Victoria Boat Show Feb 21 to 23rd.

r.s craven said:
Given the exposure the vendors get at these shows, you would think they would want to maximize buyer potential.
Free gate would get them a much bigger draw.
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Free gate brings other problems....anyone can walk in and do. Have displayed at "free gate" shows, in a differnet industry mind you, but you get people just walking in off the street, and not aways the kind you want. i think from a vendors standpoint if someone is willing to spend the enrty fee they are probably a qualified customer. That being said if you don't think the value is there, don't go. I have not been to this show before.
 
I've never gone to the Victoria boat show, but I have gone to "big sales" at Island Outfitters in the past and have left empty handed as I can walk into local Nanaimo stores any day of the week and get better pricing usually. I don't mind paying admission if there is an opportunity to take advantage of displays and sales from all local businesses that want to take part. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I am not willing to pay admission so one business lines their pockets.
 
all i can say is WOW about some comments on here! I'm not sure about victoria's show, i assume the same pretty much applies as in vancouver. which charges $15 admission plus double that for some of the parking,lol. at the vancouver show you can buy some boats motors trailers rods reels and some tackle at the dealers cost, on sundays (last day of the show) sometimes a we bit under so they don't have to pack it home.

my point is, this is the place the retail buyer can go and buy anything he needs boat or fishing wise at incredible prices. one reel bought will more than save the price of admission. I bought a new kicker for my boat this year, a 6hp 4 stoke merc for $1450 plus tax with a 5 year warranty (special offer from merc on now). this price was only good for the boat show, it will be on for the tradex in abby, not sure but i assume for the victoria show. i have bought a new trailer, new scotty down riggers, a brutus prawn puller (last year), various rods and reels, a new boat in 1986, lol. all at the boat show saving a ton of money over the years at these shows. If you need a major purchase, motor, gear etc i strongly advise that there are deals to be had at these shows, especially on major ticket items. my new kicker motor would have cost me 2-300 more otherwise. crying about 9 bucks just makes me shake my head in wonder??? obviously a different mentality on the island from what i see on this site.
cheers nicnat
 
nicnat said:
all i can say is WOW about some comments on here! I'm not sure about victoria's show, i assume the same pretty much applies as in vancouver. which charges $15 admission plus double that for some of the parking,lol. at the vancouver show you can buy some boats motors trailers rods reels and some tackle at the dealers cost, on sundays (last day of the show) sometimes a we bit under so they don't have to pack it home.

my point is, this is the place the retail buyer can go and buy anything he needs boat or fishing wise at incredible prices. one reel bought will more than save the price of admission. I bought a new kicker for my boat this year, a 6hp 4 stoke merc for $1450 plus tax with a 5 year warranty (special offer from merc on now). this price was only good for the boat show, it will be on for the tradex in abby, not sure but i assume for the victoria show. i have bought a new trailer, new scotty down riggers, a brutus prawn puller (last year), various rods and reels, a new boat in 1986, lol. all at the boat show saving a ton of money over the years at these shows. If you need a major purchase, motor, gear etc i strongly advise that there are deals to be had at these shows, especially on major ticket items. my new kicker motor would have cost me 2-300 more otherwise. crying about 9 bucks just makes me shake my head in wonder??? obviously a different mentality on the island from what i see on this site.
cheers nicnat
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I travelled from the Island to go to the Vancouver boat show. I had no problem in paying $15 admission on top of ferry etc. I bought some things at some pretty killer prices. There was a lot of deals there on boats, rods, reels, tackle and whatever else you could find. I have no problem paying admission for a quality event. Vendor competition is what gets consumers the great deals at these events. To me it sounds like someone is afraid of competition at the Victoria show
 
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I like boat shows and will go. There is good deals on gear and I get to drool over new boats. The $9 is kind of a pisser but bring a food item and it's $7. Not too bad for $7. Where else can you spend a couple hours looking at boats and tackle for 7 bucks? Haters will stay away but I will hit it up, and chat with the sviac boys while I am there :)
 
In my experienced , Last year my friends and I went to the boat show in Victoria. I feel that is unfair for me and my friends are deaf because they have lot of good conversation about good topics and announcement for drawing prizes or special events or something to say so we cannot hear the announcement. we paid for pay admission. So we got fishing supplies but just $ 4 off on flasher on original price. I paid 3 flashers for $ 15.00 but they use line and pin on flasher that we don't use it.
Nothing much excitement on big sale for rods, reel, lures, etc etc. Just only one island outfitter made money from the admission and supplies.
 
Quite the hate filled thread...

It isn't Island Outfitters show. They put one on years ago and took a bath on it. If you don't want to pay to go, hit IO up for free tickets... Problem solved

With women and kids admitted free, crying about 9 bucks just makes people sound cheap in my opinion. The admission isn't to charge you to shop. That's an absurd take on it. I bet if you buy a boat, the dealer will credit you 9 bucks...

Does anyone think WS will come to Vic if they get their butts handed to them in Nanaimo by Cabela's? Does anyone actually believe that the prices at Cabela's will be the same as the US stores?

And as for prices, every single store has it's upside and down side. But my money is spent at IO. I look around WS if I'm in Nanaimo or if IO doesn't carry an item I want. But driving to Nanaimo to save 1.00 on a flasher is not going to happen.
 
Sviflyguy said:
Quite the hate filled thread.It isn't Island Outfitters show. They put one on years ago and took a bath on it. If you don't want to pay to go, hit IO up for free tickets... Problem solved

I will be going but just to clarify, it is IO show........that is why trotac and wisebuys aren't invited.
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And here I thought vendors paid for their space. I didn't know you just got asked if you wanted to take part in the show...

I could not care any less which store is selling at the show. I go to see boats and check out what's new from manufacturers. It's seldom that exciting. But it's a small show, so I don't expect much.
 
I'll be helping out in the SVIAC/Nice Fish booth during the show. We hope everyone will drop in to learn more of what we are doing and sign up again for this years membership. We want to make a difference and there is a cost to making it happen. We need everyone's help.
 
Sviflyguy said:
And here I thought vendors paid for their space. I didn't know you just got asked if you wanted to take part in the show...



Did you not notice the absence of some of the other local fishing stores in the past?
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Did you not notice the absence of some of the other local fishing stores in the past?[/QUOTE]



I just don't care if the other stores are there. Why would I? I have no stock in their business.

I've never even been into "wise buys", and I never will. A friend of mine was treated poorly in there, and they have nothing IO doesn't. And they are out of the way for me.
 
Wow. Wise Buys have always given me top service, as have Island Outfitters and Trotac. Please let them know. Personally I'm taken aback by your comment Sviflyguy.
 
Who cares about paying $9. I think most would be happy to in order to get as many vendors as possible in one spot. The idea is to showcase the various businesses is it not?I don't know if IO is blocking its competition or if they simply weren't into paying a fee to set up a booth. If it's the latter then it's their mistake. If they are willing and IO won't let them, then it tells me IO is afraid of competition.
 
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