Are the swap meets in your area shrinking?

This is not an ebay gripe session, I'm curious....


This was brought up in another thread.

I've been going with grandpa to swap meets for about 8 years (way before I got into hot rodding) and two of our favorite swaps seem to be shrinking. Is it just the two of these I'm seeing in my observations or is there a trend nationwide? How are the swaps in your area doing?

 

i went to one over the weekend in arlington, tx, and it ****ed. it was about the quarter of what it has been in the last couple of years. you may be onto something

 

Not really shrinking, but definitely a decline in GOOD parts and DEALS.
Alot of **** vendors.

 

I know around here they are shrinking lawrence ks used to be an awesome meet but rain and fewer vendors are shrinking it considerably wichita seems to remain large the woodlands is normally a good meet but all are taking a hit.

 

Yep, I've noticed it too. Swap Meets are getting smaller around here also.

 

hate to say it but e bay is killing all the markets

 

What swap meets? There are none here in So. Texas.

 

I say it'll all come back again as it seems everything is 'car crazy' right now & it will fade off some & be back to just the serious guys/gals.
i like swapmeets & always have --- still find great items & great deals but gotta look harder.

 

Not really shrinking, but lacking in quality parts.

I couldn't give a rat's *** about all the 65-75 Chevy car **** that seems to be busting everyone's garage at the seams. Between that junk, and the mullet sporting inbreds that think their car is worth 4x the going rate, it can be frustrating.

I've come to the conclusion that the meets are hit-n-miss. I use it as an opportunity to network with folks, get some ideas, and spend a nice day in the sunshine with my daughter and maybe a buddy or two. Basically, they're still an excuse to get out of the house.

 

"It used to take a coupe hours and tank full of gas just to make one circuit"

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Some swap meets around here seemed to take a little dive about 5 years ago. They seem to be getting a little better again.

I've noticed ebay really ****s lately, maybe it's just the summertime, but there isn't much decent on there lately and some stuff has been going a little cheaper than usual.

 

Gas prices have lowered swap attendance by sellers in our area more than anything else - most of the savvy sellers realize e-bay's fantastic prices are usually not realistic unless the part is highly sought after. The local GM/Mopar/orphan parts asking prices are a lot less than a huge meet such as Pomona or Hershey, and most are negotiable. If anything, e-bay has caused more parts to become available than ever before.

 

Like one old-timer told me, he was just getting too old for it. All the traveling wears you down. Then there is the cost of fuel, ebay, weather, rising costs to get a spot at a meet, whatever. Its a catch-22 I'm afraid. Fuel is probably the biggest factor. People may just start staying closer to home which means some of the meets might grow while others shrink.

 

I agree with teddyp (heh that rhymes) I think ebay seems to be killing off swap meets. Some people would probably rather stay home and buy parts from the comfort of their own home then spend gas money to drive to a distant swap meet. The same can probably be said for the sellers as well, why spend extra money on gas and lodgings, when them can sell it and not leave the house? Thats just my 2 cents worth, I for one will continue to scrounge junkyards and swap meets whenever and wherever I can.Greg

 

Swap meets have been going downhill ever since Buddy Holly died.

 

yes.. and no..

the big swap (carlisle) has been going down hill.. in my opinion because the vendor spaces cost so much.. and alot of "catalog" vendors have moved in.

the smaller swaps (which often run with a show) still seem to be a great place to get good deals..

 

Yes,ebay and gas prices i blame alot of it on,the swap meets around here have alot of late model stuff and crafts lately ,kinda ****s.

 

Definatly going downhill... More ricer parts, Jap chrome parts and mostly flea market china imported tools and junk filling in most spots... Most big swaps require sales tax numbers to get a spot causing headaches for vendors. Who the hell figures in sales tax on a ratty old carb. Spots cost more also and many of the old time vendors are getting out of it. Not many people getting into it. Its a damn shame...

 

I think the local swap meets are definately getting smaller. it's easier for the seller to sit at home and put his parts on the bay

 

There are some good points here.

I was mainly curious if YOU see it too?

