Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Jan 6, 2016 12:28:28 GMT -5
Just a few days before I head out to AZ for almost a month.
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Post by orrum on Jan 6, 2016 21:54:53 GMT -5
I am at Desert Gardens broadening my horizons.... I think! LOL
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RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Jan 7, 2016 9:40:29 GMT -5
Hey everyone,I have been out to Quartzsite many times, so my advice would be to go there when the Pow Wow show is open. I know many vendors that will only do that show. Just a question though, Why not just go to the Tucson show? More accommodations and 20 times the size. Vendor space is triple the cost so the price must go up, the shows are scattered through out the whole town so it makes it harder to find what you are looking for. It is also a bucket list thing to do, but in my opinion but if you are looking for rough Quartzsite is a much better deal. Tony I would say that Quartzsite and Tucson are different horses. As a vendor (and mineral collecting hobbyist) Quartzsite seems to attract more of the rockhound and jeweler hobbyist while Tucson appeals to the folks more interested in gemology, mineralogy, paleontology and high-end jewelry. If someone is looking for quantities of affordable rough, Quartzsite is the place (and Tony's aka Idaho Rock Shop usually has one of the best selections at very fair prices). If your looking for rare, peculiar or unusual rough, someone can try Tucson. There is certainly a mind-blowing selection at times along with some mind blowing prices. Yet, Tucson still has plenty of deals if you look. As far as selling expenses go, while Tucson is more expensive for booth space, etc., the total expenses as a percentage of sales is actually lower for me than in Quartzsite. So while Tucson costs more, it's actually a more profitable show and a better return on my investment.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 7, 2016 11:35:11 GMT -5
Most shows (and there are many) in Tucson are wholesale only. As Tony said costs are higher so rough you see at Quartzsite will be higher from often the same dealers at Tucson. The Kino Show, motel shows along freeway, and a few others are mixed retail/wholesale. Quartzsite has a lot more mom & Pop dealers willing to sell smaller quantities. If you are buying finished goods for resale Tucson is the biggest market place for that. If you are buying barrels or truckloads of rough you can get great deals. For the typical hobbyist Quartzsite is by far the best choice.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 7, 2016 11:51:54 GMT -5
From what I underestand-Quartzite is the hot spot for rocks and many hounding friends hang out there...Its about the friendship,BBQ's and yes,also the selling... Smaller area,better friendships come together....
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Post by Rockhobbit on Jan 7, 2016 15:12:01 GMT -5
I have been going to Quartzsite for over 8 years. I TOTALLY agree with Catmandewe, Johnjsgems and Rockncritter! I went last weekend and the vendors were still setting up. A ton of rough available! Most at reasonable prices. I did see a couple of new finds that were WAY overpriced! I wouldn't buy any and I don't think it was worth what they are asking. Sometimes they will lower the price towards the end of the month to get rid of it so they don't have to haul it home. I will go back again soon. I have been to Tucson once and I swore I would never go back! It is spread all over the place and the parking is very expensive. You have to drive to all the different locations and pay a parking fee at each place. I am a small town hobbiest and will not pay the prices they have. I did run into several vendors that I saw at Quartzsite and they had marked up their prices for Tucson. I got lucky and bought from them in Quartzsite before I went to Tucson. That is my 2 cents. Sheri
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Jan 12, 2016 15:50:12 GMT -5
I am leaving for AZ in a few minutes. See you all there.
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Post by nowyo on Jan 12, 2016 23:18:20 GMT -5
Well, doesn't look as though we're going to make it. The weather isn't really cooperating, Cyndi had some work stuff come up and I've got some work I really need to get finished up and moved out. We'll try again next year with hopefully a better plan. The past year has been kind of a disorganized mess anyways, just regroup and hi ti again. You all have fun.
Russ
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Jan 14, 2016 17:12:29 GMT -5
I hope that some one attending the big show will post some pictures so that I can vicariously enjoy the nice weather and rocks in Quartzite.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 17, 2016 9:31:06 GMT -5
Rats, looks like we are not going to be able to make it this year, either. I guess there is always next year.
For the rest of you fortunate souls that will be going, or are already there, you should have Goldilocks temperatures, clear, sunny skies and no gale force winds. Hope y'all have a great time!
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,683
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Post by Tommy on Jan 17, 2016 10:40:05 GMT -5
Rats, looks like we are not going to be able to make it this year, either. I guess there is always next year. Searching for the "dislike" button bummer First your Chargers are leaving now you can't make Quartzsite?
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Jan 17, 2016 11:47:08 GMT -5
I agree. I am in Wickenburg right now at the McDonalds. About to head out again.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 17, 2016 12:42:58 GMT -5
Sorry about that, I really do want to go. This will be only the second time in 15 or so years we will miss it. We just made the decision on Saturday. Lack of funds the biggest reason. We could scrape together $$ for gas, but the truck needs some important work done on it (brakes!), long overdue shocks, and tires. And the trailer bearings need looking at again. Top all of that off with the latest obstacle, I broke a tooth on an olive pit while eating a salad. A crown at the very least. Have other dental work needing doing that I have been putting off, ignoring. This episode just kind of pushed it back on the front burner. I am going to miss seeing all you guys! But I sure you can manage to have fun without me. In fact, I order you to do so! Lol.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Jan 17, 2016 13:07:42 GMT -5
Rats, looks like we are not going to be able to make it this year, either. I guess there is always next year. For the rest of you fortunate souls that will be going, or are already there, you should have Goldilocks temperatures, clear, sunny skies and no gale force winds. Hope y'all have a great time! Darn Jean. Been here for a week and was hoping to meet you.
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Jan 17, 2016 13:10:15 GMT -5
Please! lets see some photos of the show!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 17, 2016 15:38:20 GMT -5
First your Chargers are leaving now you can't make Quartzsite? Tommy, that is something that I do not care one iota about! I say to the Chargers and Dean Spanos, "Don't let the screen door hit you on your way out!" Spanos has totally dissed all of the loyal Charger fans that have faithfully supported (through many terrible seasons, I might add) them over the years. For Spanos it is all about the $$$. I first hope he loses his ass here in the next season, and then is totally unsuccesful in Inglewood. He don't know a good thing until it is gone. Rats, looks like we are not going to be able to make it this year, either. I guess there is always next year. For the rest of you fortunate souls that will be going, or are already there, you should have Goldilocks temperatures, clear, sunny skies and no gale force winds. Hope y'all have a great time! Darn Jean. Been here for a week and was hoping to meet you. James, you big liar! You are not in Q right now. If you were, I would feel a disturbance in the force. I'm not holding my breath. But a nice thought, though.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Jan 17, 2016 16:45:30 GMT -5
In costume rockpickerforever, sorry you guys did not make it. And yes, liar spelled LIAR. Hopefully one day.
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liz
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2014
Posts: 83
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Post by liz on Jan 17, 2016 16:51:42 GMT -5
Rats, looks like we are not going to be able to make it this year, either. I guess there is always next year. For the rest of you fortunate souls that will be going, or are already there, you should have Goldilocks temperatures, clear, sunny skies and no gale force winds. Hope y'all have a great time! I'm sorry y'all aren't going to make it, I enjoyed meeting you last year.
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Post by drocknut on Jan 19, 2016 10:18:36 GMT -5
Rats x 2, Jean. You will be missed.
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Post by Pat on Jan 19, 2016 10:59:38 GMT -5
Both times we went to Quartzite, we went on to Tucson. Two very different venues, and glad we went to both. Every rockhound should do that at least one time. Enjoy and post pictures!
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