toy show revival?

[goldenryan]

with more and more people fed up with ebay aka (evilbay)do you think we will ever see toy shows become as popular as they were in the early to mid 90's?

[Mikey]

I don't think so.

It's not just ebay, its the whole toy collecting genre.

Generally, the younger generation (already grown up now), don't collect toys or probably anything.

Of course, there's exceptions, but I don't think enough to change the way things are going.

For our generation, the internet built up our collections by 10,000 percent already ... So I can't see "us" effecting a change.

I think things will stay the way they are for a while and eventually get worse -- in the toy show department.

[jwyblejr]

I know I would love to see the return of the antique shows at malls but wouldn't hold my breath.

[megoat]

Generally, the younger generation (already grown up now), don't collect toys or probably anything.

??????

What do you mean by "younger generation"....by "already grown up now" I assume you mean people in their twenties...If so, believe me, there are PLENTY of folks in their early to late twenties that collect toys and ALL KINDS OF STUFF.....

[4NDR01D]

Generally, the younger generation (already grown up now), don't collect toys or probably anything.

I think things will stay the way they are for a while and eventually get worse -- in the toy show department.

I would wager that most people don't start collecting seriously until they hit the age of 30. I'm guessing this is when both nostalgia starts kicking in and income becomes a bit more disposible. Personally I'd buy many small things at a toy show (things I'd not want to pay shipping charges for like individual loose figures), but I figure I can get a better deal bidding on higher priced items rather than pay what venders are asking.

[luey]

Today's show was so so, I saw more vintage stuff than in the past, but buyers were few and far between... It would take a lot more aggressive eBay boycott before shows would make a surge towards the shows of the past... And we still have websites like craiglist, etc..

[toys2cool]

I doubt it,but I really wish it would even though things were a lot more expensive it was fun to go

[RG]

even with the crap ebay pulls on sellers, it still gets better sales than sitting at a table all day hoping someone will buy.

I do think that shows and flea markets are getting better for finding little odds and ends ... with so much good stuff on ebay, the blah items that used to sell on ebay aren't these days, so yeah I doubt you'll find much in the line of mint items at flea markets, but a beat up mego batman has a fair chance at showing up once in a blue moon, where a few years ago you were lucky to find modern star wars at one.

[goldenryan]

i would love to see more show pop up. ebay is worthless to me. it's good if your buying or selling really rare stuff but other than that it's just hard to find a deal with so high of shipping cost which you don't need to worry about at toy shows. Going to shows and swap meets are alot more fun than seaching the internet too.

[palitoy]

The weak US dollar, increased ebay and paypal fees have taken their toll in Canada.

I've been to three shows in the past few weeks and while the number of dealers has shrunk since the nineties, I noticed a lot more people bringing decent vintage pieces again.

But I'm not sure toyshows will ever get rid of all that nineties crap under the tables, wow! If you like Playmates Star Trek, you're in heaven.....

[vulcan2074]

I Haven't been to a Toy Show in quite Sometime.
Sammy

[4NDR01D]

I've been to three shows in the past few weeks

Were these shows in or around the GTA? I wish I had known about them.
I'm pretty sure there's one in late November, unfortunately I think I'm busy that weekend.

[palitoy]

Were these shows in or around the GTA? I wish I had known about them.
I'm pretty sure there's one in late November, unfortunately I think I'm busy that weekend.

One was in Burlington, the other well outside the GTA. The collectors show in Toronto was today but the late November one at the airport is still on.

[starsky]

i wish there were more of them! in my area there's only one and it occurs 3 times a year. not nearly enough for my toy appetite

[MegoSteve]

I'd like to see the pendulum swing back ,but it's hard to beat the convenience and the broad buying base eBay offers.

From a buyer's perspective, it's hard to beat eBay. I could go to local shows for two years and not see something like a Thor Mego in person, but type Thor Mego on eBay and you'll find a half dozen or so for sale every week.

Of course, nothing beats browsing in person. eBay can't come close to duplicating the experience of seeing piles of toys on a table, on shelves or in a display case. Sometimes there are things I don't know I'd want until I discover them, and the only way to find those kinds of items is to browse in person. Look at the the photos in Greg's recent sales post in the Marketplace and see how many specific searches you'd have to do to find all of the things he's selling... no one has that kind of time!