Any of you veteran BTT50's swap meet warriors have any sage advise on finding parts. I've been to lots of swap meets but this is the first year I'm actually on a quest to find certain parts. I'm sure being there early and having cash in hand are up there but anything else that might help. It's such a big meet. Dang it's getting close Mark
Come the night before, if they have setup early, and wander around and try to buy it before a dealer does. Then come back at the *** crack of dawn if you still haven't found it.
No early set up for this one. The vendors start rolling in at the same time as the buyers. About all you can do is bring lotsa cash.
You could alwyas bring someone with you that knows what you are looking for and split up. You can cover a lot more area quickly that way. Everybody has a cell phone now- have them give you a call if they see something you're looking for. Like has been previously said- be early! Also a lesson I've learned from previous swaps- if you see something you really want at a decent price- just buy it- don't hesitate. I've lost out on many things by trying to get a better deal by looking down the next aisle to see if someone else has one cheaper or in nicer condition. By the time you realize that was the only one someone else has scooped it up. Don't be afraid to speak up either. Once well I was politely waiting to get the seller's attention another guy just walked right up to him, interupted his conversation and bought what I'd been waiting to. I'd don't advocate being rude but if the guy's there to sell things he probably won't be too upset. See you there bright and early!
dont be afraid to look at the stuff AS IT IS ENTERING on the trucks was it last year that someone bought a '32 3 W shell on the back of the truck - pretty much before the guy even got to his swap meet spot!
yes , get there EARLY if you are actually looking for parts. later on the swap fills up with just lookers and makes the isles hard to walk. if i'm looking for a specific part i go through the whole swap kinda fast looking for that part...make sure you check out the swapper's pickup or trailer for stuff he hasn't unloaded yet. then i make the next p*** through more slowly and see the stuff i missed. if you see what you want don't hesitate....last year i missed out on a nice Model A pickup box . while i was looking at it another guy pulled out the cash. and if you buy something and leave it at the swapper's space for later pickup, make for damn sure you know where he is and how to find him again...i could never again find that steering column i bought
Snooze .... you lose. Don't hesitate when you see that right vintage part. What are you looking for ??? The real swap to go to is Iola Wisc. At least 50 times bigger. Doug
Hang a sign around your neck with what you are looking for written on it. I have found more parts that way. If you don't see it in someones booth, they may see your sign and call you over and point it out or lead you to someone who has what you are looking for.
you may also want to consider going to iola wi or jefferson wi for their swap meets as they both are a lot bigger than btt50. those 2 go the whole weekend and iola starts as early as thursday with vendors setting up.
WOW! I just checked to see what it was going to cost me to bring a trailer full of stuff into the swapmeet, and fell out of my chair when I seen it was going to run $150 for my truck and trailer just for one day. What a rip off. I guess thats the same reason I didn't renew my membership with them this year. MSAR has gotten too rich for my blood! I'll see you guys at the smaller more realistically priced events. Monk
Walk the line of vehicles waiting to get in. Ask if you don't see it. Bought most stuff I want before the swap starts. Early bird gets the parts
I vended that swap a couple of years ago. I had senior citizens jumping into the back of my moving truck and trailer checking out my stuff for sale before I was even ***igned a spot!! no ****!. They get there at about 4 am and wait with baited breath pressing their noses against the gate waiting for it to open.
Oh yeah, BTW I broke even on everything, no profit, waste of time, never did it again, lesson learned!.
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