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The price increase starting w/ the Feb 2020 Spring Thaw show was public at/before 2018 Fall's 1st Frost.  The show's printed flyers in the fall for future meets listed the $10 price and IIRC their website also listed the higher price.  IMHO it's a well run show that generally has something for everyone.  As much as the initial thought that a 25% or $2 price increase is much consider that the prior entry fee was the same for at least 4 yrs and the show's related operating costs likely increased each year.  Someone w/ a better memory could confirm but IIRC the entry fee 20 yrs. ago in 2000 was around $5.

Keystone posted:

The price increase starting w/ the Feb 2020 Spring Thaw show was public at/before 2018 Fall's 1st Frost.  The show's printed flyers in the fall for future meets listed the $10 price and IIRC their website also listed the higher price.  IMHO it's a well run show that generally has something for everyone.  As much as the initial thought that a 25% or $2 price increase is much consider that the prior entry fee was the same for at least 4 yrs and the show's related operating costs likely increased each year.  Someone w/ a better memory could confirm but IIRC the entry fee 20 yrs. ago in 2000 was around $5.

Agreed it's a very good meet for the $$.  I don't go as much as I used to, but that's just because of too many trains, not because of anything else.

With turnpike tolls and gas, the cost of the ticket is one of the lesser costs for me (only about an hour away), so I'd never think twice about it.

-Dave

Time for my rant.

As a former partner in that show and current dealer I can only say you have no idea how much they charge for renting that venue and costs associated with putting on an event like that.  That $8 price was due to go up before the partner transition 3 years ago.  I commend them for holding off as long as they could.  Are you aware that there is a head charge for every admission ticket collected?  It keeps going up, no doubt it has...again.  Things aren't as easy nor as lucrative as people might might think. 

Do you know that several years ago they jacked up the electrical drop price by surprise and we actually lost money on every drop that year?.  We ate that just so there were no repercussions.  But howl they did when we had to raise the price to barely cover costs.   They've now added a charge for the extra parking lot security for that weekend.  Oh, and the hourly price of that went up, too.  So did the table rent. There's also promoter's liability insurance.  Yup, that goes up too.   The fairgrounds has also been fighting a tax reassessment for years that tripled the taxes on that lot. Thank greedy local government for that.  Guess who they pass the increase along to? 

Someone pointed out the ticket price for York.  York admissions are dropping, big time.  ATMA shows have been holding their own and been fairly steady even through the decline and/or demise of other shows.  Why's that?  Marketing efforts.

Most Greenberg shows are now $10.  I'll take this show any day over doll houses and toys.  Why aren't you squawking about Greenberg?  This show predates Greenberg and has remained a fixture on the train show circuit and is celebrating its 40th year. 

I do very well at this show as a dealer in spite of the table prices that increased several years ago to mirror Greenberg.  There was a howl from dealers over that.  Know what?  ATMA still sells out tables at every show or darn close to it.  Why? because it's a darn good show, in spite of flaws.

Sadly, the days of $10 tables and $3 admissions is pretty much over for large shows of this caliber. I guess there's someone in every crowd who will crow at any price increase then plays the "I'm not going anymore." whine.  Vote with your wallet.  Better yet, try running your own show. 

And finally my favorite saying:  Everything looks easy to those who don't have to actually do it. 

End rant. 

See the rest of you at breakfast! 

 

 

 

Last edited by TedsGG1

I find the Allentown shows to be my show of choice.  The size of the show, number of dealers, is just right.  I always come away with something at a fair price.  It's only just under an hour from me, up the Northeast Extension.  Parking is easy.  Ten dollars doesn't bother me.  Heck, look at what you can pay for a night out at a restaurant.  And all that good food doesn't stick with you long.....LOL

CNJBill posted:

Just bought my early ticket for next week’s meet. Ticket price went up 25%, now $10.00 a ticket. That’s a 25% increase. I guess they felt that if Lionel can get those crazy prices why not them. Still the best show around besides York. 

With the price of gas, tolls, manufacturers ridiculous list prices, etc $2 doesn't even figure into the cost of going if it is a good meet.

TedsGG1 posted:

Time for my rant.

As a former partner in that show and current dealer I can only say you have no idea how much they charge for renting that venue and costs associated with putting on an event like that.  That $8 price was due to go up before the partner transition 3 years ago.  I commend them for holding off as long as they could.  Are you aware that there is a head charge for every admission ticket collected?  It keeps going up, no doubt it has...again.  Things aren't as easy nor as lucrative as people might might think. 

Do you know that several years ago they jacked up the electrical drop price by surprise and we actually lost money on every drop that year?.  We ate that just so there were no repercussions.  But howl they did when we had to raise the price to barely cover costs.   They've now added a charge for the extra parking lot security for that weekend.  Oh, and the hourly price of that went up, too.  So did the table rent. There's also promoter's liability insurance.  Yup, that goes up too.   The fairgrounds has also been fighting a tax reassessment for years that tripled the taxes on that lot. Thank greedy local government for that.  Guess who they pass the increase along to? 

Someone pointed out the ticket price for York.  York admissions are dropping, big time.  ATMA shows have been holding their own and been fairly steady even through the decline and/or demise of other shows.  Why's that?  Marketing efforts.

Most Greenberg shows are now $10.  I'll take this show any day over doll houses and toys.  Why aren't you squawking about Greenberg?  This show predates Greenberg and has remained a fixture on the train show circuit and is celebrating its 40th year. 

I do very well at this show as a dealer in spite of the table prices that increased several years ago to mirror Greenberg.  There was a howl from dealers over that.  Know what?  ATMA still sells out tables at every show or darn close to it.  Why? because it's a darn good show, in spite of flaws.

Sadly, the days of $10 tables and $3 admissions is pretty much over for large shows of this caliber. I guess there's someone in every crowd who will crow at any price increase then plays the "I'm not going anymore." whine.  Vote with your wallet.  Better yet, try running your own show. 

And finally my favorite saying:  Everything looks easy to those who don't have to actually do it. 

End rant. 

See the rest of you at breakfast! 

 

 

 

LOL! $10.00 tables? Its a New CENTURY for cripes sakes! Who does that? The cheapest I have seen is $20.00 tables AND YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! 

Im looking forward as a hobbyist trying to thin my collection at this show!

I've been attending the Allentown Spring Thaw meet since 1990.  The admission price at that time was $5.00 as I recall.  This meet is just as good now as it was 30 years ago.  A $5.00 increase over a 30 year time span is pretty darn good.  They will receive my money again this year, God willing. Great meet or show or whatever.

CNJBill posted:

Just bought my early ticket for next week’s meet. Ticket price went up 25%, now $10.00 a ticket. That’s a 25% increase. I guess they felt that if Lionel can get those crazy prices why not them. Still the best show around besides York. 

it started at $5    30 years ago.......

If you do the math, it comes out to a $.017 increase per year.   It has nothing to do with getting "those crazy prices"

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