show season, and the state of the economy?

[Karl F]

?
?

[Joe]

The people who go out of business won't be there. A bad economy is usually bad all around - unless you're Wal-Mart. I'd say lower attendence - people hold back spending on things that are not essential. By show season, things will be much worse.

[BigFish]

I am going to bet by show season after all we will have gone through between now and then with dismal weather and the crappy economy, folks are going to be looking to get out, stretch their legs and maybe spend a "happy" buck or two! I also think there are some things folks enjoy and won't cut back that much! They may however choose specific shows instead of going to all of them!

Not to mention they may have tax returns in hand and maybe another stimulus check!

[Uncle Matt]

I'm willing to bet that some tackle vendors won't be doing some of the shows this year. With the internet being what it is and the costs of space at these shows being what it is, I can see some dealers pulling out. And I expect the boat dealers will bring fewer new boats with them and they will be pushing used boats.

[keeperreaper]

Originally Posted by Uncle Matt

I'm willing to bet that some tackle vendors won't be doing some of the shows this year. With the internet being what it is and the costs of space at these shows being what it is, I can see some dealers pulling out. And I expect the boat dealers will bring fewer new boats with them and they will be pushing used boats.

I agree totally. Disposable income just doesn't exist for many. Look at all the boat manufacturers who closed up shop. It is depressing.

[fishonnelsons]

In the middle of Winter, a chance to get out and stretch your legs, have a few beers while browsing and BS'ing with your buds, people will still go to the shows.

What they buy will be another story - a custom, hard to get plug here and there, "maybe" a rod or reel that is such a deal they can't resist it, after that I don't know.

The boat dealers should be out in full force - maybe they won't bring as many boats, and cut down on the booth size, but their pencils will be working should anyone walk up and really start to talk seriously. Patience is the key now if you are looking for a boat - there will be great new and used boats available.

[spinncognito]

Looks like this year I will be able to afford the gas to get down to the shows!

[UserRemoved1]

Wonder how many $9 needles I could sell Karl?

I'm expanding at both shows this year 3 full booths and some major changes in the works.

[Crafty Angler]

Talked to a shop owner the other day - he just came back from a manufacturers show and spoke with a bunch of other owners - apparently everybody is being judicious in their spending on new stock for '09.

Makes sense if you wanna stay in business - but I believe people who are of the fishing persuasion are still gonna spend even if they do have to pull their horns in a little.

People need to escape from all this C-R-A-P that's going on and fishing is good for the soul, let's ya forget for a while and makes you focus on the moment...like Raven would say, it's a completely existential exercise.

I think you'll still see biz in fish stuff, perhaps just a little diminished.

Actually, I have a tentative meeting set up with my plug broker, fisher1989, over blackfish next week.

I'm a little concerned over recent drops in wood that I've noticed on The Other Site, but wood has always been a volatile market. Stick with the blue chips if you're into wood, that's my advice.

Certainly not of concern for those of us who have seen these fluctuations in the plug market before. Prices were driven up by speculaotrs - I believe the plug bubble has burst and will return to fishable levels in the near future

You just have to diversify to protect yourself and maintain your net worth...spread your money into tins, reels, rods, ephemera and collectibles - stay away from junk.

It's all this electronic plug trading that will cause prices to plummet uncontrollably - it needs to be regulated.

It's just a slight market correction - sit tight

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Uncle Matt

With the internet being what it is and the costs of space at these shows being what it is, I can see some dealers pulling out.

Absolutely. Phones not being reliably answered, no product in the store, orders trickling out slowly if at all over the entire week it takes us to do a show? Staff taken away from the web development that needs to get done before the fishing season hits again? Product getting beat up from traveling? Theft from the booth resulting in the need to do a full inventory post-show? I don't think so.

Last year was the last year of shows as we used to do them. We've got room at home now so we'll be doing mini-shows and classes at the store throughout the winter. We'll probably have a small booth at RISAA with a raffle going in exchange for email addresses and a couple computers so if a customer wants to make a purchase on site they easily can (no tax, free shipping, and we'll probably throw in a 10% discount too in that scenario ), but that's about it.

I suspect most shops do shows because they feel they "have" to be there to look like they're doing well.

The beauty of this is I'm going to walk around and enjoy RISAA from the other side for the first time ever...

[Flaptail]

Hmmm....let's see? Four major American cities announced this morning that not unlike GM, if the feds don't bail them out they will tank, shut down, city services gone, zip. PD, FD all of it.

