March 6h 2016 >> 27th Annual West Coaster Toy Soldier Show (1 Viewer)

Is anyone interested in seeing Bob Walker's collection (less than 30 minutes from the Marriott) on Saturday morning? I could pick you up at 9:00 am in front of the hotel and drive you to his house; there is very little room trading on Saturday morning anyway. My e-mail address is matara42@roadrunner.com.
 
Woody and Craig are looking at options for the 2017 show. It could still be at the Marriott or perhaps at an air plane museum at John Wayne Airport. I was told that questionaires will be sent to vendors asking what their preferences are in the way of facilities, room sales, et cetera prior to making a decision. Will check back with him in a few months to see what the future will bring us. I did get a few minutes with Craig . . . he's come a long ways since his fall, but still has miles to go. What a trooper!

Bosun Al
 
This show isn't what it used to be and as reflected in prior years' threads, attendance has been declining. Based on Al's thread, it sounds as if the trend has continued this year.

I know Andy didn't attend this year as he had a wedding to attend. Chris Munro was standing in his place.

If I happened to be out there -- my sister has a place in Laguna -- I would attend but I wouldn't go out there just for the show.
 
If that is true, then it might be a sad fact. Is it because people are beginning to lose interest, and not being replaced by any new people,or is it because we do not want to spend the money?, or logistics that there are less people in this side of the country that are into this hobby? Sad.
We in the SF area sees Andy, at the Sierra Toy Soldier the week end before Chicago. Smaller some what a more one on one, more time spent conversing with each other. So if some one misses him, they can go to Sierra.
......Maybe a change of Venue, of the WestCoaster going up north and having it around the Bay Area, might be in order for a change. SF can be a lot less hectic, less confusing place to get through, with the Highways. And new scenery for people to see, might be a plus...
 
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I would have to say it is not just the West Coaster that is down, but show attendance in all shows have dropped over the years. In a thread a while ago I stated a dozen reasons that everyone really needs to attend a show, so I won't repeat them here. I don't believe that you can point at any one reason as the culprit for attendance drop, but there are some that may be more significant than others. And it is not just Toy Soldiers, but almost all hobbies or even professional show attendance is off.

The Internet has had a major impact in show attendance. A collector can get the announcement of new figures, see the item, purchase it online and have it shipped to their house without ever leaving the front yard.

The cost of attending the shows can be prohibitive. With fewer shows that means that you might have travel further.
Travel brings, gas, tolls, food, hotel, admission fees, wear-and-tear, and other items into the picture.

Time away from home. Seems today that Americans fear taking time off from work and chores around the house. Family commitments and other obligations have a nasty way for vying for predominance.

Health issues. As our current collecting audience ages it is a bit harder and harder to find the energy and desire to make the trip. I can unequivocally confirm this as I just spent four days in my Hospital ... and ... yes the rumor is true that I actually died for 30 - 40 seconds..{sm2}

Ebay, the Treefrog Consignment area, and many other similar sites offer hard-to-find items that don't even appear at the show. I can find a mounted JJD Indian from someone in California; a Panther Tank from a guy in Florida or a P51 Mustang from a collector in England.

HOWEVER, with all that said .... there is still so much to be gained by showing up and supporting your local shows as well as making a pilgrimage to one of the "biggies" like the -- West Coaster; Texas, Chicago; Hackensack; Valley Forge; Gettysburg and such.

So hope to see many of you at the upcoming shows ....{sm4}

--- LaRRy
 
I was hoping for some picture coverage of the show...

it's still early...

some attendees maybe are still on their way home...

hopefully someone will post pics...
 
If Matt from Hobby Bunker posts some photos on the Hobby Bunker Forum, I will post them here. Mike Tarantino is pretty good at posting photos. I know Tom Dubel was there and maybe he took a few photos.
 
I was in attendance but did not take any photos. If you have any questions about the show please feel free to ask here on this thread or via PM.

