits and pieces.
Is it worth travelling the 840 miles to Southampton and back with a couple of nights hotel added in to buy the stuff there or will I save as much locally or online and use the weekend for sailing instead.

Not worth it for discounts but I've always found it an enjoyable couple of days break - if the weather's good. Much better than the London shows but can be expensive if you visit the used boat shows as well - last time we went, we came away with current boat that we hadn't planned on but luckily, managed to sell the existing one within a month!

If you need quite a lot of gear, phone around and haggle, you may get discount if buying it all from one source.