To discuss reasons. Many of you hit on ebay, gasoline, etc, etc.

I think the over-arching reason is because it's inefficient. As much as I love getting up early, talking to grandpa, eating the greasy food, looking for treasures, it's an antiquated way of doing business. Think about it. From hunter gatherers, agriculture, industrial, technology and on to a service industry. There's almost a direct connection between the decline of doing business the old "market" way and getting online and ordering......just look at malls, farmer's markets, mom and pop stores, etc...

I guess it's just change, and to me, it ****S!!! I love the dew on the gr*** and fog on the road when I go get grandpa and the excitement has been building for a YEAR!

anyway......

 

I would have to say that for me, I have seen the big ones with history getting smaller or maybe not size-wise but in quality parts..

Yeah..ebay but you know what...ebay takes time..swap is quick. that is the point..in - out..with some dough and less parts..

I have never sold expecting anything..as most vendors do...then again..i keep what i NEED and sell what I don't.

Swap's are ultimate because you NEVER know what you will find and the thrill of the hunt is what has me hooked..worth every penny of gas, food, and time.

I also like meeting the people interested in my parts and what they want to use them for..or I try new ways to get them to buy something. It's fun, and ebay during the week, but come sat morning..it's swap time..

ya dig.

tok

 

Well I dunno

We went to a swap 2 hours away on sunday that was in a new location it had always been a well attended good old time swap plenty of older stuff .. not much hottie stuff .. couple hundred collector cars too.
this year the with gas prices UP and the vendor count seemed down .prices were up but the deals were there for asking.. guys needed to clear out excess so they have playing money .
this was in mid minnesota where the computer is not king ... more cars for sale than usual too.

I'll still go to any swap/ auction its what we do for fun .. seems less ol timers and more new kids selling modern stuff tho ... I am old and can remember swappin had better times . but truthfully the good times are now cuz I am doing what I want to do

FOUND 2 NICE 35 FORD 16 INCH WIRES AND SET OF CAR SKATES FOR MOVING A DEAD HORSE..
and OLD center of town 4 sign YELLOW MAIN ST. / north -south EMBOSSED STREET SIGN

CL***IFICATION
GATHERER , HUNTER .

SOMEONE ASKED ME RECENTLY
"WHERE DO I GET ALL THIS NEAT OLD STUFF"

I SAID
"RIGHT OUT THERE WHERE ANYBODY ELSE CAN FIND IT... I JUST BRING IT HOME. AND NO YOU CAN'T HAVE IT .. YET

PAPERDOG

 

I remember talkin' to MY grandpa; he had a colostomy bag, and would always stop mid-sentence and smile or laugh when he relieved himself, and afterwards forget what he was talkin' about...

 

Not so much shrinking, but the quality of the cars and parts for sale is going down!

 

How can anyone complain???? Half of the responders have bought and/or sold right here on this site. If you have your just as to blame as the guy on ebay or any of the others for dwendling swap meets. I for one like doing buisness on all of them plus the swaps.

 

Not shrinking just going away unfortuately.

 

Next year I will learn how to spell but I am KO now.

 

I sell quite a bit on Ebay but actually would rather be sitting back with a cold one selling at the swap meet.I like shooting the **** with different people and making fun of the *******s that think they are hotrodders.You know the ones bragging about the 440 Cutlas they used to own or their big block 426 Chevy.The swap meet is my summer vacation for 4 days and the price of gas can kiss my *** cause I,m going!!! During the off season I,ll continue to Ebay the small stuff....

 

Not shrinking but prices have gone up. Even the **** seems to be going for more than it should. Went to Turkey Rod Run and the swap meet is all the **** from the 70's & 80's that you don't want. The stuff you really came to get is $$$$$. It seems worse down here.

 

Swaps are getting smaller....

the way prices are going ,,,, I could not afford to buy what I already own

 

been doing swap meets since late 70's, gas is getting higher, motels higher, spaces higher, I'm getting older. love the getting together bench racing and meeting new people, especially new ideas. this will be my last to vend at, will still attend.Its **** to have to load all ,and unload twice.