biggd

A friend of mine told me he sold his 66 Mustang to a guy in Germany. The guy came over here to look at it, bought it, and then went on a shopping spree in NY City. He filled the car up with all his shopping before being shipped out. This was about 6 months ago when everything was cheaper in the US.

1KULC7

I wrote up my personal review that can be found in the OFF TOPIC and C7 General Section of this forum with photographs.

I can plainly see why a vendor or person trying to sell parts or products would be frustrated with the cost of the show, price of the spot to set up, the hotels, transportation, the hard work and the food, which to me was the steepest increase of cost this year. This year I cancelled my hotel reservations, as I am lucky enough to live about hour and half away in Virginia, and its just a straight shot up 81 North. I enjoyed the ride, but I did notice a few things. How about $6.00 for a large slurpee...you got to be nuts to spend that much on sugar and water. This year I took my own lunch, as I got tired of waiting in lines for food or water, and paying three times what the cost is. So from that perspective, instead of paying for inflated prices, I simply travelled, and took my own drink and food. I spent a total of $325.00 at the event and that was for a Window Vallae, to allow closing of the windows by remote for my C7, and a few t-shirts for the grandkids, and a mouse pad. I found most of the vendors extremely overpriced. Looking at the car parts, they were way more than I would spend for some of these parts. There was a 63 Coupe for sale, it was primed, and had all the parts (but I doubt all the parts), not stainless for the rear window, very rough shape, the passenger door was hit and repaired (badly). Price was $49,000. Interior was a disaster and need everything. Blue with saddle interior. Trim tag looks good, but way overpriced for a project car. By the time you find all the unique parts for the 63 you have over a $100,000.00 car, not counting labor and paint. Car needed so much body work, panels were very rough.

So point I am trying to make, yes the time are changing, and I do not think Carlisle is the place to go to find a project car that one can buy cheap anymore. Matter of fact, aftr looking at many of the finished cars, I think it is wise to buy a finished car and not worry about restoring. Just my humble opinion.

Carlisle will remain a major event for some time. Seems like every other Corvette comes from NJ, or NY or New England, and those areas make up about 60% of the attendance. Vendors will get less and less every years, as the internet is slowing taking over that market, and it will be replaced by vendors selling newer part for the newer Corvettes, and you will see an increase in peripheral products, like Corvette chairs, Corvette jackets, shirts and polishes, waxes, etc. You will still get people like Al Knock who does an excellent service, but had branched out selling rat finks, Bob Big Boys, and other lawn ornaments. There seems to be a increase in neon signs, die casts, and other non related Corvette items. Time are changing.

I go to see friends, enjoy the company, look at other Corvettes, and just enjoy the time away from work and home. In other words, I like to RELAX with my favorite cars....

gbvette62

I have been vending at Corvettes @ Carlisle, since the very first one. We were trying to remember on Saturday, if it was in 82, 83 or 84. We had three spots on A Row then, and all of the vendors were either on A Row or J Row, the only two paved aisles at the time. The Fun Field was general spectator parking back then, and not limited to Corvettes.

The rates at the hotel I stay in, has actually gone down the last couple years. It's not the fanciest place in Carlisle, but it's clean and only about ten minutes from the fairgrounds. My 4 night stay was $419. I know other hotels have dropped their rates too, because they aren't selling out like they once did. The Quality Inn on Rt 11 at Rt 81 in Carlisle, used to be $159 a night, but was $135 this year and had rooms available. Would I like the rates to be lower, sure but I travel a lot and it's hard to find a nice room for less $100 a night anywhere anymore, let along some place where a major event is going on.

I will admit that I'm not happy about Carlisle Events money grab this year. I have spaces for Spring, Fall and Corvette, so they're going to get over $2500 from me this year. They're reason for doing this they say, is so that they'll know sooner who's not going to renew. This way they'll have more time to sell spaces that are not renewed, and accommodated vendors wanting to add spaces or move their location. I was talking to the general manager Sunday, and he claimed that it's working very well, and that all but a few spaces on the hill for the Spring show, are sold.

I will say that I thought the swap area traffic, was way down this year. My sales were the worse they ever were for Corvettes Carlisle, and by quite a lot. I think the volatility of the stock market, may have had an effect on both the traffic and the sales. I know my Carlisle sales took a dump in 09, when the economy crashed, but had been steadily growing back up through last year. A friend of mine said he did better at GM Carlisle, then he did at Corvette, which is shocking because GM sales have always been week.

Most of the other full time vendors I know and talked to, said the same thing, business was steady but no one was spending much money. Most of the sales were little ones, with no one making any big purchases.

