Studio Boot Fair - is it a good idea ? would it work

[Lizardpoint]

I suggested the idea of a Studio Boot Fair to the good people of SOS about a year ago but nothing has come of it and I thought that this is probably the beat place to test the market.

I was looking through my "Cupboard of stuff that I no longer use but is too good to throw away" the other day and I have loats of stuff that could be useful to other musicians, studio folk and hobbyists. The problem is it is too much hassle to Ebay or post in SOS readers ads because people won't pay the postage for a heavy wiring loom.

So I thought maybe we could have our own SOS Boot Fair where people can bring their stuff to buy and sell from/to other like minded folk.

Weather and location would be the main concern and while I don't think the first one need be in the NEC at Birmingham, the fact that Birmingham is pretty central is a good starting point.

It could even be held in the SOS car park or somewhere close to the SOS offices.

I guess the questions are:

1. Would you pay for a pitch to sell your stuff ?
2. Would you pay to get into a music/audio/studio specific boot fair thing ?

I'm just throwing this out there to you folk to see if it is worth doing (And to convince SOS that they should be a part of it.

[John Willett]

What clock time is this on?

It's after 10:00 on the 15th and it won't accept a vote.

[John Willett]

What clock time is this on?

OK - I have just seen - it's on Universal Time (GMT) and I have to wait an hour.

[John Willett]

Done

[Wigworld]

Sounds like a good idea to me, although the logistics of being at a certain place at a certain time could make it difficult for many (myself included) to attend.
The beauty of ebay is that you can participate anywhere you have access to a computer.

[RegressiveRock]

I guess the key advantage over fleabay is you could test the gear out rather than rely on reassurances which are not always strictly true, should the venue that is chosen be able to provide access to power. I don't think you should ban dealers as they would add diversity, but expect one or two angry customers when gear is bought early in the morning and for sale for three times the prices a couple of hours later. (It always happens at boot fairs!)

Reg

[James T Bigglesworth]

Slightly off-topic, but in a similar vein, is anyone aware of any audio or music-related charities that could do with unwanted gear? I've got all sorts of stuff (from computers to mixing desks) that my wife would like me to get rid of...

[redleicester]

Slightly off-topic, but in a similar vein, is anyone aware of any audio or music-related charities that could do with unwanted gear? I've got all sorts of stuff (from computers to mixing desks) that my wife would like me to get rid of...

I'm over here Paul....!!!

[Studio Support Gnome]

Slightly off-topic, but in a similar vein, is anyone aware of any audio or music-related charities that could do with unwanted gear? I've got all sorts of stuff (from computers to mixing desks) that my wife would like me to get rid of...

I'm over here Paul....!!!

charity case my A**E!.....



initially I thought this whole idea a non-starter... but what if it was tagged on to one of the music industry shows ??

in the "secure" car park, with the venue providing security... with only pre-registered spaces for vendors...

[duffycolm]

Slightly off-topic, but in a similar vein, is anyone aware of any audio or music-related charities that could do with unwanted gear? I've got all sorts of stuff (from computers to mixing desks) that my wife would like me to get rid of...

me!!

But seriously I don't know of any myself.

[redleicester]

Slightly off-topic, but in a similar vein, is anyone aware of any audio or music-related charities that could do with unwanted gear? I've got all sorts of stuff (from computers to mixing desks) that my wife would like me to get rid of...

I'm over here Paul....!!!

charity case my A**E!.....

Damn.... rumbled..... sssshhhh don't tell anyone!

[forumuser695516]

Potentially this seems quite do-able actually. But being rather specialised, I dont think you could expect big turn outs.. From buyers or sellers. At a guess you'd be looking at hiring out a small/medium village hall to set up shop for a day. So not exactly a boot sale. Hosting it in a hall offers a bit more security too. After all. You are not planning on selling old Abba tapes for 50p. Theres going to be some expensive kit there still, and people will be mooching about with a big wedges of cash on them.
If you could do that a couple of times a year, with maybe one London'ish based, and one up north'ish based, it could work quite nicely. I can't see that it would be too difficult to arrange. Promoting it would be key, i imagine.

I'll follow this thread with interest

Paul

[James Perrett]

Potentially this seems quite do-able actually. But being rather specialised, I dont think you could expect big turn outs..

If you want to see an example of something similar take a look at http://www.audiojumble.co.uk which takes place twice a year.

Cheers

James.

[Parker Fly]

Weather and location would be the main concern and while I don't think the first one need be in the NEC at Birmingham, the fact that Birmingham is pretty central is a good starting point.

PMT in Birmingham already do a similar event, in May I seem to remember, and it's probably their best day in terms of turnover. Not only do they bring items that they've had in their shop for ages, but a private individual come and sell their own equipment too.

There's a lot of tat, purely because people will bring bits and bobs that they can't dispose of elsewhere, but there are also quite a few items that you probably wouldn't find on Ebay/SOS etc.

[Mixedup]

If you could tie it in with events like the SRT show or Music Live then I guess it could work.

Personally I reckon we should set up a YouTube based audio version of Noel Edmonds' Multi-coloured Swap-shop (sorry, but the new one with Basil Brush just doesn't cut the mustard).

[Lizardpoint]

PMT in Birmingham already do a similar event, in May I seem to remember, and it's probably their best day in terms of turnover. Not only do they bring items that they've had in their shop for ages, but a private individual come and sell their own equipment too.

That sounds great.
Maybe a joint thing ?

"The Great SOS and PMT Musical Bring and buy sale"

I'd like to reserve my pitch right next to the W.I jam & cakes stand

Do you know when it is ?

Lizardpoint

[Stef Andrews]

Although I have nothing that I could sell, this sounds like a great idea to me, to get my hands on some great gear that may be going cheap. I will be keeping my eyes on this thread for any advancement.

Great idea.

[Zukan]

We like this idea and have some ideas at the planning stage.

So, I shall sticky this.

[Arpangel]

Yeah absolutely, when is it on ? I'm coming ! Just make sure you have a stall selling greasy burgers !

Tony.

[pootle52]

*Historical note*
There used to be an indoor event like this in the middle 70's (I'm very very old) in a YMCA gym in central London over a weekend. It ran twice a year for couple of years and was brilliant and very well attended. It was called the Audio and Cycling Jumble (!?!), and I still have very useful Sennheiser dynamic and Shure instrument mics I bought there for £7 and £3 respectively.

Unfortunately the Brookes leather saddle finally rotted away from under me last year...

[magicdog]

Unfortunately the Brookes leather saddle finally rotted away from under me last year...

OUCH...I hope you weren't on it at the time...

[pootle52]

I was...

[Joe_caithness]

Slightly off-topic, but in a similar vein, is anyone aware of any audio or music-related charities that could do with unwanted gear? I've got all sorts of stuff (from computers to mixing desks) that my wife would like me to get rid of...

YES! PMED!

[Zaxx]

I think bolting it onto Audiojumble would make a lot of sense - it could then become 'Audiojumble - now incorporating Pro Audiojumble' (or 'Studiojumble' or something). Apart from anything else, there's a certain amount of overlap between the two markets already. I doubt whether any of the commercial trade fairs, which (reasonably enough) are about promoting shiny new gear, would condone a shanty town of s/h stallholders colonising the car park.

[philetaylor]

Another good idea that is often seen in Amateur Radio shows is a 'bring and buy' where people with only a handful of items to sell can pay a commission to a 'bring and buy' stall to sell it for them (for a commission).

This is useful as not everyone can fill a trestle table with their old kit, although I could probably fill two, and that's just my pair of Revox R88's!! (as long as the tables are re-inforced!)

Phil
Phil