Would be very cool to do swapmeet Sat as well next year.
I seem to have more fun at the swapmeet as the swappers are usually keener on making deals as compared to the dealer room. Just my 2 cents.
J
I have to agree on this too. Doing swap meet on saturday would be very awesome as well cause people want to buy stuff and whatever it doesn't get sold on thursday night and friday night, will be sold. Plus it something else to do as well. Been doing swap meet for years now and I would love to see it be done on saturday night as for something that people want to do instead of going to the masquerade or other events on the con. Please extend it to saturday night next year. Thanks.
i love the swap meet and would like to see it on Saturday. The only problem about the swap meet is that alot of people are in their walking all directions and it becomes difficult to see what people have to sale. I am a short person and almost got trampled while looking at stuff to buy.
Yes I also would like a Saturday swap meet!~
that would be cool too have Swapmeets all throughout Con. Just have them at specific timees like this year. Cuz i wanted to go to a swapmeet on sunday, but i noticed there werent any scheduled. So just have em everyday that con has. hehe
-AJ
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 26, 2009, 06:38:24 PM
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Then the dealers should have better stuff at their tables. Seriously, I didn't see anything I wanted to buy in the dealers room, but I made out like a bandit at the swap meet, both this year and last year. Also, they wouldn't directly compete if the swap meet was only scheduled after the dealers room closed, and remained a late night event.
Quote from: Tsuzuki on May 26, 2009, 07:01:44 PM
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 26, 2009, 06:38:24 PM
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Then the dealers should have better stuff at their tables. Seriously, I didn't see anything I wanted to buy in the dealers room, but I made out like a bandit at the swap meet, both this year and last year. Also, they wouldn't directly compete if the swap meet was only scheduled after the dealers room closed, and remained a late night event.
Also, have BETTER DEALS! i know some of the tables had hella rip off prices! COME ON! Especially that DVD, MANGA corner! I saw most of the dvds i wanted for cheaper at Suncoast or Best Buy! Although some other tables DID have RELI RELI RELI good prices! like that one with $3 dvds and manga, I bought a butt load of stuff there xP
-AJ
Saturday swap meet pleaseeeee!!!
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 26, 2009, 06:38:24 PM
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Doesn't the swap meet usually occur when the dealers room closes anyways? If that's the case, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue. I noticed a LOT of people around that weren't at the masquerade and other events, so this type of thing would work out well if it can be implemented.
Quote from: Kimiko on May 27, 2009, 04:34:26 PM
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 26, 2009, 06:38:24 PM
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Doesn't the swap meet usually occur when the dealers room closes anyways? If that's the case, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue. I noticed a LOT of people around that weren't at the masquerade and other events, so this type of thing would work out well if it can be implemented.
I saw this coming.
The bottom line is that dealers are paying $1K+ to sell their stuff whereas swap meet sellers only pay $20 for a full spot.
As a swap meet seller, I wouldn't mind having swap meet every night either so I can unload all my stuff, but putting myself in dealers' shoes, I can understand why it is not. But who knows. I'm not the one who makes the rules so maybe staff who do will consider implementing your ideas.
I can see the dealers possibly getting slightly upset, but on the other hand the swapmeet is usually older used stuff. I think almost all my purchases at the various swapmeets over the years has been items no longer carried in the dealer room.
I do usually roll my eyes at the prices of DVD's if I can buy it for less at Suncoast or some other place it is laughable. I go for price over convienence. I try to support locals over online, but don't want to feel completely abused.
I lol'd at some of the stuff in the Swapmeet. $2 - $3 Pocky from some random person vs $1 new Pocky in the dealers room. :P
I don't think the swapmeet really competes with the dealer's room much though, it's alot of games and cards and older random things that I don't see in the dealer's room. All the good stuff and good deals get bought up within the first 2 days I think. At most I'd think swapmeet extend 1 more day.
I completely understand about the dealers and all that, but I don't compare them at all. At least at my booth, I have things you CAN'T find in the dealers room, like the Sera Myu stuff and Hello! Project cds (thanks to those who bought this stuff!).
I like to look for things at the swap meet go with my oooold collections and I just can't find them in the dealer's room at all.
