My goodness it was quite at Excel!

Medskipper

Medskipper

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Went to Boat show today, I don't think I have ever seen in 25 years a boat show so quite! I was able to walk around without bumping into a single person! actually sit at a table for a coffee and a sandwich and not a person sitting within ten feet of me. I felt very sorry for all the sales staff, they all looked so bored, problem is of course with all those long faces you just don't feel like disturbing them, so wandered round with hardly a word to anyone and I normally like a chat!! goodness knows how long some of these companies can hang on in there before going belly up?

Barry
 
Sorry I was being pedantic. I'm off again tomorrow, it seemed reasonable on Friday and Sunday although it did feel quiet compared to previous years. It has always seemed quieter than Earls Court, but I guess that is due to the larger floor space as much as anything else.
 
I to have been going for many many years. Isn't it like all things attendence goes down over a period of time.
Wonder what the attendence was at earls court when they had the second hall open compared to the very last earls court.
 
I went yesterday and agree it did seem quiet.

People I spoke to on a few stands were helpful enough when approached; it can't be easy striking a balance between pestering people who are "just looking" and appearing to ignore others. The liveliest salesman was a bloke selling ladders and the most optimistic was a German trying to sell some kind of superglue at £10 a thimbleful!

I left after a couple of hours having seen all I wanted. Total expenditure - £1 on a reduced price YM [in the vain hope of learning from Tom Cunliffe how to steer a Twister astern!], and buying a sandwich and a drink. Also picked up a free Evening Standard umbrella to replace the one from last year that blew to bits in a gale.
 
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How come no one has pictures...?

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It would be a bit rude to intrude on private grief /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Seriously, all I can do is compare it with my visit on the Monday last year. It was definitely quieter this year. Hardly surprising under the circumstances.
 
Probably QUIET - but we know what you mean!
My experience is that Shows come and they go. Despite whatever Mafia is running them eventually the punters move on.
Maybe it's time for a new show to emerge and meet the needs of the people with less than £500k to blow on a rib to have a good time and meet their mates?
What happened to the golden days of lost afternoons at the Guinness stand?
 
Well, we went to the show twice now and I do agree it is the quietest show I have been to, and agree the salesmen do look a little lost; it does however seem Sealine made the correct decission not to waste their money (customers money).

It makes me wonder if there will be a London Excel show in the future!!!!!!!.

Mind you, we are moored in St Katherin's until after the show and it is just as dead here and around.....
 
SWMBO & I are going tomorrow, courtesy of a friend who won six free tickets in two different competitions. Wouldn't bother with either London show, but for that.

We went to the first one at ExCel, not impressed then, much
prefer SIBS-boats on water, more atmosphere- but that was quiet too, even on last Sat this year-could get a table in the catering areas anytime!

Always a good yardstick that, plus a lot of people at SIBS were bringing their own, even before the economic woe really began.
In good times, they seem to pay the jacked up "captives" prices regardless.

We shall be taking our usual 2l of water and a reduced price pork pie SWMBO bought in Waitrose this am. I've still got a sore throat, so Guiness stand off limits to me, I'm told + no freebie from Richard S either /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Actually, the Guinness stand was the only area that was busy when I went on Friday. Boat salesman drowning their sorrows, I guess
 
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At one o'clock looked at the five live web cams; astounded how few people wandering around. Perhaps everybody had gone to lunch!

IanC

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I've been sad enough to look at all the webcams every day at various times, and it's appalling. If one discounts folks in short sleeves, there are few punters apparent. If one discounts the folks walking briskly (assumed "trade" visiting other trade stands), there are very few visitors indeed.

From my point of view its not wishing to gloat - but more an increasing sadness.
If the shows are bad how does that bode for the industry as a whole?
Prices are rising astronomically - I notice Charles Sterling has almost doubled his prices for his power products, and that will send more suppliers to the wall.
It's not only the boat manufacturers its the components as well.
 
I am promoting my company on a stand in the show and the official figures are 12% down on last year, however the retail sales on the stands are all UP....amazing I know. I have distrubuted over 5,000 (free) promotional compasses for the website and most people I spoke to are actively looking...so I would say not as bad as some think. I have no idea about the south( power boat) hall, we are in the North
 
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