Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[ukdave2002]

It's not as black and white; pay or not as illustrated by some of the previous commentary.

Organising a simple meet in a field is one thing, but an "event" can have all sorts of commitments on the organiser both commercial and time.

I know someone who organises a modest event, he didn't and doesn't want to charge participants.

His challenge is that there is a space limitation of around 80 vehicles, owners would book in and he would close the booking when he hit the 80 limit. When he didn't charge he got around 30% "no shows" even when the weather was good, when he charges no shows drop massively.
What's the answer?

I have no problem with a commercial organisation profiting from event organisation as long as its worth it.

Dave

[Rootes75]

Re Penman,

I did sort of do that once on one run. I had a Hillman 14 at the time and when I turned up at the start of the run I was told I needed to pay £15 as it was 'on the door' so as to speak and not pre-booked (which was £10!).

I knew the run ended at the seaside nearby so we (me, wife and two kids) took a lovely country drive and just ended up at the same place!
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[alastairq]

Last summer, I took one of my cars to a local 'classic' car show.....because I hadn't 'pre-booked'..[and, no doubt, paid a fee?] I had to pay a normal public car park charge...so I drove in, parked up, met a chum[who had arrived ina Series 1 Landy]....and went for an amble around the hundreds of 'exhibits'..ie, those who had pre-booked, no doubt paid, and were being 'judged' [ffs?]....There were more old classics in the public car park, than in the 'show'.....which amused me no end.

I don't really like 'runs' where everyone is in a convoy....no doubt casting annoyance on ordinary road users on essential journeys? But I do enter sporting events...classic reliability trials, etc....where the entry fees [plus event insurance] are often around the 50 quid mark....but...these events do have to pay a fee to the Govt for authorisation to run a sporting event on the public roads...plus, the organisers have to jump through hoops, often a year in advance, with regards to PR, route organisation and registration, etc. Yes, once the old hand organisers get too old to continue, finding replacement organisers is very difficult.....often with the smaller events being cancelled for a year, due to lack of bods on the ground, so to speak. But that issue has always haunted clubs & organisations.

I also try to attend owners' club events [for the Dellow...don't bother with the others]..which costs, as they involve hotels, etc....but, whilst having at least 2 local 'classic' vehicle 'clubs' locally..[possibly at odds with each other??]...I haven't bothered to attend any of the monthly pub meets.....maybe it's because I don't 'socialise' very happily?
Maybe because a pet hate is the question..''What's it worth?'' which always seems to rear its ugly head?

[MikeEdwards]

On the subject of no-shows, one of the clubs I'm in discussed the idea of charging a tenner up-front on top of whatever the fee for the show is, if there is one. When you turn up, you get your tenner back. If you decide you don't feel like it, the weather doesn't look good, you've booked into a more local show and want to go there instead, your tenner goes into club funds.

[Bitumen Boy]

It depends what you're getting for your money. The one and only time I've shown my Herald - at a localish preserved railway - I nearly baulked at the £5 entry fee, until I was told that that included all day train travel (usually £10) and gratis tea/coffee. I didn't think that was bad at all, especially as it would have applied to a passenger in the car had I brought anyone along for the day. All in all it was quite a good day out.

[Rootes75]

A fiver for all day train travel and tea/coffee sounds really good, I wish our local railway would do the same sort of deal, my kids would love it.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[winchman]

Whilst the run has to be organised etc so may incur costs the shows just want to use us to make money.
I will not attend if I have to pay or times are stipulated.
Some of these people organising events don't realise we all have lives as well and often can't commit to a whole day.
I have also been rejected as my vehicle wasn't old enough!
When I had my 4x4's a local land owner used to organise free events but the hat went round and we all gave a generous amount as he gave the lot to charity, we helped him set up and clear up afterwards, to me this is how it should be, once the corporate world gets hold of it we are stuffed as it becomes a cash cow and forces many people like me out.
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It will come in handy even if you never use it.

[lowdrag]

Had a call from Jaguar France yesterday. Can they have my cars on display at the circuit please, for three days in March. No question of payment and they hadn't thought about the insurance or security overnight. You can guess my reply.

[winchman]

[Rootes75]

ON the point about stipulated times Winchman, I had a friend once who was refused entry to a show as the cut off was 10am, he had been in the queue to get in for over half an hour and when he got to the gate it had just gone 10!

He was therefore turned away even after explaining the circumstances, he was told rules are rules and they even argued with him over it.

He and has never been back to that show and neither have we.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[winchman]

[Ray White]

I sometimes participate in our local carnival procession after which the old cars, tractors, Commercials and steam engines etc. are expected to go on to the show ground. Unfortunately, I have to go home because the organisers expect everyone to stay until the end and I have business commitments which mean I couldn't stay for more than a couple of hours at most. I say it is unfortunate because I go with my friend who happens to be the local Mayor and he makes the presentations. I have been told it is all down to insurance but others say it is "'elf n safety".

I wouldn't like to cause a scene or embarrass anyone but I do sometimes wonder exactly what would happen if I did just drive off after an hour or so?

[winchman]