Truckster (Vic) replied:

So you would pay money to go see the cars you can see free along any main road?

this is one thing that killed Wandin in Vic for me (apart from 40+ degrees and no shade, and $8 sausage sangas), is all that is there ARE the big players.. you can see that bleep mon-sun any week.. these shows should show other gear like *SOME* do...

Patrol22 replied:

Want to see a great 4WD Show run by 4WDrivers for 4WDrivers - keep the second weekend of February 2008 free and come to the NSW Country City of Queanbeyan for the 4WD Spectactular which is run by the combined Land Rover Club of the ACT, Southern Tablelands 4WD Club and the ACT 4WD Club.

Outnabout David (SA) replied:

The problem with all shows is that there are so many that overlap the different genres of outdoor activity like camping, fishing,orienteering, 4wd etc and they all try to attract the same exhibitors. Now the problem is that the cost to rent a site as an exhibitor is horrendous and therefore it is only the big players that can afford to be there. The small ones invent other ways to sell thier wares.

In adelaide and I am sure in other states when the camping shows are on a couple of the camping stores have there sale days. If I want anything major I will ring them up for a price then go for a look at the show and then make a decision on what I see.

It would be nice in the perfect world where exhibitors and would be buyers could just turn up at a venue and for a small fee hawk there wares similar to the trash and treasure markets.

There has to be a way to level the playing fiels because there are really great products out there from small players who can't afford the costs of these shows.

DIO replied:

I and no doubt many others will be able to recall when entry into Motor Shows was free. The manufacturers used these functions to promote their products. They were privelleged when the public came along and ooh'd and aah'd at these bright shiny fabulous and often expensive vehicles.

Then along came 'the event promoter' who convinced the industry (cars, camping, agricultural, toys, crafts etc) that they could put on an 'extravaganza spectacular' that would wow and excite the public and they probably also convinced them that joe/mug public would even spend more money when the product was displayed at such venue/function with bright lights, pretty girls, cheap give-a-ways etc. What happened then, they 'invented' the admission fee. What happened then, joe/mug public payed it and so was born the big 'RIP OFF'. How did this happen I hear you ask, well all it takes are afew willing to pay what is asked and before long it becomes accepted that to see a Motor Show, Camping Show etc people happily pay. Now, don't forget that the promoter is also charging the exhibitors often exhorbitant rates for rental space. Their arguement along the lines if you don't take it up someone else will. Besides silly joe/mug public pays for it when he buys a new car and is stupid enough to pay Dealer Delivery Fee/Impost/Rip-Off/Con etc.

So now we have those exhibitors that are willing to pay these exhorbitant rents. Those that are smart don't, instead they probably spend 5 - 10% of what the rent would have been on advertising, lower their shop prices by 5 -10%, encourage public to their 'alternate show' they increase sales, public save heaps of money and commonsense prevails.

Just my thoughts.

Crackles replied:

The problem Axle is not what is displayed at the show rather that you have seen most of it before. In the good ol days there was only one show a year so you'd be excited to see all the new gadgets and vehicles on display but now you subscribe to three 4x4 mags, attend a couple of trade nights, & go to 3 or 4 four wheel drive, camping or caravan shows a year so of course they're pathetic, there's nothing new to see! To make them a liitle more interesting go to one show every 3 years.
The cost to display at the big shows is out of control too. A few years back we had a 3x3m area for $2000. It's no wonder people can't afford to put a car in their displays as the space they would take up could cost $3K each.
Cheers Craig.......