Vancouver Fanfest 2013 update

[Yipper]

Thank god, I just flat out skipped these 3 days.

Other than the fact that it is a "new" venue (in terms of age of buildings). Same terrible c**p displayed but a further few miles out.

I'm sorry to say, but the so-called "promoters" can be just summed up with the word garbage.

They have zero interest in the hobby. Every time I go, all I can see is them trying to squeeze the last few pennies out every individual who cares. They might not be doing it directly, but they sure are doing it with garbage they allow to setup. Not just once, or twice, or three times ... years after years.

When I have time, I'm sure myself and few collectors here can organize something different.

 

[Chinner]

The main reason I go to the shows now is to meet up and say hi to the friends I've made in this hobby. All the money I bring to the show goes towards team members who have picked items up for me. (You know who you are - lol)

I remember when the "big" show in Vancouver was a big deal. ITG has had a redemption booth there a few times, but I can't remember the last time they set up. UD and Panini have never come out to the Vancouver area - ever.

I understand completely why all of the companies set up at the big show out in Toronto, but how about giving BC something? Doesn't need to be every year, but once in a while would be nice.

As for the show - new promoters or someone that actually cares about the hobby should be running/organizing the show. Better autograph guests will usually result in a higher admission fee. I feel a big problem with the show is the dealers...they are not willing to negotiate for a fair price. Fair price does not necessarily = ebay prices.

 

[Orca Pod]

It appears to me there is some resentment towards Dale an Angie in this thread. Now, I have no idea how to run a show, and believe me, wouldn't want to even try. But, I just want to mention that I have no resentment of Dale and Angie. They are very nice people. I see them frequently (we live in the same general area) and they are always nice, friendly, and spend a couple of minutes chatting. I just want that clear; though the shows are becoming crap, it's not because the two of them are the sterotypical 'slimy' promoter/dealer types. there may be behind-the-scenes stuff I don't knwo about, but they are nice people.

The other thing is the venue. The 'in-towners' seem to complain about how far away it is. Guys, face it, it's not that far. I can understand someone like Stacy, who doesn't have a car, but for those with a car, it's not that far. Just because you have to cross a body of water to get there, doesn't mean it's in a foreign country. Hell, it takes less time to get from downtown Vancouver to Langley than it does to get from Southeast Calgary to Northwest Calgary. Distance is not a valid excuse in this regard.

And, you have to admit, it sure is a nicer venue than the Croatian. For one thing, you don't need a seeing-eye dog to guide you to the tables at Langley...

The actual event this time? Crap. Total crap. Waste of time and money. Location and ragging on Dale and Angie? Not really warranted.

 

[langway05]

Location and ragging on Dale and Angie? Not really warranted.

Just to weigh in with Randy, I'd have to agree with the above statement.

Having worked for Bossa Productions in Alberta for quite a few years. It was always my experience that there was never malice in anything Dale & Angie did. They were always positive in attempting to grow the hobby and giving their show attendee's the best experience possible.

It's just unfortunate that there were changes in their personal situation, such that they no longer do shows in Alberta.

 

[OT Sports]

Many of the dealers I spoke to were lamenting at the mistiming of new product releases like UD1, Superlative, Select etc.

This is so hard to watch because I really like Dale / Angie. But part of the problem lies in the monthly shows. The fact that you allow a few retailers like Wiser's to have a monopoly on new wax just blows me away. That precedent alone kills the overall variety of new vendors that could potentially get involved in the bigger weekend event shows later on.

Imo, that was the biggest issue with the show. Many collectors have already committed $$ to UD1, Select and Superlative.

Location was still a big issue, at least for the guys who come through the shop. I didn't bother setting up at the show as most of my customers come from Richmond and ended up swinging by the shop instead of the 1 hour drive out to Langley.

And as JZ said, alot of local collectors have given up on the Bossa shows. They know that everything there is the same old, same old.

And the whole wax issue at the monthly show drives me crazy... Last time I talked to Dale, he said he didn't want dealers to show up and dump product. That's fair and I get that. But his current dealers are already doing that! I know that a dealer not to be named was selling 12/13 The Cup at $375 at the Langley show. That's cost price! I've had local guys come by the shop and ask for OPC, I tell them that it's $70(average market price) and then they tell me that they can get it for $55 at Bonsor!