Now couple that with Detroits woes and what GM going under will do to the national economic scene.

When this is all ova, not only the Upper midwest and great lakes regions will be trashed

People will still go, but since show prices are notoriously high for the most part, the wallets will be tightly shut and stay tucked in pockets.

[Crafty Angler]

My apologies - I neglected to touch on commodities and futures -

Eels, crabs, sandworms - the pogie market is too unstable over the long haul, I think, demand is fixed but production is unreliable ...

It bears watching...

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Hmmm....let's see? Four major American cities announced this morning that not unlike GM, if the feds don't bail them out they will tank, shut down, city services gone, zip. PD, FD all of it.

Do you have a link for the news wire on that.

[UserRemoved1]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081114/...ilout_cities_1

I didnt see anything about shutting the cities down but this was the article I read this morning.

[fishbones]

I'll still go to the shows this year. It's a great distraction during the winter. I probably won't be buying as many plugs as I have in the past, but not because of the economy. My basement is starting to look like Flaptails in the picture from the OTW article about re-finishing plugs. I just have too many and can no longer keep track of them. I'll definitley be hitting Salty's booth for some kits, though.

[RIJIMMY]

My wife and I just survived a round of layoffs, we will be spending $ on food, gas and some Chirstmas gifts for the kids, other than that, not much else. I am not sure I will be putting the boat in a slip next year. The future is way to dark at this time. No fish shows for me.

[ivanputski]

I would rather see 50 more vendors than usual packed into a large gymnasium somewhere so the table fee is much lower, and skip having it in some plush sports colliseum or convention center... im there to BUY STUFF... so what do I care if its in a cheap-to-rent gymnasium thats just as big as a convention center... if the table price is lower, the tackle markup may be lower, and more vendors will show up... If I was an independent plug builder, I wouldnt want to have to sell 2 thousand bucks worth just to break even...

[Raven]

on January 20th .....the sunshine will suddenly peak
thru the dark clouds, rainbows will appear and flower pedals will fall from the sky signaling a new age of prosperity. and Change !!!

[fishaholic18]

I can't see many people going to fishing shows this year...I think they'll have more important things to worry about like food, heat, electricity...etc... I know i won't be spending any $$ on fishing crap this winter...I will make do with what I have...live bait is free...

[afterhours]

the risaa show always has great attendance. even in a bad economy people will want to treat thier cabin fever by going to the shows, it's still a cheap date. i think that big ticket items may be affected but our oc'd brethren will always need plugs, line, etc. heck most fishermen i know would rather buy gear than eat. belt tightening is a reality but we still gotta feed our addiction.
ps: where else can you get AH dannys, polaris', jointeds, eel skin plugs...

[Raven]

growing up as kids our mom's would always reward us with cookies, a slice of cake or some other edible treat...

now as adults our feel good food is Plugs ....rods, reels
and other assorted gear....

[MikeToole]

If the show has good speakers I think they will still bring in a real crowd. They don't really need to be big names if there are a bunch of them. The better shows MSBA had years back always included presentations by unknown members who were knowledgeable in specific areas. I always enjoyed these the most. I stopped going to Worcester years ago because it never changed, even the speakers. This type of show may see a real decline because it's main focus is expensive trips.

I think the price of custom plugs may come back to the land of reality. I've noted that some of the beachmaster plugs that were selling for 50 or 60 area are now easy to obtain for 30. That is still more then I'm willing to pay but it is a sign of what may be coming.

[Nebe]

when times are tough, the tough eat

[stripercrazy]

I allway look at the show as a social thing and a way to beat shipping....lure parts..a fancy painted plug from afterhours or salty...maybe a hat... probly a 100 bucks gone for the day anyway... the only question would be what show probly the biggest or I'll look at who's going to be there...who cares about house sideing and non fishing stuff

[UserRemoved1]

I'm thinking about having a show this year. Salty's Surf Day

[Pt.JudeJoe]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

I'm thinking about having a show this year. Salty's Surf Day

Cool can I get a table there?

[UserRemoved1]

It's spamalicious Karl


PJJ we should talk by phone at some point soon the thought has crossed my mind.

[afterhours]

is it spam when it's a sponsor or three?

[UserRemoved1]

SPAAAAAAAAAAM WONDERFUL SPAAAAAAAM

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Pt.JudeJoe

Cool can I get a table there?

bring you Pt. JudeJoe surf board and two plastic saw horses and you'll be all set....

and don't forget to stop at the Hormel store on your way