Etobicoke Show - Lightly Attended/Slow Sales
 

Hi All,

This show was the least attended Etobicoke show I can remember in the past 5-6 years…but I really enjoyed myself because I was able to have some great conversations yesterday. Sadly I forgot to wear my BCMBF badge and was not able to connect with any of you.

I did my usual first sweep of all the easily navigated aisles/tables to make a mental note of what I may be interested in. I identified a couple small pieces (Helmet display stand/Book) to go back and perhaps pick up...unfortunately due to a number of great long conversations when I returned those pieces were gone.

Overall the Etobicoke Show appeared not too good for the Sellers, in fact having talked with a number of them they were experiencing a dramatic drop in the prices they were being offered for their items. Each chalked it up to a softening overall in the field of Militaria collecting as a result of fears in the general economy. One dealer even lamented about selling a rare Militia badge yesterday for 1/3 the price it was going for in the recent past. On the flip side I chatted with a number of collectors who have made significant purchases recently at auctions and in personal transactions. The items they purchased were on the scarce/rare side but nonetheless still commanded large sums.

I am always remiss to make judgements based upon a few conversations and as such I would be interested to hear what others are noticing…a few questions come to mind: Are we witnessing a recession, no recession or a natural correction in prices? Are all items from the common to rare affected? Are there any significant demographic shifts happening? Are more items being acquired in private transactions/auctions versus the shows?

Mike

I have noticed on e-bay a lot of common badges dont get a bid or sell very low while the rarer badges still seem to make a good buck. Cheers Brian

Hi Brian,

Thank you for the observation and opinion...it supports what many of the collectors I have spoken with are saying...namely they are still prepared to spend on the scarce/rare items particularly when they are in an auction environment like e-bay/Spinks/DNW/Hoare.

Mike

The usual 50 to 75 people lined up at the door were just not there at this show. Overall low attendance and yes people were looking for bargains !

Hi Mike, we had a good show, but noticed a few of our "regulars" did not show, and I noticed at least 4 dealers who usually show weren't as well. I believe you picked up Davids Badge Cd from me near the end.
I had my pin but forgot to wear it!

As I posted before. As a buyer, I loved it. Not because of the lower prices, or the greater ability to hagger, but I simple just didn't have to fight to get through the crowds. Not once did I get knocked about some chowderhead with an oversized backback and ego to match.

I was able to examine many more items, that I would normally not bother due to overcrowding.

Although I think I am freindly and pleasent enough, I really don't care for crowds. Never have and likely never will. I still get chills when I think of me trying to navigate the show a year ago last spring. I was on crutches and seemed to be a dilibrate target for everyone.

I found the prices on higher ended items seemed pretty much unchanged, however middle road and lower ended stuff seemed less pricey (a trend I do like).

I have notticed as well lately that there seems to be more of the "rare' items coming up on the market. What I mean are iems such as 1canpar badges (legit, no the fakes) also a few 8th Recce officers scrolls about as well.

Overall I really enjoyed this show, although I only picked up a couple little items.

Please excuse the digression (not to mention ignorance) but I see this Etobicoke place name come up every so often and am dying to know exactly how it is pronounced.

Peter.

EE toe bi koe

Thanks Bill.

So the 'K' is silent?

you DO pronounce the "k".... Try it THIS way:

Ee toe bic O

I to attended the EE toe bi kO (long O) show & also thought it was not as well attended as the March show. But still a lot of collectors wandering thru the tables circa 0930. Got crowded in places but not near as claustroiphobic as the spring show.

I picked up some super buys - I did a LOT of buying at this show & the prices I was getting were d***d good, I thought. I passed on a few ridiculously overpriced items that might have interested me in making an offer if the asking price was not insane. $280 for a circa 2WW RCN Officers cap (in poor condition to boot) IS insane ---- vendor said "make me an offer" - my ressponse was "we are way too far apart to even consider that" & moved on -however virtually all my many buys were good deals.

RCN Bryan

Hold on... (I promise to shut up if I still don't get it after this last try :o):


E..... to..... bi..... co.... ke
1...... 2...... 3...... 4...... ?

EE... toe.... bi.... koe
1.......2.......3...... 4


:confused::(:confused:

I think the a few of the Australian militaria shows have also been the same way with dealers complaining about very slow sales.

Mick

From Wikipedia,

"Etobicoke (with a silent 'ke') is a district and a former municipality within the current city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada."

Tha yo Phi

;):D

...and apologies for the digression.