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Monday 8 April 2019

Salute 2019 - The traders Tale

So Salute 2019 is over and done with. That is Salute done for another year.  Not the best I've ever been to but a long way from the worst.
Apparently some dude on TMP opined that it was the "worst Salute ever". Well it depends upon what you want from a show. Salute has always been the annual buying fest and while the internet HAS toned done the feeding frenzy a good bit the show still has its moments- or did at my shop anyhow.  In tems of the games ,well, as normal I didn't see much  far too busy but there didn't seem to be any obvious show stoppers this year. Now I could be wrong  but the same chap an TMP  also opined that there was a shortage of large historical games. Again I don't know. There were some- a couple of Ancients encounters and the Chester and Nantwich club did the battles of Aughrim and Lutzen from different bits of the 17th century .. However as has become fashionable there were a good number of games put on by commercial outfits as product advertising rather than PP games or demos put on by clubs. These were mostly fantasy or sci-fi related. However to counter those historical games there did seem to be a larger number of for foot square skirmish- a - likes of which I by preference would not bother with even if I had time to view them.
Blue Moon 15mm Napoleonics got a proper plundering.

I think that we historical gamers are simply going to have to get used to the fact that- commercially speaking -  non- historical gaming is in the driving seat. Also that however intellectually bereft some of this junk is, the "dice- rollers" think it is "fun" (and that goes for some supposedly "historical" rules out there too) as a good chunk of the hobby  descend further into the lightweight and ephemeral end of the gaming market.
Blue Moon Marlburain and GNW ranges  stock levels are a bit thin until my shipment arrives too. Both of these ranges were very popular this year at Salute. 

However back to Salute.  I have no complaints. Trade was good without being spectacular and the crew and I knew we had put a shift in by closing time. Some of the stock bins looked as if a plague had been through 'em. So there are now some serious gaps in what we have to immediate hand. However STRESS NOT. I am informed that my shipment from the USA will be with me in about a weeks time.
And as for the 15mm Italian Wars range- well  until I get my next shipment



 This should mean that a good bundle of back orders will  be leaving here once we have unpacked the shipment.  These will as usual be sent out in date order- longest waiting first. Oh and yes I am already putting together my next order for the factory .... Old Glory UK-We never sleep- well it feels like that some day and yes after the weekend I could do with a kip !

7 comments:

  1. Andy
    Totally agree with your comments. This was the first time I have been there as a punter and yes there were some gaps in the traders but I did feel there were some superb games and have to accept our hobby is a wide church but no problem there. Jerry

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  2. Each time I tried to come and see you the stand was busy which was good and then with my planned ramblings up and down the aisles I ran out of time. Yes there was a lot of non-historical gaming and trading but each to their own. It didn't spoil my enjoyment of the show and there were some smashing games put on by clubs and traders. Every year is different and I have never failed to enjoy my time spent at Salute (although the bank may say otherwise).

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  3. Thanks Jerry and Phil. If you have read other posts you will know I am not a fantasy fan and why. But that is not to the point. To criticise Salute on the grounds of "I don't like that its crap" and then when asked why you think is it crap answer "because I didn't like it" seems quite common but of course ultimately pointless and nonsensical. There is really nothing wrong with the show. It is still varied and busy . Merely becasue the cariations may or may not be to one's personal tste is niether here nor there.. From that perspective I really can't see what the negative comments that are being touted are all about

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  4. I could almost relate your comments to Salute 2018 as well. Although I did not make it this year I have been through a few blogs and spoke to some friends who did go and they say similar to you. If you want 'eye candy' games then the likes of Partizan are for you and Salute seems to be the buying fest, which it needs to be considering the fees traders have to pay.

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    1. Exactly and to Salute 2017 - 2016 etc. The only real change over the years has been the rise of the fantasy skirmish a- like- even if it is sometimes in historical clothing

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  5. As with the earlier commentators , I too have seen quite a view opinion pieces on the show and in its defence, it cannot (and should not) try to be all things for all people. That it is a large and still popular show for traders, demo and participation gamers and the public at large should be appreciated. To criticise without knowing the effort undertaken by those whose run and attend such shows just because the show does not directly appeal to a narrow expectation is foolish in the extreme. Better to have and be imperfect than not have in the pursuit of impossible perfection.

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    1. How philosophical!- but nevertheless true

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