people charging you to bring your car to a car show ?

[ACUDANUT]

Just a friendly topic here for general discussion.  No finger pointed at anyone or any clubs.  Anyway, Why should you be charged to bring your Charger, Challenger or Cuda to a car show ?  People want to see them and that's why we put them on.  The owners of these cars are already out having to get them running, pay taxes and Insurance.  Then you have to fill it up and drive there.  Once your there at a show, it's more money out your pocket.  Most shows have donated parking lots to begin with.  I don't get it. 

[Ghoste]

For me, it depends on the show and how much money they are charging.  Some of the shows have quite a cash outlay to put together and I can't blame them for trying to recoup those costs.  Some are done for a charity and that should be a no brainer.  Then there are the for profit shows like Carlisle and the Nats and those bigger ones don't bother me,but if it's just some Sunday afternoon show and shine in the park, I'll be driving on if they want money for that.

[69charger2002]

never understood that myself. if it's a big show with a swap meet, charge $2 admission, and let the cars in free. i used to think it was the trophy money that everyone had to pay for, but they are not expensive.. plaques either..some people go to the shows just for trophies anyway.. which is gay in my opinion. i'd rather go to a show where people/friends just hang out. and then cruise after.. not a couple 100 point trailer queens get unloaded by snobby a holes, then sit around till 4 pm waiting for their first place trophy. and no i'm not jealous, i HONESTLY could care less.. i bought my cars to drive.. i don't understand why shows cost us $25 per car either.. it's silly

trav

[suntech]

When you are to a show, sombody will get a price, and the prices costs money.

[ACUDANUT]

Keep the plaques and the trophies. Who wants one anyway ?

[ACUDANUT]

Suntech ?  I don't follow

[RD]

well... just because i am very involved with the ol'marais run in ottawa, ks, I will tell you why

1) DJ's cost money
2) plaques and trophies cost money
3) t-shirts cost money
4) gift bags for the first 400 pre-registered cost money
5) not all parking lots are donated, and some COST MONEY hehehehe
6) paying the electricity for an area where vendors set up... you guessed it, costs money
7) getting the sheriff's to provide security off-duty costs money through the donation to their sheriff's fund (ya know a lil kickback)

it all adds up quick... i understand where you are coming from, but man.. all of it costs money

[moparstuart]

well... just because i am very involved with the ol'marais run in ottawa, ks, I will tell you why

1) DJ's cost money
2) plaques and trophies cost money
3) t-shirts cost money
4) gift bags for the first 400 pre-registered cost money
5) not all parking lots are donated, and some COST MONEY hehehehe
6) paying the electricity for an area where vendors set up... you guessed it, costs money
7) getting the sheriff's to provide security off-duty costs money through the donation to their sheriff's fund (ya know a lil kickback)

it all adds up quick... i understand where you are coming from, but man.. all of it costs money

you forgot most venues today require you have insurance ( 10 million dollar rider for us to hold a show at cabela's) everyone is sue happy Twocents:

[ACUDANUT]

RD, I say we don't need any of that extra stuff.  Vendor's are there to make money. Charge them for electricity.

[69charger2002]

that's why vendors get charged a good bit for small swap spaces. to pay electricity.. etc.. which is fine. but not the cars which make the show happen. they just sit on a random unmarked field usually

trav

[ACUDANUT]

 Insurance ?     Hmmm, doesn't everyone have that on their cars anyway in case someone is hurt ? 

[moparstuart]

Insurance ?     Hmmm, doesn't everyone have that on their cars anyway in case someone is hurt ? 

the insurance is to protect cabela's and the hpac club ad its board .  say i fall and sue everyone involve with the event .
it happens and clubs have gone under ! Most venues require you have insurance or you are not allowed to have the event. It takes alot of money time, effort and to put on a sucessful show , we have been doing it for 24 years now. We have great people who volenteer there time and effort to do so. We cut corners were we can but safety is important , it cost us $ 25.00 an hour to have off duty cops patrol the a overnight so swapper and car show cars can stay overnight.  Tents to keep people out of the sun . porta johns , tables and chairs for people to sit down . The list goes on and on . I hope the price of admission doesnt run people off but it's just not possible to run a first class show and not have to charge something. 

