So what really goes on at these TOOL-FAIRS... A small insight into Tool buying..

TOOLFAIRS - WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THEM?

365-DRILLS ARE Back from Manchester Toolfair and as you can see.

IT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK.
Wheew...

So when's the next one ? :-)

Next one is going to be Ricoh Football Stadium COVENTRY

20th and 21st September 2012.

After that its

Sandown Race course in Surrey on November 8th and 9th.

But for Gas Installers and Plumbers there is also Installer LIVE! at NEC on 14 15 16 November

ive come to the conclusion manchester tilers are much better looking than those in london

They drink more.... (well they did on the night out I went on)

Went to one in Exeter thought it was a waste of time, and could buy tools they were selling cheeper elsewere,

Agreed with JTSplumbing. Some of these show "bargains" can cost more elsewhere. In my opinion the show is best for tool testing.

If you have your eye on something expensive then go along and try it out. Do some comparisons. Check the features. Ask the salesmen questions.

But dont buy!!

Another thing that can be good to do is to take along catalogues (like the screwfix) to price compare on general items.

There has been a real shift now in people coming to look but not buy. Lots and lots of people just want a leaflet, a chat and a bit of a day out.

(Hence the fun with the girls, footballs, games) and no real spending is done on stand. After all lots of guys dont want to lug heavy equipment - even to their vans outside !!!

My advice is to go. To look. And then to buy later. It goes against the grain (lots of these salesmen are on commision)
The other thing to do is sometime to get them to bulk up on freebies and extras if you do decide to buy.

At the end of the day price is a factor in anything but I guess the shows are trying to provide a service by bringing together big name manufacuters who often like to showcase their latest equipment to make sure you get to see if first. But I am convinced that the days of "bargains" have gone.

Maybe they should start "Factory clearance shows..." So instead of cutting edge new equipment its a show to get rid of obsolete stock??? Hmmm an Idea !!

I can see JTS (above) went to one of these shows and wasn't keen. I got an invite to the one in Manchester on 20th/21st June, any other views on the fair? Will I come back with freebies-a-plenty or is it just a sales pitch?

I was debating wether or not to go this year

It is all bout sales like any other trade show, car show or boat show. It is the name of the game. Sales.
They show you what is on offer, what is coming up or how they are moving, you get a bit chat and a couple of pens or hats or whatever and hopefully they convince you their product is the mutts nuts and you'll at least try one sometime but if not at least you know their product is out there if you ever do.

They can be an interesting day out.

You quickly see the quality brands from the rubbish!

i just want the free stuff as its some times stuff youll end up buying anyway

Whats the best freebie you ever got ??