Have returned from Salute, and can safely say the world has not returned to normal ! LOL This has to be the quietest version of the show I have ever attended, this is in no way a criticism of the show organisers as everything was as professional as always, I just think it was a reflection of the current state of the world. the attendance was the lowest in all the years I've attended, with only 4,000 people attending, where it's normally around 8,000 to 10,000. A lot of traders who had booked space, and gaming tables were left open as they didn't come including some very big name companies in the industry.
One of the positives from the show was I got spotted by Beasts of War, and they did an interview with myself which you can see here https://www.beastsofwar.com/liveblogentry/weird-wonderful-terrain-from-wargames-terrain-workshop/#snav this is a very rare shot of me on camera, as I prefer to be hidden behind a mask, or not on camera at all ! LOL
I also got time to chat to Mike Foy, who runs https://www.youtube.com/c/FoybleBoardGaming/featured about the business, look forward to seeing what he has to say, when his post goes up.
Roger will be pleased to hear that I sold out of Liberation class destroyers by 11.30 am even though they weren't on the wracking, just from people asking for them from seeing them in the cabinet, who knew there were so many old school sci-fi fans like us mate ! LOL
One thing the show seriously highlighted was how bad my health has got, and how much of a strain on my body it is to attend the shows, so we are currently discussing what happens now, it may be that we go solely to on line sales, but will keep you all posted on what we decided.
That's all for this quick post, hopefully next time I will have something new to show you, so until next time stay safe and have fun !
Cheers Dave
Wasn't a great show by any means, but as you say, I didn't think that was in any way a reflection of the South London Warlords. More to do with so many stalls simply being empty due to no shows. I did see on FB that Mierce Miniatures decided to announce their non-attendance the evening before the show, and thought that boded ill. I did think the lighting was terrible though. So dark and gloomy.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies too as I simply never saw your booth when we went round and I thought you too had ultimately decided against being there as well. Still, it took us a couple of hours to just walk around the exterior stalls so I'd probably have been out of luck with picking up a Liberator from the sounds of your excellent sales. Will you be casting up more for your web-store?
Sorry to hear that this might be your last show. I was hoping to see you at either Warfare, Broadside or Beachhead. But health definitely comes first and foremost.
No problem Simon, it's a big show and very easy to miss stands even when looking for them ! LOL Gripping Beast was supposed to be next to us and they didn't turn up either, and in front of us was meant to be lots of gaming tables but only one was in use. Of course there will be stock on the webstore mate, always make sure we cast what our online customers need.
DeleteHealth has been on a major downward spiral, but have tried to put a brave face on it for a long time now, but it is taking it's toll, so just an online presence might be the way to go for me.
Have made a longer comment over on the reply to my question on my blog, but will just say, this pandemic has knocked the stuffing out of so many industries that rely on people actually going out to somewhere theatre cinema and sport etc.. are the ones that get all the media attention, but there are of course the less well known ones like our own hobby, I do think it will take a long time for it to recover, if it ever really does, people get out of the habit of going to show and are now more than ever used to ordering everything on line.
ReplyDeleteNot trying to put you off show's I still haven't had chance for a face to face chinwag, but I would fully understand if you decided to take the on-line only route.
If sales have been good on the Liberator does this mean you'll be expanding the range? we could do with a Scorpio to start with 😁
Cheers Roger.
Thank you Roger, I did see your full comment but would recommend people having a read for themselves, and seeing your great pirates at the same time here https://rantingsfromunderthewargamestable.wordpress.com/2021/11/14/ive-been-painting-knightley-and-the-odd-morning-too-movember/
DeleteIt is the one part of shows I would miss the most, is getting to meet people in person, as have met many great people over the years, and there is still a lot of the bloggers I have still to meet, might be I go to some shows as a customer, and do some networking, wouldn't be as bad as going as a trader.
Funny you should mention the Scorpio as my equivalent is sat on the desk at the moment (currently working on the panel detail) and have a desire to do some ships from another cult classic "Battle Beyond the Stars", so watch this space as they say ! LOL
Oh BBTS is an absolute classic! Where else can you find a spaceship with boobs! (Nell). Well actually in about 50 other Roger Corman films as they are the most used starship clips in history!
DeleteOh yes please!!!!
Cheers Roger.
Must have seen the spaceship sequences in so many sci-fi movies since BBTS ! LOL some very iconic ships though, so once Scorpio is finished onto these, while I work out a cool way of reinventing the Mutoid ships ! LOL
DeleteI'd love to see you try your hand at some BBTS ships... my dad took me to see that film when I was eight and I've loved it ever since.
DeleteI saw it in the cinema to, and the last time I was in the US I managed to find a copy on DVD, as I love watching the movie still, as for the ships, watch this space ! LOL
DeleteSad to hear of Salute’s demise. Sick has the right of it though, I haven’t been to a game store since before COVID and really don’t see myself going to any conventions what with online purchasing being so much more convenient.