Anyways, it's up to the higher ups and I'm completely fine with Thurs and Friday, but of course I'll be happy with Saturday as well :) No complaints here.
I hate to say it, but there CAN be too much of a good thing.
I'm not sure I want the fire hazard on our busiest day ^_^;;
The dealers are a huge issue, because they are very tightly regulated and it's very expensive. It's just hard to make the distinction between the two and enforce it, and there are some very loyal and hardworking people that we wouldn't want to offend - or put out of business.
Nor do I want it to become Dealers Room Jr. Jr. (There are already questionable vendors in Artist Alley; it's almost like Dealers Room Jr. And I could see people getting sneaky about Swap Meet.)
Lastly, when the facilities notice things getting popular, it makes less sense for them to be accommodating. Suddenly it'll be $40 a space, then $60, etc. :(
But what the hell - I'll ask around.
on my todo list.
I know that there are 1 or 2 dealers that think a swap meet is a great idea, but I am certain that there are more than 1 or 2 that think it cuts into their profits...
Quote from: ewu on May 28, 2009, 09:54:13 AM
on my todo list.
I know that there are 1 or 2 dealers that think a swap meet is a great idea, but I am certain that there are more than 1 or 2 that think it cuts into their profits...
Well the thing in the end the Swap Meet cuts into everyone's profits by the pure fact it exists and sells things, just like how people needing to eat and buy other things as the con goes on will leave con goers with less money to spend in the dealer's room. I don't think the swap meet needs to be extended the whole con, buy maybe some time on Saturday would be good.
Would the dealers do anything if the swap meet was extended another day? Would they raise their prices or would some dealers be pissed and not come?
Like I can understand how some might not like it, but what're they gonna do? The con is 'by fans for fans' right? Not for dealers :P
I would say do the swap meet Thursday night and Sunday night. Spaced out like that, it gives people a chance to still go to the dealers for the main days (Fri and Sat seemed the busiest in the dealers room). Also, since many of the items sold by dealers are "grab bags" or boxed with 1 of X possible figures inside, etc.- a chance for some people to trade/sell the doubles they get on-site would be nice. Monday should be avoided, since the dealers are making the last-minute sales then and really don't need the competition.
On another note- This is my first Fanime, and I was seriously disappointed with the lack of flexibility on the part of most dealers. eBay exists, whether they like it or not. They need to be realistic in terms of pricing on DVD and manga. At every other convention (of different types) that I have gone to, a little negotiating is part of the whole experience. I actually had a dealer verbally assault me when I asked him to go a few dollars lower on something.
Quote from: nightlightning on May 28, 2009, 10:51:47 AM
I actually had a dealer verbally assault me when I asked him to go a few dollars lower on something.
I'm sure that is something that would be frowned upon. Depending on the content of the verbal assault, you could have brought that up for Rovers to look into.
Quote from: nightlightning on May 28, 2009, 10:51:47 AM
I actually had a dealer verbally assault me when I asked him to go a few dollars lower on something.
Care to elaborate with more details? You can PM me.
I don't really care as long as Thurs. and Friday night stay the same. I like checking out swap meet the first couple days first before spending in dealer's. I don't want to wait all con and save money for a swap meet that I may not see anything I want. D:
Even though it is pretty packed, I prefer it two days because I get to see more on a single day. If it is spread out between three days, less people with awesome stuff on any single day.
I think a few of the dealer's were new to the whole convention selling. One even re-stocked some things on the last day but she was pretty cool about letting me skirt by without having the total for tax. Some of the dealers had things priced pretty low so I could see how they would refuse to haggle.
Quote from: sweetrinoa on May 26, 2009, 11:37:34 AM
i love the swap meet and would like to see it on Saturday. The only problem about the swap meet is that alot of people are in their walking all directions and it becomes difficult to see what people have to sale. I am a short person and almost got trampled while looking at stuff to buy.
I agree. Maybe having arrows on taped on the floor that everyone can follow, like a track?
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 26, 2009, 06:38:24 PM
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Dealers dont have a real competition with swap meet, because they go on at different times and that the dealers have higher quality merchandise. On top of that, they are more likely to have stores outside the con that provide some sort of income irrelevant to the con.