Best,
Jason
 
Larry Allen said:
I would have to say it is not just the West Coaster that is down, but show attendance in all shows have dropped over the years. In a thread a while ago I stated a dozen reasons that everyone really needs to attend a show, so I won't repeat them here. I don't believe that you can point at any one reason as the culprit for attendance drop, but there are some that may be more significant than others. And it is not just Toy Soldiers, but almost all hobbies or even professional show attendance is off.

The Internet has had a major impact in show attendance. A collector can get the announcement of new figures, see the item, purchase it online and have it shipped to their house without ever leaving the front yard.

The cost of attending the shows can be prohibitive. With fewer shows that means that you might have travel further.
Travel brings, gas, tolls, food, hotel, admission fees, wear-and-tear, and other items into the picture.

Time away from home. Seems today that Americans fear taking time off from work and chores around the house. Family commitments and other obligations have a nasty way for vying for predominance.

Health issues. As our current collecting audience ages it is a bit harder and harder to find the energy and desire to make the trip. I can unequivocally confirm this as I just spent four days in my Hospital ... and ... yes the rumor is true that I actually died for 30 - 40 seconds..{sm2}

Ebay, the Treefrog Consignment area, and many other similar sites offer hard-to-find items that don't even appear at the show. I can find a mounted JJD Indian from someone in California; a Panther Tank from a guy in Florida or a P51 Mustang from a collector in England.

HOWEVER, with all that said .... there is still so much to be gained by showing up and supporting your local shows as well as making a pilgrimage to one of the "biggies" like the -- West Coaster; Texas, Chicago; Hackensack; Valley Forge; Gettysburg and such.

So hope to see many of you at the upcoming shows ....{sm4}

--- LaRRy
Click to expand...

So many good points here.

Bottom line is, attendance is dropping at toy soldier shows for a number of reasons. As someone who's been attending them for over 20 years, IMO, the main reason is simply put, people shop differently now than they did 20 years ago.

Like Larry said, all you have to do is sit home on your computer, never leave your chair and buy all the toy soldiers you want.

Also, as he said, people have limited free time on the weekends, so what do you do; go to a toy soldier show, or dive into the "Honey do" list? Happy wife, happy life as they say, not to mention the expense of going to a show.

The explosion of Ebay has taken a lot of the shine away from the shows; the rare finds, the treasures you used to walk into at shows are long gone, aside from new items or a collector blowing out portions of his collection, what is the allure now of attending a show?

Sure, there's the social aspect, but the main purpose of going is to buy and you can buy just as easily at home.

Hobbies in general are suffering from the same issues; general toy, toy and train, stamp, coin, toy soldier, wargaming, doll, sports cards and collectibles, comic books, whatever the show, the issues are the same.

As my favorite football coach likes to say, it is what it is....................
 
Warrior said:
So many good points here.

Bottom line is, attendance is dropping at toy soldier shows for a number of reasons. As someone who's been attending them for over 20 years, IMO, the main reason is simply put, people shop differently now than they did 20 years ago.

Like Larry said, all you have to do is sit home on your computer, never leave your chair and buy all the toy soldiers you want.

Also, as he said, people have limited free time on the weekends, so what do you do; go to a toy soldier show, or dive into the "Honey do" list? Happy wife, happy life as they say, not to mention the expense of going to a show.

The explosion of Ebay has taken a lot of the shine away from the shows; the rare finds, the treasures you used to walk into at shows are long gone, aside from new items or a collector blowing out portions of his collection, what is the allure now of attending a show?

Sure, there's the social aspect, but the main purpose of going is to buy and you can buy just as easily at home.

Hobbies in general are suffering from the same issues; general toy, toy and train, stamp, coin, toy soldier, wargaming, doll, sports cards and collectibles, comic books, whatever the show, the issues are the same.

As my favorite football coach likes to say, it is what it is....................
Click to expand...

Having only recently started to attend these shows, the allure pretty much comes down to one thing: To spend some very concentrated time talking about all things toy soldiers with like minded individuals. From that perspective, it's a great time. Further, for me, from a MFR's perspective who spends so much time focused on our products, it was neat to walk around the show and see what else is out there that I simply wasn't aware of. I even bought a few dioramas that should show up in some of our advertisements or on our website in the not too distant future!
 