ReplyDeleteAs to your health mate, you have to look after you first mate, over almost everything else.
Dick, not Sick. Bloody phone switching stuff up on me
DeleteThank you Dai, a lot of the problem I think was restricted travel from other countries, as a lot of Americans and Europeans come over for Salute normally, plus a lot of people don't feel safe with the current situation, and as you say it's a lot easier and safer with online shopping.
DeleteA lot of the problem with my health, is I don't like to think of it beating me, so put on a smile and grit it out, but it is slowly winning ! Guess I just don't like admitting it ! LOL
No worries on predictive text, it happens to us all ! ROFL
Yeah, apologies to Dick…
DeleteCouldn’t relate more on the health issue, tho my own are nothing compared to how you describe yours, I fail all too regularly to adjust my regimen for them and then end up suffering. And all due to stubbornness. Lol
It's so easily done, not wanting to admit defeat with the illness, plus being bloody stubborn and not asking for help, is a huge hinderance ! LOL Do hope your health improves mate, a long term pain is no joke, unless your a comedian ! ROFL
DeleteThanks Dai, if it's easier (or less predictive) I also answer to Roger😁
Delete@Dave - O mine is a slow deteriorating thing that will end in surgery in the future. Fun fun fun lol Regardless, being a “man” I think is the problem here, at least my wife says so!
Delete@Roger - That works! :)
Sorry o hear that mate, but at least there is a treatment you can have, still waiting for them to find the cause of mine, and an effective treatment for it ! My wife would say it's my stubbornness ! LOL
DeleteYep sadly Dave the world is still along way off been right, also sorry to hear you health is in decline, stay safe mate.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Frank, guess I was hoping that the world was on the mend, but sadly not. It's been on a decline for the last two years, but I just didn't want to admit it, and I never like to use it as an excuse with the business
DeleteThat interview is a great bit of publicity for you, and the comments on the Beasts of War page are all positive so hopefully it'll boost your business! It's also great to see and hear you!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your health issues... as Dai says, you need to put your health first.
Thank you Matt, no hiding in a crowd now ! LOL the comments I read were very good, so hopefully will generate some more sales.
DeleteIt's something I knew, just don't like harping on about it, especially on here, would rather post up some cool mini's and terrain ! LOL
It certainly is a different world now and the two reports about Salute have been very similar. You advertising plug shouldn;t do any harm to your sales either ! I do think that the wargaming 'high street' has met the same fate as our own high-streets, it's all more expensive to get to shows, etc. Maybe it'll pick up in due time, hopefully, but I'm not holding my breath.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to attend Battleground, but am not certain to do so, due to transport difficulties.
Indeed Joe, I think it's going to take a long time to fully return to normal, and as you say the hobby will become a more online entity rather than shows for the foreseeable future.
DeleteHope you manage to find a way to get to the show, if possible
Well the highlight for me was being able to put a voice and a face to a name, so thanks for sharing your interview! :-) I think you'll be the best judge on how your business moves forward, but at least we are in an age where people can buy without going to a store/shop and, as others have implied, you maybe need to put yourself first!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it useful John, indeed we have moved a long way away from the high street presence that companies used to have to have. Health is always going to be an issue, until they find an effective treatment, so may have to admit defeat ! LOL
DeleteI managed to make it to Salute in the end,although I didn't get there until after 1pm, I looked for you, like Blax unsuccessfully! I must have been right next to you at one point as I remember standing where gripping beast were meant to be and being surprised they weren't there,warlord seemed to have taken the small van and they weren't the only outfit with reduced capacity. I found it vaguely depressing between the lack of traders and paucity of games,I hope it went well for you, especially if it's your last outing,good luck managing the issue, maybe next time you can get some help and just come along for the ride?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
You were indeed right next door if you were at were Gripping Beasts should have been, and I'm sorry I didn't get to say hello in person, quietest Salute I've ever had in the 12 years we've attended, hopefully I'll be able to get to some shows and still meet up with people as a visitor, rather than a trader.
DeleteI saw the interview and was really impressed by your booth, Dave! I've only been to Adepticon once but the amount of stuff you have available for purchase is larger than a lot of the booths at Adepticon. Only the big boys like Warlord could compete with your selection! It sounds like the show was a mixed bag but I hope the publicity helps and that you had some decent business despite the lower attendance. I want to echo what others have said about your health too. I hope you're able to find an arrangement that works for you and that things stabilize for you too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeff, I have had a few people over the years ask how many staff we have, when they find out it's just me they're shocked ! LOL I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to my health, as I don't like losing this fight with the illness, but something is going to have to give.
Delete