Bacfm

[Joes210gal]

Mixed reviews for the Bay Area Coral Farmers Market.

Bad - extremely low turnout. I would like to have spent more time with more MARS members. Or members from other clubs for that matter.

Good - extremely low turnout. Excellent chance to win raffle awards and low bids on many of their auction items. Half way thru the event, most everyone went home. At the MARS frag swap, there was a ton of people and many stayed throughout that event.

Bad - There was no seating provided for anyone. Raffles and auctions throughout the day and I guess we were expected to stand. I found a chair because 'Atlantis Aquarium' didn't bother to show up.

Bad - 'Atlantis Aquarium' didn't show up. People were told a list of vendors would be there and spent their $25.00 for a ticket. 'Atlantis' had a table there with their banner, and on that table was a 10% off everything from their store. I was expected to drive to their store. I drove to their store but bought nothing. I spoke to a couple of their employees and was told "he chose not to go", that "they were expecting people to go there after the BACFM". There were vendors from Los Angeles but they couldn't drive two miles?

Good - Atlantis Aquarium didn't show up. I know where my money's going. It's going to the LFS's that deserve it, like YR (John),CR (Brian), UP (Rob). These guys will hook you up.

Good - Near the end of the event, some vendors had a fire sale.
One vendor had a two for one sale. Others marked everything down.

There were excellent buys to be made (I scored on a Montipora Setosa in an auction). But you had to be extremely patient and sit (I mean stand) through a boring event.

 

[KMP]

i didn't go because i had similar mixed reviews the last time i went. i had hoped to hear things had gotten better; although in fairness, from your description it sounds as if it could swing either way based on the person.

maybe we could make a list of ways to improve for next time in hopes that the organizers will read and implement a few:

1) pick a day other than mothers day
2) create a table/chair section to give folks an oppurtinity to comingle and/or sit during the auctions.
3) if a vendor says they are coming, please come

 

[Joes210gal]

I agree. Also, pick a room large enough to accommodate people who want to stay throughout the day. At the MARS frag swap there was plenty of room at the basketball gymnasium. Everyone had a chair and table. You felt like you were invited to stay. I personally went table hopping and got to meet some nice people.
At this event, the only people I met were those that were there with John (fishguy5). Most everyone was passing thru, and not hanging long enough to talk to.
If they don't change things, next time I'll take my own chair and a good book.

 

[mpoletti]

In all fairness to Steve and others who wanted to go or wanted to farm, it was a scheduling mix up.

Last years Event was great. There were 20 vendors and there was a selection of corals from the higher end pieces as well as a good amount of "well priced" corals.

Last year there was no room for chairs


On another note, We just had an auction here in Sacramento with many of the same pieces and only 15 people showed up

CFM's started as smaller events were farmers can share some of there wonderful pieces. There are definite ways to improve them, but the misscheduling of mothers day was the biggie. More attendees will equal more vendors. I know many of the regulars who bring there own camping chairs if they want to sit down.

 

[maxdout]

o man i missed out. i wanted to go, had plans to go but man the wife said "HELL NO!" i had a feeling there were going to be great deals on corals and i wanted to p/u a piece i missed out on at our auction. great for the folks who went.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

I agree with all of Joe's points. There were only ten vendors or so. I must have stopped by John and Rob's displays 25 times. Atlantis not showing up was a big disappointment.
Some of the auction opening bids for auctions were outrageous and were priced nearly equal to retail. On the other hand, some opening bids were amazingly low. The montipora Setosa opened at $20 and sold to a savvy buyer (Joe) for $35!! The odds at the raffle were also great. I bought fifteen tickets total for various pieces of coral and walked away with the Blood Red Eyes Cyphastrea. There were less people present at the BACFM raffles than at the MARS raffles by far.
Overall, it was decent and there were some good deals to be had if you were willing to stick it out for the entire time. Thanks to all of the vendors who showed up. There's a reason I'm a regular in their shops. It's because they obviously care about the hobby and their customers.

 

[brianbigoats]

the event was ok i think the mothers day thing was not a good deal
the prices were fair and as for Atlantis not showing up i liked the idea of going to the shop rather than having them at the event it is just a few miles down the road and it is a lot less stress on the frags and you got their full selection
as far as the reserve price on the auctions this is some of the vendors only job they make a living at doing this why would they sell a frag way below the retail when the can sell it at there shop for three times the price.

 

[2a373]

We need to keep in mind the date: Mother's day. I have been involved in different ways with event scheduling and trying to schedule an event on a major or even sentimental nationwide holiday (like mother's day) or opposite a local or regionally popular event like say, The Jazz Festival or the California State fair, almost guarantees some degree of lower turnout. Just like a number of folks indicated they would like to go but, Mother's Day!

