Post by madmorgan on Jul 17, 2016 15:57:44 GMT
Hi, this isn't a listing of any new vendors. But, I thought you all might enjoy my observations of the vendors at this years big east coast miniatures convention. I was there early Thursday and left after a final walk through Saturday (yesterday). First off the sad lack of certain vendors. The big surprise was no Michigan Toy Soldier. These company is one of the major suppliers in the USA of plastic miniatures and accessories of all scales and periods. This is the equal of Old Glory not being at the convention. I've no idea why they weren't present; they've been a major focus in the past conventions. Second, also among the missing are several of my favorites. No Rebel Miniatures this year, no Achreson Creations (trenches among so many other good resin & metal things), no Osprey (seemed well represented by other book sellers), and no Brookhurst Miniatures (Peter Pig miniatures importer) although as he's located in CA its understandable, especially if he didn't do well at the 2015 convention. No Fire & Sword (cossacks ,swedish ,polish, eastern Europe medieval/Ren. period, although there was a vendor carrying his product as a sideline. The interesting observation was of the number of major companies that were 'represented' by smaller company booths. This a tread we'll probably see in the future - a smaller company going to local conventions with the backing (and monies?) supplied by a major company. Allows the major to keep a toe in all the thousands of miniature conventions around and helps the minor by showcasing his/her product at shows they might not otherwise afford. It only hurts the collector like myself who has ongoing situation with the major companies - as I can't get new product or any membership discount with this arrangement. In some cases, can't get any product (Peter Pig). I want to thank a large number of vendors I've done past business with giving me a warm welcome (well it was hot in there!) and good deals on their lines. Particularly when they might be out of the piece(s) I wanted - giving me the convention discount they were offering and Free shipping when they got back to their home base stocks. Perhaps the best deal I had was the usual good Old Glory Army deep discount (40% off everything, even the shipyard!) and a surprise Miniature Building Authority end of stock sell - each year, they 'retire' building sets and kick start, then publicly release a new years worth of stuff - this in July/August time frame. I loved getting $59.95 sets for $20!! I'd only dreamed of getting sets like that over a long time, but for a mere $105 I came home with everything on my 6 month list!! For Old Glory I got my Territorial British AQ World War One units, as well as the outstanding Delta Queen class and City Class 15 mm ships. Along with some sailors and extra deck guns, my human forces will be well supported by riverine forces.
All in all, it was a good show with lots of things available, new and old. Money and Time and a bad back were the enemy and I did well up till the last part of the 'campaign'. If you ever have a chance to go to one of the Historical Miniature Gamer Society convention, at least here on the east coast, you're in for a treat. I'm looking forward to Fall In (Nov) and Cold Wars (next Mar). Hope to see you there - I'm the crazy guy with the ASA hat & yellow knitted shoulder bag (ty honey!).
All in all, it was a good show with lots of things available, new and old. Money and Time and a bad back were the enemy and I did well up till the last part of the 'campaign'. If you ever have a chance to go to one of the Historical Miniature Gamer Society convention, at least here on the east coast, you're in for a treat. I'm looking forward to Fall In (Nov) and Cold Wars (next Mar). Hope to see you there - I'm the crazy guy with the ASA hat & yellow knitted shoulder bag (ty honey!).