The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Just had a quick trawl and search and believe there is no "see you there thread" so to speak. I'll be making the journey around the South M25, but will be there on the Friday due to family stuff over the rest of the weekend.

Pe4king and hobbsey will be joining me.

However, I've just learned that the cost for dealers has doubled this year?!! It begs the question, in the days of austerity and all associated costs of fuel, board and lodgings, why have the management of the event hit the small dealer, which this show seems to cater for, so hard? Are they trying to kill Phoenix?

Now I know it'll never match the Pistol AD days, but come on.... It's the "little man" that brings the bargains to Phoenix, hence shooters make the journey and subsequently the whole shebang is a success. Stop them and we'll stop coming and all that'll remain will be some sad bloke flogging Chinese penknives and counterfeit perfume on the veranda of the Pavilion....

FFS, is it just me...?

You must try harder http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=12584

If you see any clowns in "Dundee Rifle & Pistol Club" gear dotting around Melvile etc or in the Pavillion do say Hi as we are all on FBUK. Also got our names on our back in case we get way too drunk and forget who we are. Will be drinking in The Artists and London & Middlesex and doing some shooting in between.
Mr Smith, Lyons, CormieAckImp and me!

The arms fair side of the Phoenix is purely a Bisley Pavilion enterprise, nothing to do with the NRA

The stall fee increases mean that the event is no longer viable for me to trade at...when added to fuel costs/travel time....plus lack of say regarding stall location (enough light & space to work in)

I know of two dealers, both a good 2 hours south of me, who are also not taking tables this year

As a perspective; before the recent increases, I could trade at at least TWO major Swedish arms fairs, for less than a single Bisley weekend fair: Sweden = return flights & coach, plus hotel for 3 or 4 nights (per show); Bisley = return fuel cost & stall cost (no accommodation cost as sleep at stall)

...WITH the new increases, I can add another night in Stockholm, or upgrade the room (possibly both)...and still make a saving!

My understanding is the NRA charge the Pavilion a fixed fee for the event and it is far from excessive in my opinion, in fact it was one of the reasons we booked directly with the NRA, that way we knew where our money was going, to the NRA.

From memory we are paying for three days 25% of what the Phoenix organiser is charged for the whole event so he is going to be making money regardless, if he chooses to put his prices up he obviously feels the market will stand it.

I noticed last year some totally non shooting related stalls there who were obviously testing the water and my worry is the Phoenix will end up as a car boot sale unless something is done about it.

I thought it was off putting and just plain wrong to see the non shooting stalls at the Phoenix last year. No idea what they were doing there.

This is going to show my age but I have been to all Pistol AD and Phoenix's bar two. I've noticed a few 'odd' stalls come and go. Personally, if they are non shooting related then I don't buy from them.

Perhaps if we all bore this in mind and truly supported the shooting stalls maybe we can keep it that way?

Remember guys, no p&p or carriage on Phoenix shopping!

May see some of you around the Common?

JohnG :cornwall:

Well, I'll be there on Friday night for an early start on Century on Saturday morning. If anyone is still awake when I get there (_if_ I get there... Bloody M25 is always busy when I hit it on a Friday), look out for the tall chap.

I'll be bimbling around on Saturday with my No.4. Will keep an eye out for familiar faces!

Likewise, look out for the tall chap with a crooked smile as I have managed to break a crown too close to the show to get it fixed.

I look forward to the trade part of the meeting every year, it will be a shame if fewer and fewer turn up