Is Birmingham NEC still worthwhile?

[jimgallegos]

I would love to go to such an event. Then I collect all types of toys so I might have a better chance of coming out broke. LOL

[matchbox360]

...Getting in early probably meant I missed a few bits that were still waiting to be unpacked but it also meant I got the first pick of what had been unpacked, So I left when the queues to get in were still miles long, I had a carrier bag full of toys, a smile on my face and a limp in my leg,

Great to know, Nick! Those toy shows involve a lot of legwork and really get you knackered, huh? But it's worth it, just to get an advance peek at the goodies on offer. In early, and out early, clutching a bag of "finds".. that's what collecting's all about! Well done, mate!!

Cheers, Ken

[nickjones]

I would love to go to such an event. Then I collect all types of toys so I might have a better chance of coming out broke. LOL

Jim, If you ever decide to come to the UK be sure to let us know in advance. I would be only too happy to accompany you around the toyfairs so you won't need to worry about car hire and driving on the left,
u2JP.

Ken, I don't know if you have ever been to the NEC but I would estimate it to be about twice or possibly three times the size of a football field, 600 tables of the finest diecast toys. I never come out disappointed.

[kwakers]

I am having some success at U.S. Antique Auto Flea Markets jimgallegos and ford_A_30. They are autojumbles to the Brits, but include Toy collectors and Toy Vendors at most shows in the U.S. While most Sellers are internet sharp, there are some who do not own computers at all. They have some interesting offerings that are priced from the basement to the moon, and do not concern themselves with rare details Our gain, their loss I guess. Check with car collectors for the local Shows with large Flea Markets and give it a try. Spring and Fall Carlisle Pennsylvania Shows have brought me some very interesting non-coded Lesneys through the years.
Some Day I may head out to The Gathering, but probably all those rust free antique cars along the way out West will make the trip a very long one Jim......kwakers

[David Tilley]

Well I have decided to go. Thanks for the feedback. Let's see if it pays out for me this time. I am timing myself to arrive just after the queue for entry at 10am dies down. I may miss a few models, or I may not. We will see.

[ford_a_30]

Spring and Fall Carlisle Pennsylvania Shows have brought me some very interesting non-coded Lesneys through the years.
Some Day I may head out to The Gathering, but probably all those rust free antique cars along the way out West will make the trip a very long one Jim......kwakers

Dick,
Even the promises of Hersey Park have not been able to sway my wife into a trip to Carlisle, she is way to smart for that. Besides, hooking up the car hauler before we leave would certainly give the plan away.

[David Tilley]

Well I went. I came back after spending a paltry £35 (and that included the £6.50 entry). I have 7 new additions to my collection, but to be honest, they were just filler models. Although there was quite a lot of Matchbox around, there was nothing really meaty to chew through. They were mainly run of the mill models.

But it was a fun day out though. 7 models is still 7 models I did not have before.

[jeff f]

hi, well i went , i looked , i laughed at some prices, picked up a lot ,came home with very little, show is not as good as it use to be, better for corgi and dinkys , matchbox was def 3rd best , i go back next time, you never know , and i did early entry

[jimgallegos]

I would love to go to such an event. Then I collect all types of toys so I might have a better chance of coming out broke. LOL

Jim, If you ever decide to come to the UK be sure to let us know in advance. I would be only too happy to accompany you around the toyfairs so you won't need to worry about car hire and driving on the left,
u2JP.

Ken, I don't know if you have ever been to the NEC but I would estimate it to be about twice or possibly three times the size of a football field, 600 tables of the finest diecast toys. I never come out disappointed.

Thanks Nick,

I may take you up on that one day. Same goes for you here in the states.

[matchbox360]

Ken, I don't know if you have ever been to the NEC but I would estimate it to be about twice or possibly three times the size of a football field, 600 tables of the finest diecast toys. I never come out disappointed.

Actually, I've never been to the NEC, but have heard about its vastness... hope to visit a toy show there in the near future!

Keep on scouting, Nick, and best of luck!

Cheers, Ken