i love sebasteon; his videos are short but entertaining and i always learn something from him. hope you enjoy his work too. thanks and merry christmas and have a blessed new year, max My Daily Life | Shots of Insight

this is a video of a zip line with an inflatable slide harnesses controllers and fencing that a lady from maryand has asked me to help sell. I hope you enjoy the video. You can go to the midway marketplace at www.midwaymarketplace.com to see photos and read the full description. thanks for looking, max

Hello; This is not just a milestone post from my good friend sue neil. She has great advice on how to make sure you are building an extraordinary blog instead of just another also ran site. And there is a list of the bloggers who have helped and inspired her along the way. I know many of them and follow them myself; so you have both of our recommendations to check out these other sites. I think if you read some of sue's posts you will become hooked and decide to subscribe to her emails. thanks and merry christmas, max Why Blog Posts Are Like Christmas Gifts

Why Blog Posts Are Like Christmas Gifts

hello; just finished reading this beautiful christmas memory shared by my friend susan. If you are having trouble getting into the christmas spirit then i suggest you pour a cup of coffee or eggnog grab your cleanex and give this one a read. Be sure and leave a comment sharing your own stories. thanks and have a happy christmas however you celebrate this time of year, max Gift From Santa: Story (Podcast)

Gift From Santa: Story (Podcast)

Hello; I know i shared robin's blog post earlier, but i just believe in her so much and i know you will get so much more out of watching the video and feeling her passion and energy flow through to you that i had to also share this file. I hope you enjoy it. thanks for watching, max Will things Ever Get Better for Me

Hello; this is a guest post written by susan couper. in spite of having dyslexia she managed to turn her collection of stories into a book. She never planned on writing a book only wanted to teach people through her stories. I hope you will check out the post and visit her blog. And her book would make a good christmas present. thanks for reading, max Wrote By Rote: Lessons From An Ordinary Life

Wrote By Rote: Lessons From An Ordinary Life:         I've been enjoying Susan Cooper's blog for quite some time now.  Since she usually deals with matters of life stories, I t...

this is a great post from my new friend mark. he has written a very inspiring post about how putting your team or your coworkers first will allow them to grow and make your business thrive and most importantly give you that warm feeling that comes from helping people find their inner perfection. hope you enjoy it, max Learning.Motivating.Engaging.: Nothing's Impossible

Learning.Motivating.Engaging.: Nothing's Impossible: Tis the season of hope, of dreams, of compassion, of thinking that things will be better for each of us in the future.  This year, I am seei...

this is a great post from my new friend mark. he has written a very inspiring post about how putting your team or your coworkers first will allow them to grow and make your business thrive and most importantly give you that warm feeling that comes from helping people find their inner perfection. hope you enjoy it, max Learning.Motivating.Engaging.: Nothing's Impossible

Learning.Motivating.Engaging.: Nothing's Impossible: Tis the season of hope, of dreams, of compassion, of thinking that things will be better for each of us in the future.  This year, I am seei...

Hello; This is a great post written by my friend sue neil. she is a writer currently working on a book who is sharing what she has learned about writing. In this post she explains the value of regular consistent reading and writing if you want to become a better writer yourself. she also talks about the value of keeping a daily journal. She touches on resolutions and how big dreams start from small goals. Its an outstanding post that you really should read. Thanks for listening, max Become a Better Writer in 2013: Two New Year Resolutions to Make it Happen

Become a Better Writer in 2013: Two New Year Resolutions to Make it Happen

Robert Graham Designs rewarded my weight loss with some awesome new clothes

Hello again; While most of my posts are related to the amusement industry and the equipment for sale on the website, sometimes I do like to post about personal experiences especially if they relate to my development as a business person.

Now, many of you are aware that I have had gastric surgery and lost a lot of weight. I have lost 247 pounds so far to be exact. One of the side effects of this is that I no longer have any good clothes to wear. With my weight constantly changing I couldn't invest in new clothes. Most everything I own is either a t-shirt or has a draw string. And these aren't suitable for wearing to meet clients or to attend trade shows and conventions. So, my question was how do I start to accumulate the professional wardrobe that I will need in the near future.

