Fishing Show at The Ricoh Coventry March 2014

[Roger Cramer]

Just a heads up for anyone that doesn't already know, the third fishing tackle show of its kind will be taking place on the week-end of 8th and 9th of March. Tickets are £5 (under 14's free)

This year not only are there more stands, celebrities, special show offers, plus free car parking but also, if you are a member of either Leamington Spa AC, Lymm AC or, much more widely, Birmingham Anglers Assoc.-when you produce your membership card (plus another photo ID) you GET IN FOR FREE

There's usually quite a few decently-priced bargains to had and with over 9000 visitors last year it will no doubt be even more popular this time

Hopefully, l'll get to see a few of you guys there, as it's only fifteen minutes drive from home for me (I'll be there, as before, on the Saturday)

Good (bargain) hunting chaps

Roger

PS And no, I'm NOT on commission

 

[Ray Thorpe]

I can get in my local tackle shop free. And get a free cup of tea. And a genuine bargain. Support your local tackle shop these people will put them out of business.

Ray Thorpe

 

[Roger Cramer]

Ray

Perhaps you may not be aware, but the one reason I chose to up sticks and move to the Midlands (Hinckley), was for the very reason that I purchased a tackle shop here back in late 2003! And very happy I was too (along with my business partner wife) until the credit crunch in 2007/8, along with the arrival of two other rival shops nearby, when we were reduced to retiring (at 64, anyway) in 2010 to cut our losses

As regards your thoughts re. the above exhibition, I believe I am perfectly qualified to state that you need to view the issue in some sort of proper perspective as I did, i.e that such occasional, one-off shows didn't really affect our business all that dramatically, in fact, what they caused was a beneficial knock-on effect in the long term by maintaining an overall interest in fishing over a much wider customer base, which, in turn, meant that our own regular anglers still required to come to us for live bait, any specialised, new tackle and, most importantly, good local knowledge and advice

As regards our own regular and stalwart supporters, yes, there would also be a welcome cup of tea

I know that your comments were well-intentioned but I felt I should point out the other possible view and, believe me I still went to and supported these sorts of shows (including "Go Fishing" at the NEC) even when trading!

Regards
Roger

 

[Ray Thorpe]

Roger you make no mention about the £5 admission fee in your second post. Its free to walk into my local tackle shop and I will carry on doing so as long as its still there.

Regards Ray Thorpe

 

[Dean Aston]

I went to there first one and thought it was ok. I might go to this one if weather is pants. I do support my local tackle shop but I like to see whats out there and have a chat to the dealer's about certain tackle

 

[Roger Cramer]

Ray

You have also now reminded me of one of the single key reasons that our own tackle business(along with many other tackle dealers) began to struggle, and it was universally agreed not to be solely down to these intermittent shows.
Basically it was the advent of the internet and, in particular, sites like ebay whereafter virtually all "fiscally prudent" ( I am trying to use a slightly more polite description here!) anglers would not just be content with purchasing quality tackle as before, but would then expect to be able to barter lower and lower prices with local shopkeepers, quoting cheap, web-site prices in order to suit their own stringent budgets, regardless of how well-treated they had been in the past!

Once again, having been in the unique position experiencing the business of angling from both sides, I feel totally justified in promoting the presence of such shows to fellow anglers, despite the fact that "some" might feel that £5 is way too much for them to support events that, ultimately, help maintain the profile of angling on a less parochial level

You can still, of course, continue to remain laudably loyal to your local supplier, without causing him too much upset (like myself, I am sure he will adopt tolerant view).



Dean

Thank you. You've confirmed one of the points I was making about discovering what's happening in the tackle trade.

Roger

 

[Graham Young]

As this show is less than 5 mins by car from where I live I thought about visiting it, unfortunately as I live on a very tight budget I wont be going and paying £5 to get in, I understand that the arena has to be paid for but should that be by those that attend or those that want to sell their goods/services to anglers that attend? If I drank (I don't) I wouldn't want to be charged to go into my local for a pint

 

[Mick Newey]

Is it a requirement to be miserable in your old age ?

 

[Graham Young]

Is it a requirement to be miserable in your old age ?

No not at all and I don't think that not wanting to pay to gain entry to this show is being miserable, you may have and probably do have more disposable income than I do as a disabled pensioner, I cannot justify paying £5 when in all probability I wont be able to buy anything anyway.

I might add that your post has added nothing to this thread other than to insult others who's views may be different to your own, not called for really, politeness costs nothing.

 

[Mick Newey]

It's simple isn't it you pays your money and you takes your choice, If you and others had no intention of going seems strange to reply ?

I'm a Leamington AA member so I get in for free but the reason why I'm going is to renew my membership talk with other members of the club, browse the freespirit range of rods and heck might even pay for an overpriced cup of tea.

I take it you won't be going to the 8 / 11 quid Barbel Society Show in Kenilworth then ?

 

[Graham Young]

It's simple isn't it you pays your money and you takes your choice, If you and others had no intention of going seems strange to reply ?

I'm a Leamington AA member so I get in for free but the reason why I'm going is to renew my membership talk with other members of the club, browse the freespirit range of rods and heck might even pay for an overpriced cup of tea.

I take it you won't be going to the 8 / 11 quid Barbel Society Show in Kenilworth then ?

Correct, others on here will be aware of why not.

 

[Dean Aston]

I be going now with a couple of friends. Im going on Ebro with Catfish tours so like to have a chat with them. Look for some ideas to help me out with the new eel season. I cant see why people moan about going

 

[Graham Young]

I be going now with a couple of friends. Im going on Ebro with Catfish tours so like to have a chat with them. Look for some ideas to help me out with the new eel season. I cant see why people moan about going

I would probably have gone Dean if I wasn't charged to get in, I just cannot justify spending what is to most a small amount to get in, not on my limited budget anyway. Its not a moan its just simple economics for me.

 

[Andrew Burt]

I think the timing is ridiculous. Last weekend of the season, river looks good, think I would rather be on the bank as I have 3 months to 'bargain hunt'. I used to go and man the stand at the old fishing shows at the NEC. Although no longer doing any work in the tackle trade I miss a show where manufacturers exhibit. Everyone was there and you could browse all the manufacturers range of equipment and decide what you wanted to get for the new season. When the organisers opened it up to retail it quickly died a death as it became a market. Shame.

 

[Mick Newey]

I'm fish about 5 or 6 different rivers and it's rare I see another angler, the carp and match mud puddle boys have taken over so it's a show for them really.