reggiegun Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 MGF, just got back, utter rubbish, still managed to spend £80 and bought nowt back, last time I will be going. Reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evander Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 So what has gone wrong as most people l talk to say it's not as good as it used to be!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwest_colonel Posted September 21, 2014 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 have to say that this is precisely why I am not there. The costs are crazy everywhere - and whilst I don't anticipate making a profit from Game Shows, they are very good tools for getting noticed and meeting like-minded people. I shall be at the CLA next year, as the price difference between that and the MGF is negligible, yet the CLA ticks far more boxes for my company and gives me much more exposure. If I'm only going to front up for one of them, it's only going to be the biggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evander Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 southwest My friend are you a trader by your remarks you are and l can understand why you were not there! Evander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Where I worked they drew the line at £7,000 for the stand as it was just for advertising. (Because they supplied the trade) Then add the wage for six to stand plus transport you're looking close to eight grand, Some stallholders have got to shift some goods to recoup that outlay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 So what has gone wrong as most people l talk to say it's not as good as it used to be!!! Lack of gun traders and distributors, not that many events on in arenas, too many stalls selling stuff completely unrelated to shooting/countryside. They really need to drop the price to traders as at the end of the day that is what makes the show. I think the British shooting show and the CLA improving have killed the midland off unless they can turn it around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Must admit not been at the MGF for years but u could level any off the critism's at pretty much any of the larger game fairs. I used to go up to the scottish fair but very little quality gear there now, all just advantage cammo on almost every stall The internet has killed them, u no longer need to save ur money to buy stuff at the game fair that wasnae available locally as u can just go online search the whole country for the cheapest price and have it deliveried to ur door for the next day. In the old days all these stalls would have alll their surpluss/show stock to sell to save storing it all winter and as the MGF as last fair so u could get some good deals, now they can just stick it on the net sell it even cheaper but still making a bigger margin as no stall fees/expenses. Think thats 1 of the reasons the midland made its name as was always best for a bargin, dunno how u will ever turn it about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) This year was noticeable for lack of traders unlike the CLA, British shooting show etc. The people were there in numbers this weekend the traders were not. People still like the shows as you can get much better deals than online, I saved £40 alone on a lamping kit and that includes any web prices plus you get see and and handle stuff properly. Internet is fine for some items but I cant buy a gun online nor can I try on stuff without the hassle of sending it back or haggle for a cash price Edited September 21, 2014 by topshot_2k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) I went on Saturday and it was mad busy when we arrived, in fact all day. A lot of fishing stuff. Very noisy 'faire' and a rather poor Gunmakers Row. Almost no gamekeeping suppliers, No reloading gear I could find. Sportarm obviously there and Cheshire gunroom selling very many top end guns but some discounted. Fewer scope supplier although Hawke was there. Loads of foodstalls, coffee to burgers, all over the ground. Craft fairs and knife fair tent but didnt really provide the necessary mix to make it good - couldn't find any rifles but .22 and air The company (people) I went with was/were excellent and made the day which otherwise would have been a disappointment. It was bit like a beehive most of the lads made a beeline for the bar with a few 'workers' looking out for goodies. I think the guys sitting had a better deal ! I think I saw 3 major BASC exhibit tents and I for NOBS, 2 pickup manufacturers (Great Wall and Isuzu) and a few less well known quad and ATV suppliers - great if you wanted your boots waxed and some fairly ratty chickens. The best for me were the falconry flying displays - sadly not enough to warrant a visit next year, unless its simply for the atmosphere and the beer tent. Edited September 21, 2014 by Kes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 There was a couple of realoding suppliers, Clay & Game and Norman clark i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynny Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Last time I went was 2 years ago, the stalls selling " traveller community tat , ie bling mirrors etc" and the less than respectable toerags/ drunkens knocking about did it for me, I won't be going again, Atb Flynny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 I can't compare what these shows were like years ago as only started to go to Game Fairs in the last few years. My take on a Game Fair is a days entertainment for which I pay (in the case of the Midland £20 a head). I usually take a picnic for the main meal as it is better quality and cheaper than most of the snack stands and I don't count the cost of the picnic as I would be eating at home anyway if I didn't go to the Fair. Its good to see a few friends and meet people in passing with similiar interests. We enjoyed the 50 bird sporting watching people hit and miss clays. Its a great event for people watching and seeing the different shooting techniques. We had a natter to a lot of folks while OH was waiting to shoot. Quite a few folks asked about my Tramper as they were amazed how well it can go up steep grassy slopes and it generated