On a more positive note, if any of the local guys are interested we're doing a UD1 Release Trade Night on Wed Nov 6 starting @ 6pm. UD1 will be in stock as should Select. And root beers for all! :beer:

 

[Bebop]

So did anyone receive an AJ Sportsworld Hologram sticker COA when they got their Bure item autographed?

 

[Orca Pod]

And root beers for all! :beer:

is it real root beer? As in, IBC or Thomas Kemper? Or, is it that 'in-name-only' porpoise piss crap that Canadian bottlers try to pass off as root beer?

 

[echoi69]

I have to agree/disagree with Randy.

Agreed re: Dale/Angie -> they are both quality individuals. Believe me having done this in my previous job, running events like this is no easy task. So many details to stay on top of, beyond securing sponsors/vendors. But I do feel that they are a bit out of touch as far as their vendors & marketplace are concerned.

In terms of the venue, while I understand the overall distance isn't all that far, the fact that it's not close to transit is a major concern for quite a few potential travelers. I really don't think you can overlook that, especially when this year's setup would have looked equally appealing at the Croatian given how many fewer dealers were present.

But if you had the quality of show from say like 2 years ago when Linden/Howe were there, you could justify to people that the drive out would be worth it when the larger main vendor arena with the large TV viewing screen was actually being used versus this year's back door rink space.

That's the last bit of ranting from me; I think enough has been said. I will look forward to this week's releases along with Dec's Bossa show out of my enjoyment for the hobby and just hope for the best for future events.

 

[timber09]

You know why it sucked? I wasn't there - next one will be better when I am in attendance.
OK maybe not - but I bet we have a few more laughs. Still wish I could have made it up.

 

[Krakenfan]

I can understand everyone's complaints about the past weekends Langley show, and I want to put a little different perspective on the show in my eyes.

For me I am not from the Vancouver collecting scene. All of the shows in Washington State are Hockey defunct at best. I am not lucky enough to have any cards shops within a 70 mile radius from me. I have been coming up twice a year for many years going back to the days of the old Pacific Coliseum shows. I understand the complaints of people having to drive a hour out of there way out of Vancouver. Hell I had to drive 5 1/2 hours just to be there.

For the first time ever I decided to set up a table at the show and was very happy to make back my expense's back three fold (Gas, Hotel, Table, Food). I was able to finally to put faces to people I have traded with on HI over the years. Get autographs from hockey signers. I was able to break some hobby wax that wasn't retail for the first time in month's, and overall generally had a good time.

I certainly agree that the show could have been planned a little bit better. But I think Dale and Angie did the best that they could with the date change of the show. If they hadn't changed it no one would have had a opportunity to get a autograph from Pavel Bure. They were very nice and hospitable to me and made me feel welcome to be there as a dealer. Just like Rome, a show isn't built in a day.

But I think the one thing everyone has forgotten is that this is the hobby that we all have chosen to do and love, and all of use will continue to help it grow. I plan on setting up again at the Spring show and be able to meet more people from HI.

 

[87sluggo]

But I thinks the one thing everyone has forgotten is that this is the hobby that we all have chosen to do and love, and all of use will continue to help it grow. I plan on setting up again at the Spring show and be able to meet more people from HI.

I was at the show all three days - $24 (the lack of a three day pass was galling) plus 5 bridge tolls - $18.25......so I guess that's what my free Kirk McLean and Carl Valentine autos were worth.

I gladly paid the $40 for Yvan Cournoyer because he finished off a 4-card OPC All-Star FanFest panel for me, which I'd show you except I'm too new here heh.

I spent $77 at Amsfan's table because he's a swell guy and he had a great mix of stuff and he gave me a hell of a deal, and he's in my age group and he likes to talk

And that was about it, maybe $50 at all of the other dealers combined, because every show it's the same guys with the same stuff. And yeah, there's no new boxes out so they're all trying to push the same ol' same ol'..........Sigh.

BUT, for my 8 bucks daily I did get to hang out with my buddy Steffen and chat with Peter the KSA guy and talk to a vintage jersey guy about my HC Lugano jersey and pre-war cards etc.......so it wasn't the worst time in the world. I've just got to learn to ignore the threads about The National and The Expo, that's all