Thread: Perh Woodworkers show?

Not having been in WA when the national show cancelled the Perth leg, I can't comment on what it was like prior to 2003. However, I did go to the Melbourne show in 2001/02 and was a little shocked at the "smallness" of the locally organised Perth show in comparison, taking into account the obvious difference in demographic. Even though it is a good show, with most local industry contributing, there are obvious lackings, none more so than UBEAUT.

I do completely understand the whole distance/cost bit, which I assume was the reason the national show was culled (correct me if I am wrong). But this doesn't stop the individual businesses coming, Roger Gifkin is an example. The lack of U and Beaut at the Perth show is like a pie without dead 'orse.

I must say here, that this is a completely selfish opinion, and as I will be moving back to God's country in 12 months (SA), I will be able to enjoy the national show. But there is this years show in August to go to before that .

Also, I mean no anomosity to anyone/business. This is simply a selfish want to have it all.

also, I mean no anomosity to anyone/business. This is simply a selfish want to have it all

You say that with PRIDE young fella!!! We West Aussies have to start to make a stand somewhere and THIS IS THE PLACE to start!!... WE WANT YOUS BLOKES OVER HERE!!!

Your heading over to wombat country Gaz? Bloody hell why anyone in their right mind would do that is well beyond me! And heck they have that reprobate Daddlydaddles over there!!

oooh right sorry were talking about you eh! (note I ran out of smilie thingys was supposed to be a maniacally laughing one right here but well none left 7 is such a small amount to let us have isnt it?)

I know we had a discussion a couple of years back about this issue and the tyranny of distance thing... but Im still hopeful of turnin a few of the better names on to coming over even in a limited manner maybe a couple of combined stalls? Use local yokels like Derek to set up and run them on commission? Hell Id even do a bloody stint in the dock for Neil or Woodpecker! ...Shyte I dont know how they would manage it but by god they should!!

We are deprav... eerr umm deprived over here!!

And no I wouldnt give the gear away and Id work bloody hard for me supper just to have them here... okay Im not puttin meself up for a job but the offers there if they want to use me in such a way (gawd Im such a cheep flamin woodslut! ) So what would it take to set this up?

1) Access to a semi and trailer dedicated for what say 5 days one here one back and 3 to do the show?... surely among us all theres someone with or knows someone with such a rig they could spare for that short a length of time? sponsorship perhaps (Foxy comeon mate give with one of your rigs!!) But we wont know unless we ask eh?

2) One driver and offsider for the trip... from staff of the companies involved perhaps?

3) Accomadation and meals for the driver and cohort... bunk down at Dereks! no we can sort that one out... hell Ive got a friggin paddock they can camp in no worries!

4) Storage? nope keep it on the truck and set up the stalls keeping surplus in the truck until needed... this could be possible no?

5) Staff... as above Im damned sure if at the least Neil and Woodie said yes then me an Derek and probably half a dozen others can get the west coast mob arced up! John Saxton may be pursuaded to cruise up to share a shift with someone as well as Richard Woodhead along with Kimeko (Kerry) among other notables

6) Loss... nothing... okay you would need to pay the wages of the 2 crew members and probably the fuel costs and probably have to offer some enticements to such legends as Derek but I come cheep as! and we all know Gaz and Ramps are young fellas with a desire to learn so theyre cheep as well... So a couple of ubeaut caps a couple of woodywoodpeckers shirts an a turnout barbie at the end?... oh sod it just share out what goodies are left on the truck between those who do the thing and go back empty but with a warm fuzzy feeling inside!

7) Presenters... doin the "this is how to do..." thing?... Derek for one! Bloody Legendary... Kerry would be a bottler of a presenter bringing in the sheilas as well is always good... Richard being in the industry would be ideal hell we may even be able to put his name up as a sponsor get some publicity for a forumites shop!... An I can yak to anyone about anything any time and particularily about what we do and Im bloody passionate as all hell... as are others we could tap

Okay so what have I missed?? No Im bloody serious here surely several of you east coast mob could nut your end out and get together to send some gear over even if just to lift your profile over here? Shyte Sturdee may even toss in a load of good wood to bring over to use in the demos and or flog... hell make it a convoy! Mik and Midge could bring some of their gear over!

