[Coley]

wow....my experience at them is quite a bit different I guess....that being very positive.
The Portland Swap Meet is coming up and in the past three years that I've gone I've found some great deals on truck parts. Last year I paid for my complete trip there by buying and selling approx. 5-6 items that were among the parts I brought back.
I really enjoy that swap meet and it is really overwhelming in a good way....for me and my buddies its a 'dream marathon'. Walkie talkies on, good shoes, bit of stretching and lets get at 'er....lol.
However you have to be a very skilled hunter.
You can tell the hobby/truck dealer guys in a heartbeat and they have lots of truck stuff and they want full retirement money for it....so use them as reference only. I like walking through their booth tho' holding a great truck find (steering wheel/correct carb/door panels) and having them ask about it..."yeah, got it for $15"....lol...love that part.
The real deals are found hidden in the other booths....and there is a boat load of great truck stuff hidden around but you have to stretch out and find out.
I still love the swap meet format and a very big part of that is 'the buzz'...love the people, the hunt, the opportunity, the whole dynamic.
I think that will be what helps them survive even if they go through a phase of 'die back' for a while....they will arise because people generally want to be around people.
My two bits.
all good
Coley