VCF Swap Meet!

THE SWAP MEET IS A GO FOR SATURDAY APRIL 24! 

GREAT WEATHER IS EXPECTED!

DATE: April 24, 2021
TIME: 8AM to 2PM
ADDRESS:
Parking Lot on Monmouth Boulevard, Wall, NJ
Across from InfoAge Museum and Brookdale College
GPS locationhttps://goo.gl/maps/m1AAS4UUziGXnoPeA ( 40.1848793, -74.0630848 )
Satellite Map: Click Here
Street Map: Click Here
WEBSITEhttps://vcfed.org/vcf-swapmeet
EMAILswapmeet@vcfed.org
PHONE: 732-722-5015
VENDOR COST is per space. First space is $20, each additional space is $10.
You can park in your space and sell out of your vehicle and/or set a table(s) up in your space behind your vehicle. Space size is normally 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. We are increasing that due to Covid-19 to 16 feet by 20 feet.
FREE for BUYERS!
SEND PAYMENT TOpaypal@vcfed.org (FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPTION)
Write in the note section:
[your name]
VCF Swap Meet 4/24/2021
Number of spaces:
SWAP MEET VENDOR SIGNUPhttps://forms.gle/kNCL8WVxTQcnw5nA6
* Reservation doesn’t guarantee sales.
* The Vintage Computer Federation is only providing a space, vendors must bring their own tables, tents, cars.
* In case of inclement weather, money paid will be refunded.
* All items that you bring must be taken with you. No items are to be left behind.
* Porta Potty on site.
The same info can be found here: https://vcfed.org/vcf-swapmeet
EMAILswapmeet@vcfed.org
AFTER THE SWAP MEET, COME VISIT OUR VCF MUSEUM @ INFOAGE!

We are open from 1PM to 5PM: https://vcfed.org/vcf-museum

The Vintage Computer Federation Museum is located nearby the swap meet and is part of InfoAge Science and History museums.

InfoAge and VCF Museums are open every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from 1PM to 5PM

InfoAge museums: infoage.org.

Jeff Brace

19 comments:

  1. Do you have any events in Silicon Valley? So I have a Laser 128 computer, an Apple ii Clone that Apple tried to put out of business, in it’s original box, actually has some of the original literature that came in the package including a beautiful color brochure extolling the product.. I want to sell it but not sure where I can get the most for it. Do you have any suggestions?

    David

    1. Hello David,

      We are hoping to have VCF West on August 7 & 8 at the Computer History Museum (https://vcfed.org/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-west/). As long as the museum opens up in July as they are planning and that Covid rates are acceptable for large crowds, then we will have a show. We have a consignment area where you can sell your items and we take 15% of the sale price.

      I hope that this helps!

      Jeff

      1. I hear this was a smash hit! I live too far away sadly so its not practical. it would be awesome if you started a VCF Southeast Swapmeet like in Atlanta, at least its only 2hrs away from me.

  2. I’ve never been to one of these and I’m interested, but the description is a bit spotty. Are the transaction prices at these events typically higher/lower/same as for example eBay? I’m assuming it’s better than browsing online but it’s a lot more effort to get there and haul old computers to/fro, so just wondering what to expect. Also, is this a cash-only event?

    Logistically, yes I see you can rent a space, but if you go just to buy/repair, is there parking? Where and at what cost?

    Can you describe the repair workshop and what it is? I looked at the Google docs sheet and it’s not clear. The “what” column is stuff they will repair or have broken?. Is someone going to repair stuff? Flyer says vintage electronics, radio, etc, so would 80’s audio gear be fair game?

    (What is the Sandy dorm area?)

    Lastly, does the museum have a website and will it be open during this? A hyperlink would be helpful, but yes, I know I can google it.