Why the hell not?... Crikey yous mob go from friggin Adelaide to blasted Brissy or from Brissy to flamin Melborne so why not come over here?

Wes nice peoples... really we is!

Id actually REALLY like to know what such as Neil Woodpecker and others think about this idea? Is it worth pestering Neil about? is it worth tryin to figure out nut out and get organized or what?

i have to agree with ya there dingo. why should the east coast get all the good stuff and we get the dregs. after all we are all one country arnt we????

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

and we all know Gaz and Ramps are young fellas with a desire to learn so theyre cheep as well

I'll have you know I'm not cheap, you wouldn't even get change from a fiver

But seriously, I'd love to help out on a stall if it were needed, and I'm more than happy to sing the praises of Ubeaut gear etc.

If Derek came along, I could even be Clive for a day or two

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

oh sod it just share out what goodies are left on the truck between those who do the thing and go back empty but with a warm fuzzy feeling inside!

I like the sound of that

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

and we all know Gaz and Ramps are young fellas with a desire to learn so theyre cheep as well

CHEEP ... speak for yourself ... I'm maybe cheap but I'm definitely not a bird ... cheep cheep

And yes I'd surely pitch in where I could to get a better show going and to help out those who put so much into the forum but especially to help out a mate or three

Originally Posted by gazaly

I must say here, that this is a completely selfish opinion, and as I will be moving back to God's country in 12 months (SA), I will be able to enjoy the national show.

Oops, a typo in there, let me correct it for you ...

...I will be moving back to God's country in 12 months (WA)...

Or better yet... I was going to go to gods country (SA) but since then Ive had an epiphany and Im staying in GODS COUNTRY (WA)

See now Im starting to think here... which is dangerous at the best of times... but anyways Im thinking thats the reason Ubeaut Woodywoodpecker and all the rest dont come over here you know... see if they do they wont want to go back over the nallabour and then theyre up for the cost of shifting their base to GODS COUNTRY instead of remaining in gods country over in the east so there you go thats why they make up all these excuses not to come over youve heard the mutterings about distance cost to much effort yarda yarda but really theyre scared... yep pussys the lot of em

Hey!! Ive tried to get some comments from Neil and Woodywoodpecker along with Mik and Midgey by bein nice so a bit of reverse psychology might just drag em out of the woodwork eh?

Well guess I haven't been on this site long enough to get to know the who's who on here but.....
I LOVE THE WOODSHOW...

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MANY MANY MANY more companies come over....
every bugger goes there to buy....so what's up with all the ones that don't come....

Just want a list of all the business that support Ubeaut forum or participate in it....

I dont like that stupid thinking that you cant shop around for the best service....yes I would pay a little extra....mind you that's only a little to get the friendly service.....I remember one company not liking you to even mention the others ones name...well they(those WA companies) can stick their internal politics we're all just woodworkers looking for the best advice & best deals....& polite to whom ever we buy from...

Must say that I was really disappointed, I actually even sent an email to FESTO but never recieved an answer....sure they thought "silly shelia, doesn't matter....what would she know about woodworking tools!"

Well I know this....if the models that are super-seeded were offered at a dicounted rate to the wood forum members they would quadrupal their darn sales .... why not support those who support them.....that goes for all business...local & interstate!

I don't want the newer better one...just want the one I have, sometimes the older ones your used of are great....just want it to work forever!

Come on Dingo, you get stuck right into them, we want them all, need them all....
Gasley what you doing...are you a crow or sandgropper...can't work you out ....where are you going to make home, some dead tree or our gorgeous beaches...???

Just a little Whisper....been visiting the ladies corner some great pictures...special one for you in there Dingo!
Goodness me only 3 weeks to go.......THEN BACK TO THE SH...ED!

Come on get all those groups /companies over here.....

gee...wondering...do you think they might like a lady to demonstrate.....nah...they might think I could only hit them on the head with the tools...sorry better use for them than trying to flog a dead horse!