I think going to shows is a lot of fun and the social aspect is a big plus. I like Chicago because of the social aspect but it's also fun to get away and just do nothing but toy soldiers for a few days.

Buying things online is fine but nothing like seeing them in person. That applies not only to toy soldiers but everything else.

Larry, I had no idea that you almost died. Thank goodness you're ok.
 
I remember awhile back, I didn't see Larry posting and I was thinking where's Larry? I hope you're recovering well.
 
jazzeum said:
I think going to shows is a lot of fun and the social aspect is a big plus. I like Chicago because of the social aspect but it's also fun to get away and just do nothing but toy soldiers for a few days.

Buying things online is fine but nothing like seeing them in person. That applies not only to toy soldiers but everything else.

Larry, I had no idea that you almost died. Thank goodness you're ok.
Click to expand...

Go for Broke said:
I remember awhile back, I didn't see Larry posting and I was thinking where's Larry? I hope you're recovering well.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the thoughts, and yes recovering very well.

I was feeling great in the morning, not so well by evening, at a critical juncture at midnight. But we'll save the story for another thread at another time. Really looking forward to the 2016 show season.
--- LaRRy
 
jazzeum said:
If Matt from Hobby Bunker posts some photos on the Hobby Bunker Forum, I will post them here. Mike Tarantino is pretty good at posting photos. I know Tom Dubel was there and maybe he took a few photos.
Click to expand...

I am sorry to say that I was manning my tables solo, so I didn't get the opportunity to take any photos. Tom Dubel was indeed there, but I didn't see him, or anyone else for that matter unlike previous years, taking photos or videos. Some of the manufacturers who were there included King & Country (without Andy), Britains, Collectors Showcase, Frontline, and Bill Hocker, among others. Dealers were also there selling Little Legion, John Jenkins Design, First Legion, etc.

I didn't participate in room trading this year, but I heard that foot traffic was light with some saying they did well while others not so much. I don't know if they announced attendance numbers, but I do know that there were 165 vendor tables sold. My best year at the show was 2009 with more than $6,000 in sales, unfortunately, this was my worst year with less than $1,000. That being said, I intend to return next year because it is much more about seeing old friends and supporting the hobby than the money. Heck, if it was about the money, I would be the dumbest MBA that the UCLA Graduate School of Management every awarded a diploma to.

Some news on the West Coaster's future going forward: This was the last year on the long running West Coaster contract with the Marriott. Craig and Woody are trying to find a new venue for 2017. One place they are negotiating with is the Lyon Air Museum on the other side (west) of John Wayne Airport as opposed to the Marriott which is east of the airport. If successful, it would be the end of room trading, but they might be able to run it as a two day show on Saturday and Sunday. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Mike
 
Sorry to hear that your sales were down Mike, better luck next year.

165 tables is a lot of tables; that would make it the second largest show on the East Coast if it was held here behind Hackensack, maybe third behind Valley Forge as well.

I hope for all the collectors on the West Coast who attend that they can keep it going either at the old location or at a new one; either way, I hope the show goes on........................
 
I bought a few things needed for on-going projects and sold a few books as well. Yes, my adrenalin gets pumping as soon as I walk through the door. But the main thing for me is seeing long-time friends and talking toy soldiers. So many have passed or are no longer able to attend. One vendor I've known for years said that this will be their last year as they're moving on to other things. So the show is both exciting and bittersweet! Oh well. only a year to the next show . . .

Bosun Al
 
I found it interesting reading UCLA's post that his best year with $6000 in sales was 2009. 2009 was the height of the great recession. My point being, and this is generally speaking, if your in this hobby your doing OK financially. I think the problem now is old time collectors, me included, are getting a little tired of the hobby. One being way to much product. I personally don't know how some companies are still around. The secondary market is dead unless you price the item so for below retail people just can't pass it up. We will never see the likes of the middle 2000's, those were the glory years.
Gary
 
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