    Thanks

    1. Hello Peter,

      This is our second swap meet and I’m the organizer for the event. I couldn’t tell you exactly about the transaction prices for the individual vendors, because I wasn’t a buyer at the last one. I am the organizer and can only tell you what I observed when walking around. I can’t tell you definitively about the prices versus eBay, but I know all the buyers personally from last year. From what I know about them, I would say that it is extremely like that they would typically be below eBay prices. People there typically want to sell off their stuff and not have to deal with the hassles of eBay or Craigslist and will give a better price because of no shipping cost or they have an interested buyer in front of them. The event is fun for those who are vendors because they get to meet people of similar interests and they can chat while waiting for buyers. There is often buying and selling between the vendors before, during and after the event which makes it a true swap meet which was typical at the Trenton Computer Festival of many years past.
      I would expect that most vendors would be cash-only, but some might accept credit card transactions. I can tell you that VCF itself will be selling our own surplus and swag and will accept cash, credit card and PayPal. We have a PayPal Here setup with a MiFi to process transactions.
      About the repair workshop: Sorry for the confusion. I should have explained that more to the general public. It was meant for our members who know all about it, but others are welcome. The repair workshop is $15 per person. You bring in any item that you want to repair. We provide a table for you to work on it. You bring your own tools and equipment. Others there are knowledgeable and will help or collaborate. There are two spots: CDL which is InfoAge’s hackerspace and has a workshop area and classroom area with tools that can be borrowed, the second spot (9032-A) is a large indoor open space with tables and electrical power. The “what” column on the spreadsheet is “What people are bringing or want to work on”. This lets others know in case they want to collaborate.
      80’s Audio gear would be fair game.
      The Sandy Dorm area is an area where volunteers can stay overnight inexpensively. It was originally created to house the volunteers working on Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. It is now used by other volunteers working at InfoAge or other places in New Jersey for charities and volunteer organizations. Officially it is called: The Visitor Center, but we will call it The Sandy Area, The Sandy Dorm, The bunk rooms, 9010-D, etc.
      The Vintage Computer Federation Museum website is : https://vcfed.org/vcf-museum/. The InfoAge museum is: https://infoage.org/

    1. Brendan,
      VCF has 2 or 3 Tandy Color Computers that we are selling, but I’m not sure if they are 1, 2 or 3.

  3. Is the swap meet not a part of the VCF meeting in October? I am new to this so not sure what to expect at either event. Thanks!

    1. Hello Randy,

      The swap meet is a new event started in November of 2020. It is separate from VCF East. At VCFestival East we have a consignment area where VCFederation gets 15% of anything sold and consignment is just one part of the overall VCFestival East event. The VCFederation swap meet is just the swap meet and we sell spaces for the event. We wanted to do a sales type event that was bigger and more focused and at a different time that VCFestival East. Each event requires a lot of time, effort and focus and we lack the necessary volunteers to do both at the same time. I hope to see you there! 🙂

  4. I have a few computer books, video games consoles, and other misc stuff I want to get rid of. I don’t have enough stuff to get a vendor table, but is there a way I can donate it, or get a little money for it in trades or something?

    1. Hello Alan,

      You are always free to donate this to VCF. As for getting money or trades VCF doesn’t do that as a policy since we are a charity. You are free to ask individuals if you want to sell or trade items.

    1. There is no electrical outlet due to the fact that we are in a wide open parking lot. However a few individuals will often bring electrical generators so that buyers can test the equipment.

  5. I had a really amazing time and I just wanted to say “Thank You!” to all the organizers and vendors. It has been a tough year, and this is really the first time I’ve been able to get out and enjoy the vintage computer hunt in quite a while. Is there anywhere online that the participants in the swap meet are discussing their finds and experience?

  6. I was a first time vendor at this event, and I just want to say how pleased I was with the outcome. With one exception, everyone who came up to my spot was great to talk to. I was able to sell most of what I came with! Any chance you’ll do this again soon, I could easily bring another carload.

  7. Jeff will you be having another one in NJ this year?? I completely missed this one and would love to go.. Used to love the Trenton Computer Festival which used to take place every year.. This one seems like it could be just as good if not better..

    1. Al,
      Sorry that you missed our event! We can only hope to be as big as the Trenton Computer Festival of years past. We are not sure when we will have the next one. The problem is scheduling. We have VCF East 2021 in October. If it is in-person, then we will try to do a swap meet indoors in January. If it is virtual, then we will do a swap meet in November in all likelihood. VCF East 2022 will likely be in April, so then we could do one or two swap meet. Maybe one in July and Maybe one in October.

      We have seen that it is successful and will add more to it each time as we learn what works, and what doesn’t work.

      Jeff

Leave a Reply to Jeffrey Brace Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *