Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion PCM Magazine, Columbus review

I received my new issue of PCM today and was very disappointed with co-editor Wayne Hendersons remarks about the Columbus show. Yes, it would have been nice, for some folks, to open the show early on Thursday however, on the other hand, is it fair to those who have planned for this trip and have driven a long distance to find that many things were already sold. Do we really want to go back to a two day show or do we want a one day show. I thought the show was fantastic and heard no one, until Wayne, complain. Maybe I'm wrong. I was in and out of the parking lot with my car MANY times over Thursday and Friday and had no problem finding a parking space, at the hotel, when I returned each time. Also, the parking lot at the closed restaurant next door was fully useable. Keep the show a one day event and keep the same location. Do other people agree or am I wrong?

Ray I agree completely, I like the fact that didn't allow early buying and selling. It' started at a certain time and everyone in my opinion got the same chance at stuff. The hotel setup I think is great as well, this is also my favorite show.

It was my first year out to the Columbus show so I really have no base opinion of the show or how it should be run past or present. All I can say Is that I drove from Maine arrived on time sold all my stuff and went home happy. There was never A time when I thought where did everything go? Early bird has always got the worm, that will never change. See you all Tuesdays afternoon in Iowa with a fresh load of goodies!

...I haven't read Wayne's review - but I couldn't agree more with Ray and Shawn's posts...why not just show up when you're supposed to?...why complain because you showed up before you were supposed to?...the show should start when the people running the show say it starts, not when a bunch of early birds decide...

Ray, Not sure why he slammed the show BUT definately uncalled for! Why didnt he complain about his buddy set up across the street from the hotel bootlegging in the parking lot? Cops ran him and a couple others off!
99% of the vendors followed the rules and didnt sell til thur afternoon...I honestly had record sales and bought a few signs and a cool NOS 16 1/2 mobilgas special globe
Everyone I talked to had a blast and sold or bought very well!!!
I have done Iowa and columbus for years and columbus is now just as much fun as Iowa! Just my opinion....

It's a shame that the co-editor of our monthly magazine can make his personal views seen. Without this forum no one would have the opportunity to respond to his ridiculous statements. It appears from Scott's short article that he really doesn't agree with Wayne. Great show, great location...keep it up

You cant please everyone no matter how you set up a show. Some will complain it is on a work day or complain for a hunderd other reasons. The best the show promoters can do is set it up, let people know what to expect and let it run. Make changes next year if needed. I for one would like to say thanks to the people that put the work into organizing everything. They probably do not get rich doing it

It was my first show and I had a GREAT time and I can't wait until next year and it is killing me that I am not going to be at Iowa.
Having said that, I can't find the original advertisement that I had, but if I remember correctly, wasn't this show advertised as June 21 & 22? June 21st was Friday. I showed up Friday at 4:00, granted a little late, but some people were packing to go home already. I didn't know that Friday meant midnight. Or from what I heard, actually about 3am. I was puzzled but still made the best of it.
It seems to me that if there is an auction associated then it would almost have to be at least a 2 day show cuz the auction steals everyone for almost that entire day.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree, It was a GREAT show.. Had a blast.. The schedule they use now is ok IMO.I had to leave Friday afternoon but wished I could have stayed longer... Thanks Check the Oil!! Brian

Most vendors were upset that they couldn’t set up outside earlier Thursday.. Many feel that by setting up late on Thursday it only gives them one good day of outside selling, Friday.. I can see where they WOULD get upset.. Many travel a long distance to get there and sell, some do it for a living, not a hobby.. Should it rain on Friday the outside vendors would have no good days of selling.. With the auction on Saturday there is no other time to set up and sell? If you can’t keep the vendors happy you can’t have a show, period… Calling the police on a few vendors that were capitalizing on being there and not allowed to set up and sell is NOT the way to keep the vendors happy… My two cents

...FYI - if a show is advertised to be on a certain date, you should be there when they open...even if the show had started at 8am Friday, if you get there at 4PM, you would have missed 7 hours of the show, right?

If up to me I would have been there Thursday night and with another 2K in my pocket. Just wasn't possible. But yes, your math is correct.

...but Keith - you have to draw the line somewhere...if the show was to start on Thursday, those same sellers would want to set up on Wednesday...what of the buyers that show up, expecting the show to start on Thursday? I know a lot - if not most - of the wheeling and dealing is between vendors, but there are some who are just there to buy...and you can't have a show without buyers, either...

...and to the 'early-bird' buyers: buy a space, and join the sellers...you'll sell a few things, and make the show better!

...and setting up in an adjacent lot, because you don't agree with the show rules? I think I would have called the cops, too...unfortunately those who decided to do their own thing, put the promoters in that position...

...remember, the schedule was right there in black and white, posted WEEKS before anyone left to go to the show - it's not like the sellers got there, and the show promoters changed everything at the last minute...

...Keith, you guys do a great job with Mason-Dixon...there's a schedule (and a competing auction) but it looks to me like everyone adheres to the rules...and I've always had a great time!

...I hear you...

I have never been to Columbus, but have attended Iowa Gas for the last 20 years as a non-vending "buyer". When I first started going, the "buyers" outnumbered the vendors 20 to 1 and you had to fight your way to the vendor spaces to buy something. I could go with a "wish list" of signs and find all of them in varying conditions.

For a number of reasons, primarily the internet, those days are gone and IG seems more of a vendor's swap meet than a venue for people such as myself. I go on the published opening day and find that the event started Tue or even late Monday depending on when vendors started to arrive. Some vendors have such good sales on Tue that they don't even open up on time Wed a.m. IG folks tried to police early sales for a while, but gave up because vendors complained and without vendors, there is no show.

I'll probably continue to show up on opening day like always and wonder what I missed. Dave