"Warfare 2021 Ascot calling all traders" Topic

To all fellow Trader's ,
It has been brought to my attention and some other traders that this years organisers of Warfare at Ascot seem to be giving heavily discounted Tradestands to some traders and not running a fair show also free trade space possible for tournament games sponsorship ,
As we all know running a small an large business can be good an bad so why are Wargames association of Reading giving discounts to some traders an making other traders pay the full cost of a stand ?
This is very unfair and I reckon the traders should do something about this ,
I'm sure the competitions commission would have something to say about this of unfair practices , it seems to me if your face fits you get a discount an if not you don't .
It has also been brought to my attention that Warfare will also now move venues again as they are unable to afford Ascot for 2022 .
The information I have been given is correct so will the traders get part refunds or will a traders boycott happen for 2022 ?
So what do we think all ?

The Competition Commission would be uninterested because it closed on 1 April 2014.

The Competition and Markets Authority would be uninterested because Warfare is not in cahoots with another show organiser in setting its rates, so there is no cartel. Warfare is not in a dominant position because other shows are available – quite a few this month in the South, as it happens.

Preferential or different rates for advertisers in magazines, for example, or for traders at shows, are not abnormal. An organisation might sell space cheaper to get a particular name on board, to ensure a balance of types of trader (no one wants 20 identical box shifters), or equally to fill vacant slots at short notice or as a deadline approaches (like candidates on The Apprentice selling tickets or goods cheaper and cheaper to get to targets). It's never great to learn that you've paid more than someone else for space at a show or in a magazine, but that's down to negotiation skills. If you agreed a price with the organisers, that's what you pay.

Agree with Ian,

It is normal business practise to discount to attract names. So, if you want companies such as Warlord to come to your show so they attract punters you would discount their stand.

Shopping centres will often give anchor stores such as Marks and Spencers free (or very cheap) space as they attract visitors.

A free stand in exchange for sponsoring a tournament sounds fair to me.

You may not like what you are hearing but it isn't illegal or unusual in other industries…

Since Warlord bring the equivalent of a shop – and all the staff that requires – I'd not be surprised if they (and similar very large traders) get a bit of a "large table discount"

It's their show. Some traders bring far more people through the doors than others. Provided they stick to the agreed price with individual traders, I can't see a problem. A trader "boycott" would help nobody. As Newbury and York show, racecourse grandstands make great venues but they must be horrifically expensive for the organisers.

And why is there only one Competition and Markets Authority?

"And why is there only one Competition and Markets Authority?"

There is also the Markets and Competition Authority. But it's largely staffed by the same people.