Fuel costs affect on event attendance

I vend at swap meets, nostalgia drag events, car shows, in Western PA, Maryland and Eastern Ohio (as a hobbiest, a weekend warrior, not the only job)

The question is if fuel costs go to $5.00 a gallon, it will affect how far I travel to do an event....MY question is HOW WILL IT AFFECT YOU AS BUYERS OR SPECTATORS AS FAR AS ABILITY (or willingness) TO ATTEND?

 

The first Goodguys spring nationals is here in Fort Worth this coming week. Will be interesting to see if prices have any effect on attendance. We're sitting here at @ $3.39 a gallon for regular unleaded. Nearly $4.00 for diesel. If it gets higher the fall event will really show how if any effect it has. For me it can be $5.00 and I'd still be enjoying my rides.

 

Have to pick and chose a bit more but I will be attending stuff I REALLY want to be at.I could stand to lose some weight anyway.

 

hell, my coupe gets better mileage than my daily driver!

I still go, its about having fun at the event, so maybe I'll have to eat cheaper when I get there, big whoop.

 

We're over $4 a gallon. However, since my wife got laid off and we're living off of my income only, I really pick and choose which events I attend.

 

its already affected it- I use to just go for a drive to relax back in the day, but now that you gotta fill out a loan application to get a tank of gas I'm doing other stuff... and as for car shows- aint going to be driving 3 hrs on a sat. to attend any smaller shows as b4...I'll still drive the cars, but the enjoyment is tempered a great deal... it would be one thing if it was just what it was, but at a profit of a million a minute?

 

I'll be cutting back a little.

 

I appreciate everyone's honest input. I love attending and vending at events. I have vended for almost 30 years and it's still fun, the people (most of them) are great, and I don;t do this as a living so don't HAVE to go...but over the last 2 years between rising expenses and dropping sales I have gone from 28-30 events a year to anticipated 2011 events under 20. I am pretty much good to go as long as sales cover expenses....but I look at people who have done what I do drop it and sell on Ebay and various car forums and groups on line because expenses were eating up any profit they made....
I don't do it for profit, I do it because I enjoy it, but that also why alot of guys drag race. And if you have to go into hock just to get the car there that kind of takes the fun out of it.
Lack of funds may end up kill this hobby faster than guys my age dying off.

 

A real good incentive to get my current project on the road, as it should get better gas mileage and have a better power to wieght ratio then any other thing I got!

 

Yeah but the shipping is killing them and now some states are actively enforcing their sales tax for online or delivered product. You will find that if you actually go and sell at events that you will be able to compete against the mail vendors, the fuel is going up for them too. I struggle with the margins upon the cost of product a lot. It can be managed. I enjoy the toy car, what the hell else does a guy get as a reward for working his ass off and supporting half the planet, a stroke and a cup of blue pills. What are we supposed to do, sit in a 4x4 room on a straw mat counting rice grains like a freakin Chinamen? Hey burn this shit up, the more we use Hot Roddin the less they have to fuel tanks with. Roddin for peace, HEHE

 

Right on the money man, I already haven't gone to one that was 4hrs away cause just couldn't swing it with go go juice be'n 3.47 a gallon. With one income and responsibilities I have to check my priorities and I'm like you there's nothing better than unwinding behind the wheel for a short cruise a few nights a week but now that ain't happening...may have to learn how to make white lightening before long!

 

^^^^ Rodding for peace. LOL.

 

We were leaving River Market as you were arriving Friday night. Noticed the numbers were down from usual crowd.

 

I am driving to LSRU in a few weeks and I figure fuel will cost me roughly $1000 to drive the 3000 mile round trip. So Cal to Wellington, TX then to Austin, then back to So Cal.

I am doing the trip because I like road trips and need a break from work. It will be a really expensive show by the time you add fuel, loging, food, etc. and, and, and....

Long trips like this don't really make sense (as a car show vending business) ; they are just too expensive and the costs are too great to overcome in two days of selling. But....They are worth it for the fun factor and I for one need to have a little fun.

We will see what happens in this economy. I for one do not think it is going back to the way it was 4 years ago for a looooong time.

 

I wondered how long it would take for someone to turn a good thread into some politcal crap rant that likely will get it closed. 10 Posts. Stupid.

To answer the OP's original question, it won't slow us down to much. We usually hit the farther shows as a carpool, sharing gas and parking. For the further shows, we'll use my wife's Prius or my buddy's wife's PT Cruiser. $5/gallon vs $3/gallon on a 200 mile round trip at 45 mpg doesn't add that much. Still,I realize we are in a fortunate position lots of folks can't enjoy.

 

Won't be driving as much. Will probably invest in a used sportster fast, economical, and with an awesome aftermarket you can make it however you want it .

 

The high prices people ask for things at swapmeets keep me away...I'll still go to shows though.



-Jason

 

I really kind of hate it when people whine about fuel prices.

Ok, yea gas is about $3.50 gallon. It was about $2.50 gallon at this time last year. So --- if your ride holds 16 gallons, you spend $16 per tank more than you did last year (or about the same money as a couple burgers, fries and shakes).
This may sound arrogant but -- IT`S ONLY MONEY .... YOU`LL MAKE MORE ... right ?

If gas was .99 gallon somebody would still be bitchin. Get over it, it`s life. Be thankful you are not in England. "Petrol" is $9 gallon there.


The way I figure it , I may spend $100 month more on gas for my hot rod than I did last year. If $100 breaks you - you might be in the wrong hobby.

Try sewing , but don`t bitch about the price of thread.

 

Big Tenn. High ! Gas here is standin' at avrg,
3.35/ gal. Most Good Shows/ Swap Meets are aways off!.......I'm already "jerkin' my Dogs Off, to Feed My CATS!!
Plan to Make Charlotte, N.C. Next month....after
that, just play it by hear!
But, remember!, No Matter How HIGH GAS GETS,.......It's Goin' fer A GOOD CAUSE, LIKE
TAXES!
Smokin'

 

Couldn't agree more!!

 

I guess the extra cost to keep a couple of daily drivers on the road and the higher prices of all other goods related to fuel prices don't enter into your equation?

 

Exactly! Some folks can't see the big picture.

 

lame!

 

wish my wages went up $100 a month, not just my gas-and my food- and my heating fuel- and my electric bill- and my baggage on flights- and my tires- and my taxes

 

..moonlitrn england is only as long as my dick so @ 9 bucks a gallon you dont use much try downunder here in aus we are as big as the states an we pay on average 6 bucks a gallon i have dropped a few events can not see any improovment in the near fuetur

 

I chose not to go to one in Toledo this weekend part of reason was fuel prices. $1.00 more than in November. I don't expect it to get much better probably worse.

 

We decided to take a tent to round up because of gas prices. Started building a teardrop for the overnight trips. If we do not have to pay for a motel means we can go more places. At least thats what my wife said.

 

never have let the price of gas effect my plans
I choose my events by the treatment I get at the venue and the people who go
treat the rodders bad and never go again, to many to choose from

 

That'll be the day when I spend any of my money on a Prius. I'd rather walk.

 

I am cutting back from racing, really choosing the events I want to goto and not registering earlly in case the weather does not look good and I decide to pass. I think there are events that will do just fine ie: The Gasser Reunion at Beaver Springs PA will do good because its a really nice track and there is aot of talk about it being a really good event with everybody who is coming. As far as people spending at the swap meets?? I guess its what someone is selling and how bad someone wants it.

Jon