LIBS Today

[Powersalt]

Went to the show today, arriving at the 10 am opening. I was amazed at the change fromlast year. Where had all the exhibitors gone?? It just left me with the feeling that this is a industry on its uppers.

Great stands by Sunseeker and Princess, up to their usual quality and friendly reception, and have Fairline been reading our forum as I just wandered over their boats without anyone asking me for details etc etc??. Having said that I got the feeling there were some serious saleamen ready to punce and clinch deals if anyone had the cash!! Do you know what for the first time I got the feeling some of those pompus salesman who looked at you to see if you couild afford the boats were missing...perhaps they were the first laid off other than that I actually felt sorry for them as most of the stands were empty of buyers.

Looked on Prestige, Azimit and Rodmen, and again felt for them.....they were now looking so expensive compared to the British built boats, and I for one wouldent pay that premium.
Another interesting change this year, quite a high proportion of foreign visitors, many looking as though they were serious buyers, perhaps the weak pound will help some in the industry.

All the spare space was taken up by cafes, wider walkways and even a Range Rover stand!! Why dident the organisors discount the stands for the smaller exhibitor and give them a chance to have a presence in the show.??

Chandlery was pretty basic again down on numbers, Raymarine having been a big exhibitor in the past was there but on a smaller stand, with little activity, no give aways, no bags etc etc. All very dull.

Outside looked a waste of time, just a few Sunseekers as appointment only.

So I left with the feeling the show was not what it has been in the past, it reflected the poor state of the industry but there were no bargains that tempted me to change just yet. If you havent been yet and are not sure, I would save your money.

 

[sailorman]

Where many Furriners about taking advantage of the exchange rate

 

[Powersalt]

got the impression the european boats had gone up circa 20% or more in some cases. Of course on the positive side if you own a imported boat, maybe the second hand value has also gone up!!!

 

[Richard Shead]

Okay you have broken me, when I get enough energy tomorrow I will perhaps reply to a few of your comments, the first is that Range Rover are the media partner and had a stand last year as well as sbs..

 

[nonitoo]

Thoroughly enjoyed the show.

We were given loads of advice regarding the stuff we were looking for.

Me - Radars autopilots and other leccie gear. Prices seemed reasonable and show discounts were able to be carried forward.

Son (raggie)- Furling equipment, liferaft, gennaker supply. Again prices were keen and advantage was taken of this.

We left the big stuff for those who were that way inclined.

A great day out.

However, managed to miss the MBY stand - sorry about that.

Tom

 

[Powersalt]

Sorry Richard not meant to be a knock at the industry in any way directly, more a knock at the econimic crises we all find ourselves in. I do claim some experience in that I have been to every Southhampton Boat Show since its inception and London for over 20 years. ( as a yougster originally and now with my own family).
I was at sibs 2 years ago when I was getting on board a 40 foot fly when the salesman asked "can you affford it sir" no I said getting off and striking the model off my options list. Only last year I rang my Fairline dealer twice to look over a model, he never rang me back and I wont ring a third time. So yes I do have no sympathy for some of the arrogant sales individuals that have entered the industry during its good times. I hope that type wont survive, they dont deserve to.

AS regards the show, Im sorry but it was a bit of a expensive flop.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

but does this really happen...
I cannot beleive it does
I have been on big 50 metres in shows and was never asked this...

 

[Double arvor]

just returned myself and family , had a good day plenty to do . do not see it as an expensive flop but more a sign of the times

 

[nonitoo]

[ QUOTE ]
I was at sibs 2 years ago when I was getting on board a 40 foot fly when the salesman asked "can you affford it sir" no I said getting off and striking the model off my options list.

[/ QUOTE ]

As I cannot afford any of the biggies I never have any problems with the chinless, blazered buffoons as I have no wish to look at their boats or listen to their pointless drivel. I never have any problems getting on the boats I can afford.

To each his own, as they say.

Tom

 

[Powersalt]

yes point taken. Flop is much too strong a word, more a dissapointment for me, Im sure for many who went it will be a good experience. But I still think it lacked the bustle of a vibrant exhibition and had many good exhibitors missing, which was my original point /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Powersalt]

I never have any problems with the chinless, blazered buffoons


Nice one. I like it

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
Why dident the organisors discount the stands for the smaller exhibitor and give them a chance to have a presence in the show.??


