Well, we've wrapped up another great year for swap meet! We are interested in hearing your feedback on the venue, timing and other elements of the event. While we are absolutely prepared for negative feedback, please be sure it is done in a constructive way so that we can make specific changes to improve swap meet.
As a pre-emotive measure, please note we sincerely apologize for the last minute re-scheduling on Friday night. Without going into too much detail, it was important that we were actually out of the venue by a certain time. Our apologies again for the last minute schedule change.
I look forward to your responses!
Jeremy Snow
Swap Meet Second
I attended Thursday but not Friday.
First of all, compared to last year it was amazing. Last year I spent about two hours in line after it should have opened and ended up giving up entirely without ever getting in.
It was night in day in that aspect. That said, right before we got in we had a member of staff telling us we'd hopefully be getting in 15 minutes from then, and then immediately after the line started moving. Small communication issue, but was a bit confusing.
Beyond that, my experience was fine once I got in there, although some sellers were still setting up because of arriving late.
Was there a reason we were in half the hall and not spread out more?
Quote from: Admiral Donuts on May 23, 2015, 09:07:57 AM
Was there a reason we were in half the hall and not spread out more?
Space management mainly. Makes it easier for staff/rovers to monitor the event if it's as condensed as possible. Of course if the demand called for it we would have expanded but it wasn't really necessary. Also, given the choice of being closer to the front or farther back, most sellers chose the former.
Hopefully, if we get the venue again, we can pack it front to back! :D
I sold on Thursday and shopped on Friday. I'm so happy with the new venue, and I hope we get to use it again in the future. My only issue was that as a seller, I didn't have a lot of time to set up my space before shoppers started coming in, meaning I was still scrambling to set everything up while people were looking and asking about prices.
Hi, I've been selling at Fanime swap meet for 7 years, and this was by far the best it's been setup, especially on Friday. Registration was a breeze, checking in was a breeze, and I had ample time to setup before buyers were let in.
There was only one blemish on an otherwise perfect swap meet, and that was that during the last 5 minutes, while we were putting stuff away, the dealer -mod edit- came over, reeking of beer, and tried to low ball us, not taking no for an answer, instead trying to add stuff to his purchase and make a ridiculously low offer. The guy wouldn't quit and kept hassling us. This was WHILE we were trying to pack up. I haven't had trouble with any other dealers coming to swap meet aside from these guys, and this isn't the first time it's happened.
*Mod notes* We are currently investigating.
I'm sorry to have ended that on a negative note. As far as swap meet was officiated everything was an absolute blast and I await next year's event! :)
Quote from: srossi455 on May 23, 2015, 11:24:21 AM
Hi, I've been selling at Fanime swap meet for 7 years, and this was by far the best it's been setup, especially on Friday. Registration was a breeze, checking in was a breeze, and I had ample time to setup before buyers were let in.
There was only one blemish on an otherwise perfect swap meet, and that was that during the last 5 minutes, while we were putting stuff away, the dealer from -mod edit- came over, reeking of beer, and tried to low ball us, not taking no for an answer, instead trying to add stuff to his purchase and make a ridiculously low offer. The guy wouldn't quit and kept hassling us. This was WHILE we were trying to pack up. I haven't had trouble with any other dealers coming to swap meet aside from these guys, and this isn't the first time it's happened.
I'm glad that things went well for you (largely). The issue regarding the vendor is a bit worrisome. I would advise you to reach out to Johnathan, head of dealers hall, if you would like to file a complaint. No buyer should harass a seller like that, let alone a vendor.
Again, I'm glad everything else went well! :D
Quote from: kookiekween99 on May 23, 2015, 10:53:17 AM
I sold on Thursday and shopped on Friday. I'm so happy with the new venue, and I hope we get to use it again in the future. My only issue was that as a seller, I didn't have a lot of time to set up my space before shoppers started coming in, meaning I was still scrambling to set everything up while people were looking and asking about prices.
Sorry that you felt rushed! We definitely tried to make sure all sellers had ample time for setup. I think what happened was we were letting quite a few people keep more than 2 people per space after everything was moved in so we had a lot of people wandering during the setup time shopping when it should have mainly been primary/secondary sellers.