Cheers ...........alias KEKEMO

Originally Posted by Kekemo

Just a little Whisper....been visiting the ladies corner some great pictures...special one for you in there Dingo!

Well Kerry me girl I just went and had a wander around the ladies corner liftin a few skirts pokin aroun here an there but I cant find a flamin thing!!

Sooooo aside from that you reckon the Perth show is "great"?? "good" "excellent" "brilliant" "worthwhile" right?... personally its the best weve got so thats about all its worth... the east coasters dont come mainly due to the cost of doing so... they think the cost will outweigh any benefit that us sandgropers could offer them and their businesses so they say stuff it its too hard... but those that have come but dont anymore the reason as I recall relates to the stupid pathetic site that its held at and the costs of setting up a stall etc... BUT!! not to put a red flag before the bull it comes down to like all east coasters they get all limp wristed an swoon at the thought of crossing the nallabour

This discussion has been had before and unfortunately I dont see them changing their nickers and growin some gronicles to make the trip anytime soon... so unless we sandgropers are prepared to hot foot it over there to them they aint coming AND sadly that leaves us to mercy of the ones that are based here and a few very very few who dare to be different and actually make an effort to include this state the biggest state the best state in this damned country!

I tell yer what Im starting to view the idea thats regurgitated over the years that this state SHOULD bloody succeed from the rest of the country and tell the east coast to shove it where the sun dont shine!!... seriously phisses me of the way eastern states companies treat Western Australia

But ah well nothin we can do eh when none of them will even respond to a thread like this eh?... just ignore them they'll go away soon enough attitude

But I tell yer what!! IF and I do say bloody IF a couple of companies came over and stood their ground against the mob we have here MAYBE JUST BLOODY MAYBE the buggars would lift their sodding game!! Which would serve the woodworking community as a whole... which would be a good thing... AND there would be a fair few more customers more prepared to purchase from them via the internet phone or cattledog... IF we thought you east coasters gave a flyin shyte... but its too far and heck you gotta cross the nallabour an thats too hard an heck you would have to actually pay someone to do the show... but isnt that what its all about? That and making your presence known to the wider community? but hey that really doesnt matter either does it cause theirs more people on the east coast and thats what matters isnt it I mean who gives a rats about the dopey buggars over in the west tuff shyte fellas you want something from us trust us... yeah right get a friggin grip! IF a company that serves the industry and proudly promotes themselves to the wider community but cannot be stuffed serving or appearing and showing IN PERSON at a properly arranged event that caters to that community you proudly raves and rabbits on about the east coast shows that they attend EVERY FRIGGIN YEAR cant be bothered with a section of the community they say they serve then... I say stuff them.

ahhh well thank goodness that mongrel of a day is over

I haven't seen this thread before, mainly due to the fact that most of my forum time of around 4-6 hrs a day is now spent in the back room behind closed doors, that and a heavy workload and other commitments don't allow me much time to look at the posts here.

We have done 3 shows so far this year at the cost so far of around $25,000 and a loss so far of around 8 weeks of production have 2 more to do which will add around $14,000 and another 3-4 weeks lost production. So for this year we will spend around $40,000 and lose 12 weeks of production.

Businesses like MIK can spend the same amount of money and more on just 1 show. That's one hell of a lot of product to sell to cover costs, and a hell of a lot more to make it worthwhile.

Think you'll find many of the Eastern Stater's have been over to the WA Show and for one reason or another haven't been back. For us there were a few of reasons, first and foremost is time, second cost, third WA attitude towards eastern staters. Last time we were there we were constantly confronted with people saying things like..... "Nah wont buy it from you, I'll go into Timbecon and buy it at the shop cos I get bonus points."

We were on the Timbecon stand. Arranged accommodation was at a flophouse inhabited by junkies and other lowlifes and miles away from Claremont. We stayed in the room (that looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the place was built in the 60's) for 5 minutes then went and found our own motel closer to the showgrounds.

Me and my eldest son Thayne slogged our guts out with continuous demo's and workshops for 3 days and at the end of the time had turned over something like $4000 for the weekend, half of which went back to Timbecon. We were basically treated as outcasts, no invite to the get together held for exhibitors. Not even an invite to dinner from Timbecon or anyone else for that matter.

