For over twenty years now, hobbyvendor has been attending and supporting local hobby shows and events throughout the Southern California area. Many hobby kits, decals and detail parts were traded to hundreds of customers over the years, many who became regular buyers at the shows.
After careful consideration, hobbyvendor will be phasing out participation as a vendor at all hobby shows in the Orange County, San Diego and LA after 2020. Many indicators for the last few years have been a determinate factor showing that stand alone hobby shows (shows without a model contest) are fast becoming obsolete and unnecessary to the hobbyist. Over the last several years, shows have become more than less of a personal burden considering the prep time, expense outlay, and somewhat marginal sales, All in all for the hobbyvendor, trading at hobby shows is neither worthwhile nor enjoyable anymore.
Changes within the retailing environment at the shows to include, but not isolated to: low attendance at all shows; attendees leaving shows early, mostly staying 1-2 hrs.; lack of "new" attendees on a continuous bases; too many low grade bottom feeders looking for 1960s/70s prices; "kit dumping" by a couple of spoilers who now regularly attend most of the shows in the SoCal area; and too many hobby shows vs the ratio of "real buyers". Bottom-line, hobby shows are no longer viable (for the hobbyvendor) in the primary market area that hobbyvendor has traded at for many years.
Instead of trading at hobby shows, hobbyvendor will focus efforts on Internet sales. After surveying the Internet and test trading on ebay, hobbyvendor will utilize this venue to continue trading in the hobby kit & accessories market taking it globally instead of locally.
Next year hobbyvendor will only be attending 2-3 hobby shows (to be announced later on Twitter). hobbyvendor will continue supporting local hobby shows by attending a few select shows either as a buyer or helping out another vendor. The single hobby event in the SoCal area that (imo) is still worthy of attending every year is the IPMS OC Orange Con Model Contest & Vendors Fair. hobbyvendor will make every effort to attend this show as a vendor.
Editor's Note: So to avoid any misunderstandings about the above blog post, hobbyvendor is not singling out any particular show, all shows attended by hobbyvendor on a regular basis is how decision was made. It should also be noted that although hobbyvendor has determined that local hobby shows no longer provide a viable market for the hobbyvendor, it does not mean that other vendors have not enjoyed success at these shows. There are many vendors who still do quite well at the shows and enjoy serving the general public.
Also, for those who organize and present the hobby shows , your tireless efforts have been greatly appreciated over the years by the hobbyvendor, and it's probable safe to say by all the other vendors as well. Hats off to you - each and every hobby show organizer.