[/ QUOTE ]

Slippery slope. Word soon gets around if you get a cheap stand, next year they all want it.

Policy of exhibition organisers is, let it die, but don't discount the stands.

The video games industry has lost two major London shows and one Los Angeles show because the exhibitors refused to pay the stand prices. One of the shows was at Excel.

 

[Nick_Pam]

[ QUOTE ]
yes point taken. Flop is much too strong a word, more a dissapointment for me, Im sure for many who went it will be a good experience. But I still think it lacked the bustle of a vibrant exhibition and had many good exhibitors missing, which was my original point /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Hear Hear.....as I posted after our visit yesterday.... you echo our thoughts exactly, despite what Richard might say....yesterday the IPC stand was mainly empty every time we passed it...... there were nowhere near the number of boats on display as previous years, but I bet the chandlers and clothing stands are doing well....it cost me a pair of deck-shoes and a Musto top - that much I do know!!!!

 

[holderone]

Really enjoyed the show as usual but I have to say that you have to feel for the distributers buying boats in Euros. A Beneteau Swift last year was 280K this year its £420K.

I was told that the brokerage business seemed to be moving a little better with the the sterling being so weak there are a number of buyers making the trip across the water.

 

[NEB]

I took the family along today and popped onto the stand I will be working on later in the week. I have not seen the figures for myself but word of mouth was that attendance was down 13% on last year.
I also heard through the grapevine that several large players are seriously thinking about not attending next year unless business picks up dramatically.

 

[ontheplane]

I think that a very valid point was made earlier not enough people have picked up...

If you have paid an entrance fee, don't you really have a right to view all the boats?? What is the position on this, because if I can't get on some stands but someone ritcher than me can, yet he has only paid the same fee - then surely there is something wrong there....??

 

[Powersalt]

yes that was my feelings as well. THose cheap prices for the large volume producers like Benateau and jenneau have just gone overnight. For my personal opinion I would rather have a Princess and now they are cheaper, well until the raw material increases bite.

 

[Talulah]

Also went today.
North Hall seemed ok'ish.
South Hall (Motor boats) felt empty with the exception of the Sunseeker stand (very busy.)
Fairline barriers looked exactly that. "Unwelcoming barriers." If I was Fairline I would rapidly remove them and open up.
It's when you start to think of exhibitors from previous years who were absent that you realise how much wasn't there.
For a day out it was fine. Had helpful suggestions from sales staff. In previous years I have been rushing around towards the end to finish the show. This year had time to spare.
A note on parking. On the approach road were two guys directing traffic to park elsewhere. Ignore these guys. Go through them and park on the right for £5 for the day. These two guys were from the show but the independent parking is quicker and cheaper.
I did not see one single stand (with the exception of Sunseeker) who appeared busy.
The chandlery in the North hall seemed devoid of business. (Frankly, I don't see the point. Buy online or locally. It's much the same price.)
Some sailing schools seemed busy, others empty.
All the holiday companies seemed empty.
If carrier bags are any thing to go by people weren't carting away much stuff.
As usual there were a number of stands not connected directly to sailing but targeted at the yachting public. i.e. a number of stock broking/investment companies were there.
If I don't have a specific reason to go next year I wouldn't bother. There is obviously a critical mass of exhibitors and public needed to make a show worthwhile and I think that critical mass may soon fall below the line.

 

[Wiggo]

Not a word of a lie: a few years ago I was cruising in company with four other forumites and our respective families. We were in Weymouth Marina (a mistake, IMO - I much prefer the atmosphere on the Town Quay) and walked past a stock Phantom 40 a few times. One of our group (Hagrid for those that remember him) had arrived on a Targa 39 and wandered in to the sales office to ask if he could look around the Phantom as at the time he was genuinely toying with the idea of a flybridge boat. The 'salesman' looked him up and down (OK, so Hagrid was in shorts, T shirt and flip-flops with two kids in tow and towel and washbag under his arm) and said, "I'm not sure you could afford it."

SteveE, please verify...

 

[shetland]

Agree regarding comments about the parking. Use the private parking and avoid the park and ride.