Big 3 San Diego, Friday?

We go to the Big 3 every Winter on Saturday. Might not be able to make it this year so I am going to try Friday this year.
Has anybody been there on their first day, Friday afternoon? How is it?
Amount of vendors -vs- Saturday ?
Not looking for anything special but something always finds me , never leave the Big 3 empty handed!

 

i am going friday, but this is my first year there so i have no idea...

 

can someone post any tips, hints, for first timers?

 

I usually have a job so I go Saturday. This year I don't have a job so I'm going on Friday. A friend of mine goes Friday every year. He's always had better luck on Friday than I did on Saturday. I think he usually shows up there around 12:00 in the past. I don't think the amount of venders changes from day to day.

As far as tips, bring your walking shoes because it takes most of the day to walk every lane. The vintage stuff is ****tered so it's best to walk the entire parking lot. Might want to bring some water and a snack so you don't have to pay their ridiculous prices, maybe bring a wagon to haul your purchases.

 

Hell ya friday is good. I sell my **** every year and friday is one of my favorite days. there are less venders but the new stuff can be got anytime. Friday you can ride a bike or drive your car (if your a seller the car). Its not as cold as in the morning so beer is good. No huge crowds, and first dibs on stuff

 

I usually sell out on friday, and then look for more **** on saturday. It's the best meet of the year.

 

If you could only do one day friday would be it.

 

what time can a person just walking in to buy, go in the gates on Friday?

 

Friday gets my vote too. I've walked that whole thing on a Friday, on a forty degree day, in the rain and still it was crowded and incredible.

 

I've been going for years. Last year, I parked in the trolley lot in old town and got off at the stadium station less then 50 yards from the entrance. No parking fees and I was able to buy large items and make arrangements to pick them up later.

 

Hey Thanks for all the replies, sounds like Friday will still be OK. This really is the best So Cal Swap all year .

 

FYI, it opens on Friday at 12:00.

 

Forecast is for significant rain Saturday, so I'll be headed out Friday. Good walking shoes and plenty of liquids are basic necessities. It is hard to do it all in just one day and Friday is shorter as it only opens at 12.00 pm as noted earlier in this thread. Entrance to the swap for buyers is free. Parking is around $7.00 I seem to recall.

http://www.big3part***change.com/visitorinfo.html

 

They try to keep people out untill 12 because they dont want buyers walking around while the vendors are driving around...if you get there early while the vendors are just driving in you should be able to slip in then you can shop while the vendors are setting up.
Friday looks like the best bet because its gonna rain all day Sat.

 

I'll be in space EA57 this year, it's on the East side of the stadium towards I15. There is rain forecast for Friday evening into Sat morning but it's supposed to clear up by noon and then nice through Sunday. I'll have a car trailer and a large pickup so if you buy something that's a PIA to carry out then stop by and I might have room to haul it out when I leave on Sunday.

 

I can't wait!!

See all you cats there.

Look for the Marauders banner and my white '59 Apache (parked next to a '59 El Camino and a 55 Ford Pickup).

and if you look in the window of the Apache you will see Roger's (gillgonzalez) handywork!

- Joe

 

will be there saturday, look for average hieght, sorta fat, mostly pasty white guy in shorts with an automotive related shirt on. may or may not be wearing a hop up racing team hat.

 

heading down early Friday morning from up near Sacramento. will go to Qualcomm Stadium before checking into hotel. The Big 3 Parts Exchange (Swap Meet) site says that Public is not let in till 4PM. Going Saturday with a rain coat and boots. Yep, in good weather it is the biggest swap in California. Sat get there as early as you can.
anyone heading back North there is swap meet in Bakersfield Sunday. links for both swaps at: socalcarculture.com

 

i just looked at the link, kinda confusing on the wording, but the way i read it is that at noon as a vendor you need to be done pulling in cause that is when they allow foot traffic for buyers.


[SIZE=+1]FRIDAY[/SIZE]

1. THE VENDOR GATE WILL OPEN FOR VENDORS AT DAYLIGHT
2. THE VENDOR GATE WILL BE CLOSED AT 12:00 NOON UNTIL 4:00 P.M. NO ENTRY ALLOWED. PUBLIC FOOT TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER AT THIS TIME.
3. NO VEHICLE TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE EVENT DURING THE HOURS OF 12:00 NOON UNTIL 4:00 P.M. “NO EXCEPTIONS”.
4. THE VENDOR GATE WILL RE-OPEN AT 4:00 P.M. FOR VENDORS TO ENTER AND SET UP. GATE P***ES MUST BE ADHERED TO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE.

 

4 PM is not correct, it clearly states 12:00.

http://www.big3part***change.com/

 

vendor gates open at daylight and close at noon, noon the buyer gates open, vendor gates open back up at 4pm.

if you missed the last few years that's the big change, you can't drive in and out of the swap during the day noon to 4 on friday, 8am to 4pm on saturday. if you buy something big plan on having to come in AFTER 4pm for pick-up

we'll be in spaces EA 28-35 as usual, come by and support our car habits

 

Lunch time news said that the rain should be mostly done by mid morning Sat (10AM), so it should be a great time all day Friday and most of Sat. great Sunday. Not a total wipeout.

 

I totally don't need any parts at all but can't seem to stop myself from going.

I went to rained out irwindale the other weekend and just not much happening.

I have an appt on friday but maybe I'll just use my radar detector and hustle down there and try my luck!

I'll wear my hamb hat

 

heading South Friday at 6AM from Nor Cal

 

Bump

 

Weather forecast has shifted rain arrival by six hours - so Saturday looks as if it is going to be a wash. I'm heading out in a couple of hours.

 

I'm heading south at 9 to be there by 11. drop by for a beer at the P38 tank!

 

"I don't think the heavy stuff's gonna come down for quite a while."

 

I will personally be there on Saturday but the stuff I'm selling will be there today in spot NH33. I've got a complete Dago front end, a recessed Model A firewall, and a bunch of steel wheels for sale. Should be a great swap meet.

 

Yikes!!! Saturdays forecast

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