who has been a vendor at E-town swap meets?
 

Who here has been a vendor at a E-town swap meet. I am planning on going this spring and having a spot, but I have some questions about spot reservation, setup times, facilities, etc.

If you don't already have a spot, I doubt there are any left. They usually sell out the vendor spots real early.

there are spots left, i called them first to be sure. I'm sending out the form tonight.

OK ill just post my questions/concerns...

first off, how packed/crazy does it get on thursday while setting up? I dont wanna get there and take like 5 hours just to get to my spots. They start setup at 12 noon, so i figure id be there waiting by then.

As for the spot size, one spot is 20x20. Im thinking i should get 2 spots(total 20x40) due to the amount of parts i'll have down there. (8-10 doors, 10-12 bumpers, 5 hoods, 5-6 hatches, 3 sets of seats, complete dashes, maybe an engine or 2, 6 transmissions, rear axles, and numerous smaller parts) I will have my Denali parked inside the spot with me so i have to figure that'll take up space too.

next, do most peope stay/sleep in their vehicles? I figure it'd be alot like camping, lol. But how is security at night? Are there worries about people taking parts from others?

Any other advice or experiences that'd be informative to me would be appreciated. -Paul

i think cbrrmike had a spot at the last one.

They must have jacked the prices up again if they still have vendor spots available. I've never had a vendor spot so I don't know if the stuff is safe overnight. Based on the people you see there, I wouldn't leave anything out in the open overnight. I would plan on sleeping next to your parts.

we got there at like 7 at night and were able to get in and set up easily.

with that list of parts you will need two spots to be comfortable and to have people be able to walk around and shop.

many people camp, and its like a huge party but many people also leave with nothing but a tarp covering their stuff, its generally a peacefull and safe thing at night your neighbors look out for you and whatnot.

I have had spots there since 1990. I am at H18-23 Pit side. I sell mostly 2nd Gen Firebird parts. I also have some 67-69 Camaro stuff too. I get there on Thurs at 5pm and no problems getting into my spaces. Most people show up late Thurs or on Friday. I haven't had anyone steal any of my crap in years. Only one time I had rusted T/A fenders stolen when the pit side was still dirt. No problems since then. I also put all the good stuff away and leave the other crap out. Sleep in your truck and enjoy the drunks wondering night. Get a bunch of tarps to cover everything, weigh them down so they don't blow away and you'll be fine. See you guys there!

Yeah i plan on sleeping there, probably in my Denali. I gotta see if my friend will come with me that weekend to keep me company, otherwise i need to find someone. Right now im worried about being able to actualyl get all my parts down there, lol. I have my denali and a 16" open trailer i plan on using, my 14' enclosed trailer isnt roadworthy yet. Maybe ill rent a small trailer from uhaul or someone and have my friend brign that down as well with his durango. Im thinkign i may make a banner of flag of NJFBOA and hang it up over my area to get attanetion and to advertise the site as well.

Another good thing about doing that is everyone will know its you and can harass you! :lol:

When I go, I'll probably be wearing my NJFBOA shirt, so keep a look out for a scrawny 22 year old wearing a club shirt.

ill probably be there saturday pending work but we'll see... ill have to get a shirt soon

i'll be down there at some point during the weekend, might go with my boss on Saturday.

BTW, banner = :cool:

I've done it twice.

The first time I slept each night in the van. Everything was completely safe, neighbor's watch your stuff, you watch their's. It is a big late night party when things close down.

The second time (due to an ex demanding to be there the entire weekend) I was forced to get a hotel and stay there at night?!?!?! Grrr, I would have been completely happy sleeping in the van again.

I brought myself a cooler and a mini bbq and had burgers n hotdogs the entire weekend.

Bring warm cloths for the night if you stay there.

Bring sun tan lotion and sun glasses for the day.

Price things to sell... last day people just leave things that didn't sell and they don't want to bring them home.

First time I made over a grand..... second time I broke even.

It is a blast!

Good luck!

when is it? this is really the first time hearing bout it

tim or justin, i got a question. When it gets closer to the april e-town swap meet, would it be possible to post some sorta of sticky listing members of the board that will be there selling along with their spot locations? You could also post up a map of the swapmeet setup to show where each spot is located, and maybe with member spots highlighted. that map could be printed out by people planning to attend.

either way, i'll be in spots L 151-154, that area is right where the timeslip booth is and then to the outside almost against the fence.

I wouldn't have a problem with putting it up as a sticky a week or two before the swap meet.

Remind me when the time comes, and I'll sticky your new post with the info, and invite others to add their own.

- Justin