I decided to approach some clothing manufacturers and ask them to help with this. I did some research and selected Robert Graham Designs. I wrote them explaining about the weight loss and the need for new dress clothes for attending networking events. I also mentioned that I happened to be blind. Their representative Naomi Holland wrote back and explained that they usually didn't do make overs. But she went on to say that in honor of my losing the weight that they wanted to give me a free shirt. I thought this was a generous offer.

Searching Their Site

They didn't specify a price limit, so I went off to their site again to search through their shirts. I may have dropped from a 4xl tall or 5xl tall down to a 2xl tall in shirts, but I still started with their big and tall section. I found several shirts in there that sounded good. Then I went to their sports shirts section and looked around there too. I wanted to make things easy on them, so I gave them a list of four shirts I liked figuring that at least one of them would be in stock. Naomi told me she would place my order right away.

I think I should mention how easy it was to access their site. As a blind computer user I often have trouble using a site like theirs with my screen reader. Some of the larger sites like Amazon and Ebay have separate versions of their site just for blind and visually impaired users. But this wasn't necessary on the Robert Graham site. All the buttons were labelled, and the descriptions were detailed. Search results were grouped in small batches and best of all my cursor didn't jump around while on their site. this often happens when a site is set up to constantly refresh itself and it is a major pain when you are on a site that does it. I was so happy with my experience surfing their site that I wrote a review for their face book page.

Granite Sports Shirt

The first shirt on my list was this beautiful long sleeved sports shirt that they refer to as granite. It comes in black as you will see, and it has lots of amazing embroidery on it. My mom told me to tuck in the tail, but my brother Patrick thought this way you would get to see all of it. I will include the site description here just so you can compare the image with what they have to say about it.

Rich with texture, this solid jacquard tall long sleeve sport shirt features an all-over diamond pattern with an overlay of a tonal embroidered design. Single contrast stripe lines the inside neckband and double contrast stripes line the inside cuffs.

It is easily the nicest shirt I have ever owned. I can't wait to wear it. I'm thinking about wearing it to church this sunday.

Bonus Shirt!

I am grateful to them for giving me this incredible new shirt, but when I opened the box; I was surprised to find a second shirt. The shirt is called a bourbon polo. It feels great against my skin. It is 95 percent cotton. I don't believe it will shrink, but even if it does; the shirt is long enough to start with that it shouldn't matter. My brother patrick and my nephew thought the color pattern was unusual. I told them all the better to make an impression.

The catalog description on the website says This short big sleeve polo is crafted from piqué cotton. It features a contrast ribbed-knit collar, placket and armbands for a color-blocked look. Contrast ribbon inside neckband.

About Robert Graham Designs

I thought I should include some background about this fine company. I took this next section from their linked in profile. It all started with the shirt. Then came the buzz, followed by a groundswell of fans and admirers. Since 2001, Robert Graham has captivated consumers with an aesthetic experience that transcends the ordinary. Each piece is an unconventional work of art designed for an individual who exudes confidence and a distinctive identity. Today, Robert Graham has expanded into a range of other categories, including knit wear, pants, shorts, jackets, ties, cufflinks, belts, hats, scarves, gloves and hosiery, as well as a full women’s collection. This comes as no surprise as the brand’s design influences cross cultural boundaries, pairing eclectic prints and patterns to unexpected yet refined results. Pushing the boundaries of status quo, Robert Graham strives to be one of the most innovative brands in the industry by consistently pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations. The Robert Graham consumer is a connoisseur, an individual capable of discerning nuances who appreciates products of high quality and unique caliber.

I am thankful to have received such a great gift from the nice people at Robert Graham Designs. And I hope that by sharing this with you that they will be rewarded for their efforts. If you have someone on your list that would enjoy a truly unique piece of clothing, then be sure and check out their site. I hope you will mention having heard about them through me. I would love to become an affiliate for them. Or even better I am hoping that they may decide to endorse me and my site by providing more of their amazing clothes for me to wear in my upcoming travels. To that end be sure and share this post.

