Phoenix Trade Show

[Sim G]

What was the Phoenix trade show like, this year? Stuff kept me away this year, but I was in two minds whether I would be going anyway, given the lack lustre event over the last couple of years....

[bofor]

Lack lustre don`t even cut it this year !! It was OVER priced, UNDER supported by dealers, Food non existent(almost) missed the cooked breakfast set up., all in all totally rubbish. Last year was poor but this year abysmal, the tented area was like something from a bygone age in Russia. I place the blame on the NRA from closing the main hall and perhaps increasing the rent.i looked everywhere for a bog standard Mossberg 500, could I find one, could I hell. Last year there were at least 4 but no space then.
This has gone down over the last couple of years and I took a new shooter with me this year, he was not impressed. I will not be going again as I suspect lots of others wont either.

[kennyc]

very quiet today, I quite liked the new marquee area, not a massive amount of gear, but did see some sensibly priced stuff, a lot of the dross from previous years has disappeared, probably not a patch on the past, but that is the past!
not many people shooting when I was there either.
seemed more than enough food outlets considering the number of people trying to eat (not many) and I presume the traditional eating places on camp were open as well.

[Daryll]

Lack lustre don`t even cut it this year !! It was OVER priced, UNDER supported by dealers, Food non existent(almost) missed the cooked breakfast set up., all in all totally rubbish. Last year was poor but this year abysmal, the tented area was like something from a bygone age in Russia. I place the blame on the NRA from closing the main hall and perhaps increasing the rent.i looked everywhere for a bog standard Mossberg 500, could I find one, could I hell. Last year there were at least 4 but no space then.
This has gone down over the last couple of years and I took a new shooter with me this year, he was not impressed. I will not be going again as I suspect lots of others wont either.

Thats strange, I thought, and many people i spoke to said, it was the best its been for years... it will never be the same as it was in the pistol days, but its been going downhill steadily in the last 10 years, but this year was a step in the right direction.

Prices were nothing special, my one gun purchase was about the going rate, but I did save on RFD transfer fees.

[Airbrush]

It was ok for a local like me to have a 'mooch' about, but I certainly wouldn't travel there any distance.

[FredB]

I thought the tent was superb. The usual dealers were there and I got most of the things on my shopping list. I wasn't looking for guns, more odds and ends and consumables, but I did spot some real bargains. I was there for three days: Friday was busy, Saturday was really busy and today was rather quieter when I went round at 9.30 am.
Fred

[bnz41]

I went on Friday to collect powder & primers met Steven Downs who used to be a RFD some years ago but now is retired looked well. Got some great deals from him over the years.

Several tables were empty not sure if traders arrived later, most things were ok price wise.

The burger stall sold out of bacon by 11.15 so a hot dog was £5 expensive so walked away, only the cafe at the shot gun area was open so went there, do not eat at Jenny's

The show needs to improve for next year with more trade stalls.

[BooBoo]

I also shot on Friday... Only the two shotgun matches but there weren't that many spaces on the line.

It allowed some time to browse though... and I felt sorry for some of the traders in the tent. One chap on ITL was dripping and poor Bob on SGC looked rather stewed.

I had a good fondle of SGCs lever release 308 - it actually felt lighter than my 223 version. Not that many deals as far as I could see - plenty of new Irish 303 on ITL at £1500, plus a short barrel L1A1 at £3300!!!

It was nice to see a stand displaying various pistols - Walther I think. A lovely 9mm almost brought tears to my eyes... so s.5 or 7.3 for those who can persuade the HO.

Everything consumable seemed to be going up and up in price! My only good deal was a load of steel cased Hornady 223 on the Low Mill stand at 30 a 100.

The roast piggy stand had a good queue - not sure about the veggie options though!

All in all, I thought that it was better than previous years. Less tatt and a more appealing environment... and I was forced to walk past the paramedic several times.

Lots of blag was to be had on the TS line... Same faces and some good shooting to be had so thanks to the ROs and the NRA for their efforts.

[majordisorder]

Speaking as a dealer, I thought it was a really good few days. Despite the NRA putting someone else in our pitch we did better than last year. It was busier everyday and was worth us decamping from the shop to there for 4 days. We were outside which is where we like it. But the spacious marquee is a much better idea than that pokey old Pavilion.

We did quite lot of show specials which lots of people took advantage of. If you were in the market for anything ammo / reloading / optical or to accessorise your firearm we had a massive selection on the stand (in fact we took over 2 tons of gear with us!!!) and much of it was priced less than on our website. It's good to hear some people enjoyed the experience, we'll almost certainly be there next year too.

As to the food, we enjoyed the Piggy Rolls on the Friday but spent the rest of the time eating in the Army. £5 for a eat as much as you like Full English every morning was an perfect start to the incredibly busy days!

Dealers like us are only going to invest in going if there's punter there! I'd heard that the competition shooting was pretty much full every day, and it certainly seemed busier than last year. If you've not been before, give it a go! And don't forget the Trafalgar later in the year, we'll probably be there too!

[mr smith]

To be fair there's not much at the trade show that appeals to me but the marquee did allow a lot more room to move around in even though it couldn't have been much fun for those working in it.Foodwise piggy rolls did get a bit of custom for me though the army did provide most of my meals breakfast/lunch wise.
Did here one or two mentions about the price of some stuff nothing new there at the phoenix,bought stuff for reloading my 9mm including a very good price on a thousand los bullets from black rifle,was going to buy more on Sunday but having handing my lever release back to Bob on sunday lunchtime having completing only one out of four comps to make the thing work I decided not to bother.