[RD]

RD, I say we don't need any of that extra stuff. Vendor's are there to make money. Charge them for electricity.

hehehe, i wish it was that easy, we have to pay up front for the juice, and then get reimbursed from the vendors later based upon the draw that their units will have.... it gets pretty intricate believe it or not.

[evil1]

I went to an 8th annual mopar show last fall ( about 2 1/2 hours away ) in TN. It was 20 dollars to get in as a spectator and there was maybe 30 show cars ( closest thing to pedigree,was a couple of fake wing cars and a t/a clone ), 15-20 cars running 8th mile and 8-9 guys selling junk. I really hope they didn't charge the cars to get in, why should everyone get screwed.          On the way home I tried a short cut and got lost , but I did find decent " local " car show , so the day  wasn't a total loss.

[Steve P.]

I understand about all the costs involved and I appreciate that we have shows all over this country as well as our neighbors. I heard about someone dumping a gulf cart load of bought car parts at the MATS last year out in the parking lot. That area is not normally covered by the show, but by the track. They get a pretty big chunk of all the monies brought in at the gate. At any rate, the guy with the gulf cart was well overloaded with fenders, bumpers, a tranny and smaller parts. He dumped the entire load while making a turn onto a person walking into the show and someones truck. The results were not good as of course someone called their lawyer. Oddly enough it was NOT the person with the fat lip and black eye. It was the owner of the 6 year old truck.... When he found out he could not nail the show people he went after the track.  Long story short, the truck owner lost and so did everyone that will ever want to carry parts out to their truck with a gulf cart. They will NOT let golf carts past the pay gate ever again.  That realllllly sucks for someone with a bad back or anything like that...


Our local cruise-in show does a 50/50. The 50% of the take goes to the winner and the other 50% goes to battered women... It's a great show and well worth the cash to me... Also, it is voluntary. If you are broke, so be it. If you can afford it, go for it... I went one night last year and only had a few bucks in my pocket. I normally do ten I just didn't have it on me.. I went home from that show with $142.00....  Works for me... 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

I think vendors and general admission are the ones that should have to pay. If you are gonna charge to register your car it should never be more than $10 a car

[FastbackJon]

If you don't care about voting and trophies, or sitting there all day (8+hours), just enter into the show grounds and park your car with the rest of them, don't go over to the booth, don't pay for your goodie bag (mostly filled with ads anyway) and window sticker, and then you also won't feel pressured to stick around until it's over (like you would had you paid to be there), you can take off whenever you like.



If the proceeds go to charity and it's like a $5 or $10 donation, then pay.

[68charger383]

That's why I like going more to the cruise nights then the shows. I'll stop in and buy a burger or a soda at the burger place having the cruise night and everyone's happy.

I go to the charity shows...cruisin for a cure, toys/cops for tots etc, but in CA, almost every show is $25+ and it can add up. + you need to pre-reg to get the t-shirt, goody bag or discounted entrance fee and I usually can't think/plan  that far in advance to take advantage of these things.

[mikesbbody]

Suntech ?  I don't follow

i think he means "prizes" not prices my 2 cents is you shouldnt have to pay but i understand they need to coves their costs (cant that be done by the spectators?)

[1969chargerrtse]

Keep the plaques and the trophies. Who wants one anyway ?

Amen brother.

My thought has always been that I was told you cannot be forced to pay, it's a donation.  I always wanted to just walk straight in and say sorry not donating today.  But I never had the nuts to actually do it.

[1969chargerrtse]

That's why I like going more to the cruise nights then the shows. I'll stop in and buy a burger or a soda at the burger place having the cruise night and everyone's happy.

  Yep, I haven't been to a show for years.  Love the cruise nights though.

