Peterborough - Tired old show or did i miss the best bits? (1 Viewer)

[42208]

As a day visitor I was a little disappointed with the show itself. Always nice to meet old friends and acquaintances, however, the vans on show seemed to lack any innovation and only the usual suspects on display, the stalls themselves seemed full of tack (not all of course) and mainly empty apart from the ones undercover. In the end only bought a set of levelling ramps and a new gas lighter and was fed up after a couple of hours. Probably expecting too much and I'm sure its much better experience when rallying there. Anyway just my thoughts, how did others find it

 

[TerryL]

To be honest it's why we don't push ourselves to go to Peterborough any more - yes we enjoy the company but it's usually too close to our return from the winter trip. Last time we went we had a shopping list but didn't find a single thing on it, which for a motorhome show we thought pretty poor so we've given up on shows now. Apart from the really sociable ones like Stratford and Malvern.

 

[funflair]

It’s certainly getting smaller as far as traders are concerned, yes not much new and innovative in vans but hey what more can they do, it’s still a cheap weekend with good company

Martin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

We went to a small one at Newark in 2014. There wasn't much to see, apart from some stupidly over priced second hand vans, after about 20 mins we'd seen it all and left.

 

[JJ]

If Van Bitz have stopped exhibiting after 28 years, it can't be much of a show any more.


JJ

 

[Ivory55]

Probably best viewed as a social gathering with entertainment in the evening with a trade area for you to browse.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Trev45]

I think a lot depends on why you go to the show. If looking to buy a new van then plenty to view and make comparisons, if looking to buy bits and bobs from the stalls then plenty of those and if you like dogs plenty of those ,some in pushchairs . As for innovation I suppose electric /hybrid will be next but there seems to be a limit on how many different layouts there can be. The price of new vans certainly seems to be creeping up and from my perspective it was nice to look at all the new PVC and still feel happy we made the right decision in buying a new IH 600RD two years ago at the Norwich show. I went yesterday and have listed on another thread what I bought . I certainly didn't set off with the intention of buying a hot water bottle but for £1 a bargain, as were the four tubes of Oral B toothpaste for £3. Overall I was happy with what I saw and purchased but without the intention of buying a new van two hours was plenty of time to wander round in the sun.

 

[MisterB]

As a first timer its all good for me! Not sure i would come back soon though but as i havent got involved in the entertainment and 'meet ups' then perhaps i am being a bit harsh.

 

[BobtheBass]

It's coming to something when you go to a motorhome show to buy toothpaste! What next, a while you wait vasectomy clinic?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DuxDeluxe]

As a first timer its all good for me! Not sure i would come back soon though but as i havent got involved in the entertainment and 'meet ups' then perhaps i am being a bit harsh.

The entertainment and the meeting with others (as well as the challenge of trying to hide my scotch) is mostly why I go. having said that, haven't been for a while due to other commitments

 

[Trev45]

It's coming to something when you go to a motorhome show to buy toothpaste! What next, a while you wait vasectomy clinic?

I've had one of those so don't need another . I usually get taken in by someone demonstrating some gadget that I never use once I buy it . Cant remember the name of it but some gadget that you put on the hob and can roast a chicken in it .Used that once ,that came from Peterborough many years ago. A visit to the NEC yielded a grater thing for nuts / chocolate etc don't think I ever used that . I will use the Mirrorguards I purchased this year but hope I never need them.

 

[M-J]

I have just got home. Was there for less than 4 hours and wouldn’t rush back. MHs on display just help yourself looking round, think I was asked once if I needed to know anything.

Lack of decent show offers on accessories to entice you to buy was disappointing.

Found the funtser stand and had a coffee and had a chat with Alde about my heating so not a total loss.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MannClan]

I said after last year that it needed a revamp - even more so after visiting for no more than hour and half this morning. it really has gone down hill. no main dealers cos its far too expensive for them and I agree with a lot of the comments above. probably more of rally type meet these days with stalls on the side. don't think I will be visiting again and I live in Peterborough.

 

[Ivory55]

May be the show ground is expensive now days so they charge more for the trade. I reckon it’s probably worth more for housing now where it is in Peterborough then as a show ground.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

It's coming to something when you go to a motorhome show to buy toothpaste! What next, a while you wait vasectomy clinic?

Is there any other kind of vasectomy clinic than “while you wait”

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[icantremember]

Is there any other kind of vasectomy clinic than “while you wait”

Yes, DIY!

 

[Podney]

Yes, DIY!

I think the guy who did mine used a couple of house bricks. And he charged me £50 I think.

 

[StanandShirley]

The charge for trade stands that Warner’s charge are excessive so each year the stands we all like to rummage through are dwindling each year they are killing the golden goose. I have personally written to them on a couple of occasions stating these facts, maybe a sack full of complaints may help?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ivory55]

I wonder what the show ground charges quarter of million or more ?

 

[Steve and Denise]

May be the show ground is expensive now days so they charge more for the trade. I reckon it’s probably worth more for housing now where it is in Peterborough then as a show ground.

I was chatting to someone who lives at the side of the show ground and they said there was some talk of a housing estate on here, it could be another one going

 

[daveandsan]

Is there any other kind of vasectomy clinic than “while you wait”

Yes, a bargin one.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Yes, DIY!

.....speaks the voice of experience......

 

[Wendo55]

Well I think it's fine. Cheap camping, a convenient place to meet friends, plenty to look at, free entertainment. If you don't like these type of venues don't go. Simples.

Oh and when you win at bingo 2 nights running in the funsters marquee it's paid for your weekend!

 

[olley]

We thought it was good apart from the wind, saw a couple of interesting models both with drop down beds and a superb short length RV at Empire, apparently at under 7.5ton?
Unfortunately at £126,000 it's way out of our price range.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ivory55]

Well I think it's fine. Cheap camping, a convenient place to meet friends, plenty to look at, free entertainment. If you don't like these type of venues don't go. Simples.

Oh and when you win at bingo 2 nights running in the funsters marquee it's paid for your weekend!

Your right you can pay £15 a night and more for a cl site with no facilities. Once you own a van unless you are changing there is less appeal to looking around the trade area , I think it’s more a social event then rather than a shopping trip.

 

[Tanya_and_Mick]

Top show, a good laugh and great to catch up or meet new people - it’s what you make; plus the price for camping is great....

 

[bigtwin]

We thought it was good apart from the wind,

Yes, it was a little windy. We had our very own bouncy castle!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Trev45]

Stalls selling awning tie down straps should have done well plus those selling wind breaks .

 

[John Russell]

We had a good time.

Met Martin (Funflair) and had a tour of his Flair, best-looking van we saw all day, with lots of Q&A. Fascinating and informative.

Then we looked around the display vans. My partner was taken by a used Carthago, white leather, shiny white cupboards with some dark wood. Very plasticky. Just needed a disco ball to set it off. Luckily the price was a telephone number so we'll stick with a good-looking older Flair.

Somehow she acquired a hat, and a spinning flag.

I had a chat with Boosters Remapping of Wisbech http://www.boostersremapping.co.uk who says he can remap Iveco and Fiat diesels to give up to 30% more torque. Which sounds useful.

All in all a good day out.

 

[daveandsan]

I had a chat with Boosters Remapping of Wisbech http://www.boostersremapping.co.uk who says he can remap Iveco and Fiat diesels to give up to 30% more torque. Which sounds useful.

John I would be very wary of going down that route, just put a search for remapping on the forum and some very useful information comes up.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}