Clancy Moped
Well-known member
I've used Clarke & Carter in the past for parts, always efficient and professional.
Southampton Boat Show attendance
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flaming
Well-known member
The stands that are not boaty are basically professional exhibitors. They go to a different show every week, it's their business. If they weren't making sales they'd go bust.
If you ever get a chance, watch the difference between them and the typical marine industry professional doing their 1 show a year. The non boaty guys are grafters, you can't walk past the stand without being engaged with. They drag people in, banter with them, and sell. All day.
The marine guys, in general, expect their stand to do the work for them and sit at the back of the stand playing with their phones waiting for people to approach them. And then they wonder why they didn't hit their targets....
I once walked round the show taking pictures of exhibitors sat on their phones whilst there were people in the aisles. When the end of the show came round and we got the normal run of "didn't sell a thing, not coming back" complaints, I had a photo to match each one....
The guys who made the show work for them did exactly that, work.
michael_w
Well-known member
We went this year, on the first Friday, with quite a big shopping list for the new boat. Stayed the night before in a pub I use to drink in as a schoolboy! Spent a long time chatting to an old friend on the Raymarine stand sorting out our electronic needs. (God knows what it's all going to cost!)
Bought a new traveler from Harken and chatted to a couple of my suppliers. Looked at the boats on the pontoons. Only 3 of any interest. Beneteau Figaro 3, Jeanneau 3300 and the Dehler 30 one design. Very taken with the Dehler.
Bought a new traveler from Harken and chatted to a couple of my suppliers. Looked at the boats on the pontoons. Only 3 of any interest. Beneteau Figaro 3, Jeanneau 3300 and the Dehler 30 one design. Very taken with the Dehler.
laika
Well-known member
I am probably the target audience even if the people on the oyster stand don't think I look it. I’ve spent on average around their claimed average spend at the show and established connections which have led to ongoing spend. I’ve spent 4 figure sums on stuff I didn’t know I needed until I saw it at the show and yes, I’m possibly in the market for a new boat if I see something which suits me perfectly. I don't generally go to shows to buy something, I go to browse and then end up buying stuff (then or later). And while I don't need a free ticket (I went to shows for years before the RYA free ticket thing, usually using one of the ubiquitous discount codes), £32 feels like a rip-off for a bit of boaty browsing. I'm not sure what "making excuses" means here but my excuse is that it feels like an unreasonable price. If you rocked up at your local Tesco and found they'd started charging £5 to let you in you could argue "who cares on £80 worth of shopping, it's not worth the hassle of going all the way to Waitrose now you're there". But many of us might go elsewhere irrational though it may be.
So no random purchases for me this year and no downgrading my house buying aspirations because I've falling in love with something beautiful and swedish like I almost did at Boot a couple of years back. They need to half the standard ticket price (before "discounts") to get into the sensible range.
Capt Popeye
Well-known member
Well a BIT OF FRED DRIFT ere ; many many years ago, one of oue sons who was about to leave School wander around a London Boat Show with me ; son is rather well built plus tall ; anyways he walked up to a Stand with a Boat costing Loadsa Money , the entry /exit points were chained off , he chatted to a Sales Person ; next thing I knew was that he was aboard this Loadsa Money Boat , being shown arround ; cripes I thought , better see how this adventure 'pans out' , well afer some time Son appears , chuckling to himself , The saleman ask if or when I was likly to place my order , he said , Well son says , I have to get a Job First ! humm {
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ashtead
Well-known member
Also went on the first day with free tickets and found it very quiet but for the few boats we looked over Hanse,dehler,Bavaria plus smaller mobo Orkney we found it easier to board and each dealer engaged. Some of manufactures such as harken helpful. I missed the presence though of our retailer stores and notiticed the presence of non marine sellers eg house awnings,Bentleys,woodcarvings etc seemed to have increased. We stopped for refreshing tea and biscuits at the boatfolk stands and many owners appreciated chance to pass on views I’m sure. I would attend again if free tickets continue and parking remains at £5 in shopping centre. I just wish someone would sort out catering withdecent sandwich sellers plus seating. Have non of those at British marine looked at how they do it in Monaco?
Wansworth
Well-known member
As an aside longtime ago atEarlsCourt was ensconced momentarily with as I recall a very dishy blond and at 19 thought hello ,until she opened her mouth,a voice before Estuary English was thought of…..rather dulled my ardor!
Frogmogman
Well-known member
?
The stand we always visit at the Paris boat show is that of a winemaker and duck farmer from Cahors. He offers a glass of wine and a foie gras sandwich for €9. We have a chat with him about SW France and life in general, then stagger home with a case of his excellent Cahors and assorted duck delicacies. It was my daughter who discovered the stand back in 2015.
Poignard
Well-known member
At the Earls Court show they had people selling stuff to clean specs with, magic shoe polish and other non-nautical products.
They were there every year so it must have been worthwhile for them to be there.
laika
Well-known member
Full price entrance to the Paris show €17 by the looks of it. Same ballpark as Boot and what I suspect most people would expect. Not £32.
ashtead
Well-known member
Paris show looks like it realises boaters need to eat simple food at the show. I would settle for Pret sandwiches although I appreciate might not be to everyone’s taste.
Frogmogman
Well-known member
But free for FFV members. (French equivalent of RYA)
Clancy Moped
Well-known member
I was dragged around the Ideal Home Exhibition at Earls Court, it was like watching QVC on steroids ?
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Blueboatman
Well-known member
What about that wood vice ‘ system’ that seemed to be 10 different clamps that would attach to all manner of improbables ? Deft patter, adroit demonstrations , daft pricing ! And punters rushing to hand over the dosh??
Poignard
Well-known member
The Zyliss Machine Vice?
I'm blushing because I bought one.
I don't think I ever used it.
?
Poignard
Well-known member
The days of Barry Bucknell?
Got a nice old house?
Ruin it by tearing down the picture rails, ripping out the fireplaces, and covering the doors with hardboard. Then paint the walls with orange emulsion!
Also dump the nice comfortable old furniture and buy G-plan.
Yes, I remember the Ideal Home Exhibition.
Didn't one of the newspapers organise it?
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mjcoon
Well-known member
As it happens I have just signed a petition to ban the import of foie gras (and other products) on animal welfare grounds. No way of stopping production, of course. Maybe import would be obligatory if we were still in EU...
jac
Well-known member
Daily Mail??
PWLS08
Member
Certainly not my taste at the prices they charge on the high street, they make exhibition food seem value for money!
Clancy Moped
Well-known member
I think it was, I can't remember coming home with any tut .