[ACML] Respond to dealers

[steve]

I know that so that is why I am hoping to bring this to the staffers.  At 
one of the shows, The dealers were really upset.  There was talk of things i 
don;t think dealers should do, but with the current trends they are getting 
upset.  And I think they are not in the wrong in some of the issues they 
brought up.  i looked at both issues and i can see they have very viable 
claims.


Steven Lin
Anime Pavilion
115 Hillwood Ave #10
Falls Church VA 22046
(703) 534-1544
www.animepavilion.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <douglu at animenext.org>
To: "Anime convention discussion list" <animecons at lists.baka.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: [ACML] Respond to dealers


>> With several dealers
>> carrying these goods, many fans comment on dealers having the "same"
>> goods.  I'm curious if there is any dealer trying to cater to an audience
>> for goods related to "older" (not NECESSARILY 80s old) titles that have
>> interesting merchandise but aren't currently the "flavor of the month".
>> Like maybe, Escaflowne or Ranma or maybe Kenshin.  I don't KNOW that
>> there's a strong enough market for these, but I have seen numerous people
>> bemoan the overabundance of the same: Naruto and FMA items.  (add in
>> whatever else may be overexposed atm, like Trigun, Evangelion (perenial
>> fav), Gundam Seed, or whatever)  Don't get me wrong, these things sell 
>> and
>> they HAVE fans, but people want variety too.  It also hurts that several
>> dealers have the same gashapon, UFO catchers and keychains.  So PART of 
>> it
>> is what they have to choose from, and if it's!
>>   just the "surface" stuff, many of the "hardcores" will just find their
>> purchases online, I know I do.  That said...
> It really is not reasonable for dealers to carry gashapon, UFO catchers
> and key chains for older shows.  Those sort of things aren't made anymore
> in Japan.  You might be able to find them in some second hand stores or
> remade in America but most of the time they are not available to purchase.
>> I'm not sure what can be done about that, but there it is.  I also
>> understand how "artists alley" can hurt dealers room, and I think the 
>> mass
>> produced items SHOULD be pushed toward dealers room, but for genuine
>> "artists", I think they need the exposure and really help keep the 
>> fannish
>> feel, but again, that's just my opinion.  Honestly, if we could see
>> improvement in artists efforts and contributions, I think that's one of
>> the best things cons have to work for right now.
>>
> I brought this up last year about what cons were doing about the overlap
> between artist alley and dealers and everyone did something different.
>
> I hate to say this but my gut reaction is that the conventions won't do
> anything about this problem until the dealers make a big stink about it.
>
> I think it is unfair because we subsidize out artists alley.  (It actually
> costs us more than they pay)
>
> Our rule is that if it is mass produced you cannot sell it in artist alley
> but even that has issues.   Lots of them want to sell Naruto head bands
> and FMA hats and Fruba cat ears.  In theory all of these are invalid
> because they should be licensed.
>
> Doug Lu
> Anime NEXT
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