Just wanted to say the location was great. Everything went smooth and that we had plenty of room which is nice. The only issues for me were that I couldn't play any music which I know is not really an issue. But I hope next year I can. The other issue as a previous seller has mentioned. I too was being hassled by the same guy from the dealers hall. He was trying to buy all my games for next to nothing. I noticed he was trying to get games from another seller who was by me. So I'm sure he talked to other sellers who had video games. For me this was a first since being a seller at swap for 5 years. I was just surprised.
Quote from: GamerscloseT on May 23, 2015, 05:46:07 PM
Just wanted to say the location was great. Everything went smooth and that we had plenty of room which is nice. The only issues for me were that I couldn't play any music which I know is not really an issue. But I hope next year I can. The other issue as a previous seller has mentioned. I too was being hassled by the same guy from the dealers hall. He was trying to buy all my games for next to nothing. I noticed he was trying to get games from another seller who was by me. So I'm sure he talked to other sellers who had video games. For me this was a first since being a seller at swap for 5 years. I was just surprised.
Okay I'll let Johnathan know personally. Thank you for that information and feedback!
Quote from: FanFicGuru on May 24, 2015, 09:00:55 AM
Quote from: GamerscloseT on May 23, 2015, 05:46:07 PM
Just wanted to say the location was great. Everything went smooth and that we had plenty of room which is nice. The only issues for me were that I couldn't play any music which I know is not really an issue. But I hope next year I can. The other issue as a previous seller has mentioned. I too was being hassled by the same guy from the dealers hall. He was trying to buy all my games for next to nothing. I noticed he was trying to get games from another seller who was by me. So I'm sure he talked to other sellers who had video games. For me this was a first since being a seller at swap for 5 years. I was just surprised.
Okay I'll let Johnathan know personally. Thank you for that information and feedback!
Just so everyone knows, we've addressed this issue. Please email
[email protected] if you also were visited by the vendor. Thank you!
I think I still like being in one of the large halls in the actual SJCC better as the location for swap meet, but this year's venue was fantastic! The floors were filthy so I'm glad I decided to bring tarps this year. The two biggest benefits for having it in the SJCC proper is it's a lot easier for me to get all my stuff in - I usually park in the garage, so I don't need to deal with crossing streets and deal with curbs and cracks in the sidewalk when I'm already in the same building - and convenience for shoppers who are already milling about and don't need to walk that admittedly short half-block distance to the south hall. Having the wider spots definitely seemed to make things easier for display and for people to shop without having a huge mob around some places. I'm not sure the SJCC would allow for those same wide spaces and still be able to accommodate the number of people that were there. The $40 charge per night was a bit painful, but was manageable and worth all the improvements from the last couple years. Still, if that price were to go down a little, I sure wouldn't be upset about it.
I don't really have any other negatives for this year other than the mad rush to pack up on Friday, which you've already addressed. Thursday seemed a little thinner than previous Day 0's, excluding last year, but Friday had an incredible turnout. And like someone already mentioned, being allowed to set up so early on Friday was great. I usually get there early, but by the time we're let in I still wind up with a few things left to set up when folks are let in to shop. On Friday, I was able to get everything laid out and make sure everything was labeled without having to rush. I was completely set up and still had a few minutes to wander around before the doors opened. I don't know if it worked better or not for staff, but I hope we're allowed to get in the same way in future swap meets, or at least allow us to start getting in earlier than an hour before things start.
Huge shoutout to this year's staff. Great job, guys! This was definitely one of the best run Fanime swap meets, at least from a seller's perspective.
To paraphrase GLaDOS, I think you guys can make a note regarding this year: Huge success!
Quote from: Ecchi ja Nai on May 24, 2015, 05:56:58 PM
I think I still like being in one of the large halls in the actual SJCC better as the location for swap meet, but this year's venue was fantastic! The floors were filthy so I'm glad I decided to bring tarps this year. The two biggest benefits for having it in the SJCC proper is it's a lot easier for me to get all my stuff in - I usually park in the garage, so I don't need to deal with crossing streets and deal with curbs and cracks in the sidewalk when I'm already in the same building - and convenience for shoppers who are already milling about and don't need to walk that admittedly short half-block distance to the south hall. Having the wider spots definitely seemed to make things easier for display and for people to shop without having a huge mob around some places. I'm not sure the SJCC would allow for those same wide spaces and still be able to accommodate the number of people that were there. The $40 charge per night was a bit painful, but was manageable and worth all the improvements from the last couple years. Still, if that price were to go down a little, I sure wouldn't be upset about it.
