We went to the Excel show yesterday. Travel no problem easy to find ample free parking.
Arrived at 9.30 shutters opened at 10.00 What a lot of different caravan layouts and special offers available from all the attending dealerships. We were offered more in part exchange for our van which we have had for 3 years than we paid for it!! But we resisted to temptation to buy a new one. Just went for the day out and to see what was available. But taking all into consideration our little van is just what we need and dont see the point in paying out more.
Bought some accessories. New breathable ground sheet, Nose weight gauge and some awning clamps. (thank you to the gentleman that talked us into buying them we really do think they will make life a lot easier when we put up the awning).
All in all a good day out no hassle just tired feet.
Matron - is the free car parking signed? Previously parked in the multi storey car park, west entrance I think (was a different show at ExCel), but that was not free!
I was at our local dealer today and asked them how it was going as they are on the Bailey stand. They have said the first few days have been very quiet in terms of sales and they are hoping it picks up at the weekend. He did say that its probably due to the location as the Excel isn't the best place to try and get to, we have skipped this one and will wait for the NEC show in October.
Hi, No free parking at the SECC in Glasgow £5 for all cars, including disabled drivers, disable parking bays at front entrance, pretty good, the disable parking at the rear entrance in the main car park, lets put it this way you have to get a bus from disable parking bays to the door, and the additional disable bays were over 200 yards from entrance. Will not be going there again.
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Went to the show today - really good fun. Never been to a show before and such a great thing to do if you're looking for a new van. With almost every manufacturer there, you get to compare them all - brilliant. In one day, we managed to agree what our next van would be (if we were looking to change). Would have taken us weeks of visiting various dealers to do the same thing normally.
One of the most interesting exhibits was Eternity, a new manufacturer (?) who had a van with a slide-out section. Creates a huge amount of internal space but no heavier - got to be the way forward, I reckon. Also, the roof is curved, so water runs off - why doesn't every van have that?!
Also loved the £100k motorhomes, if that lottery win ever happens...:-)
Oh, and the wooden lodge thing, for the garden - amazing! Circular wooden thing, seats round the edge, real fire in the middle, £7.5k. Another item for the lottery win...
Sadly, they may not run it next year as it was so quiet during the week, I believe. Would be a shame...
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Not such an easy location for us we live in south Wales. We went by train . It took a long time. NEC much easier for us.
But we thought the show was very quiet. But it was easier to move around. Although because we arrived so late we didn't spend long looking at accessories and awnings. We would like a new porch awning . Never mind I will look on here.
We were speaking to a clothing stand and he said he'd paid £6k for his pitch, and it was costing £12.50 to pay for parking at the hotel he was staying in, he said it had been too long, Thursday to sunday would have been enough. I still think it was quiet because people just don't have the money to spend on leisure.
Awning clamps are the things you fix onto the inner awning rail and fix the roof poles onto. Isabella do some that you do not have to slide along the inner rail but clip on anywhere making it so much eashier to position the roof poles. If not in the correct position just unclip and move along a bit. Unlike the one you have to slide on and are a pain to move if not quite right.
Maybe this show in May might be better and it has free parking! Plus we are giving you the chance to win one of 10 Weekend Camping Tickets and Weekend Family Passes to the show
Showcasing the latest models of caravans, motorhomes, tents, camping equipment, motor boats, jet-skis, accessories and much much more, with onsite camping for all the family, arcades, crazy golf, go-karting, indoor swimming pool at the all new complex , there will be plenty to see and do for everyone at this fun packed weekend.
Quote: Originally posted by clbewi on 19/2/2012
We were speaking to a clothing stand and he said he'd paid £6k for his pitch, and it was costing £12.50 to pay for parking at the hotel he was staying in, he said it had been too long, Thursday to sunday would have been enough. I still think it was quiet because people just don't have the money to spend on leisure.
I think the current economic climate may have had some effect but local caravan dealers around here are still selling vans at a fair rate as we have discovered while looking for our new Pageant. I think the location was a real factor for a lot of people as its not the easist to get to and compared with the NEC won't have had such a large target audience. We are only 40 miles from London but skipped this one as the route, location and parking just didn't appeal. The NEC is a bit further for us but will probably be quicker to get to and with less chance of getting stuck in traffic. Don't get me wrong I think its great to have a major show in the south east but in hindsight am not convinced this was the best location. If it really has been as quiet as I have been hearing then I can't see dealers paying to come back again in 2013 unless they are making the return on the cost.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: The Excel Show
