I have never been to Hershey (model A meet) is it worth the trip? I live in NH, long ride and kinda expensive.
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I made it my annual trip and vacation until about 10 years ago when my mom got cancer. I haven't been back since, but would like to go again at least once more to see if it's still worth going. -
I think it is a pilgrimage worth the trip. Lots of walking and lots of parts to sort through, if you are looking for an oddball part, it will more likely turn up there than any place else. That said, eBay has impacted the Swap Meet experience everywhere. Many parts you would in the past walked miles across several Swap Meets to find will be posted and you can acquire them from your desk at home. I like to dicker with the vendors and I always learn something. So for me it's about the experience of meeting people and talking with them and searching for the holy grail for $5. There is nothing like the smell of rusted iron in the morning, ya can't get that from eBay.
Jon.Jon.
"Growing old is not for sissies" -Jimmy BuffettComment
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I agree about how ebay has taken a lot of the walking out of buying that odd part. The only downside to ebay is if you have a problem, as I recently did, my identity was used for a scam sale, it is almost impossible to report a scam or make direct contact with the people that run ebay. They seem to be hiding behind pages and pages of dumb FAQ'S. Now that is frustrating! -
Tony, I had my issues with Pay pal a few years back. but I never officially closed the account. They still had my name. So, when they decided to issue credit cards, I was sent one, Unsolicited! I never formally accepted it, I just threw it in the box with the other financial stuff and forgot about it. Then one day I got a cookbook in the mail that I didn't want. Hmmm what's this? Three days later, another one! Then another one only this time it was a bill for about $495. All three from Ebay. This is getting weird ! I don't buy from Ebay! So I call Ebay to give them a heads up. And I had a hell of time getting through to someone who cared enough to listen to me. I told him that I was not paying for any of this stuff as I didn't bid on it. I explained to him about the credit card never being activated and he told me to not worry about it that it would be taken care of at their end. Never heard another word! For what it's worth!
Terry
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Back in the 1970s and 1980s we used to always go( before the internet) , it was all mostly fields then and usually muddy, now it is mostly paved. If you go take raingear it seems to rain a lot. But I love it, it is my favorite car function. I am lucky it is 100 miles for me. If you haven't been there go experience it. I go on Thursday, seems like a lot of vendors start to leave on Friday and the show itself is on Saturday. Also I thinks it still happens, but for antique race cars to be in the show, Friday afternoon the drive around the track in the stadium..Comment
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I think it is worth the trip at least once. I started going in the early 70's when it was mud and bargains. I last went about 4 years ago, and while it is mostly paved now, I was dissapointed in how many rows had nothing for sale, and were just used as a parking place for a huge camper. Everything changes with time, and not always a big improvement. I will likely not go again, as I dont need any more stuff, but I would encourage you to go for the experience of the vastness of it all. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a light weight rain coat or poncho, bring lots of cash, and Look for the lady that sells the crab cake sandwiches in the food area. Bring a camera to record the odd stuff. Have fun.Comment
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It is a great time. I highly recommend you go at least once.
I meet up with friends, some of which I only see at Hershey. It is huge swap meet. If you walk every row and look at every vendor you may not make it around all the fields in 3 days.
It can be addicting, Antique car parts as far as you can see. Cars that you may never have heard about or seen. The car show is Saturday and usually by then many of the vendors have left. I have been going for for about 35 years, started off when I was 15. My 20 year old son has been going since he was 4. I look forward to it every year. Ahhh I remember when you used to be able to smell the chocolate from the Hershey factory.Comment
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I think everyone gets a special kick out of Hershey. I love flea markets and garage sales. They are outdoor museums in which the stuff is for sale, not just on display. Hershey is that. Although, as has been said, the internet has had it's effects. But the range of stuff that gets dragged to Hershey is quite wide. My two far out items are about a three lb. cannon and an old air plane with a Liberty V8. Not to mention old steam engines and a few Horse drawn wagons. You just never know! But the internet can't match the camaraderie, the knowledge passed, and the "Gemutlichkeit" of putting several thousand people together, all talking the same "Language" and sharing their experiences.
TerryComment
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I went a couple of years ago. Left early ( I live in the center of CT), got the last rental scooter (thank God). Had a wonderful time. Saw 90% and perused the car corral, met some people I knew. Stayed overnight about 60 miles away on the way back. Had a great time. Crossed it off my bucket list. My advice: GO.
Paul in CTComment
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Ed def go if you can, but hotel accommodations can be an issue, from availability to price gouging
For me one day is enough and that includes driving back and forth from home. I'm 106 miles each way3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctrComment
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It's like Florida, some love it some don't. I guess its what you expect to get out of it.Comment
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Been going since the late 60's, it's the hajj of the antique automobile hobby, yes it has become less prominent since sites like ebay have made it easier to find and acquire parts but it's still an experience that I will attend as long as possible.Comment
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Last year I went and was looking for 1932 Plymouth PB parts.Waste of time everything that looked like what I wanted was for a Model A Ford.This year I have a Model A Ford but not going to be able to make it.Last year I was just recovering from prostate surgery so walking was a real issue. Ebay has been mentioned in this thread about the go to place to buy,well I do agree and have been buying this way for 15 years now but just recently had an issue with PayPal that I wish to warn others about.I lost $200.00 by sending a payment to an email address that was wrong.If you have ever sent money this waay you notice that you better have the correct email,letter for letter underscore by underscore.Believe it or not I thought I was sending to Brightworks Restoration in fall river mass,(Steve Grace) and missed the underscore and it was sent to an address in Alberquekie NM that was also Brightworks name. PayPal will not correct and states it is up to me to request money back.Well as fate would have it no matter how much I explain to the wrong receiver that this is not a scaam he will not return my $200. Mayby Karma will get him. I will never send money this way ever again.You would think that PayPal would have more info to who is getting a payment before you just send to the email address.Comment
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Sorry to hear that I have had good luck with PP, a few times I needed them they were there to help.Originally posted by greenhornet View Post
Thanks for the post.Comment
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YES GO!
Our first trip to HERSHEY AACA fall show 1971. Many trips since, not as many as I would like, (USN had other ideas and then the pocketbook was too slim). IS it worth it? Yes. Is it like it used to be? No. Things change, and not always for the better. Way too many motor homes parked in "selling spaces" and blank spaces which cause more walking .
BUT, if you haven't been there then you are missing something. I am 81 pushing 82 and and my wife is pushing 80. I don't NEED anything except a top for the 29 Rdstr PU which I am going to order from Mike at Classtique on Chocolate field. Could do that by phone or email. Lot's things to see, great people. My wife loves to see some old guy carrying a beat up fender back to his car with a smile on his face. I love to see the few (not enough) kids with a parent buying parts for THEIR car.
YES GO!Life is what happens on the way to what you planned.png "tongue")
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Yes, Mecca for the old car hobby. The car corral is fun and I always go to the show on Saturday. I have been going since 1966. It is just a couple of hours away, so a fairly easy trip. Time off work, not so easy.Comment
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I've been going off and on for about 15 years. When the gas prices went really high i noticed a lot of empty spaces. I have not gone for about 2 years but the last time i went the one field (i believe it was the white or orange field) was almost exclusively parking for RV's. I was a bit disappointed that i was seeing more and more people using the flea market spaces as parking spaces rather than selling anything. That said though you can still find some interesting stuff. But i do believe eBay and Craiglist have put a huge dampener on the flea markets. I know I sell a lot of stuff on eBay and i don't have to lug it around and babysit it at the flea market
, i can go off and find more things that i have to have.Comment
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