Is Billing DEAD?

[paul_humphreys]

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=7753

Paul

[Evilgoat]

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=7753

Paul

---8<---
Sorry I wasnt supposed to say that, oops :)

[way2deep]

it ought to be judging by the turn out of stalls this year,and the goods they had for sale..very poor i thought

[Rich_P]

There were big rumours like this set up last year about the same thing of Billing ceasing to hold the LRE show.  

[POTASH]

its on at billing for next 2 years as far as i know

[defenderdan]

I think the problem now is too many shows. When there was only billing all of the traders turned out.

[paul_humphreys]

I think the problem now is too many shows. When there was only billing all of the traders turned out.

That was the problem with the LRO show, not enough traders.

Paul

[j99mud]

not sure if it makes any difference to the shows but billing has been under new management for a couple of months and things havent been running as smoothly as they were!

[winchman]

I would think the lack of traders is down to the massive rent, dont forget a trader has to transport his stock, staff, feed and accomodate them all, it costs a fortune and theres a good risk of rain keeping the buyers away.
We might have a trader on here who can tell us the cost of attendance ?
One of my mates wont go due to all the above.
Its interesting the change of venue bit, I attend the 1000 engine rally and I believe the same happened here, rent too much so moved to another stately home.

[muddyjlx]

dont know about billing rents.
but the old 4x4 show at westwycombe charged £5000 for a manufactorers stand. :shock:


Jae show ( which is jap only) charge £150 for a trade stand for 3 days.

[defenderdan]

I would think the lack of traders is down to the massive rent, dont forget a trader has to transport his stock, staff, feed and accomodate them all, it costs a fortune and theres a good risk of rain keeping the buyers away.
We might have a trader on here who can tell us the cost of attendance ?
One of my mates wont go due to all the above.
Its interesting the change of venue bit, I attend the 1000 engine rally and I believe the same happened here, rent too much so moved to another stately home.

That was sort of my point about too many shows. If there was only one they would all be there. Most traders attended at least one of the shows.

[bullfrog]

I enquired and a nomal 4x4 stand was £400 .
Very strict on what and when and how.
Would think that put a fair few off.

[winchman]

The problem with most shows is they are ran for massive profit.
I try to support the smaller shows like the link below, the organisers pay next years fees for the site etc out of the profit then the rest is given to local charaties, it started out very small but is now excellent and the best bit is every one is made welcome no matter what they drive
http://www.westlancsmg.co.uk/
Look at Festival of Transport.

The £5000 stand, you would have to sell near £15000 worth of stuff, so these must be written off by the big boys as promotions.
Even the £400 stand would need sales of £1200 just to cover the fee, then staff, food , travel, accomodation etc.
I personally dont feel there are enough shows, the down turn in stands is the rent etc, and more can be purchased form home via the web, but in the old days we went to an annual show and trudged around looking for the elusive bit.
I did a few autojumbles last year and at one every one packed up at dinner as hardly any punters came, it was a big venue with national advertising, after all the expence we made £50 each.
I am going to the Above with the last of my Jumble on Sunday so I wil let you know how it goes.

[V8MoneyPit]

I can fully sympathise with the traders.

Not 4x4, but we used to do the larger national Morris Minor shows. Even when camping, to keep costs down, we would have to take in excess of £3k over the weekend just to break even. And I haven't even allowed for any value of my own time in that. Now, that figure can usually be achieved without too much trouble, but you have to ask whether it's worth loosing your time off work for a small amount of profit.

You have costs of:
Stand space
Marquee hire
Transport
Staff/hired help
Food
Accomodation

What with customers expecting 'deals' at shows and other traders literally walking around noting competitors pricing and then going back to slash their own prices, we decided it just wasn't worth the aggro. We haven't been to a large show for a few years now.

[barny]

is billing dead ?

..... bloody hope not i'm going there on sat for some wet n' wild 4x4 fun !

[datalas]

Billing is not the cheapest show in the history of shows, but then again it tends to be the largest, or at least that with the largest crowd.

Having said that, there are a couple of other rumours and who knows what else about billing and the occasionally abrasive nature of it's organisation.

Then again,  this years was a bit strange anyhow, with having a typhoon and all, I think the key element is that they're probably a little worried about trees landing on folk.

[Mace]

Does that come under "an act of god" in the public liability insurance bit ?  :lol:

[datalas]

Does that come under "an act of god" in the public liability insurance bit ?  :lol:

I would imagine so, especially if it gets you out of having to pay insurance :)

[HotShot]

I have today spoken with Richard Green [LRE] and he tells me they are still negotiating for next year's show. It's taking longer than usual because of billing having a change of owner this year.
But hopefully it be always be at Billing.

[Dirty Gertie]

Does that come under "an act of god" in the public liability insurance bit ?  :lol:

Well, if it was a healthy tree that was struck by lightning it might be......

[Stormin]

I agree Gertie. Judging by the look in the centre of the tree's that came down, I'd say they are past their sell by date. :(  I sure wouldn't camp under them. :roll:

[smog]

A very good friend of mine owns a photography company among others and he and I used to attend ALL the shows, now he is selective because of prices traders have to pay.

It’s not enough to charge the traders an extortionate amount to ply their wares ‘they’ also do the same with the punters (you and me).

I accept things cost money but it isn’t about the enthusiasts any more it’s more about profit margins and that’s not really what the shows should be about, I guess a re-evaluation of what shows I attend this next coming year Is in order.

I am sorry the above is probably not relevant to this thread but nonetheless I felt the need to type it and post it if not for anything else but for the sake of the little children THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!! All around the globe all screaming in unison at our plight !!!!!!!!!!!

The last paragraph may not be true and i hasten to add no-one was harmed in the typing of it. :lol: