andypaint Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Just got back from the game fair. I think it will be the last time I go. Gunmakers row was a joke only 2 or 3 stalls worth looking at. No ladds guns or Oxford gun room. Very poor choice of cartridges to buy and even the regulars didn't have much. Food very expensive as usual. Not may bargains to be had and loads off cheap rubbish for sale. I had also the intention to get a scope but only mtc and Cheshire gun room had any worth looking at. So I came away very disappointed and not managed to spend much, I went looking for a gun but my local shop probably had as much as the game fair did. Speaking to others I know I'm not alone. It seems rent for stalls to high and many businesses not attending midland but going to cla fair instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puggers Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 That's a shame as I always look forward to this event but can't make it this year - seems I may have saved myself some time and money. Last year I had a real spend up at the Midland and came away with some great stuff. This year was more of a mooch about so I'm not too disappointed but a pity some of these events are nothing compared to what they used to be due to rents, etc. I will be giving the South Yorkshire show in Doncaster a go in October but imagine that will be a low key affair without much choice but as it's local, there's no excuse for not going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squash wavy Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Anyone else been today?? I'm a bit hesitant to go now as I was going with the intention of looking for an English side by side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 (edited) Put my write up on the Pigeon Watch meet in events http://www.midlandgamefair.co.uk/exhibitors/ List of Exibitors. We saw plenty of guns for sale and had a good day. Edited September 20, 2014 by loriusgarrulus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squash wavy Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Thank you sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 not again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andypaint Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 If Cheshire gun room hadn't have been there and avalon guns the gun row would have had less than 100 guns on the whole row. Saw plenty of clothing such as rydale and cheap tweeds. Fishing village was small also. I got there at 8-30 and had walked around the whole fair by 11 which is unheard of I'm usually finding new rows I'd missed most of an afternoon in years passed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 not again. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barney 66 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I was hoping for a demo of the Pulsar HD38s but No Thomas Jacks no Scott Country and couldn,t find anyone else with a demo, did handle a new one at Swillingtons stall, as always very helpfull but no batteries for a demo. If this wasn,t on my doorstep I don't think I would be going again either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les*1066 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I went today, but it will be the last time. It's fine if you are looking for either very naff or very expensive clothing - they have plenty of both to choose from. Loads of footwear, too, if you like plastic boots or £300 wellies. As already stated, gunmakers row was hopeless. Again, in you are vaguely interested in air rifles or shotguns, then there was quite a decent selection, but a lot of the second hand stuff was either way overpriced or totally dangerous looking - or both. Nothing else to say about it really. Nothing good, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I refuse to go this year. I like to support my mates on the field target comp and look for bargain guns but I refuse to pay stupid entry fees. Truthfully I hate seeing mobile phone and toy stands at a gun show. The show has gone down hill every year and after 16 years of going I've had enough. I'll stick to my local catton park Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 It sounds like the midland cammo jacket and welly show Much the same as the others went Not many years ago gunmakers row at this show was nearly as big as the CLA Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krugerandsmith Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Anyone else been today?? I'm a bit hesitant to go now as I was going with the intention of looking for an English side by side Yes I was there. ...... Agreed lots of dealers not there ....... Why do people have to go down Gun makers row with two or three dogs on long leads? and other folk with bags on their backs about two feet deep blocking the stands. Please excuse me while I take another Blood pressure tablet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squash wavy Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Thanks for that. I've looked at both threads on this and I've decided not to go. Will go to my local clay shoot instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka_t50 Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 ok guys went yesterday after a break of 3 years ok I had me mum and dad with and I was pulling my lil girl rnd in her pink trailer but I didn't find it all that good s said above a lot of really cheap gear and very expensive but nothing in between I went there looking for a good pair of high leather boots with £170 to spend nothing even close it seem to me like most stall were advertising the rrp price then the slightly lower show offer price which still worked out more than the web price plus postage abit annoying as it cost £20 per person to get in in my case that was a further £80 for four adults and im not sure how much I got for that money I know these events cost a lot to put on but surely charging £20 a head they could make stall prices a lil better then the shops could pass it on or make it cheaper to get in didn't mean to rant but I look back at the days when spending £15/20 on entrance ment very good value on good equipment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 shame maybe a rethink will be in order for the show organisors, first of all on entry price, and also extra security to prevent the thefts in latter years Any other thoughts on how they can improve this once great show Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andypaint Posted September 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 After chatting to a stall holder it costs him £700 for a small pitch for two days plus an extra £180 if he wants electricity as he's not allowed a generator. But only allowed a 1000watts so after tills,card machine and other display equipment he doesn't have enough power to even boil a kettle not that he had enough to start off with. I would pay the £20 entrance fee if they give the stall holder's a break and make it busy again with trade. I remember a few years back it took most of the day just to look at gun makers row. And you needed both days just to see everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 I thought it was pretty good, I made some decent savings on new lamping kit, rifle stuff etc. Gunmakers row did seem quite small this year with some of the usual big stands missing - Edgar brothers, Just carts, Browning? Also thought the food festival was much smaller. Organisers need to take note and make it cheaper per pitch for shooting/countryside related traders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polester Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 The Missis and I have been going to the MGF for the last few years and have always enjoyed the day out. This year was different though, we usually spent a few hours on gunmakers row but were disappointed by the lack of traders. Talking to one of the bigger ones on the row they said they would probably not be there next year due to the costs of the weekend. The airgun area was smaller. The whole fair seamed smaller this year with more tat and less shooting and fishing traders. It's a shame as we liked going but this year will be our last, voting with our feet and will be going to other smaller shows instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 People keep mentioning about the organisers taking notes Really from PW Ive been going to the MGF since shortly after it started in 1983 when it was just a small show,If I remember it was 87 when I first went.And its grown dramatically over the year's to what once "the" best show for country sports followers. But I'm afraid to say ive seen it starting to struggle to stay at the top of what was "the" country show to attend and meet like minded people. The ever increasing number of bargain clothes stands, burger vans, massage chairs, home improvement stands. Loads more of stands that I can't remember due to lack of relevance to a country show. BUT they can afford the £700 or maybe £1500 god knows, were as the little folk can't. So that's what will be there I'm afraid. If you're not happy then let the organisers know, whether it makes a difference I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossy 666 Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 well we have just got back and I do think it was rubish. We have been going for a number of years but I think with the amount of other people saying the same we cant all be wrong. If you just say out of interest that evrey car in the car park was £40 with the amount there I dowt they will ever listen and all there interested in is the money (just my thoughts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evander Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Have to say today (Sunday) was my first MGF and l was so disappointed as l have always heard that the MGF is so called better than the CLA sorry l don't agree and i've been to the CLA many times!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Its a shame , I have been going since 1985 enjoying it grow into a fantastic weekend but have to agree this year (Saturday) for me was a let down. Every one walking round seemed flat and there was no buzz about the ground at all. I hope they can get it back for future shows as it has been a great one over the years, time to look at the price they charge for trade stands as many Salop Sniper and I talked to were complaining of overly expensive trade stands. atvb Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayshooter09 Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Just got back from mgf never been before. This year I been Catton hall,shrugborough,Cheshire game fayre,Betley gun dog show never went to the cla or the great British shooting show. And I found all these exactly the same as in items for sale and Entrance price. Admittedly there was more stalls at mgf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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