NEC Classic Show
Discussion
A friend of mine suggested going to this show. Having experienced the sharp end of the cost of shows in the SEC in Glasgow I thought I'd check it out before committing myself.
For a start there is a 600 mile round trip from Glasgow to Birmingham and back. If we take the 500 SEC that will relieve the pocket of at least £170 for fuel. The car park is a monstrous £10 parking charge: bear in mind they are inviting you in; why the hell should you have to pay so much for the car park? Finally the entry fee on Friday is £27 each. I can just imagine what the hotels are charging if you want to stay the night.
Some of you might think this is worth it, but I far prefer the local shows and the nice cars and good company to being royally shafted by the NEC management.
J
For a start there is a 600 mile round trip from Glasgow to Birmingham and back. If we take the 500 SEC that will relieve the pocket of at least £170 for fuel. The car park is a monstrous £10 parking charge: bear in mind they are inviting you in; why the hell should you have to pay so much for the car park? Finally the entry fee on Friday is £27 each. I can just imagine what the hotels are charging if you want to stay the night.
Some of you might think this is worth it, but I far prefer the local shows and the nice cars and good company to being royally shafted by the NEC management.
J
freshmicropig said:
By far the greatest cost will be hotels, but most people who want to go will have booked enough in advance for this not to be an issue. That isn't the fault of the NEC management - nor is your fuel bill.
Bit of a chip on your shoulder maybe?
Chip on my shoulder about what? Don't be silly. This is a national show. The assumption then must be that people will have to travel to it from all over the country. The travelling costs are therefore a composite part of attending the show and have to be considered. When did I imply that fuel costs were the fault of the NEC management?Bit of a chip on your shoulder maybe?
Do you honestly consider that £10 is a reasonable charge for a car park when you then have to pay a substantial entry fee on top of that. This isn't a pop concert where the band get paid a fortune. The exhibitors pay fortunes for stands at these shows; even small ones. The food and drink outlets are grossly over-priced.
I'm sorry but the whole thing to me is an absolute rip off.
J
jith said:
freshmicropig said:
By far the greatest cost will be hotels, but most people who want to go will have booked enough in advance for this not to be an issue. That isn't the fault of the NEC management - nor is your fuel bill.
Bit of a chip on your shoulder maybe?
Chip on my shoulder about what? Don't be silly. This is a national show. The assumption then must be that people will have to travel to it from all over the country. The travelling costs are therefore a composite part of attending the show and have to be considered. When did I imply that fuel costs were the fault of the NEC management?Bit of a chip on your shoulder maybe?
Do you honestly consider that £10 is a reasonable charge for a car park when you then have to pay a substantial entry fee on top of that. This isn't a pop concert where the band get paid a fortune. The exhibitors pay fortunes for stands at these shows; even small ones. The food and drink outlets are grossly over-priced.
I'm sorry but the whole thing to me is an absolute rip off.
J
The £10 parking charge is annoying, but is that really the reason you're going to give it a miss? Save the environment, take a couple of friends, split the cost.
As for the food outlets being grossly overpriced, I haven't seen it. Last year I ate at Subway - it was a pound or so more than normal, and they didn't have any carrot. Want a hot beef roll? Four or five quid. Or just go to McColls, get a sandwich. Or pack your own sandwiches.
Don't go to the Festival of Speed - it'll make your head spin.
- worked every year for me.)jith said:
Do you honestly consider that £10 is a reasonable charge for a car park when you then have to pay a substantial entry fee on top of that. This isn't a pop concert where the band get paid a fortune. The exhibitors pay fortunes for stands at these shows; even small ones. The food and drink outlets are grossly over-priced.
Only the commercial exhibitors pay for stands. Clubs get the space for free - and we occupy a LOT of space.You're not doing yourself a favour going on Friday as that's much more expensive than the weekend because it's the "preview" day. The car park is the worst bit, but we try to fill a car and share the cost. I've looked at parking elsewhere and, once we've got a few in the car, the inconvenience doesn't make up for the saving, especially if we have to buy train tickets as well. It's cheaper than city-centre NCP parking, or at least cheaper than Manchester parking (I haven't parked in Birmingham).
