Not sure buyers/sellers forum is the right terminology, or if there is something like this that exists already, but I had an idea for matching buyers and sellers at York. Produce an app for the iPhone/Android that would allow you to post a WTB request that sellers at York could read and respond during the show.
So I'd enter a description and mfg item number item I am hunting for and if a seller had one at their table they could post a response - available in Red Hall, Table 12. With so many people in attendance and so many tables to visit, plus a lot of sellers having inventory buried under the table or in a box, this could streamline the sale to the benefit of both the buyer and seller. Why go home with something that someone really wanted to buy, but never found you, or it?
You could even create a premium version of the app with a search feature that would give sellers a chance to list their inventory (standardized format) and/or post a description with keywords to say what they focus on (tinplate, pre-war, modern, high-end collectibles, accessories, diecast cars, whatever). So if I am looking for American Flyer I could do a search and it would bring back a listing of sellers and table locations who have what I want. If the seller also decided to list his inventory or some key things he brought, I'd be able to see that as well. Charge the sellers a fee for the listing and a modest fee to the buyers to download the app. Most paid Apple apps are under $5.
Maybe there is something already in the marketplace for this type of onsite buy/sell arrangement already that could be adapted for York. I'd be a fan of it for a couple of reasons including I typically have a list of items I'm looking for and would rather go home with those items in hand than not. Anything that would improve my chance of finding what I want would be worth a couple of bucks. Also, and I'm sure I'm not alone, I just can't see like I used to so scouring over hundreds of tables is both tiring and ineffective as I just can't see half the darn stuff. I never bother reading the sides of boxes anymore, just can't do it. But if I could type in "Lionel Polar Railroad SD80MAC" and get a hit from a seller, good for me and good for the seller.
Anyhow, it's a thought.