Tevroc98

I understand what your saying about renewal time for spaces but lets face the truth. They want ten months interest on your money not two. In this day of faster computers don't tell me they can't know what's taken and what's not. Like I said at the beginning GREED!

capevettes

$60 for 3 days entrance into a major event seems cheap to me considering all the staff Lance has to employ and all the other expenses he must incur. I'm not necessarily a "car show" guy. I've restored them, bought them, sold them and have purchased many parts there over the years. I do enjoy the people, the swap meet and everything it has to offer.

Why don't you address your concerns with Lance before you decide not to return? He will listen and perhaps make some changes. If there are enough people selling parts that feel as you do, it might make sense for him to make it more user friendly for you.

Pilot Dan

The event is about meeting SO many Corvette people at one time and exchanging ideas, information ect......there were some great events including educational seminars (I was there for Gary Ramadei's on Friday, very well done presentation on rear's, steering boxes, and C-2, C-3 rear wheel bearings). We all have internet capability, but the cluster of the interaction on a personal level is still worth the trip to me and also why so many people still attend. Parts selling is not my thing, but I always find a few good buys when I shop.

Tevroc98

Cape, I understand what you're saying. I'm not an unreasonable guy. But in my first post on this thread I stated I had these exact concerns several years back. Lance even posted on my thread that he was talking to the local hotels about this problem. Obviously they didn't listen or care. Unfortunately you now have a catch22. The vendors aren't coming because the buyers quit coming and the buyers aren't coming because the vendors don't come. Speaking to Lance won't help the situation enough to rectify the problem. It's several problems that are the cause.

redvetracr

but they all revolve around one thing.....the almighty dollar

Brian VH McHale

It's always fun at the Vetteheads camp.

paulywannafly

Yes Brian the vette heads sure do make up for the losses . Have really great time with all you guys , the best !! And what no pics of Chernoble in the pool ?

GRipp 73

Exactly. Unless you are young and making bank from your payroll, it is really hard to afford any older car. And if you can afford it, would you buy a 40+ year old car and technology, or a brand new one that can do Zero - Sixty in three seconds?

Most people in my age range at the Cars and Coffee will have newer cars that are fun to drive on a track, and use daily for the family. They won't have a third "older" car. The car hobby is not dead, but affording some of the older cars is hard.

I was not able to attend CAC this year, but I plan to go back again in the future.

Tevroc98

Well I called and spoke to the hotel manger. She was very nice and understanding to what I had to say. But she basically said that the prices are what they are. As long as people fill the hotels. They have no reason to change the way they do business. She said when numbers start falling off then they will look at what to do next. I've been at that hotel for near 20 years and told her I won't be back. I say Boycott the event and show them we've had enough!

c59001

the car hobby is dying...really?

ohiovet

I support what Lance is doing but the hotels in the general area are basically screwing the public and I am sure hurting the events.
But these days that seems like this is the American Way, sort of capitalism at it's best or possibly it's worst.

Bob K

I've been going to Carlisle for 20 years. I'm close enough to be able to drive to and from every day.

This year I was there on Thursday and Friday. That was my mistake, next year I'll go back to Friday and Sat.

I did notice that there seemed to be less vendors and people walking around on Friday.

Yes the food is expensive, but my brother and I look forward to a sausage sandwich every year from the vendor at the end of the building across from Merchons corvettes. To me it's more about the time spent with my brother and the other stuff if get in icing on the cake.

Bob K.

BTW I'm still looking for a 72 454 w/ air con fan blade. I found one on Thursday, but it was past saving.

ohiovet

I have got to tell everyone about the guy selling sausages a few rows below the grandstand (and 2 other places).
I purchased a fuel inject unit and was carying back to my car near the SACC tent. I walked past him , he sopped cooking and gave me a ride in his golf cart to my car and then back down to his spot.

Very nice guy and very thoughtful.

Naturally I bought a sausage sandwich later and the next day also.
Very tasty.
He actually owned the 3 sausage stands.

still cruzin

Took the 4.5 hour ride and had a great time with friends and fellow enthusiasts. Purchased an exhaust system for my 67. Figured I could save some money (10% show special, no tax, no shipping) by picking it up there.
But noticed when I got home that the same system was on ebay for the same price from the same vendor. with free shipping. REALLY! So the only thing I got out of that deal was a good workout dragging it across the grounds to get it to my truck!

I did find a few other parts I needed (from the small used parts dealers) So all and all still worth it! I just will be sure next time to not bother with the big new part vendors! May as well do that on line.

Bob

bluestreak63

I don't understand what all this b'ing and c'ing is about. It's the worlds largest Corvette show and you gotta spend some money to go. If you don't want to spend the money, don't go. Seems pretty cut and dry to me.

Nowhere Man

But don't you like the thrill of actually touching, feeling and inspecting the part before you bought it.

Bill32

It was 82, Chip asked me to judge.