This is the kind of blessing you can receive simply by asking with an open heart. Like it says on the back of my business cards never be afraid to ask because if you don't ask they can't say yes. If you or your company have a product you would like me to review, then please let me know. Just use the contact form. I obviously am more familiar with products and supplies having to do with some aspect of the amusement industry, but I am open to suggestions. So, don't hesitate to ask.

This whole process was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to your comments. I love hearing from my readers, and I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks and take care, Max

G Force

hello; this is a video of a brand new nine passenger simulator. It is themed drag racing but I'm told it has many possibilities. the operators are also the designers and there is the opportunity to purchase the pat tends. It would be great at a race track or a city where racing is part of their heritage. It will be sold at an absolute auction on december 7th. now, for me to earn my commission you have to register with me prior to the auction. I am working with the auction company mentioned in the video on this one. Let me know what you think of it. thanks, max

Unusual assortment of new electric bumper boats from Rides and Fun

Hello again; Today I'm writing to tell you about another line of new equipment from Rides and Fun, formerly The Top Fun Group of Italy.

This time it is their line of electric bumper boats. They offer customers a wide variety of styles many of which I have never heard of before. They can also produce customized boats to fit with the theme of your business or the bumper boat arena you wish to create.

Operate Them Almost Anywhere

They can also produce the pool needed or assist in designing one specifically for your needs. And here too, there are more options. This is because these boats have been designed to operate in any kind of water including using them at a lake or ocean. All you would need is an area partitioned off for safety.

The boats are made from the highest quality of materials. They are available in single seat and two seater models. The two seaters are for one adult and one child. They are suitable for kids from age five to twelve. They run on batteries that last for four hours. It takes eight hours to completely recharge them, so two sets of batteries are recommended. And the costs of the batteries, chargers, and other electrical equipment are not generally included in the purchase price of these units.

While the safe operation does require a supervisor, these coin operated units are pretty much self service. They work with an electronic timer that automatically shuts off when the time expires. The timer can be set between half a minute and three and one half minutes. And the coin mechanisms can be supplied to suit any coin or token. I have urged them to also offer bill acceptors and card readers for in house credit cards and will update you if and when they are available.

Custom Animal Head Boats

The boats can be upgraded with fiberglass heads that feature happy animals with an original design. This is what I see as the most exciting part of their bumper boat line. With these animal heads your bumper boat attraction could be made to fit a given theme. For example they already make them in ducks

and swans

perfect for a bumper boat pond at a city park or for a ride themed as a duck pond or lilly pond.

They also offer elephants,

hippos,

and bears.

I believe these would be perfect for use at a zoo. They would also be great at a park where a wilderness theme is being used. They are also open to custom design orders. If for example your park is known for flamingos or penguins or something else; then we could make that happen. The main thing is that the flexibility of design you get from Rides and Fun would mean being able to create a unique bumper boat experience that would become part of your business's brand.

Now, I know many of you are familiar with this company and could contact them yourselves. However, I hope you will place your orders through my site or at least mention my name as the person who caused you to decide to purchase. I can promise you that my small commission is not going to effect your final purchase price in the least.

These units would be a good fit at an amusement park, water park, family fun center, pleasure pier, or beach boardwalk. I'm aware that there are also some carnival and fun fair operators who manage traveling bumper boat attractions. And based on the earlier statement you could use these at a summer camp, lake camp grounds, or lagoon area. And I'm sure there are possibilities I'm not even thinking of.

I hope you enjoyed learning about these fine new products. I look forward to hearing your opinions on all their unusual if not unique designs. Please let me know by leaving a comment. Not only does it help the manufacturer to make an even better product, but it gives you beneficial links back to your website, twitter profile, and most recent blog post. And if you enjoyed the post, be sure to click the sharing buttons and let your friends, family, and coworkers know about it. I can't do this without your help.

