It will be interesting to see what buyer attendance is like at the FHA sales in North Bay.

Many of the international buyers bring family members with them when they travel to auctions (a vacation written off as a business expense). Toronto, New York City, Seattle, Vancouver (Canada) - all cities where fur auctions were previously held - have a lot to offer. Shopping. Sight seeing. Fine dining. Sporting Events. Top end Entertainment. Plenty to do besides the auction.

North Bay doesn’t offer those things. It is a nice little town but some what off the beaten path. Not a place you want to take a family vacation, especially in January and February.

The hard core wild fur buyers and brokers will be there but what about the large Chinese contingents you used to see in Toronto.


Lots of unknowns at this point.

^^^^^^
Interesting points Nancy. I know Fairbanks Alaska is a big draw for Japanese tourists during the winter; they flock there to view the northern lights. I don't know if the aurora borealis is of interest to Chinese and Koreans as well, who knows? I assume they are visible in North Bay?
Apparently the Japanese think there is something special about conceiving a child under the northern lights; at least that's what I've been told.

Downey can line them up with fancy chalets in the Muskokas,where a lot of hollywwod people own property,thats only a 40 minute drive from N Bay.

What are fancy chalets without shopping and dining. Plus a 40 minute drive - not like a 10 minute hotel shuttle in Toronto.

FHA does have the staff to cater to the big buyers like NAFA did.

Who knows maybe if HBC removes it holding on a big building will come up in Toronto. t
They did report a loss of 230M last quarter.

Anyone got a lucky dollar for a purchase...

If FHA can increase volume and carry the costs of increased routes etc. I would anticipate they would find an attractive location for buyers as buyers are what is needed in the market. Might not be a bad time to start low key, many of the buyers probably are not enjoying major increases in may or profit margins either. Costs money to bring several family members several thousand miles for a week or so.

Bryce

No doubt that's what alot of Japanese girls have been told as well.

Coonman220 is going to have a stroke when he hears of this development !!!!!

w

First National Walleyed Bank will finance all pre payment. Applications available soon. No interest. 3 year repayment plan.

and a free dvd.

For us poor boys those advances over the years have meant the difference in being able to trap to make a living, or have to (ugh) get a real job.

And a magazine. One issue every 6 yrs.

The buyers have always been the same buyers at both auctions. The difference is NAFA won't be there offering free shipping right before a FHA auction, and other dirty tricks they used to do.
Not to forget the firesale where they bought your fur cheap themselves and resold it and made the money instead of the trapper.
FHA always tried to hold the prices, and I believe with NAFA out of the picture they will be able to do a better job of that.
Remember all FHA guys are trappers themselves.

No limits on dealer lots, and more or less liquidation at current market prices; sounds good to me.

I remember the fire sales starting in 99 or so. There were several more. It helps Auction companies; short term.