[no318]

I have helped with a local show for 5 years.  2 big expenses:
1) Advertising - necessary to make it a big and good show
2) Door prizes, goodie bags, coffee, donuts, etc.
3)  TROPHIES are alot of $$$

I disagree, that there are ALOT of people that go for the trophies and the bigger the better in their eyes.  Personally, I agree and would rather not have another trophy, but there are alot of people that thrive on getting a trophy and hearing their name read over the PA. 

[BrianShaughnessy]

In my area there is 1 show in the fall that is free for the cars and they only charge the spectators.   It's for Juvenile Diabetes  (JDRF).    I know the guy that puts it on.   They make the money to pay for this show throughout the year with their cut from other car shows they put on.   He also runs a Saturday cruise in that I go to frequently.

Other than that... most of the local car shows are the same old format...  charge $10 or thereabouts.  DJ playing old crappy 50's tunes and a 50/50 raffle.   Due to rising fuel costs, etc.  I'm limiting my attendance at these SOS shows anymore.    I'll pay to go if I get entertained but I'm not into paying to be the entertainment anymore.   

The other one that is kinda cool is the yearly deal in my town when they close down the town.  Actual bands playing and other entertainment.  All the proceeds go to the charity of the year.   All the expenses are donated by the businesses and sponsors.  I left Carlisle on Sat. night to go to this on Sunday last year and I'll do it again this year.    I pay extra to be a gold registrant - so I get my name in the program.

[dodgecharger-fan]

Some shows are held to support local charities. Like www.moparfest.com
So, not only do the entry/vendor/admission fees help to run the show, they make money for the organization that puts on the show and the charities they support.

[69_500]

I think that the first question was more for the smaller shows, that is unless I'm reading it wrong. I know of a local show here that is held in the parking lot of a local mall. Entry fee is still $25 per car, and there wasn't ever a mention of what foundation the money was going to, or if it was being donated to anyone else. My thoughts were that it was just a $$$ making idea of someone, so I didn't participate. I have no problem paying money to go be with more car people and hang out for the day. But if its not something that has a lot of cars, or isn't donating the funds to help someone then I tend to not go. I like smaller shows, but 90% of the small shows around this area are doing it to raise money for some project going on. Lots of shows to help single moms, animal shelters, and the likes.

[Troy]

Car shows cost money. Not everything is donated - including the show worker's time. A big expense that was already mentioned is liability insurance. Some car clubs have one show per year which acts as a fund raiser for the club so, yes, it is a way to make money but if the costs are reasonable and people enjoy the show then what's the problem? Others donate the proceeds to charity (but it's still a fund raising event). Around here, most smaller shows have free admission for spectators and a small fee for participants ($5-15). Participants usually get a dash plaque and/or a goody bag and are eligible for door prizes and trophies (some donated but most are paid for). Some people really do appreciate the recognition and like collecting awards. If you don't then go to cruise-ins instead. Better yet, if you volunteer to work the show they'll usually let you enter your car for free so pitch in!

Troy

[Dodge Don]

Small price to pay for showing off your car. If you cannot afford the gas, insurance and show entry fees you should sell your Charger asap.

[Todd Wilson]

Several have made good comments on why it costs. Putting on a car show even very small takes time and $ to do.  Insurance and a place to have it is the big factor. As for dash plaques and trophies not costing that much money you should think again.  Even 150$ is a lot of money for a club to come up with. Or an individual to come up just being nice and helping the show.

I personally like the dash plaque deals just to let you know where you been. They are all kinda neat to collect.

Sometimes clubs are trying to raise some extra money to help with the club expenses. What people dont realize is everything takes money to do.  Use this site as an example. The server bill doesnt just magically pay itself! Troy has been very gracious with taking care of that and not asking for donations even though I think he should!


Todd

[Steve P.]

Hopefully Don is just kidding with this statement.

