British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland Water

[thwick in 'ead]

Hi all

I visited the BBWF on Saturday to have a look at all the optics that are currently availble, as I'm thinking of buying some new gear.

Now, living in north Derbyshire, I have bought most of my stuff in the past from a well known shop in Buxton, but I was hoping I might be able to pick up a bargain at the fair.

While there was plenty to look at from the manufacturers such as Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski, Nikon, Kowa and Pentax to name just a few, the retail outlets were very restricted. The shop from Buxton was there, but could only sell books and when I asked them why they were not selling optics, they declined to go into the matter.

The problem was that the prices from those that were selling the optics that I had decided on were much higher than those from retailers who's web sites I had checked out before I went.

I asked around to find out why this is so and was told that as the BBWF supported a charitable project each year, a percentage of the profits from optics sold went to that project, therefore prices had to be higher.

I support this philanthropic theme, but as each person pays, a not small, entry fee to the fair and each exhibitor must pay fee for their exhibition space, plus there are several sponsors of the show, it seems to me that it's a bit unfair to have to pay over the odds for optics purchased - the buying public are in effect charged twice for entry.

I am also an angler and I visit several other shows during the year, where I can usually pick up a bargain priced piece of fishing gear, even with the most prestigious equipment.

Needless to say, I did not buy at the fair, but will be buying from one of those retailers whom I checked out before hand!

[Oscar2006]

It has always been the same, and you have the choice where,when and who you spend your money with.

The whole point of the Birdfair is to raise money to support overseas species, so people would be wrong to expect knock-down prices right left and centre.
Some traders may be shifting a lot of product so they can afford to knock a few dollars off the price, knowing their turnover will be higher.

If you want a bargain then it has to be an internet dealer that you get a price from, then haggle with a well known high street vendor.

The major benefits of the Birdfair are:
you can try before you buy;
super lectures by top Natural Historians, celebs and photographers all day long;
a stunning Art and crafts marquee to inspire;
a sackfull of brochures to decide where to go on that next birdwatching holiday.
Support for small organisations that often do not get noticed in glossy brochures;
Preserved areas in Foreign Countries that many of us may be able to visit because we dug deep into our pockets.

My purchase of new binoculars (way back in 1993) meant the sellers giving the 10% discount they were offering to the Charity.
I bought at the Birdfair, knowing that I had done my little bit.

[thwick in 'ead]

All you've done is virtually reiterated the very things I have already said, except that my point is why should the public give twice. I paid my entrance fee, so why should I give again when buying optics. As I have already stated, when I go to other fairs, there are bargains galore. Just because there are lectures, arts and crafts and celebs doesn't alter things at all, these same things happen elsewhere, but there's a level playing field for those who have come to purchase.

I shall not be going again!