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DEdwards
Veteran Member
170 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 2:23:42 PM
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I found out accidently that ICare is not coming this year. I don't know if it was staffing, economics or vendor fees (or if its permanent) but its bad news for EMFSO members (and the Hobby Show)!
Feel free to email Etienne at sales@icare-rc.com to let him know we will miss him! Maybe if enough do it, he'll come back next year!
Dave |
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maqsood
Veteran Member
109 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 5:21:08 PM
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| I learned that hobbywholesale is not coming either. |
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Peter Mar
Veteran Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 11:57:36 PM
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| Those are the only two places I planned to purchase from... |
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bfeist
Administrator
393 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 07:55:13 AM
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And a smaller than usual place to fly indoor...not adding up to a great value for admission.
Benjamin Feist - EMFSO Website Developer |
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rkhoo
Veteran Member
315 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 2:47:52 PM
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How small is the indoor flying area this year? I go mostly for the indoor funfly ;)
I wanted to support our hobby shop, and usually it is in the hobby show that I made most of my purchase. Goning to miss I-Care for their new planes and Hobby Wholesale for their flgiht packs.
With the advent of oversea hobby supplier couple with our high currency, prices of some items are just out-of-line locally. Especally parkflyer motors, servos and wingding supplies. These items have become consumerables in the sub-$10 range. How should our hooby shop compete -- especially 80% of their stock were purchased when our loonie is worth only 75 cent US!
I am sure this a difficult Christmas season for all retail in Canada. Good luck to them all. |
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WiggleSticks
Veteran Member
303 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 4:22:11 PM
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Hobby shops are just that ‘Hobby’ shops; unfortunately for us they aren’t ‘business’ shops. The dollar rising didn’t happen overnight. You will have noticed that the strong well run retailers are pulling in their prices in order to move out old higher cost products so that they have the resources ($$) to bring in new stock at an advantaged price.
We are the ones who suffer the higher prices at hobby shops for the convenience of popping over to pick something up we need for our planes.
While at an indoor fly last night the talk turned to our dollar. Of course everyone there wants to buy locally to support their favorite shop but the prices are too high, we can now get better deals on the web (USA or Canada) and a number of web based stores have free shipping. Most of the guys are forced by pricing to buy on the web now.
The hobby shops will be forced very soon to dump old stock or suffer some very tight times ahead for their business – its unfortunate them, but a reality.
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bfeist
Administrator
393 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 6:45:30 PM
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Try telling that to A&J's. They've had some of the same stock in their store since the mid 90's with the same price tag on it from the day they put it in the display case--and some day, someone will buy a cobalt 05 geared motor there for $180 and they'll have made their money from 12 years ago.
Benjamin Feist - EMFSO Website Developer |
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DEdwards
Veteran Member
170 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 7:13:21 PM
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| Personally I would say that if we (EMFSO) want the Hobby Show to attract our members (and we have a fair membership base relative to any other special interest group re the show), then I would recommend we ask our executive to contact ICare and HobbyWholesale etc to find out what it would take to attract them back, then approach the show owners to see what they can do to make it happen else they put at risk our membership no longer attending the show. C$ is up, maybe vendor prices should drop or more square footage per $. More advertising etc. It sure looks right now that the show is on a slow death spiral. I doubt the show owners would disagree and may find the dialogue helpful. |
Edited by - DEdwards on 30 Oct 2007 7:14:49 PM |
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Michael
Administrator
1320 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 8:29:18 PM
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I suggest we do not approach the show owners with any suggestions nor ultimatums.
I understand that we want these dealers to come to the show so that we can buy merchandise from them at really cheap prices.
Fact is, it probably costs thousands of dollars in expenses to come to the show (show space rental, wages, traveling, food, etc.,).
Cheap prices and high expenses don't work for a small business.
They probably don't make enough money, or even lose money, doing the Toronto show.
