West Coaster Toy Soldier Show

On March 10, MRS Bunkermeister and I visited the West Coaster Toy Solder Show.  We had a great time and I got lots of new troops and equipment.  There were a few guys there in period costumes and a few ladies as well.  This guy was dressed as a British soldier during the American Revolutionary War.  He is seen here sending a text confirming that the British are coming.

When I go to these shows I try and make up a list of the things I want to try and purchase.  Mostly I was after 60mm Tim Mee figures and I did get some of those.  Nearly the whole show was metal but there was enough plastic to make it worthwhile for me.

I got a couple slush cast cannons, and a slush cast pill box.  I also got a few 1/72nd scale French Foreign Legion troops and some spacemen.  I will post photos of them in a few days.  Nick from TSSD was there with his wife and they looked good.  Chris Brewer was there from the Brewer Brothers Kit Collector Show.  More hobby show news soon.

Hobby Shows

Toy Soldiers of San Diego were at a recent Toy Soldier Show. I was lucky enough to visit them while I was there. To get the most out of a hobby show you have to do a little preparation.

Nick of TSSD shows off his magnificent 1/32nd scale Alamo to Larry of Pegasus.

Find out the exact time and location of the show. A quick Internet search will usually give you all the information you need. Find out about parking, some places will charge you to park your car. I typically reserve at least $10 and possibly $20 for parking depending on where the show is located. I fold up a $20 bill and hide it in my wallet so I don't spend it on army men. I try and take at least $200 with me and more is always better. Since you have to pay to get in most show, usually around $5, you want to spend enough to offset the costs of parking and entry. I try and take a variety of bills, including small bills and even some change. Vendors like exact change and sometimes waving $15 in front of them and offering it for a $20 item will more likely get a positive response than showing a $20 bill! I make sure I have space in the car so I have room for everything I might buy, covered up and out of the direct sun.

Most shows are set up in hotels or similar venues and consist of vendors with one or more tables displaying their wares. I like to pause for a moment near the entrance and scan the venue, if there is something particularly good, I may head for it immediately. Go early for the best selection, many times the vendors have already wandered the show before the doors are open and snapped up a few good buys before actual official sales begin. Stay late for the bargains. If there is something on your wishlist that is a like to have not a have to get, then sometimes you can get a real bargain at the end of a show. I got a 12" action figure, regularly about $50 for only $30. Not too bad.

Have a list of what you are really looking for at the show. This can serve as a bit of a reminder to you, as the selection can be a bit overwhelming. If you see someone with similar items for sale, as if they have the specific item you want. Sometimes its not unpacked or there can be so much it can be hard to find individual items in the crowd. Have a good idea what the items normally sell at retail. Expect most items to be priced similarly to retail, but many dealers will deal, and the more you buy often the better the deal. Remember you won't be paying shipping and you get the chance to view the item before you buy. Keep in mind also that you may never see this person again, so returns out generally out of the question.

TSSD 1/32nd scale Alamo. A great model as you can see. Many of the dealers travel around the country going from show to show or make several shows in a year. It is a good chance to chat and make new friends, but remember they are there to sell things and need to make money. Show expenses for a vendor can be very high, tables often run $50 or more each, and then another $100 or more per night for the hotel, plus travel expenses. Shows sometimes start on Friday and go until Sunday and when you add travel time can absorb at least a week and usually several of preparation time, travel and the show itself. These are a big deal to the vendor and they are there to make money, so don't hog their time if they are busy.

I like to gather business cards and fliers so I can buy more later. Sometimes getting that important connection is a good thing too. Shows also bring out many local and small vendors who have no web presence or no store. At a local hobby show I went to a few weeks ago several vendors where there with old and out of production stock and so many of us got some pretty good bargains.

Shows can be crowded busy places. Walk slowly and observe carefully. Look on and under the table, many vendors put things on the floor as well as on the table. Be polite to others and don't block their view of items. I usually walk the whole show at least twice and frequently three or four times. Generally you should not bring children, they grab everything and they are far too bored and tired after a short walk around. You don't want to pay for items they broke while you were not watching. Older kids are great, if they are interested in the hobby, otherwise they are just an unnecessary distraction. Wives are a mixed group, some are generally ready to go home after about ten minutes, others like MRS Bunkermeister, enjoy the thrill of the hunt and excitement of the show.

If you live very far away, and it is a very large show, it is well worth it to stay at the hotel. Then you only have to walk downstairs and you are ready to go. My wife and I have done this and it makes the show go very easy. Shows are a lot of fun and with a bit of planning they can get you some great bargains too.

Hobby Show

Worked the booth at the kit collectors show today with Randy from Fidelis Models. They had probably 90 tables of vendors stuff there. Randy had one, and Paul Heiser Models was there with two tables. Paul and his wife Rosa were there selling Bellona Battlefields and lots of plastic 1/72nd scale figures. I remember buying Bellona Battlefields by mail from the UK in the 1970s! I was lucky enough to see several old buddies and to meet a few folks who read this blog.

I got 14 boxes of Revell Soviet Infantry, 2 boxes of Revell Soviet Cossacks (they will stay with the Soviets), 2 boxes of Revell US Infantry, 2 boxes Revell German Infantry, 1 box Caesar WWII Late War German Infantry, 7 boxes Revell German Panzer Grenadiers, 10 Eko / Roco vehicles, and 9 Trident civilian / police and fire trucks. All for less than $150.

Going to hobby shows is a good idea. I go to kit collectors shows, train shows, toy soldier shows, IMPS shows, and action figure / GI Joe shows. There is always some overlap between the shows, I got a 12 inch action figure at the toy soldier show, which is mostly 1/32 scale size figures. Often individuals will be culling their collection or shops will be getting rid of slow moving products or some people just sell at shows. One of the things I like is it is like going to 50 hobby shops in a couple hours. A pretty good deal, typically for less than $5.

Kit Show

Tomorrow I am going to the 33rd Kit Collector Show in Buena Park, CA. It is located at the UFCW Auditorium, 8550 Stanton Ave., Buena Park, Orange County, California, 90620. They charge $5 to get in unless you are under 12. Parking is free. They typically have about 100 tables set up to sell various new and collectible models. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and the show runs until 3:00 p.m.

I will be there with Randy of Fidelis Models, we are running his table together. Stop by and say hello and tell us you are a reader of Bunker Talk. Paul Heiser of Paul Heiser Models will also be there with at least one table. Be sure to check out his great resin kits. Randy tells me he has a large number of civilian Trident HO scale vehicles he is having a special close out sale on tomorrow. I own a bunch of these and they are very nice.

Hobby shows are good places to visit once in a while to locate out of production items, rare one of a kind items that seldom get imported, or even items that are only sold at the show. They are also a good place to go for a bargain, once in a while you can get a real good deal on something that they just don't want to take home. Come early for the best selection, stay late for the best deals.