Kevin

 

[wishntoboutside]

from a vendors standpoint the attendece was low. but this created a very relaxed easy going environment. yes the day of the event was a mess. the hotel(hilton) also screwed up because of the mothers day brunch. the event room should have been at a different spot. one had to stay outside the hotel and enter from the side to get to the event there by not going in the hotel.
there should have beeen a few more vendors i was suprised to see the center empty. auctions vendors set the reserve, may rainbow acan fragment very nice was given away i set a 20.00 min on it to make it fun for the auction. only one person bit so it sold for 20.00 a deal for sure. there were some nice stuff out there. thanks guys. i hope peeps enjoyed my selection of goodies that i brought. some of my favias and aussie stuff seemed like a good mix for you guys.
brainbigs.. you coral for ying did arrive safely he picked it up around 2.30 am when i was unpacking my goodies. ps i hope the frag worked out ok for you as well.
mark.. i saw your jedi peice.. brain had it.. oh my josh very nice and patiently waiting.

 

[Joes210gal]

Marko9 - If the people who attended all brought their own chairs, we would have been in the busy parking lot. I'd be spending $25.00 and who knows what on gas to sit out on asphalt.

Mike - Did you say I'm a 'savvy buyer'? I wou;dn't know a Setosa from a Papusa. I always need a 'tour guide' when I go to these events. Slowly learning.

brianbigoats - You didn't mind driving to Atlantis? Think about that man. Maybe Your Reef should have stayed home. I don't mind driving to YR.

 

[FishGuy5]

It was okay....a little disappointing as I thought it was going to be bigger. But met up with some cool people and old friends. Also put a face to a couple of the "legends" that I've heard about. Didn't think I got a whole ton of deals, but picked up some aussie frags that I probably couldn't get here in Sac. for the price I paid. Went to Atlantis for the first time....very nice store. Ming is a cool dude and his 2 display tanks are UNBELIEVABLE!! Worst part of the trip was we went to lunch at this Gyros place across the street. Food looked good and tasted good, but didn't agree with me and Dale. Let me just say that we weren't going to be short on "gas" for the ride home!! And that's not because we went in Lou's Prius!

 

[mpoletti]

I totally understand what you mean Joe. I guess my expectations are lower as I have been to a few different events. The fragswap formality are totally different from walk around markets.

I am sorry that you guys came home with unfulfilled expactions

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12523194#post12523194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wishntoboutside

mark.. i saw your jedi peice.. brain had it.. oh my josh very nice and patiently waiting.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

Brian- That's crap about Atlantis not showing up when they advertised that they were going to. False advertising, period. Atlantis was one of the big reasons Joe and I went. Having to drive there pis..ed me off. Like Joe said, I can drive to YR and find the same stuff (and know that John cares about my business).

As far as high reserves....why even bother auctioning coral if the vendors expect to make more than retail? The auctions are not for classic cars...People won't pay retail (or more) for an auctioned piece unless it's exceptionally rare. I can pay retail any time I like. I don't need to go to BACFM to do it.

 

[Joes210gal]

I havent been to many events because of my newbieness. I'm judging this event based on the MARS events. Especially the frag swap. Maybe that's not a fair thing to do. It makes me appreciate the way MARS does things. Kudos to MARS organizers.

 

[Maximus]

I also had mixed feelings about the show. My favorite part was talking to all the RC members and putting faces to RC names. I met Gresham, Ian, Hector, Richard, Lam, Hugo, Greg, Rob, John, Pam and a few others and it was great seeing them again or meeting them for the first time. As far as vendors go, not many to speak of. A few of the vendors said that this will probably be the last BACFM they attend. Not a good sign.

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12523565#post12523565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joes210gal
I havent been to many events because of my newbieness. I'm judging this event based on the MARS events. Especially the frag swap. Maybe that's not a fair thing to do. It makes me appreciate the way MARS does things. Kudos to MARS organizers.

We do have a very strong club and its always hard not to compare one event to another. So Joe, what did you score?

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12523565#post12523565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joes210gal
I havent been to many events because of my newbieness. I'm judging this event based on the MARS events. Especially the frag swap. Maybe that's not a fair thing to do. It makes me appreciate the way MARS does things. Kudos to MARS organizers.

Thanks Joe. The frag swap took a ton of work and required a generous donation of location from a church to pull off.

 

[wishntoboutside]

so mark about your peice? that would have been my choice of any corals to buy up there. you are comming to RAP right?

maximus.. was nice to meet you in person and put a face to your name and i do have to agree the chating with the other reefers was the best highlight of the day.

as a vendor it was nice to beable to walk to starbucks and carl jr get lunch and not worry about losing coral sales and such. you guys were way laid back. thanks

more vendors needed yes so true. i made a lot of effort to help hugo, snipersps be able to show up, thanks justin for sharing a both with him. justin your stuff was very nice as well.

your reefs stuff always a great presentation and such. john is a very good guy. side note does he ever stop smiling. he always has the happy look on his face.lol

 

[mpoletti]

No RAP for me this year. Texas CFM is a maybe for me.

If not, maybe I will Probably come down on a Friday to check out the local meeting and hit a couple tanks on Sat. That is still awhile off, but I'm know to do crazier things.