( If you cannot afford the gas, insurance and show entry fees you should sell your Charger asap. )

The LAST thing anyone should do is to sell their car or boat or what ever it is that makes you happy due to the price of taking it to a show.  It may be PART of the reason people build, restore, drive and take such good care of car or whatever, but for myself and many others, just knowing my baby is out there in the garage just waiting for me to come and play with her is well more than enough.

I love the shows for many reasons. I get to see friends and buddies that I don't otherwise get to see. I
meet new car nuts all the time. I get to see up close what others have done with their rides. Talk about techniques and products. I buy and sell parts and have made contacts that otherwise probably never would have. The list goes on and on.  Of course some things can be better. Most times things could be worse..


The economy WILL turn around. Don't sell your goods due to todays lousy funds. Tomorrow the Sun will come up and new opportunities will arise.

[chargerboy69]

Todd and I have talked about car show expenses before. He is right, it can be costly to put on a show.

We were doing a show a couple years ago at Kruse Auction Park. And Dean Kruse sold the business 2 months before the show. The new owner, E-Bay, wanted $5000.00 for us to hold our show at thier location. We found another location at the last minute and they charged us $250.00. But then we had trophys, port-a-shiters, insurance, flyers, food, ect. We spent almost $1200.00 out of our own pocket for this show.

Ever since then I can see why most shows are in the $5.00-$15.00 price range.

[TK73]

If somebody wants to get a really good idea about the shows, they could help out organizing one for a club.

I've never gotten really involved but was around the club organizing the shows and helped with the swap meet 2 years... MUCHO time for the organizers, major logistics and $$...

[JimShine]

I never spent more than $15 bringing a car in, most small shows are less than $10. C'mon, its peanuts. Usually you get a hell of a bang for you buck for the entertainment, contact making, and friendly discussion you get in return.

[Dodge Don]

Hopefully Don is just kidding with this statement.

( If you cannot afford the gas, insurance and show entry fees you should sell your Charger asap. )

I wasn't. If your financial situation cannot accommodate a Charger then having one is a financial mistake. I cannot afford a Hemi Cuda....therefore I do not have one, nor do I "deserve" one.

[Steve P.]

Maybe I understood you wrong, but it looks as though you were saying, (if you can't afford the gas or show fees, sell your car).. I cannot afford to finish my car at this point, but I will be damned if I am going to sell it!

[ACUDANUT]

 The last show I went to they didn't even provide electricity.  All you heard was about 20 generators running that the vendors had to supply ?
  I don't think any golf carts ect should be allowed except for the severe handycap people who cannot walk.  I darn near have been run over several times from ATV'S.

[69CoronetRT]

If somebody wants to get a really good idea about the shows, they could help out organizing one for a club.

I agree. Until you help with one, you do not realize the time and money it costs. (no one has mentioned printing costs for fliers, envelopes and postage)

Plus, after all the time and money you put into it, you get to listen to all the whining about how the show costs too much, the trophies are too cheap, there aren't enough (fill in the blank), the judging was unfair, etc, etc, etc.

[71ChallengeHer]

If somebody wants to get a really good idea about the shows, they could help out organizing one for a club.

I agree. Until you help with one, you do not realize the time and money it costs. (no one has mentioned printing costs for fliers, envelopes and postage)

Plus, after all the time and money you put into it, you get to listen to all the whining about how the show costs too much, the trophies are too cheap, there aren't enough (fill in the blank), the judging was unfair, etc, etc, etc.

And don't forget the time and gas running around getting donations for goody bags, chinese raffle, etc.

[Steve P.]

  I don't think any golf carts ect should be allowed except for the severe handycap people who cannot walk.  I darn near have been run over several times from ATV'S.

Well, before you complain too much about gulf carts, PLEASE put yourself in the shoes of those who need it.. I am not giving you hell. I just thought the same way before needing one myself. I can walk. I just can't walk very far or for very long. Forget carrying anything. If I didn't have a cart at the last MATS I would still be hospitalized...    Also please keep in mind that not everyone with disabilities shows their disability, nor do most of us want others giving us that look.... Also those carts are not cheap. 3 days at the MATS cost me over $400.00.... 