I don't really have any other negatives for this year other than the mad rush to pack up on Friday, which you've already addressed. Thursday seemed a little thinner than previous Day 0's, excluding last year, but Friday had an incredible turnout. And like someone already mentioned, being allowed to set up so early on Friday was great. I usually get there early, but by the time we're let in I still wind up with a few things left to set up when folks are let in to shop. On Friday, I was able to get everything laid out and make sure everything was labeled without having to rush. I was completely set up and still had a few minutes to wander around before the doors opened. I don't know if it worked better or not for staff, but I hope we're allowed to get in the same way in future swap meets, or at least allow us to start getting in earlier than an hour before things start.
Huge shoutout to this year's staff. Great job, guys! This was definitely one of the best run Fanime swap meets, at least from a seller's perspective.
To paraphrase GLaDOS, I think you guys can make a note regarding this year: Huge success!
Thanks for the great feedback! We definitely saw the structure on Friday seemed to streamline check-in and make it easier all around. We know the price was higher than previous years, but hopefully the larger spaces helped to make it worth your while. :D
Quote from: srossi455 on May 23, 2015, 11:24:21 AM
Hi, I've been selling at Fanime swap meet for 7 years, and this was by far the best it's been setup, especially on Friday. Registration was a breeze, checking in was a breeze, and I had ample time to setup before buyers were let in.
There was only one blemish on an otherwise perfect swap meet, and that was that during the last 5 minutes, while we were putting stuff away, the dealer from -mod edit- came over, reeking of beer, and tried to low ball us, not taking no for an answer, instead trying to add stuff to his purchase and make a ridiculously low offer. The guy wouldn't quit and kept hassling us. This was WHILE we were trying to pack up. I haven't had trouble with any other dealers coming to swap meet aside from these guys, and this isn't the first time it's happened.
Really? I thought it was a dealer from -mod edit- was the one who came to my spot and tried to lowball and bargain with me video games with ridiculously low price near midnight. And then he just dumps the games on the floor.
How do I know? Because he was wearing a -mod edit- shirt. I think you are that dealer from -mod edit- who is trying to face your face by denying you tried to lowball so you can resell my stuff at your booth. You even admitted on Saturday that you bought my stuff and reselling it and then you deny it afterwards.
And you tried to discredit -mod edit- because they refused to bargain with you and you got hurt. You probably got hurt by me too and tried to pass yourself as me because I have been warning others about -mod edit- and what they did to me and other dealers in the past.
If you are this -mod edit- dealer, then this is the worst and lowest thing to do just so you can be the only video game dealer in Fanime. I do not appreciate you doing this. I should blacklist -mod edit-.
PS. I have already told the Fanime Staff from the Dealers Room about your post and that -mod edit- Dealer at the Swapmeet. They are thinking of an investigation.
I got nothing but kudos for you guys running the swap meet this year, 'grats on the new venue, hope you can secure it again for next year. I'm guessing the half hour earlier check-in was to make up the half hour earlier closing time? Kind of would prefer the shoopers would have been given an extra half hour early as well, but I guess that was an executive decision. Didn't hear any complaints from people not knowing where it was or anything. I even saw you guys telling one guy to pump those brakes, no bringing in extra stuff after being checked in.
Hearing all these complaints about dealers coming in, lowballing, then reselling in the dealers hall kind of makes me want to sell game stuff at next year's swap, just so I can have some fun with them. My friends and I love handling those kinds of characters. Unfortunately I don't like selling my personal collection of games and related items unless I specifically bought them to resell. Video Game Hoarder Lyfe yo
As a shopper on both days the only thing I have to comment on was the line control. Thursday was great with several staff members controlling the line but Friday was a little different. With only one staff member working the line and with him having a mask on and that "Linecon" sign many people disregarded him as staff and cut in lines. Other people in line were conducting the line now than he was... I just wish there were more staff out there or that the one was vocal instead of relying on the sign...
Have to say I was pleasantly surprised with Swap Meet this year (went on Friday), location was big and still rather convenient. Can't really think of a downside
Wonderful swapmeet this year.
Great location and the size of the selling space was nice. I wish the sellers were a bit more spaced out though. Some stalls are going to be more crowded then others and it would help congestion if next year either the walkway was wider or if there was a bit of breathing room between spaces.
Quote from: Kyra_Maverick on May 25, 2015, 09:22:38 PM
Wonderful swapmeet this year.