3-day swapmeet should be pleasant and fine. I've never heard of any incidents between dealers and swapmeet vendors.
It is a good idea to extend swap meet on Saturday because of more attendees coming to see and what to get especially if anyone were looking for something hard-to-find items, after the dealers' hall is closed.
However, at the same time, it is Saturday night! I am a swap meet seller too, but I don't like the idea of sitting to sell my stuffs AND I don't want to have my friends to take over my spot so I can enjoy while they sit their butts off to sell that might not fly even if everything goes one dollar. I like it where it was only Thursday and Friday, not the busiest days, but getting a few bucks to have on the weekend before Monday. I'll enjoy.
I have to admit, having an extension on fanime swap meet is a good idea!
Quote from: Lucifargundam on July 29, 2009, 04:38:43 PM
Quote from: GokuMew2 on May 26, 2009, 06:38:24 PM
I think the problem is that swap meet could become competition for the dealers if it were more than two nights.
Dealers dont have a real competition with swap meet, because they go on at different times and that the dealers have higher quality merchandise.
Playing devils advocate here, but that's not strictly true. People are always going to try for ways to cheat the system.
In '07, one clever person bought all of a particular product (it was some kind of plushie or something, I don't really remember) from every stall in the Dealers Room on Friday, they jacked the price up and sold them all off at the Swap Meet that night (then again, this is rather common. People were doing that with the Final Fantasy potion drinks last year.).
In '08, a dealer had one of his/her employees manning a spot at the Swap Meet, selling the same things at the same prices they were in the Dealers Room and making better sales (to quote the dealer, "Con-goers tend to think EVERYTHING at a Swap Meet is cheaper than everywhere else, even if it's not." I was a salesman for a number of years, I can vouch for that being true.).
In '09, there was one store (selling used video games) that confessed to me that it was cheaper for her to just reg and get a Swap Meet spot instead of a Dealers spot. In fact, the fact that a majority of her stock was used made it more likely that better money would come from the Swap Meet.
Not that I'm using these as reasons for not having three days of Swap Meet (personally, I'd love it). Just stating uncomfortable truths that need to be understood.
Jelly Soup does make good points. If there is a way to abuse the system, then people will find it and do it. Having the Swap Meet on all days would hinder the honest vendors in the Dealer's Hall. Fanime's guests would benefit from having both a Swap Meet and a Dealer's Hall, but Fanime's funding and the Dealers themselves would suffer.
Having a larger Swap Meet would push away Dealers from wanting to come to Fanime or force them to join the cheaper Swap Meet. This would mean that Fanime would not gain as much funding from the added price of a Dealer's Hall slot. Eventually the Dealer's Hall would probably be nixxed due to the lack of participation from the competition provided by a Swap Meet.
You can say that having them at different times will not affect anything, but in reality it would. Many guests bring only a limited amount of cash. If this is spent at the Swap Meet, then it is not spent at the Dealer's Hall. If Dealer's do not make money, then they are less likely to show up the following year. With less funds due to that, Fanime would not be able to better itself every year because the funding would be smaller. I'm sure that Fanime would rather grow the Dealer's Hall than a Swap Meet due to this issue. It is true that the guests would enjoy a bigger and better Swap Meet, but if you look at it from Fanime's perspective, than it looks like a bad idea and it would just cause bad tensions with the loyal Dealers.
Quote from: Liquid on November 03, 2009, 11:26:57 AM
Many guests bring only a limited amount of cash. If this is spent at the Swap Meet, then it is not spent at the Dealer's Hall. If Dealer's do not make money, then they are less likely to show up the following year.
And this is the root of the problem. I'm finding that many guests (myself included) just don't buy from the Dealers Room at all. We'd rather save money and buy things from the Swap Meet. I'm sure there are other factors at work here. As in my case, I like games and I tend to be able to find rares and commons at exceptional prices at the Swap Meet over the Dealers Room. On the other hand, I have a friend who is a huge book worm. She gets her books from the Swap Meet because, 8 times out of 10, the sellers there are just trying to get rid of product, so you get way more bang for your buck (the last few times I've sold at the Swap Meet, I did this too).