Michael |
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WiggleSticks
Veteran Member
303 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 12:16:55 AM
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Michael, I agree with you on the hobby shops not making money at the show. But what a great place to get rid of old stock, it gives them a marketing excuse to dump old inventory at bargain basement prices. |
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jabiggerstaff
Veteran Member
195 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 10:14:44 AM
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While talking to Ted Curl at the MAAC Zone meeting, he mentioned that two new vendors were gong to be at the show. One IMEX has been around for a while, and apparently Ted's son, can't recall his name or the business, will be there. I wasn't aware that ICARE and Hobby Wholesale were not attending. Too bad!
PS:HW must have heard that my JR7202 that I purchased from them at last year's HS, went south!
Bigstik |
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Peter Mar
Veteran Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 6:36:57 PM
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Well I have to stick up for Jack and Arden,
A&J's have been there for all of us. No I don't buy everything there, but I certainly consider it first. Why? Because I want them to be there when I need stuff that I really can't wait two weeks for. We all know what those things are.
They were there when we were just starting to get cheaper brushless motors (Mega) in 2002. The dollar was then at 62 cents.
Yup they have a lot of old stock that they will and are getting eaten over. They also have lots of new stuff coming in all the time at current realistic pricing.
Just visit and ask them for the price of what you like. I am sure they are still dropping them to meet current market expectations.
I have been at their shop over the past few weeks and everything they have is marked down.
I bought two big ARF kits at prices that were cheaper than the usual Edmonton or PEI mail order houses. Jack walked to the computer and looked up a new price and viola, I had a big box in the car. I then went back two weeks later and did it again for a .60-.90 size bird in a bigger box.
How can this be? Well, the big boxes cost over $40 to ship from the usual suspects. Don't ask how I know. Anyway, with the marked down prices and the additional PST it was still cheaper at A&J's than by mail order.
I suggest you ignore the old price tags as they are meaningless. I saw several Twinjets with $250 tags. Of course it will be marked down when you ask A or J for the current price. |
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Peter Mar
Veteran Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 6:53:27 PM
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Ben,
Regarding the loss of space for flying.
This year the show is adding skateboard ramps. That takes up serious room if you need running space to break vertical climb records. That space would otherwise be used for flying stuff. I don't know about the rest of you, but I ride a longboard so I am curious how it will turn out. I just don't think that most modellers ride skateboards like me or most skateboarders do much serious modelling...
Anyone else in EMFSO ride actively?
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piker
Administrator
1150 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 8:50:57 PM
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Peter,
I like your comments about A&J's. Some very good points. I know we would all suffer if they shut down. It's the "local hobby shop" that is a big part of the hobby for me.
I didn't realize they were having a skate ramp at the Hobby Show. That'll be cool. I don't skate myself (although I wish I could ride the ramps like they do...it looks like fun), but I can certainly appreciate the skill involved..... and the toughness of those kids! They wipe-out on solid concete then get up and keep going 
Robert |
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WiggleSticks
Veteran Member
303 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 9:24:05 PM
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We ALL used to bounce back at that age. It's now that's become a problem.  |
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gordonbw
Veteran Member
189 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 9:27:53 PM
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Note from Etienne
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: sales - icare/ikarus <sales@icare-rc.com>
To: gordonbw@rogers.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 8:22:05 AM
Subject: Re: We will miss you in Toronto, Etienne
sorry about that but yes we may be back next year, just didn't plan ahead this year.
Thanks!
Best regards
Etienne Dorig
ICARE - IKARUS
www.icare-rc.com
----- Original Message -----
From: gordonbw@rogers.com
To: sales@icare-rc.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:48 AM
Subject: We will miss you in Toronto Etienne
I just learned that Icare won't be at the Hobby Show this weekend. I will miss my annual pilgrimage to your booth. Hope you return next year!
Gordon Braun-Woodbury
"How on earth do I land this thing?" |
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rkhoo
Veteran Member
315 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 10:55:23 PM
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Liked your comment Peter.
BTW, did you get your Siren replacement from AJ ;) |
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piker
Administrator
1150 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2007 : 11:18:11 PM
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quote:
We ALL used to bounce back at that age. It's now that's become a problem.
For sure. I would like to learn how to do that ramp thing, not the flips, etc, but the going up and down the ramps. Problem is, as you say, a wipe-out on concrete is not an option anymore  It hurts just thinking about it.