I think it's only the traders that pay for stand space - club stands don't cost the club directly, only in terms of expenses, there is no charge for x amount of display space.
I think it's only the traders that pay for stand space - club stands don't cost the club directly, only in terms of expenses, there is no charge for x amount of display space.
Hardly the organizers fault that you live 300 miles from the show and drive a thirsty car is it?
As for the parking that's down to the NEC, nothing to do with the show.
A short drive out of Birmingham should find a reasonable priced hotel.
End of the day if you think it's too expensive, don't go.
As for the parking that's down to the NEC, nothing to do with the show.
A short drive out of Birmingham should find a reasonable priced hotel.
End of the day if you think it's too expensive, don't go.
I have my tickets. I actually think the twenty odd pound ticket is good value. I won't be taking the Jensen or Stag, no point driving them a 250 mile round trip just to sit in a car park all day, I'll take the Diesel Fiesta or E-Class.
But then some people moan about the cost of the Goodwood Revival too... again it's cracking value in my opinion.
But then some people moan about the cost of the Goodwood Revival too... again it's cracking value in my opinion.
Err I am hoping to be coming from America. Admittedly seeing friends and family in the same trip very briefly. I think the show is literally world class. There is nothing in the US even close in my opinion in terms of variety and interaction.
I consider myself very fortunate to be able to indulge like this, no kids probably helps too.....And friends in the Daimler club. In for penny, in for (ten) pounds for parking.....
I can hear the rustle of anoraks......
I consider myself very fortunate to be able to indulge like this, no kids probably helps too.....And friends in the Daimler club. In for penny, in for (ten) pounds for parking.....
I can hear the rustle of anoraks......
jith said:
A friend of mine suggested going to this show. Having experienced the sharp end of the cost of shows in the SEC in Glasgow I thought I'd check it out before committing myself.
For a start there is a 600 mile round trip from Glasgow to Birmingham and back. If we take the 500 SEC that will relieve the pocket of at least £170 for fuel. The car park is a monstrous £10 parking charge: bear in mind they are inviting you in; why the hell should you have to pay so much for the car park? Finally the entry fee on Friday is £27 each. I can just imagine what the hotels are charging if you want to stay the night.
Some of you might think this is worth it, but I far prefer the local shows and the nice cars and good company to being royally shafted by the NEC management.
J
So without ever having visited it you've decided that it's no good, too expensive and you "prefer" the small local shows! Hilarious. For a start there is a 600 mile round trip from Glasgow to Birmingham and back. If we take the 500 SEC that will relieve the pocket of at least £170 for fuel. The car park is a monstrous £10 parking charge: bear in mind they are inviting you in; why the hell should you have to pay so much for the car park? Finally the entry fee on Friday is £27 each. I can just imagine what the hotels are charging if you want to stay the night.
Some of you might think this is worth it, but I far prefer the local shows and the nice cars and good company to being royally shafted by the NEC management.
J
We went last year and I have to say it's superb. We were there Saturday and Sunday and still saw cars in the show reports that we'd missed. You'll struggle to do it all in a day so you might as well go for the weekend. We got rooms in the Birmingham Airport Travelodge for £34 each room.
Yes you have to pay for parking (and annoyingly we had to pay at the hotel as well) but it isn't that pricey when spread between you.
What else are you going to do in November to get your car fix? Well worth the trip.
Yes you have to pay for parking (and annoyingly we had to pay at the hotel as well) but it isn't that pricey when spread between you.
What else are you going to do in November to get your car fix? Well worth the trip.
Fantastic show, been going for the last 3 years. Last year made a weekend of it both Saturday and Sunday, and was much better. As said, too much to see in a day. Parking charges are very expensive, and it's a bloomin long walk from the car parks too, but the show is really worth it. Food doesn't have to be expensive, depends what you take and where you buy!
This year I'm exhibiting for the 1st time, so hoping I'm not paying parking fees still!! Lol.
This year I'm exhibiting for the 1st time, so hoping I'm not paying parking fees still!! Lol.
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