Deals and discounts at shows?

[TobyB]

In the real world, in peoples experience rather than poster/flyer headlines, are there useful discounts and deals made at shows over and above what you'll find by half an hours internet searching? I've not been able to go south to Yandles, Westonbirt, Cressing, etc - so I'm wondering what people who have found there?

I'm planning a couple of expensive purchases - a bandsaw and a big quality plane. I know exactly what I want in the former case, and am 90% certain on the latter. I don't "need" them now, so I could wait until the Harrogate show - if there's a reasonable chance of getting a good deal (whether its a price reduction or full price with spare blades thrown in, say) I will wait ... or in practice is it likely that I'd do better just snatching a good deal if and when I see one on the web?

I know a show is good chance for picking up little things that you weren't really looking for but are good to have found, and for getting sucked into buying stuff you weren't planning on but it's a great toy ... but in this climate, are "show deals" for real?

 

[cambournepete]

There are some show deals, whether they're better than internet prices all the time, I doubt it, but you do get to know the people you're buying from, which might affect you're decision.

Best thing about these shows is the chance to try tools for yourself, particularly new ones. Just because a user raves about a tool it doesnt mean you'll like it. And a chance to talk to very knowledgeable people like DC.

 

[Dibs-h]

I've usually bought at shows and followed the old maxim "you don't ask you don't get" - usually gets me something off or something thrown in for free. Before you go - know what the best price is on the web - that way you don't get suckered in.

Sometimes if there are several of you - you'll find that if you are all buying something - you can haggle. Last year at the Harrogate show, there were 3 of us and we managed to haggle with the salesguy on the Trend stand - and got away with it. :lol:

Having said that my recent purchase was from Matt and the service was 2nd to none - so I'm slowly moving to quality of service comes 1st.

Bandsaw - both mine have been from Ebay - the Dewalt 738 (probably selling that soon) was a good starter machine but just bought an Elektra Beckum (<£100).

 

[lurker]

I've never seen any deals worth the effort.
Most of the folks on the stands don't seem to have the authority to haggle.

Best you can hope for is saving P&P on carry away stuff.

Shows are worth bothering with from the point of seeing in the flesh what you are thinking of buying. eg: based on what I've seen Record stuff is not that good and they are trying to ride on the name.

 

[frugal]

At Yandles (the only show I have been to) the discount varies from stall to stall. Yandles itself will typically do 10% off, the rest of the stands vary. I am sure that if you apprach them on Sunday afternoon and ask to purchase something that is going to be heavy to get back into the van you are going to get a better deal than if you try it first thing on Saturday morning.

At Yandles in the Spring, Bessie were selling their whole range at about 40% off, which was considerably cheaper than normal and I got a couple of spring clamps thrown in for good measure, but then when I got home I found a flyer from Workshop Heaven who were doing a specical as they had just started stocking Bessie and the prices were the same as the show prices.

Saying that, I am glad I bought them at the show as the salesman really knew his stuff and was able to show me how to get the best out of them. I probably would not have bought them if I had not had the chance to play with them in person. At show you can get to see the kit in use a lot of the time which you can not do in showrooms or online: Just how loud is the bandsaw, just how quickly can you change the P/T from plane to thickness; how rigid is the fence etc.

 

[oddsocks]

I did get £25 off the show offer for the Trend T11 on Sunday at Cressing by asking, but that was because I went there with that in mind, had done some research and knew that D&M had it on offer at £230 (Trend show offer was £255). The one I bought came with two free cutters (1/2" staight and V) whereas the D&M one had a free 1/4 collet (which I now know costs £24).

My preference would have been for an included collet rather than the cutters, but at the show I could touch and feel the tool and avoid P&P hence bought it.


Dave

 

[Mikey R]

Next show, Im going to make sure I have a mobile phone that does internet, so I can check prices against APTC, D&M etc.

 

[mark w]

For me the best show is Westonbirt, apart from show discounts there are proper demonstrations from the likes of David Charlesworth, John Lloyd and Rob Cosman and others.

Mark W

 

[rex_wood]

According to my experiences of shows wheather a wood show or electronics show, the discount usually won't be too attractive. And sometimes you might have similar discounts online or in a physical store during the show.


But I agree with cambournepete, it is a good time to try out new tools in the show. So you will have a chance to try which tool is most suitable for your uses before purchasing one.

 

[Anonymous]

Toby

I got one of these http://www.bridgecitytools.com/Products/Commemorative+Tools/CT-14+1-1+8+Foxtail+Shoulder+Plane

for £270 at a show - brand spanking new

Blagged many other bargains too - particlularly from the Classic Hand tools stand which is worth a visit just for the display and the helpful and friendly staff