Robert |
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DEdwards
Veteran Member
170 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 3:16:30 PM
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Michael re "I suggest we do not approach the show owners with any suggestions nor ultimatums."
I don't know where you got the "ultimatums" from. My comment was simply if there is no RC airplane stuff at the show, its pretty obvious that not too many EMFSO members are going to want to go. But we actually want to go....
re "Cheap prices and high expenses don't work for a small business."
It definitely works if it leads to future purchases, market presence/growth (and or a lot of spur of the moment un-planned for purchases like I often do at the show: I buy something for $100 and forget that it needs another $300 of batteries, servos etc)! Its all about marketing.
EMFSO or Ontario flying clubs could easily help in marketing by a simple email newsletter reminder a couple of days before the show (whats in it, what vendors etc etc). But there has to be something there for the RC flyer to offset the entrance fees, not just quilting booths.
It was just an idea. Maybe we can talk about it at the next monthly meeting after the show. |
Edited by - DEdwards on 01 Nov 2007 3:25:10 PM |
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Peter Mar
Veteran Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 8:47:28 PM
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Dave:
What do you have against quilting? In addition to skateboarding, there's nothing I like more than sitting in front of a raging fireplace, in my thick wool sweater, with a glass of wine next to me, quilting a nice pattern on a blank sheet, with nothing but the fire for lighting...
But seriously, I think the price of admission is really steep if the specialty vendors like ICARE don't show up. There is just not that much pure RC stuff to grab my attention.
As much as I like the quilting displays, snakes in cages, baby tigers on the floor, and endless train tracks, I really detest wading thru the crowd to get to the RC shops or displays I want to see. They could probably bunch all the RC guys at one end and really help control pricing differences. ICARE was in the right spot last year. Just stick the other biggies in the same end and we are in business. |
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Ex14th
Veteran Member
283 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 10:07:07 AM
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Peter, You probably don't have much detest to do this year, because you won't be wading much. I think the only RC booth will be HH, because none of the other shops will take part in this year's "show".
I was talking with my buddy when he was packing the KMP booth last year, he was expressing how disappointing it was, and said that it was his first, and definitely the last he will participate in this, a complete waste of time to him.
With the steep admission charge, most of the RC'ers stopped going long time ago. They could find more stuffs RC in some of the guys' basement. |
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Michael
Administrator
1320 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 10:26:32 AM
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by DEdwards[/i]
[br]Michael re "I suggest we do not approach the show owners with any suggestions nor ultimatums."
I don't know where you got the "ultimatums" from. My comment was simply if there is no RC airplane stuff at the show, its pretty obvious that not too many EMFSO members are going to want to go. But we actually want to go....
"approach the show owners to see what they can do to make it happen else they put at risk our membership no longer attending the show. "
I felt that statement could put the show owner on the defensive, and it could have a negative impact on our FREE presence at the show.
As it turns out, Icare is not coming due to their own poor planning; not anything to do with the show itself.
Michael |
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Michael
Administrator
1320 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 10:28:03 AM
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by Ex14th[/i]I was talking with my buddy when he was packing the KMP booth last year, he was expressing how disappointing it was, and said that it was his first, and definitely the last he will participate in this, a complete waste of time to him.
Meanwhile, they're back again this year.
Michael |
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Ex14th
Veteran Member
283 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 1:01:45 PM
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Cowpie again. What can I say. This teaches me not to open my mouth again, ever.
Have fun at the show everyone. |
Edited by - Ex14th on 02 Nov 2007 1:54:33 PM |
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Michael
Administrator
1320 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 2:53:17 PM
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Of course you can open your mouth.
It only shows how fickle and indecisive the hobby dealers are.
Michael |
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pmackenzie
Veteran Member
382 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 9:55:49 PM
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I was told at the show that Icare is not there this year because they are off to the F3A world champs in Argentina. They sponsor the Canadian team.
Where would you rather go, the Hobby Show or Argentina?
Pat MacKenzie
P.S. I signed up a new member at the show - Max Xu visiting from Beijing!
He actually went out to Temac this week, but was disappointed to find nobody there. |
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Peter Mar
Veteran Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2007 : 09:52:38 AM
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Hi Guys,
I worked the show yesterday (Canadian Rocket Society) and was thoroughly disappointed.
