Page 16 - Volume31Issue1R

Long Time Buyer,
Chapter Meeting Summary
By Carl Pomponio
On Friday, the Hot Wheel Newsletter chapter meeting took place. There
were 14 chapters in attendance and each played a part in our meeting. First Time Seller
After the opening introductions and contact exchanges, we reviewed a short
presentation. The chapters shared some best practices about what makes By Derek Reusser
a chapter successful. We had some good discussions and identified several
areas that are important to a chapter for their success. We landed on 5 major
areas that affect a chapter: regular locations, sets of rules, communication, Publisher: Redliner Magazine | Owner: Teenycarz.com
enthusiasm and structured fun. Examples and situations were shared in each
of these areas and how they help a chapter. All chapters were engaged and
there was a great sharing of ideas. First off, a huge thanks to Jim for RULE #1
asking me to do some writing for Make sure you can trust your
An unexpected surprise was a donation made by the Connecticut Valley Hot the Newsletter. As some of you helper.
Wheels club. They had a club car made by Brian Pope of a 64 GMC panel. may know I publish the Redliner
They were limited to 60 copies of each made. Their donation allowed us Magazine and I was in dire need I have a local buddy here in town
to create a raffle at the chapter meeting. Congratulations to the winner of of a break. We are in the midst of who I thought would enjoy sharing
the car, Paul Dyke. Paul was in attendance looking to start a club in South that break right now. I can only the experience of doing a show.
Dakota. imagine Jim being a fellow maga- We had talked a bunch of times
zine publisher was feeling my pain about it and I confirmed with him
One of the main purposes of the chapter meeting is to help others to build a to some degree and extended the twice that week including the night
chapter in your area. We have an enormous number of knowledgable collec- olive branch. He kindly offered me before that he would be ready the
tors who are more than willing to share their experiences. Believe me-no one this platform to get my thoughts morning of the show. Knowing him
has a short story! If you are interested in starting a chapter please come to down while I regroup. It was a huge well I knew it would be risky and
the next chapter meeting in Pittsburgh. We are all here to help. compliment to be thought of wor- when he didn’t pick up the phone
thy of this publication and just what when I got in front of his house
Before we ended the meeting there was one more surprise in store. Every the doctor ordered as I was really that morning my concerns were
chapter that was represented received a special Pink 32 Ford, made ex- missing the writing aspect more justified. He had “over slept”. I
clusively for chapters. This free chapter meeting newsletter car was limited than I thought I would. knew the second he answered the
to a run of 50 pieces and is a complement to the Orange ‘32 Ford that all door and I saw him, I was on my
attending Newsletter subscribers received. I am still in the process of deciding own for the day. This was not the
the future of my magazine but I plan as he had offered to help me
I want to thank all of the chapters that were in attendance, All Iowa HWC, Ar- must say the support I have gotten set-up/manage tables in exchange
izona Outlaws, NEODC, NJDCC, Nor-Cal HWCC, Top of Iowa HWC, SNEW since Issue 20 was released has for some table space. Time to
Hot Wheelers, Thursday night wheels, Windy City, Mid-Ohio HW, South Tex- been awesome and so appreciat- mentally shift gears and off I went
as Diecast, SoCal HWC, Rocky Mountain HW and NW Hot Wheelers. Without ed. Redliner Magazine updates will on my own.
your enthusiasm and participation none of this is possible. I also want to come as I have them. Right now I
thank The HWNL and Collector Events LTD for allowing me the opportunity have to dust off this virtual pen and RULE #2
to give back to this hobby. I’ll see everyone in Pittsburgh!! see if it still works. Realize the importance of a
helper
Part of my mental toy car reboot
is to focus more on reaching out As I drove to the show I started
locally. I am located here in north- thinking about all the things that
eastern Pennsylvania. It’s super were now going to be harder since
exciting that Nationals will be only I was on my own. I could deal with
5 hours away in April. I greatly look the physical set-up I guess, but
forward to taking my family to their what about going to the bathroom
second straight convention. But and getting food? How will I take
that being so close is just a happy pics for this article? I could also
coincidence as I really need to start now kiss shopping around myself
concentrating on participating in good-bye too. All these things
local shows and working towards became so much harder as I no
having an “in person” presence. longer had someone who could
Something I know is very important watch the tables for me. I guess
in this hobby. Part of that process is I was mostly disappointed at the
(gulp) becoming a formal seller as fact I couldn’t hang out with my
well as a buyer.
friend as that was really what I was
looking forward to the most. Oh
It’s so much more fun being a buy- well, the day would not be boring
er. I had gotten a taste of selling either way. That being said I would
(outside of the internet) at some of not depend on this person again.
the conventions I’ve been to. But I Lesson learned.
figured throwing stuff on a bed is
a piece of cake compared to the
actual process of setting up a table RULE #3
at a formal show. I can confirm that Make sure you have a good hand
to be true after purchasing 2 tables truck
at my first official toy show here in
Allentown, PA earlier this month. Unlike previous conventions I
I thought I’d share the experience attended and sold a few things at I
here so the old pros can laugh at actually did bring a little collapsible
me and anyone considering to hand truck. Better than nothing but
make the same mistake, er I mean man do you need a good one. This
commitment, might be able to investment is positively essential. I
learn something from my experi- rolled into the show and holy crap
ence. it had looked like some of these
guys had been setting up for days!
16 NEWSLETTER • ISSUE 1