I always love to hear from my readers. I know most of you are unfamiliar with the operations end of the amusement industry. I welcome your questions. You can either email me or use the contact form You can also use the new social media buttons to connect with me on face book, linked in, twitter, google plus and pinterest. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks and take care, Max

scenery art work

Hello; This is a slide show I made from photos of the scenery of a ride in italy that i have been asked to help find a new home. It is hand crafted from wood and these scenery panels are all hand painted. While the art work may be a bit disturbing it is beautifully done or so i am told by my brother patrick. I will be posting the ride tomorrow. I was hoping some of you could try this link and let me know how it is playing and what you think of the art panels. thanks and good night, max http://www.youtube.com/v/ycXglH4ZEzM?version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1&attribution_tag=uAx1oBtMiBmTKNvEwf121w&autohide=1&showinfo=1&feature=share

Advice for selling amusement equipment online part 5 food and game concessions

Hello again; I apologize for getting behind on this series of posts. I was knocked off my schedule by some dental work that left me uninterested in work for several days. But now I am back.

My intention was to finish these posts by the middle of November as by then most people that will have equipment for sale have already listed it. That or at least it is too late for them to plan because the rides, games, inflatables, concessions machines, etc will already be in winter time storage. But today I am back to continue with suggestions about selling your food or game concession equipment.

In this pos we will talk about food and game trailers. We will also address the different types of game booths. Most food items are sold from trailers or carts, but there are also some food items sold from booths; and we will talk about them. And then there are the individual concessions machines and game equipment. I'll have suggestions for all of these.

Food and Game Trailers

When it comes to concessions trailers, you can expect some of the same questions that you would for a mechanical ride. They will want to know the manufacturer's name, year built, trailer dimensions, weight, electrical demands, number of axles, size of wheels and tires, overall condition, and of course its price. You would need to include the list of food machines or game equipment if included. Some trailers are sold without the equipment. They will need to know the number of awnings and how difficult they are to raise and lower. It would be helpful to know what type of vehicle you have pulled it with or how heavy a truck you believe it requires. Your experience as to the maximum number of workers that can be in a unit at the same time would also be valuable. And if you can give an approximation as to potential capacity or gross that would be very helpful. Lists of suppliers and information on profit margine may help with someone new or relatively new to the concessions field. You should decide if you will include a truck in the sale. And you absolutely need to tell them if the bookings will be included in the price. Potential buyers need to know if they are buying a trailer or a whole business.

This listing for an old fashioned soda salloon trailer is a good example of a concession trailer listing. The photos are solid and the equipment list is very detailed.

Game Booths

Other than game trailers there are basically two kinds of game booths. They are either aluminum and canvas or wood with canvas. You would start with the type of game it is along with the dimensions of the booth and the weight of the canvas. While it may seem obvious, you need to specify whether it is a center game booth opening on three or four sides or a line up game booth opening on only one side. With aluminum games, the buyer needs to know the name of the manufacturer and the heft of the frame. There is a big difference between an easy up and a professional carnival quality booth. If it is a wooden one, then people need to know who framed it as builders have reputations as to the quality of their work and the ease of use of the booths they have built in the past. Also, age will be more important with a wooden stall than with an aluminum one. And you need to include the name of the company you bought the canvas from in addition to the color and weight. This is because differing canvas makers provide higher or lower levels of quality. So, the canvas company you bought from will definitely effect the perceived value of the unit. Be sure to give the size and dimensions of the signage as well as the number and types of lighting used. Tell people what kind of stock you use in it, the prices you charge, and the average numbers of winners. These are critical to determine the potential earning power for a possible buyer. You need to decide if the game will be sold with or without the game equipment, signage, lighting, or prize stock. And again you should decide if a truck will be included. And if continuing with the same carnival or in the same location is an option, then this too will improve your equipment's value.

I don't currently have any complete game booths for sale on the website, but this ad for a set of bull dozers or coin pushers will give you a good idea of what you should shoot for.