If I had to pay $12 to get in I would seriously have to reconsider it.
HH, KMP, the turbine vendor (can't remember the name) and Sombra Labs were there. The Avro Arrow guys had an excellent display right up front. The rest were gourds, assorted vegetables, frypans and other stuff.
For me, HH had few new ARFs, lots of old stock they were trying to move, insufficient stock of popular ARFs, no HITEC servos displayed like HW used to have.
Sombra labs had their new RXs there, a Lepton 5 was selling for $25 with xtal. That was the only deal that caught my eye at the entire show. Their new synthesized 8 was also on sale. Very nice looking. It locks onto your TX freq on startup, no need to program even that.
The toy vendors were back with a vengeance selling RTF junk that looks better every year. Unfortunately it was all priced at double what Hobbycity sells at in USD.
Alex, I didn't wade much either. There was lots of room everywhere (except for the flying pen). My kids typically like the other hobby displays of trains, lego, mechano, etc. (not the quilting so much). Unfortunately, those were seriously scaled back as well!
The fembot looked cool but she wasn't performing for me. Not enuf of a crowd I guess. And, what's with the wheelchair anyway? Wasn't there any other way to get her up?
Pat is right, Bob Hudson confirmed that ICARE had a better place to go. As a sponsor they apparently were providing the electric power systems for the Canadian team. Kudos to Etienne.
Oh yeah, if you want to buy a skateboard or T shirt with skull and crossbones you could do that too. Concretewave literally set up shop there...
For those who are going, I'll see you there today. |
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WiggleSticks
Veteran Member
303 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2007 : 2:47:06 PM
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Wow, sounds like the hobby show is a bust for what we are interested in, that’s too bad. 
But, if you’re into veg-a-matics it would have really got your juices going.
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DEdwards
Veteran Member
170 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2007 : 3:02:04 PM
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Michael
This is the reply I got from Etienne that led me to post my first post.
"It just looked the show was going an other way, more crafts"
Here's a few simple things a EMFSO member could have done to help the show at no cost to anyone.
1) Be involved in the floor layout to maximize the size of the indoor flying area. It could have been twice the size given all the space around it. Some poor guy brought in his just finished brand new foamy indoor plane and crashed it, probably for lack of air space. I doubt the show owner knows anything about airspace for indoor planes.
2) Organize a low budget indoor competition for bragging rights or a tiny trophy funded by EMFSO. Extremely low end prizes if any to reduce cost to vendors.
3) Approach Tom at Hobby Hobby and ask him if he might like to try to pick up the servo sales that Hobby Wholesales did.
Nothing I wanted to buy was for sale at the show, though I did do a couple of spur of the moment purchases including a neat $30 IR controlled helicopter for a stocking stuffer.
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Edited by - DEdwards on 03 Nov 2007 3:02:48 PM |
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gordonbw
Veteran Member
189 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2007 : 5:53:17 PM
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I picked up a really nice Chinese=made ARF -- looks like a knockoff of one of the Fliton planes. High quality parts and only $75.
Gordon Braun-Woodbury
"How on earth do I land this thing?" |
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DEdwards
Veteran Member
170 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2007 : 1:44:23 PM
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Darn, another large spur of the moment purchase at the show. I blame it totally on the EMFSO. If I wasn't working the booth on Sunday I wouldn't have seen it. At least that's the story I'm telling my wife.
On the upside, I did sign up for gourd painting via the National Association Of Gourd Enthusiast's booth. I'm told its membership is just exploding. Can't wait until Hobby Hobby starting carrying gourds! :-) |
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piker
Administrator
1150 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2007 : 5:35:44 PM
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I hear gourds don't crash
BTW, what did you waste your money on? A new plane I hope.
Robert |
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The Tellurian
Veteran Member
57 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2007 : 09:01:35 AM
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by DEdwards[/i]
[br]
Can't wait until Hobby Hobby starting carrying gourds! :-)
Nah they'll probably only carry ARP [Almost Ready to Paint] gourds. I want to carve my own. 
Richard
The Tellurian
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ICare NOT Coming to Toronto Hobby Show :(