There really is no quick or slow fix for this. People are always going to try and get something for nothing and bend every rule they can to do it. It seems like a much better idea to focus on weeding out the Dealers trying to take advantage of the Swap Meet than anything else.
Anyone know when we'll be able to sign up for swap meet!?!?!?!
I would also like to see the saturday swap meet because I never get to go! I get there on saturday morning and always missed the actual event! :-\
You will most likely not see registration till March or April. A third day of swap meet is looking very unlikely due to a few issues, but we will keep you updated on this matter.
Quote from: nightlightning on May 28, 2009, 10:51:47 AM
I was seriously disappointed with the lack of flexibility on the part of most dealers. eBay exists, whether they like it or not. They need to be realistic in terms of pricing on DVD and manga. At every other convention (of different types) that I have gone to, a little negotiating is part of the whole experience. I actually had a dealer verbally assault me when I asked him to go a few dollars lower on something.
Keep in mind that the Dealers are still retailers still NOT to be confused with a flea market where its assumed you can haggle. If I was a dealer i would consider understandably being annoyed if someone was asking me to lower my prices.---
now I dont know all the details of what was said between you and the dealer in question, so if it was event was particular upsetting to you I would recommend reporting what happened and the Dealers staff will look into it.
Going back to the topic on Hand.
Would it be possible to run/open the Swap meet opposite of the Dealers hall closing for the evening?
That way there's no direct competition and we semi-reinforce that the Swap meet & Dealers room are mutually exclusive.
That and sometimes some people might have honestly missed out on Thursday and Friday evenings [hypothetically].
That plus the Swap meet people dont miss out on going to the Dealers room themselves.
Say like an 1/2 hour or hour gap after the Dealers room closes for the evening. The Swamp Meet opens?
Would that be a compromise? [ assuming that staff can handle an extra day of Swamp meet registration and Facilities blocking off the area for another evening ]
Remember attendees, as you request/suggest/promote new ideas and venues.... - we also need the manpower to make it happen. So please be appreciate and understanding even if these dont pan out. :)
---- Random idea: [after people start registration for Swap meet]
Would it be plausible to start like a semi "preview thread" sorta like the WTB/WTS thread but for swamp meet 2010 because I have tons of stuff I want to sell but I'm too lazy to lug it all the Con if it hypothetically doesnt sell :P
would anyone be interested in a "preview of items to be sold at swamp meet" thread?
I agree with Jerry. I've actually never been to swap meet since I've been going on Saturdays the past few years, but more time slots would be really great.
The only issue I can see is that people will spend all/most of their money on the Dealers' Room, which will impact sales in the swap meet right after, or people will save up and hold out for the swap meet, taking business away from the Dealers' Room. While one can say that people should plan better and put aside a percentage of their budget for both, we all know that most people won't think that far ahead.
As for a pre-sale/what I'm going to sell thread, I'm all for it. I have a ton of Japanese magazines and old Ribon issues that I would rather not log to the con just to find that nobody wants them.
Presale thread = great idea :D
Quote from: Jerry on January 27, 2010, 09:32:00 AM
Would it be possible to run/open the Swap meet opposite of the Dealers hall closing for the evening?
That way there's no direct competition and we semi-reinforce that the Swap meet & Dealers room are mutually exclusive.
That and sometimes some people might have honestly missed out on Thursday and Friday evenings [hypothetically].
That plus the Swap meet people dont miss out on going to the Dealers room themselves.
Say like an 1/2 hour or hour gap after the Dealers room closes for the evening. The Swamp Meet opens?
Would that be a compromise? [ assuming that staff can handle an extra day of Swamp meet registration and Facilities blocking off the area for another evening ]
We have weighed several options including that and currently it is still a no. Still looking at other options, but I would stick with no for now. Its a combination of staffing, sellers permits, space, and dealers.
Saturday Swap-Meet would be amazing. I sold Friday last year, and I know there were people who didn't get room to sell. So making a Saturday slot would offer a chance for those people to sell. It's win-win.
And that's right. If the Dealers room feels threatened by another night of Swap-Meet, then maybe they should try to rape us of our money a little less. u u;
So supposedly let me assume that Saturday Swap meet is a NO GO....
