I would just like to express my thanks to Brian Guilmant and the rest of the sales team for their efforts at ExpoNG on Saturday.
I expect that many of them had a long day, or a busy day, or both (certainly in Brian's case) judging by the size of the van and the numbers in the squash court on the occasions I stuck my head around the door.
I sometimes get the impression that we are all too quick to critisise but somewhat reticent at offering praise, so well done chaps (and chapesses!)
Here here! Thanks to all involved, a shame I didn't have more money to spend on the day ;)
Brian doesn't "do" forums etc, so as I just spent two long and arduous days with him - plus a couple during the previous week helping sort things out, I'll say thanks very much on his behalf and will also ensure that he is made aware of your messages Julien and Tom!
Following up on Julien touching on how Brian's efforts are sometimes criticised or at least taken for granted by some members (and some non-members who constantly phone him up and email him trying to take advantage of the Society service without actually being prepared to pay a subscription to join), here's an overview of Expong as seen by the salesmobile and its crew (I got "conscripted" simply because I live relatively close by - and I sometimes amaze myself on what I'm prepared to do simply in order to get in early and avoid paying an entrance fee..... ;))
Weeks before: sorting stock, pricing it, testing it and packaging it - procurement of packaging - meanwhile normal mail order service and answering telephone continue
Thursday - collect hire van, Thursday evening commence loading it
Friday morning - up at sparrowfart and continue loading - hightop long wheelbase transit loaded to the gills
Depart Brian's house 0900
Divert near Southampton to call in at firm that does the Society polo shirts and pick up a batch of pre-ordered
Agree with everything said ,I was quite saddened reading Brian's report in October's news , the way of the modern world I suppose . Anyway thankyou Brian ,, cheers john ..
Well said Mick, can I add a particular thank you to our Dutch members, Dick van Beek and Bert van Rhijn, who both put in some time behind the Sales Stand to give the regulars some time off, and assisted with the packing and loading at the end of the day.
As one who will probably never get to experience the delights of the 009 Soc. Sales Stand in the flesh, I too would like to add my thanks to Brian and others who give of their time to do this. I'm not quite sure who would take up the challenge of this service if Brian were to throw in the towel ? Where would those complaining modelers be then ???
Quote from: garrywhiting on November 02, 2010, 07:38
Well said Mick, can I add a particular thank you to our Dutch members, Dick van Beek and Bert van Rhijn, who both put in some time behind the Sales Stand to give the regulars some time off, and assisted with the packing and loading at the end of the day.
Fully agree with your acknowledgement of the contribution made by Dick and Bert, Garry - they also voluntarily turned up on Friday evening, even though they were not registered as part of the "team" and had paid a considerable amount of money to both travel to Swanley and pay for their hotel accomodation (2 nights); and they spent all evening doing hard labour dragging tables around, helping to unload the van and then start the sorting out of the stock.
Mick
another important member springs to mind ?? , roving mike 't', goodness knows how he can be on the spot every time .
how many hours does he spend maintaining is 'inspection railcar' .
cheers john ....
Thank you for the accolade Clanky, but as you can see above, on this occasion I travelled by white transit van!
A more deserving recipient for the hall of fame that rarely gets a mention is: Ian Turner. Every loco that comes in to Brian (and that is literally hundreds every year) that does not run acceptably enough to be offered for sale as it arrived is passed to Ian, who spends many hours in an unsung supporting roll: repairing, tweaking, tuning and sometimes completely rebuilding items before they are accepted as "fit for sale" and placed into the sales trays.
Mick
Hi,
I would also like to say thanks Brian (and Ian, and others) for their sterling work doing this.
I saw/met Brian & his "team" at Narrow Gauge North.
I have also spoken to Ian, but was unaware of the behind the scenes work that goes on.
So, thanks to him as well.
I have also worked in retail and it is very hard work.
They are all a credit to the society and should be comended.
Thanks Julien for suggesting this
Stuart
Just like to add my heartfelt thanks to the above for Brian & the team's excellent mail order service as I too am not able to attend many appearances of the Sales.
Again, many thanks
Ken