2 years ago I spent the day walking all over Big Daddy's with Troy and a few other members. I did my best to keep up without complaining too much.  After getting home and crashing out I woke up in very bad shape. It was nearly a month before I could walk in some kind of comfort just to my mail box... I only spent about 4 hours at last Novembers show. They do NOT have golf carts for rent there. Worse yet is that the entire show is on the grass and it is very uneven...  That's the worst thing for me..


Sorry for the light rant. I just don't think that many people consider WHY some people are driving the carts.

[RD]

here is a good for instance, the HPAC mopar show, I paid $25 to register, got a cool plaque a JEGS baseball cap, and some goody stuff. Hats cost around 10 bux wherever you go to get one, buy your own plaque and you are already over the $25 dollar investment...

But really, it is not about the money, I met some great people, got to see some good friends again, and thoroughly enjoyed my time seeing cars, HAVING A GREAT PARKING SPOT, and being around fellow moparians.  If that isnt worth $25  then i need to buy a fricken chevy.

[ACUDANUT]

 RD I agree with ya on the Mopar Show in KC.  25.00 Bucks gets you a nice T-shirt and I guess a ballcap too ?  COOL. 
I like things like that.  I just don't need the other stuff.

[charge-it]

That`s exactly why I stopped going to car shows. I`m not paying anyone to look at MY car. Without the cars, there would be no shows. When they start paying me to bring my car then maybe I`ll change my mind. I`d rather drive my car than sit around a field or parking lot all day. I`ve been there, done that, and don`t have any ambition to spend money so that other people can enjoy MY car. I say, want to look at MY car, then spend your money for a change.

[ACUDANUT]

 Wouldn't that be nice to be paid to show your car.

[Old Moparz]

The Tightwads & Cheapskates Guide to Car Shows & Cruise-Ins

1)   To avoid the high cost of entry fees as a spectator, take up bingo as a hobby & save the colored hand stampers in as many colors as you can get. Keep all these stampers in your vehicle, & hang out by the gate to see which color they are using that day to stamp the spectators hand so they can leave & get back in. Hurry back to your car, stamp your own hand, then return to the gate & walk on in. If you absolutely hate bingo, make friends with a few old people who like bingo & borrow their stampers. Make sure you pick up a box of Entenman's when you return the stampers as a way of saying thank you.

2)   To get in on being a show car owner without the expense, just bring a cooler & a folding chair, set it up near an unattended vehicle in the show area & wait. When people walk over to look at your car and ask "Hey, is this yours?" Just nod & say yes proudly. They may compliment you on it & all you have to say is thanks. If they ask a few key things about the restoration, just make things up, they'll never know. Word of caution though, the real owner may return & wonder what the hell you're doing. Simply tell him you were admiring the car when you saw someone in a Chevy shirt drooling on himself & touching things & opening the door, so you stuck around to keep him away. He'll thank you for having been there.

3)   Some of the big places, like Carlisle, have car shows situated inside fenced areas. This makes sneaking in tough, & some may even have specialty hand stampers that have shapes like stars & crescent moons. The chance of getting in is slim, so to offset the cost of admission, all you have to do is get creative. We all know someone in construction, so borrow a reflective safety vest from a construction worker. Park near the show, & find a vacant lot or a house with nobody home that isn't overgrown. Direct 3 or 4 cars onto the lawn & tell them $5 to park all day. They'll jump at the chance to park close, & you'll have $15 or $20 to get in the show, grab a hotdog & a cold drink.

4)   Cruise-ins that charge an entry fee can be beat. Most are in parking lots of retail places, so it's easy to just arrive a few hours beforehand to get a choice parking space. Just park your car, do some shopping & after a few cars arrive, you'll be part of the show. The drawback is that you won't be eligible for a trophy, but you can always bring your own & hide it in the trunk until it after they judge the cars. Slip it out when one of the trailered car owners is looking, hold it up & smile. Just make sure the figure on the top of the trophy isn't someone holding a bowling ball.