Could we hypothetically EXTEND [Thursday or] Friday night Swap meet way past Midnight?
[or is that already the current schedule of swapmeet?] :P
Technically Swap meet is on Saturday.... just really really really REALLY EARLY.
We wouldn't want to have it span more than two calendar days. It could run earlier/later on Thursday, but that's asking a lot out of the staffers.
Typically the dealer's hall is for mostly new items at full price. Usually it's for people who don't know how to wisely price shop and\or they are impulse buyers or are just lazy (most of us fit here.) The dealers have to buy from someone too and then they also have to turn a profit. By trying to haggle with them you are cutting into their job's salary, their time, and not to mention it's pretty annoying. Now, haggling is perfectly expected at a swap meet, but not the dealer room.
You should try to consider the dealer's hall to be more like a large gathering of retail shops. When you go to buy a new manga at Barnes & Nobles, do you try to haggle for prices there? Of course not. That'd just be silly. And I can almost guarantee that the dealers at Fanime make far less per item then the huge retailers that buy in huge bulk.
I got some really special TCG trades that vendors are unlikely to have in there collection. What would that mean in the swapmeet?
note - Liquid. I haggle pretty much everywhere I go unless I think the price is right. While you are right places like Barnes and Noble usually do not discount things, there have been times, like when I got my Darth Maul light sabers, they were told to get rid of them and one had box damage, we made a deal. My rule of thumb is a. it never hurts to ask, and nothing ventured nothing gained at a good price.
Just something to consider for next year or so... I'd like to suggest having an "Adult Swapmeet" during "Hentai/Yaoi/Yuri" nights.
Proof of age would already be checked before allowing guests into the adult anime rooms, and the sellers could then display their adult wares without having to worry about checking IDs of under-age buyers.
In the general Swapmeet areas, it's very crowded with folks are trying to score great deals; and the poor sellers are trying to keep an eye on their general wares ontop of making sure their Adult stash is not being viewed or purchased by the under 18 fans.
I'm sure a lot of Swapmeet sellers would love to unload their Hentai collection, and not have to worry about losing their stuff to Security, getting kicked out of Fanime, or being arrested for selling adult material to minors.
Again, it's just a suggestion to consider for next year's Fanime and beyond. Thanks!!
Quote from: UminoJenia on May 13, 2010, 08:38:36 AM
Just something to consider for next year or so... I'd like to suggest having an "Adult Swapmeet" during "Hentai/Yaoi/Yuri" nights.
Proof of age would already be checked before allowing guests into the adult anime rooms, and the sellers could then display their adult wares without having to worry about checking IDs of under-age buyers.
In the general Swapmeet areas, it's very crowded with folks are trying to score great deals; and the poor sellers are trying to keep an eye on their general wares ontop of making sure their Adult stash is not being viewed or purchased by the under 18 fans.
I'm sure a lot of Swapmeet sellers would love to unload their Hentai collection, and not have to worry about losing their stuff to Security, getting kicked out of Fanime, or being arrested for selling adult material to minors.
Again, it's just a suggestion to consider for next year's Fanime and beyond. Thanks!!
In theory, that would be great. However, look at just how much yaoi/hentai is sold during a normal Swap Meet. Relatively little compared to everything else. I can't imagine an all yaoi/hentai Swap Meet having more than a few people with little to sell. That, or it would become another outlet for dealers to pretend they are con goers.
i thought there was already a rule(s) about selling 18+ material at the swap meet?
otherwise why not ask/e-mail the Swap meet staff?
i figure thats a good place to start.
Quote from: Jerry on May 13, 2010, 09:53:06 AM
i thought there was already a rule(s) about selling 18+ material at the swap meet?
otherwise why not ask/e-mail the Swap meet staff?
i figure thats a good place to start.
Yeah, as long as your adult material is in a (non transparent) container with a lid and you check ID's before letting potential buyers browse through your stuff, you're ok. Also I don't think the staff would go straight to "kicking you out of fanime" if you were busy with a transaction and some nosy kid started poking around in your adult stuff. The problem would arise mainly if you sold them something inappropriate without verifying proper ID. Then you're busted.