Frag Swap in Pittsburgh

[turbo21]

After attending the LEAR swap in cleveland last weekend, it got me thinking as why it can't be done here.

When you have sellers driving from the other side of pa right past pittsburgh to get to the cleveland swap, it seems we would enough people selling to make it of interest.

looking at the vendor lists,

I know it was tried in the past and didnt work out so well, but wasn't that the days before fragswapper?

And just so everyone is aware, the lear club is a group of only 8 or so members that are put on the swap that is successfull as it is.

i met people there from maryland, state college, new york, meadeville and local pittsburghers all up there this weekend

any thoughts?

bob

 

[AHDOnline]

We have been regularly talking about this in the PMASI club.

There have been issues with timeframe, commitment, and fear of low turn out as in the one time we did it.

Its brought up every year and shot down or not followed through, but I can tell you as PMASI we are looking at it for 2013

 

[AHDOnline]

And it was on fragswapper also

 

[turbo21]

sounds good. i think one of the biggest things that must not be overlooked is contacting of the out of state vendors. if you can get some bigger name stores to come the people will folow.

 

[AHDOnline]

First problem is location. Most places in a centralized area will not allow water, the two I have talked to that would require a 2000$ non refundable deposit, the other required us to put down tarps. Yeah tarps.

Other places were ridiculous with cost. It needs to be central such as cranberry, monroeville, etc. I am open to look at other places but have only one in mind right now that works out of gibsonia. Then being its smaller you dont want to over do it with too many vendors. I have talked to the normal round up and most if not all are more than willing to participate when / if we have one

 

[Misled]

You could look into the Harmer House. It's just off the Harmer Exit. They have lizard shows there with tanks, some with water, and they've also had bird shows. Don't know about cost or anything, but there's never much there. Might be fairly cheap.

 

[bkhunt]

The Harmer House was suggested already. I am not sure of the cost but what about the Monroeville Convention Center, that is a nice facility with concert floor. They have had hot tubs in there for a home show.

A lot of the vendor that were at the LEAR swap were with in a few hour drive. There were even a few that were from other states and a lot of large hobbiest that had tables.

I did get corals that I never would have been able to get unless I did a mail order. The big thing was I was able to see what I was getting.

 

[turbo21]

I am thinking the convention center might be a little big for a first time swap.has anybody checked the hotels in the green tree area? sort of a central location off major highways. if anybody wants, i work in greentree and check out the best western right at parkway center for prices?

i never can make the meetings but can help out any way possible to help make this happen. oh and i will throw out the guarantee that i will be the first early bird hobbyist with a tank setup. see only 30 more to go

The Harmer House was suggested already. I am not sure of the cost but what about the Monroeville Convention Center, that is a nice facility with concert floor. They have had hot tubs in there for a home show.

A lot of the vendor that were at the LEAR swap were with in a few hour drive. There were even a few that were from other states and a lot of large hobbiest that had tables.

I did get corals that I never would have been able to get unless I did a mail order. The big thing was I was able to see what I was getting.

 

[Raceimage]

there are enough empty stores in Pgh Mills Mall.

 

[bkhunt]

Good idea empty store in a strip mall.

 

[implac]

I went up to LEAR, will go again, but it would be great to have a swap closer. I agree that people value being able to see and get a diversity of livestock in person, especially with the shared hobbyist atmosphere. It seems that there are more sites that list upcoming swaps across the country, maybe a Pittsburgh swap would get more exposure than in the past.

 

[bs21]

Getting local stores interested would help with advertisement to non club member customers. Plus potentially 6 or more vendors. If low turn out is the concern then have to pound the advertising early. I also agree non turnpike highway access to the location is key.

 

[TomNeely]

Go big or go home...

 

[bkhunt]

like the philosophy Tom!!!
I was so happy at LEAR with the amount of stuff I sold and the variety is stuff not available locally that I got.

 

[dastowers]

I would attend.

 

[tsiklauss]

I'm in

 

[AHDOnline]

The problem with a storefront is additional insurance. I have been in talks with monroeville convention center. The David L convention center is way out of our price range.

Going big is not bad, but in reality no more than 2000 square feet.

If anyone wants to call around to hotels let me know. All that we have called will not allow water without a rather large deposit, if they would allow it at all

 

[rgsa8892]

how about wait til the weather breaks and hold it in north or south park in one of their pavillions? I know south park has a few houses available for about 100$ for the whole day.maybe fire up the grill and sell food and drinks as well.

 

[turbo21]

The problem with a storefront is additional insurance. I have been in talks with monroeville convention center. The David L convention center is way out of our price range.

Going big is not bad, but in reality no more than 2000 square feet.

If anyone wants to call around to hotels let me know. All that we have called will not allow water without a rather large deposit, if they would allow it at all

i will stop in some hotels in greentree this week and get back to you

how about wait til the weather breaks and hold it in north or south park in one of their pavillions? I know south park has a few houses available for about 100$ for the whole day.maybe fire up the grill and sell food and drinks as well.

i can guarantee that no one will setup a tank with high end corals that are not in a temperature controlled enviroment

bob

 

[hybridazn]

There are no swaps in the summer hardly because vendors won't travel with the heat.