Food Tents

Like I said, most food is sold from trailers; but there are a fare number of families operating out of tents or canvas booths. I actually sold a Texas corn roasting business this spring that was operated out of a ten by ten aluminum and canvas booth. With one of these stands people will want to know your history with state and local inspections. Were the inspections more difficult to get or did you have to pay additional fees for not having a trailer. Also, are there food items that they cannot sell without upgrading to a trailer. They will also need to know how difficult it will be to get new bookings or keep existing ones using an open food stand. Just like with a game booth they will want to know the dimensions, color, weight, and age of the canvas. Does the unit come with awning canvas or night walls for some semblance of security? Do you have a dolly, hand truck, or other equipment to make the set up and take down easier? Will you be including a truck in the sale, and can you at least assist the new buyer with securing the bookings for the upcoming year?

Food Carts

With food carts the questions will be similar to food trailers, but there are a couple of differences. For starters has the cart been used for mobile food sales or has it been in the same location for years. The difference is important because it will impact the ability of its new owner to move it to a new location. Many carts that have been on one location for a long time no longer have the transport trailer. So, the buyer may have to bring a cube van or large pick-up truck with them to haul the cart home. Carts vary in quality, so does yours have electrical outlets, sinks, holding tanks, gas or propane burners, shelves, marquee, etc? Does it come with a large umbrella or picnic tables?

In the above ad the owner is selling a very nice cart but she went out of her way to make sure I knew that the large addditional sign and the roof pictured are not included in the sale. This often happens when someone has more than one booth and is wanting to make the one they keep as strong as possible.

game and food equipment

Sometimes, you will want to sell some of your equipment but hang on to the game booth or food trailer. In these cases you need to be very descriptive on the equipment. If they are concessions machines, then people will want to know the names of the manufacturers along with the make, model number, size, capacity, electrical usage, water needs, and the age of the equipment. You should state whether or not supplies for these food machines are available and from where. If it is game equipment, then the buyer needs to know if you purchased it or built it yourself. They will want to know how many of each item is included and the names of companies where they could buy replacements when necessary. Being able to provide a list of prize suppliers as well as a list of vendors to be avoided would be helpful. They will need to know if they meet with any applicable regulations concerning carnival games. And if you know of upcoming regulations that will make the game equipment obsolete, then you should tell this to the buyer. Your experience with the games can really help a potential buyer especially when they are new to the business. You can tell them about problems to avoid with the game. Anything you can tell a prospective buyer that will give them confidence of getting their investment back will be helpful.

Photo Suggestions

When it comes to taking photos of food or game concessions equipment, I believe you need more than when selling a ride. You need to have photos of the booth open and closed in daylight and full dark. Try to take the when open photos with a crowd around the booth. You also need to have pictures of the inside of the trailer. These inside photos should include wide shots as well as close up photos of the major items of equipment. And I will tell you a trick that I have learned from posting trailers and booths on my own website. Start with the outside photos. People are far more likely to click on a link if the first picture is a good wide shot from the outside that shows the whole trailer including marquee and canvas skirting to its best advantage. And since there is a lot of competition for sales, you want people's attention to be grabbed by that first photo. You want them to keep looking and fall in love with your trailer, booth, cart, or equipment items.

I used this technique in the above listing for a very nice french fry and corn dog trailer.

If you have any amusement, concessions, or confection equipment that you are planning to sell, then I hope you will consider using the midway marketplace. If you would like to get an idea of what kinds of equipment I have for sale, then please visit the equipment listings section on my site. I do work on a commission basis, but I don't receive anything unless I am responsible for the sale. There is no application or set up fee. And regardless of the number of listings you want to place or the value of the items you have for sale; everyone gets the same high level of care. You will each get the maximum effort to find your equipment a new home. You can either send me an email or use the submission form.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did, then please share it with your friends, family, and colleagues. I would love it if you would leave a comment. I have comment love premium on my site, so you can receive up to three back links by leaving a comment. You get a link to your website, twitter profile, and most recent blog post. And at least for now its my policy to visit the sites of people who leave comments. So,, its also an opportunity to pick up another fan and regular visitor to your site or blog.

I love hearing from my readers. Whether you have a question or just want to discuss the amusement industry, I hope you will use the contact me link and drop me a line. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks and take care, Max

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