Great location and the size of the selling space was nice. I wish the sellers were a bit more spaced out though. Some stalls are going to be more crowded then others and it would help congestion if next year either the walkway was wider or if there was a bit of breathing room between spaces.
Just so you know there were "pods" of 12 spaces each, 6'x14', with 13' aisles between rows, and a sizable 25' gap between pods. We definitely want everyone to feel like They have enough space, the problem becomes the sprawl, and it also ultimately reduces the number of spots we can offer.
Your feedback is appreciated! Next year we'll take a look at some alternative layouts and see what we can do to address this issue without compromising too much on space :D
The issue for me was mostly congestion, soooo many people on Thursday.
Maybe putting sellers in back first would keep it from getting swamped like that?
I sold on Friday and briefly came in on Thursday to look around - I was intimidated by the line prior to opening but stuck around and was glad to get in shortly after opening. I didn't stick around much in part due to it being so crowded that day but everything seemed to be going well!
DURING SELLING:
- I had a few personal issues with my secondary seller hopping on board pretty late, but staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating when it came to that!
- I agree with the sentiment that there was a bit of a rush to set up before buyers came in, part of that was definitely due to me arriving a bit closer to opening time than expected though.
- As someone who does tend to bring a large volume of items (especially including what my secondary brought), I thought the size of the selling space was ample.
- The time change didn't bother me personally - I still had a fair amount to sell but both my secondary and I were feeling ready to head out around that time, and it seemed like the crowd had significantly died down anyway.
- The venue itself worked very nicely imo! I expected it to be more uncomfortable than it was but I had no issues sitting/standing on the floor. It was somewhat of a hike to get there but I feel like the distance would've been fairly similar for other venues. I sort of wish I'd thought to bring a larger cover for the floor because i wasn't expecting my space to be as big as it was but no complaints! I'd definitely be happy to sell in South Hall if it were the venue for 2016.
Major improvement over last year (as I had to wait in line for 2-3 hours last year.) I was very pleased with it.
Slight improvement suggestions.
--Staff member on Friday was at the back of the line with a line that said something like "linecon is best con" and in some mask. I completely approve of the sign, but it is hard to know if it is an actual con/rover person with authority, or just a cosplayer. Maybe give them an arm band, orange vest, or have the other side of the sign say "end of line."
--The swap meet times were not advertised in the fanime booklet I don't think, or was hard to find. If found the description of the swap meet, but no time or no time and location. Also I don't think it was easily findable in the quick guide to con.
I was kind of disappointed that the booths didn't spread back farther but I had figured that you can only fill as much of the hall as you have sellers.
But I think that spreading it out would have helped with the over-crowding a little bit. Also, the breaks between sections should probably be wider. I think doing this would be safer for everyone. I had seen several handicapped people almost get run over on Thurs. & Fri. nights. I think you could had staff either mid-way or at the back... but I know having enough staff is a big problem.
Staff did a really good time on getting us inside in a timely basis. But I was a little unhappy that I had to ask staff to ask people to stop punching the tent wall on Thurs. night. They let it slide for several hours even though people were sitting on the other side. I finally had to say something after I was hit while I was sitting there.
That aside, many of the booths had some really great stuff (minus the ones selling stuff at retail price...) and I'm happy with most of what I bought. (Kinda wish I had bought one more cd from someone I bought two cds from...)
Quote from: lilfry14 on May 27, 2015, 02:02:27 PM
Major improvement over last year (as I had to wait in line for 2-3 hours last year.) I was very pleased with it.
Slight improvement suggestions.
--Staff member on Friday was at the back of the line with a line that said something like "linecon is best con" and in some mask. I completely approve of the sign, but it is hard to know if it is an actual con/rover person with authority, or just a cosplayer. Maybe give them an arm band, orange vest, or have the other side of the sign say "end of line."
--The swap meet times were not advertised in the fanime booklet I don't think, or was hard to find. If found the description of the swap meet, but no time or no time and location. Also I don't think it was easily findable in the quick guide to con.
1) The guy in the mask with the sign wasn't with our staff, but was an associate of one of the staff members. Our apologies for any confusion this caused. Typically rovers do line management but I think Friday night we had it pretty much under control since we were able to open the doors and just let everyone in. A major improvement over last year in that regard! :D
2) Thanks for that feedback! We'll definitely work to make sure everyone knows when and where swap meet is, especially on Thursday! After all, what else are you going to do on Day 0!? :D