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Where is everybody?

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 8:58 pm
by RAFPOL
I see that we have 200 registered users of this very nice site and yet the frequency of members posts is not that great. Hasn't anybody got anything to say about our great hobby?
:D "John Boy"

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 3:15 pm
by Moonraker
RAFPOL wrote:I see that we have 200 registered users of this very nice site and yet the frequency of members posts is not that great. Hasn't anybody got anything to say about our great hobby?
:D "John Boy"
I guess that many of the users have registered to seek specific information on a particular topic rather than get involved in general chit-chat about the hobby. Once they've got the info they're after (or not), they don't bother to post.


Moonraker

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 11:37 am
by Andrew
One can always write opinions about certain postcard fairs, although comments about specific dealers may not go down too well if they are negative ones.

I prefer to talk (type) about my specific area of interest. I know much about castles, but probably very little about the actual postcards and their history.

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 12:19 pm
by RAFPOL
:( Oh well! Just thought I would ask! Won't bother with the "chit chat" then eh? Will just look in from time to time and see who doing what etc.
"John Boy"

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 12:21 pm
by RAFPOL
Andrew wrote:One can always write opinions about certain postcard fairs, although comments about specific dealers may not go down too well if they are negative ones.

I prefer to talk (type) about my specific area of interest. I know much about castles, but probably very little about the actual postcards and their history.
I did send you a PM Andrew regarding half a dozen Castles cards that I have in my old "swap box" Did you not receive it then?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 2:28 pm
by Andrew
DOH. I never thought to check and see if I have any messages. This must be my first.

Apologies. I'll respond.
Thanks

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:32 pm
by Moonraker
Andrew wrote:One can always write opinions about certain postcard fairs, although comments about specific dealers may not go down too well if they are negative ones.
It would be very invidious indeed to comment negatively on specific dealers, though I'm tempted to make several general observations about:

1. one or two dealers who lack any degree of charisma (but probably representing no greater a proportion of miserable so-and-sos than in any sector of the community).

2. dealers at fairs who read newspapers or eat smelly food whilst you're examining their stock. (I recognise the need for them to have some sustenance during a long day.) Even worse, in this day and age, the occasional dealer who smokes (sometimes ignoring "No smoking" requests at the venue or in the programme). Presumably come July 1 this will be illegal?

These are just minor gripes directed at a very small minority; I have much respect for most dealers.

Turning to fellow-collectors, my gripes include:

1. those who use the tops of boxed postcards to discard the cards they're sorting through - and it's always on top of the section I want to look at. (But I have to confess I often find there's nowhere else to rest a complete box of cards when the dealer hands me one to sort through.)

2. lack of personal freshness. At a recent Home Counties fair, I became aware of a certain whiff and thought "I bet it's him again", "him" being a smartly-dressed gent who hasn't had his coat dry-cleaned in a long time - and it was! A few years ago, on a hot day, one youth was wandering around with no top on - not pleasant, considering how close one can get to fellow buyers at fairs!


Moonraker
(who's aware he's fast becoming - become - a miserable old git)

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:36 pm
by kevinramsdale
The eating question is a tricky one, especially for a dealer who is on their own. When stalling out I try to stick to sandwiches, but can get a bit fed up of bread related products by the end of what can be a 14 hour day - with travelling, and unloading around 2 hours before the fair opens.

Haven't seen much smoking at fairs in evidence in recent years, the final embers of this practice should be stubbed out shortly I expect.

When on the other side of the stall, and looking to buy cards my pet hate is actually the over fussy dealers who buzz around you all the time, so I would actively prefer the newspaper reader. Not good from the security angle though.

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:43 pm
by Moonraker
RAFPOL wrote:I see that we have 200 registered users of this very nice site and yet the frequency of members posts is not that great. Hasn't anybody got anything to say about our great hobby?
:D "John Boy"
Still no signs of Forum members rushing to express their views. There seem to be four truly active participants at present; perhaps we just like to sound off more than most and have nothing better to do!

I suspect most people join the Forum to register their collecting interests, but a bit more debate would be welcome!


Moonraker

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:06 am
by kevinramsdale
Quite a few people have mentioned issues raised here to me in "real life" - but without posting anything on the forum.

I would imagine that the majority of postcard collectors/dealers don't normally use internet forums, but would expect active usage of this one to pick up over time.

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:35 pm
by PC2007
From my recent visit to the Chester fair, the first for a long time, I too got a bit bothered by 'aggressive' dealers.

I arrived soon after opening, and obviously a bit overwhelmed by the stock, had a quick scout around to see what was on offer. But sometimes I only had to glance at a table for the dealer to ask if I was after anything in particular. As their stocks are neatly arranged, it isn't too hard to find stuff initially. I prefer them to ask if I'm still there a few minutes later with nothing to buy, or if they show an interest and comment on what I DO eventually pick out.

However, that may be the norm and I'm just not used to it. Still, I've got my answers ready for the next time...

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:02 pm
by Moonraker
PC2007 wrote:From my recent visit to the Chester fair, the first for a long time, I too got a bit bothered by 'aggressive' dealers.

I arrived soon after opening, and obviously a bit overwhelmed by the stock, had a quick scout around to see what was on offer. But sometimes I only had to glance at a table for the dealer to ask if I was after anything in particular. As their stocks are neatly arranged, it isn't too hard to find stuff initially. I prefer them to ask if I'm still there a few minutes later with nothing to buy, or if they show an interest and comment on what I DO eventually pick out.

However, that may be the norm and I'm just not used to it. Still, I've got my answers ready for the next time...
Guess they're just being polite, like an assistant greeting you when you enter a shop. Not all dealers' stocks are neatly arranged, and it's surprising how often "Wiltshire" is out of alphabetical sequence.

Moonraker

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:18 pm
by tonymckendrick
'Where is everybody?'
They're all looking for bargains on ebay I'm afraid.

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:52 pm
by Moonraker
tonymckendrick wrote:'Where is everybody?'
They're all looking for bargains on ebay I'm afraid.
Tony

Dunno about bargains as such, but it's been a year (and several large fairs) since I've picked up a really desirable card other than on eBay. Taking into account postage costs (currently I'm watching one card where p & p is £1.50), I reckon that on average I pay more for eBay items than I do at fairs, but then using bookmarks to search for my interests takes up little time, compared with five hours at Bipex for five cards and five hours at Woking for two.

As it happens, most of the bargains I've picked up on eBay have been ephemera, maps or postmarks.

Moonraker

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:57 pm
by kevinramsdale
PC2007 wrote:From my recent visit to the Chester fair, the first for a long time, I too got a bit bothered by 'aggressive' dealers.

I arrived soon after opening, and obviously a bit overwhelmed by the stock, had a quick scout around to see what was on offer. But sometimes I only had to glance at a table for the dealer to ask if I was after anything in particular. As their stocks are neatly arranged, it isn't too hard to find stuff initially. I prefer them to ask if I'm still there a few minutes later with nothing to buy, or if they show an interest and comment on what I DO eventually pick out.

However, that may be the norm and I'm just not used to it. Still, I've got my answers ready for the next time...
A trick I use to keep them at bay is to grab any section - doesn't matter which - and discreetly peruse the other headings, whilst pretending to be interested in cards of Outer Mongolia (or whatever section it is I've got in my hand)

Works most of the time.