The last and usually best (IMO) swapmeet was held this weekend at one of our local historic speedways in Thompson, Ct. Cost $75 for a two day vendor p***....couldn't even buy a one day p***, even though the reality is most folks go only one day...Given the state of our economy, thought that was a bit much, and would have turned around if the truck wasn't so full. We still had a good day, just don't appreciate getting taken, most of us are cleaning out our garages, not making any big bucks....what's the situation in your areas?
Most guys go to Thompson on Sat, then to Lake Compounce Sunday. I can't imagine trying to sell at Thompson on Sunday. Seems like it would be "not-very-serious" buyers, if they came on just Sunday.
That was our plan too, but after spending $75 for Thompson, another vendor fee on top of it seemed pretty expensive, just to get rid of stuff so we could get more stuff. (Plus it was another $10 for my buddy to get in with me, actually came to $85 for one day !)
Good thing you left the trailer home, it would've been $150 plus $10 bucks for your buddy. I stayed home this year but I heard it was packed with spectators but there was nothing to buy unless you were looking for used lawnmowers and chainsaws
Same story one of my friends told me today. It makes me feel better about choosing to go to the Maple Grove swap meet yesterday instead. At least 98 percent of the vendors were selling car parts.
I think I've hit the Tompson meet twice in the past 30 years, it never justified the ride. With gate fees like that I can't see it growing.
Was there exercising my flashlight at 5:45 Sat AM after missing a year or two. Vendor count was down for sure and the buyer attendence didn't seem to be as great to me either. Picked up a couple things but couldn't seem to find anything I was really looking for this trip [unless I was willing to pay near new price for stuff that was 1/2 to 2/3 worn out]. At least I came home knowing I didn't miss any super deals by not going. Meet has been good to me in the past, will try to give it another shot next year. My opinion is when the vendor fees go up too far the guy [or gal] that just wants to clean out a corner of the garage, cellar, or yard stays home [along with some good pricing] and either doesn't clean, gives it to his/her buddies, or simply throws it out. Doesn't pay him to do otherwise and there are fewer low price deals to attract buyers. Ed
Been going to this show for 20+ years....Has been a good place to locate items for vintage stock cars, so my take's a bit different. The vendors were down a lot. Judging by the muddy areas must've rained hard the day before. The area behind the backstretch was light on sellers as well as quite a few empty spots throughout the area, & sellers starting to pull out mid afternoon on Saturday. Heard a lot of comments on the weather & economy. Shows seem to start earlier & pack up earlier now. Just spoke with a friend who said the place was ghost town on Sunday. Fees were high too. For years the backbone of this show was little guys just cleaning out their garage & coming over to get a little cash etc. always seemed to be some deals. BUT this year it was just a big yard sale...lots of junk. Anyone see the cops there?....heard they looking for some stolen items (snowplows?). Stayed overnight in Pittsfield & made the run to Lebanon Valley for their swap meet the next day, a race car swap meet but with a lot of drag stuff too. No yard sale ****, but some dealers selling retail. A****st the ******** race we saw some rod stuff, much as I've ever seen there. Windy, mostly cloudy & cold but still managed to get some deals...like anything you have to know what you're looking for & p*** over the junk.
Again, you guys are making me feel good about choosing Maple Grove over Thompson. I found several things at LV the next day, some at giveaway prices---nice Edelbrock C3BX for $30, and a pair of SBC Performer intakes for $25.
Don't remember any old Ford frames but then again I wasn't looking for one. Did notice a roller ch***is, looked like high end stuff on it.... Saw a rollback backing up to a trailer that had 3 plows on it as we worked our way out to head home around 11. As we were walking back to the car in the parking lot a Cruiser went by followed by the rollback with 3 plows on the back, all I know. Ed
I thought the same thing...I never saw so many intakes in one place in my life. And yes, the prices were decent (for the intakes anyway). There wasn't a lot of older stuff, however, mainly late 60's+ stuff. Still, a nice outing. We stumbled across the Manatawny Creek winery on our way home, where they had free soup, wine, music & some pleasant looking women. I spent more on wine than car ****.
Capn'J didn't recall any frames there....FYI in 04 a friend of mine was looking to replicate his former racing pickup from the 50's. We went up to Cy Whitcomb's in Readfield Maine on the North Road if I remember right. He had quite few trucks as well as cars and some frames ****tered around. Saw one sitting atop a junk pile (35' ?) or so he wanted $200 for.. Again not sure what he has now, but at the time my friend got a 40 Ford pickup complete reasonable. Cy likes to haggle steve p.
I drove thru the Thompson gate at noon, after driving 3 exits up 395 to pick up a headlight extension for a 71 el camino. The spring Thompson show ****ed to say the least! Seemed to be all roundy round stuff, went to the Lake Compounce swap on Sunday morning at 7am, now that is a good swap meet, just couldn;t find anything for my car. Long story short, I've given up on the Thompson swap meet and will stick to the Lake! CHUCK
Your problem is that you got to Thompson at noon. Anything and everything that was reasonably priced was already sold.
No I went in the spring early, and I've been for the past ten years early, the biggest problem is the Thompson swat meet has progressively gotten worse year after year for the past 5 years! CHUCK
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