interest in those wanting to keep shooting who were not so good on their legs anymore. We both like to watch dog events and hawks flying and have a nosey round the stands to see what's about and see some of the craft demonstrations. The 3 things we did buy, we did not save anywhere near the cost of the entry, but we enjoyed looking for them and selecting. We did not go primarily (despite me being a woman) to shop, but I can understand if in the past folks have been able to get stuff at giveaway prices the bargains are not there anymore. If you just want to shop at these events it probably is a waste of time when you can do shopping from your armchair on the net much cheaper, but the most exciting thing about that is unpacking the parcel when it arrives. For me the Midland is a whole day out. The only negative and that is for me personally is being on the Tramper (as I couldn't walk about for 5-6 hours) I need 28 " wide clearance and room to manouver a vehicle of nearly 5ft lengh in the crowds. It means i have to go very slowly were it is busy and wait for gaps in the crowds to get anywhere, but that is not enough to make me want to stay at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE MEK Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Think that's the last one for me 4 quid for a pasty and 2 quid for a cup o tea x2. Gun row was a joke compared to the last time we where there 3 yrs ago. One saving grace was the Indian meal last night at the "Kings Repose" in featherstone,fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 There was a couple of realoding suppliers, Clay & Game and Norman clark i think OH **** - I missed them. **************** ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 OH **** - I missed them. **************** ! You didn't miss much at Norman Clarks, nowt on stock at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 You didn't miss much at Norman Clarks, nowt on stock at all Glad I stayed at home mate...sounds like a waste of money to be honest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) Glad I stayed at home mate...sounds like a waste of money to be honest... Rich, you did right mate, total tosh, only went coz Alix wanted to look at some 30 06's. Only saw one, that was a new Mauser M12 Edited September 21, 2014 by reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 The last year I will go also. I have loved going for years and have been going for about 25 years, never missed one and even organised our honeymoon last year to fit around it. How ever it has been on a down hill since the hunting ban and since countryman fairs took it on. I bought myself a Night Master Venom Strike which was no different price wise than what they are showing online for and two tins of pellets. Sadly the Mrs got a good buy on a Joules Jacket she really wanted but when we sat down to eat some scummer stole it from our feet/side,I have never had anything stolen before and this just sealed its for us. We did report it to Joules and the police put we know it was pointless, so £36 to get in, nothing much to see, smaller than ever and £40 sting at the end. Also saw a bloke lose his temper with his spaniel for no reason, he picked the dog up by the scruff and threw it down on its side, if the bloke wasn't so intimidating and bigger than me I would of loved to of given him a piece of my mind, it really made us angry as there's no need to treat a dog like that. Sad to say it, but it used to be the highlight of year for us......Not any more though, voting with our feet now. ATB Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 The last year I will go also. I have loved going for years and have been going for about 25 years, never missed one and even organised our honeymoon last year to fit around it. How ever it has been on a down hill since the hunting ban and since countryman fairs took it on. I bought myself a Night Master Venom Strike which was no different price wise than what they are showing online for and two tins of pellets. Sadly the Mrs got a good buy on a Joules Jacket she really wanted but when we sat down to eat some scummer stole it from our feet/side,I have never had anything stolen before and this just sealed its for us. We did report it to Joules and the police put we know it was pointless, so £36 to get in, nothing much to see, smaller than ever and £40 sting at the end. Also saw a bloke lose his temper with his spaniel for no reason, he picked the dog up by the scruff and threw it down on its side, if the bloke wasn't so intimidating and bigger than me I would of loved to of given him a piece of my mind, it really made us angry as there's no need to treat a dog like that. Sad to say it, but it used to be the highlight of year for us......Not any more though, voting with our feet now. ATB Matt Stole from under your feet, that's bad . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 A great shame that what was a great show gets such damming reports.. Ian Harford if you read this, wake up and smell the coffee. Or it will be short lived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumfelter Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Just out of interest how many people who go to this sort of show actually shoot, fish etc compared with how many have all the gear and no idea and just want to be all countrified and look the part, any idea's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 I would imagine a very large percentage, makes me chuckle those that go in fancy dress costumes dressed like they've stepped out of a scene from lady Chatterley,s lover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krugerandsmith Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 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. Another point .... No hand cleaner outside toilets. ( Saturday anyway ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd2130 Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Last year for me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 i had hoped to go but a fracktured coccyx meant i could travel that far,,, glad i didnt go by the look of the reviews here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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