Sandown Park 30th May. My first Toy Fair in 20 years

stormcab · May 30, 2015

Wasn't expecting there to be much there considering what I've read on the forum, but I wanted to check it out myself. I got there at 10.30am and already saw people coming out with purchases. Inside I saw a guy with a couple of carded Star Wars figures and asked if I could see the prices. About what you pay on eBay. There was only one stall as I could see selling vintage carded figures, and quite a few loose and graded loose. I saw one or 2 other stalls with the odd bit like a boxed AT-AT. I came across the Vectis stall which had a load of Palitoy card backs, but sadly were for display purposes only. I had a chat with them anyway. Don't think I'll bother going to another toy fair after this.

So close yet so far

SublevelStudios · May 30, 2015

Never been to that one myself but as with anything, if you want a bargain, you've got to keep looking.

Toyfairs really have changed over the years, during the 90's there were loads of sci fi dealers, LOADS. Even some of the diecast and train dealers used to carry some Star Wars bits. I went to my first toyfair in over 20 years a couple of years back and was amazed at how little SW stuff there was. It was almost all trains and cars, with Lego making a presence too.

It's certainly hit and miss with some shows, I try and get to all my local ones with the NEC being the biggest one I attend. You'd think in a hall that big there must be something to buy but I've come out empty handed more times than enough.

However, there are times when you find something you really want at a bargain price and that makes all the times you don't find anything worthwhile. I've found loads of rare loose variants for a couple of quid, including hard torso Stormtroopers, Tri Logo Fetts, loads of PBP figures and many boxed ships and playsets including a boxed Palitoy Landspeeder for £50 last year.

It's out there, just keep searching

stormcab · Jun 1, 2015

SublevelStudios said:
Never been to that one myself but as with anything, if you want a bargain, you've got to keep looking.

Toyfairs really have changed over the years, during the 90's there were loads of sci fi dealers, LOADS. Even some of the diecast and train dealers used to carry some Star Wars bits. I went to my first toyfair in over 20 years a couple of years back and was amazed at how little SW stuff there was. It was almost all trains and cars, with Lego making a presence too.

It's certainly hit and miss with some shows, I try and get to all my local ones with the NEC being the biggest one I attend. You'd think in a hall that big there must be something to buy but I've come out empty handed more times than enough.

However, there are times when you find something you really want at a bargain price and that makes all the times you don't find anything worthwhile. I've found loads of rare loose variants for a couple of quid, including hard torso Stormtroopers, Tri Logo Fetts, loads of PBP figures and many boxed ships and playsets including a boxed Palitoy Landspeeder for £50 last year.

It's out there, just keep searching

I guess those of us looking to buy 12 backs will be sh*t outta luck then haha

sith-smith · Jun 1, 2015

I started attending toy fairs in the late 90's.

By then Star Wars was well into it's massive revival and shows were packed full of vintage Star Wars gear.

I used to go to the show in Cheshunt which for the few years that I went was awesome. I used to go Memorabilia at the NEC back then too.

Not long after the early 2000's both shows started to die out. Cheshunt became less than half its original size and the quality of SW items was minute.

Memorabilia went pretty much the same way, though remained a largish show just limited in vintage.

Vintage collectors shops seemed to go the same way.

The internet is probably largely responsible. I know some of the shops I used to go to all said they'd make more money just online and so couldn't justify the costs of running a shop.

It's one reason why I think the Farthest From shows are good as they are reviving what used to be the hey day of vintage collecting.

steve obi wan · Jun 1, 2015

I am going to the New York comic con this year , so hopefully will be some deals

SublevelStudios · Jun 1, 2015

steve obi wan said:
I am going to the New York comic con this year , so hopefully will be some deals

ComicCons tend to be better hunting grounds for this type of thing these days, certainly better than toyfairs.

stormcab · Jun 1, 2015

SublevelStudios said:
steve obi wan said:

I am going to the New York comic con this year , so hopefully will be some deals

Click to expand...

ComicCons tend to be better hunting grounds for this type of thing these days, certainly better than toyfairs.

Will definitely make an effort to go to the film and comicon in July at London Olympia then.

Sandown Park 30th May. My first Toy Fair in 20 years

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