[pettyfan43]

You'd be SURPRISED at how many people are real whiners about not getting a silly 8 dollar trophy or plaque!

At our show here in Huntsville Alabama (WHICH is this next Saturday at Huntsville Dragway) we have to rent the dragway, you have to get all the registration stuff, then there is the whole matter of T-Shirts and that type of thing. The money also goes to keep the CLUB afloat so there is a show NEXT YEAR.

[Troy]

If you wanna get paid to put your car in a show then become as talented as Foose, Troy Trepanier, or Steve Strope. Nobody wants to pay to see mediocrity.

Troy

[69charger2002]

  I don't think any golf carts ect should be allowed except for the severe handycap people who cannot walk.  I darn near have been run over several times from ATV'S.

Well, before you complain too much about gulf carts, PLEASE put yourself in the shoes of those who need it.. I am not giving you hell. I just thought the same way before needing one myself. I can walk. I just can't walk very far or for very long. Forget carrying anything. If I didn't have a cart at the last MATS I would still be hospitalized...    Also please keep in mind that not everyone with disabilities shows their disability, nor do most of us want others giving us that look.... Also those carts are not cheap. 3 days at the MATS cost me over $400.00.... 

2 years ago I spent the day walking all over Big Daddy's with Troy and a few other members. I did my best to keep up without complaining too much.  After getting home and crashing out I woke up in very bad shape. It was nearly a month before I could walk in some kind of comfort just to my mail box... I only spent about 4 hours at last Novembers show. They do NOT have golf carts for rent there. Worse yet is that the entire show is on the grass and it is very uneven...  That's the worst thing for me..


Sorry for the light rant. I just don't think that many people consider WHY some people are driving the carts.

i had you running ragged with me buying charger parts huh!
i'll get that back in shape.. heck you were even giving us a ride back to our truck. what a guy!
trav

[bill440rt]

I can appreciate the costs involved in putting on a show these days. Not to mention the time invested.
And I don't mind spending $15 - $25(max) for an entry fee to a local show, especially if the money is being put towards a good cause. I can do without the droning '50's music, though.   

I've been going to shows for a long, long time, & have collected more trophies than I know what to do with anymore. Of course, some of the larger ones have special meaning & can bring an additional value to the car, such as an OE Certificate, SME, AACA stuff, etc. But, I'm done with that now. I like to ENJOY a car show and meet & talk with the people I know & enjoy being with. That makes it more fun.
Heck, the door prizes at some of the local shows are far better than coming home with another dust collector that's just gonna sit on your shelf. A bottle of wax, a screwdriver set, dinner coupons, whatever, that stuff is great! A buddy of mine won an air hose for his compressor in a door prize at a local show recently, & he said that was better than winning the award!

Just another tip: Got too many of these "dust collector's" lying around? Donate a few to a local car club! They'll recycle them for cruise nights, smaller shows, etc. I've done it, & car club organizers can rebadge them for giveaways. I even used a few to decorate my son's toddler room. He loves it!

[moparstuart]

 all great comment and I think there are show and cruises out there for everyone . Just pic and choose the ones that fit you .  Small shows and cruises cost nothing , or if you get lucky and find a generious sponser and free place to hold it .   You can hit a free cruise night every dayof the week around kansas city somewhere during the summer.  I like to goto those all makes show and cruises also . But I also like the all mopar shows and swaps because they have the cinda cars I wanna look at . Bottom line it cost more to put on a one make or an all mopar show . 

[ACUDANUT]

  Great points here.     I am not copping out of the shows.  Just needed a reminder of what we are paying for.  Thanks all.
I guess I am just jealous about having to walk 50 miles at the big shows, while others get to ride.  Sorry for being quick to judge on the golfcarts ect. and the people who need them.