North Carolina Show?

[chrisg]

Great news. I will have to gather up some complete machines, project machines and spare parts to bring. I see nipper is already in the car ready to set up

[VanEpsFan1914]

Don't leave the keys in it in the parking lot! With all those collectors there we know a thing or two about starting old things with cranks.

[Curt A]

If you bring the car, I guess we'll have to get the truck loaded up...

[chrisg]

If you bring the car, I guess we'll have to get the truck loaded up...

Dont need no Dodge there.. need to sell a 27 dodge screenside now

[Curt A]

The show dates are as Grant posted...

[Fonotone]

The dates I gave you earlier are correct, Curt. The dates on the website page I gave you earlier are not. But if you go to the home page of the club's website, you'll see the correct dates -- March 26-28. I spoke to someone at the radio club a few minutes ago, and he's aware of the error and is going to try to correct it this evening.

-- Grant

[Curt A]

Thanks for clearing that up... So, officially the show dates are March 26-28, 2020.

[Granby]

I seriously need to do some "thinning out" and would be happy to attend this... But, I have a question for the more seasoned collectors; how do the common machines do at trade shows like these? Say, an off brand floor model, a couple table model Grafonolas, maybe something unique like a Crystola, etc.

It would be great if new or entry level collectors would attend these style events. I would tote these types of machines to Charlotte but really don't want to tote them home, LOL.... hint, hint.... there may be some bargains to be had. I need room for more Granbys...

[Curt A]

Among "seasoned" collectors, common machines don't fare too well, since most of us have had plenty of them over the years...

That being said, the Charlotte show is a new endeavor - a compilation of radio and phonograph collectors, so a different mix than a normal phonograph only event. Who knows... radio collectors might cross over and obviously the general public is unpredictable.

Personally, I would say bring table top machines, rather than floor model off-brands since younger collectors or just people in general have less space for big floor model machines. But what do I know? Most of the general public have no idea about these machines or how they work and have never seen cylinder records.

If you have a table at the show, have a free raffle with a drawing held at a specified time requiring the winner to be in attendance at the time to pick the item up. You get some attention for your other items that you have for sale and you get rid of something you don't want anyway... Who knows, that could start an obsession in a new collector...

Probably the biggest thing is price, so if you want to get rid of common machines, price them cheap enough that even a person with a casual interest might be tempted to try one... Also, give a number of records with each machine sold... not rare ones, but just something to play to pique interest... Most people will have no idea of where to find 78s or cylinder records.

[Granby]

Excellent points - I agree... I am in the phase where I would like to see some of these common machines go to "a good home" rather than sit in storage. I am going to tentatively hold these dates open on my calendar. I may even be able to coordinate my job so I am in the area in late March... fingers crossed.