One of the few highlights was meeting John Saxton and a few other really nice people, but on the whole it was a pretty dissapointing and uninviting experience.

However all that aside the main reason we don't do it now is because we have something else we are committed to that weekend and the fact that we really don't have the time to spare. We lose so much production time because of shows that we are seriously considering pulling out from all the shows next year.

The general public seem to lose site of the fact or don't know that we are a small 2 person business with limited resources as are the majority of the sellers who attend these shows. For these businesses to attend and not lose money they need to make one hell of a lot of sales.

We are one of the few businesses who go with the main aim being to promote the products and get new buyers for our distributors. After 20+ years of doing these shows around 85% of our sales still go to people who have never used, or seen our products before. However we constantly run into at least one or two of our distributors (who just don't get it) at the shows trying to undercut us.

There's a lot more to this story but I really can't be fagged going into it now, suffice to say it really is bloody frustrating and annoying.......................

Cheers - Neil

PR....yes I understand....but don't like it, though.....Would have loved the opportunity to host your visit as would anyother Ubeaut Forum member I am certain.....actually suppose that's what one should do before attending show's anywhere get a rundown from the local's first....
Yes any small business struggles just to keep their heads above water these days.....guess my point of trying to find out if you were coming was only to support you....
I have tried to promote friendship amongst the forum members & all woodworker for that matter...& we understand only to well the attitude of the Western Australia sellers & buyers...guess only the devoted woodies are in these forum's.....couldn't expect to be going back to Eastern States with the profits just from my purse at all....but don't worry...if the numbers come-in in lotto, I will personally, jump on the red-eye flight... & come and buy up big from UBEAUT!
sincerely KEKEMO

Neil
Thanks for your input.

I spose the attitude from the sandgropers due to the constant line that seems to be drawn thru the western suburbs of Adelaide and we find National distributors who won't cross that line. I know we can buy over the internet now (and I often do) but I will try to look after the locals (and that's in Bunbury) if they can supply something that I need even if it's slightly above what I can get elsewhere ... but...

I am definitely not rude to the people who take time out to demonstrate their wares over here as I have lived in the NT and inland Vic so I've been in areas that aren't as well provided for as well as those that are.

I know I can't apologise for those inconsiderate so and sos that are rude and I know the expense of traveling the nulla-boring (doesn't help with the price hike in fuel), and I know that we've not got the numbers to make it all worthwhile so all I can say is Thanks for trying.

You have a bunch of supporters out here

Good on ya Neil

anyway, does anyone have a list of businesses that will be at the Perth show. Or can someone name a couple?

What can I expect of this show, is it just tools, or also wood?
And are there any classes, or demo's? And good discounts?
Is it big, can I spend a day there?

It'll be my first (Australian) woodworkers show, so I don't know what to expect at all ...

Hi wooded, open up the link it should give you an idea of whats going on there. August 10-12
http://www.trueblue-exhibitions.com.au/WAWoodShow.htm

Neil,always a pleasure to make your acqaintance along with Pauline,, & Stoppers.It's folk like you that are dinkum in your contributions that make it all the more worthwhile heading off to these show's.

I'VE always looked on the Eastern States contributors to these events here in WA as what they can offer alongside the local ones and I must say I have had nothing less than courtesy in my dealings with them and have spent a lot of money with some them in the form of MIK,Michael is always considerate in offering reasonable orices, Mcjing offers a lot of stuff that you usually have to access on the internet so I'm always glad to see them.There are others such as Woodmizer,some of the timber suppliers that offer a varied range to what we have here.

Personally I don't see it as us & them but rather what they can offer me in new/varied options that may enhance my approach to my WW across all facets of the medium.

As has been said it is a bloody big expense to cross the Nullabor in the hope of justifying the trip with sales/promotions etc and unless the promoters offer sound inducements the WA show will continue to be restricted to nominally
local input.I'VE seen most WW shows around the country at one time or another and the comparisons are quite different in that we here in the West will always suffer the tyrrany of distance which should not breed parochialism to out own detriment.

Cheers