Gadgets that take the pain out of load-shedding and eco-friendly gizmos attracted the most attention at the Your Home Expo, which was held at the East London International Convention Centre for the first time this long weekend.
“We sold out of our inverters that keep the TV and lights on for two hours,” said Brian Heuer of Micro Vision, who sold 250 units.
“We had to take lists of orders. It uses no fuel and makes no noise and is what everyone wants for load-shedding. It is the hottest seller of this show.”
Ironically, Heuer’s back-up solar power stand was situated alongside the Eskom stall, which became the target of a few hot-headed expo visitors.
One came close to pushing the table over, while others used family-unfriendly language directed at the power utility.
“It is very important that we are here,” said the woman, who sat beneath the Eskom banner and asked not to be named because she is not authorised to speak to the media.
“We are trying to give people advice to save power. But some people took their frustrations out on us. One man said ‘you bliksems’ and acted like he would tip the table over.”
George inventor Henri Tesner brought his diverse inventions to the expo, including a toilet odour removing system, an egg cracker kit and a spinning biltong dryer.
However, he also said visitors had shown the most interest in his power back-up system.
“About 70% of people who walked past wanted to know how it works and can’t believe you can get electrical power out of a box.”
Visitors were also clustered around stalls exhibiting burglar proofing installations.
“I’ve had a phenomenal response,” said Carl Stagg of Clear Bars who, by yesterday morning, had reeled in 80 quotes for his products.
“I've already got staff out there installing our clear burglar bars.”
Most traders the Daily Dispatch spoke to said this year's expo had been a bumper one.
“The response this year has been the best,” said Rhett Pendock of Inovar Floors, whose spacious stand featuring laminate and wood-look flooring was named the best-looking stand by the organisers. “We’re really delighted with the response.”
Clara Gwesu agreed, saying people had snapped up her body massagers with their seven noduled stress-relieving attachments.
“We sold out on Monday and had to get new stock from Johannesburg.”
But Jowannie Moolman of Pretoria, who was selling biodegradable fire lighters in an outdoor tent, said many visitors had by-passed this venue and headed straight to the indoor exhibition halls.
“We made a killing last year at Hemingways.”
Some stands, like Easy Life Kitchens, went the extra mile and installed a sleek built-in kitchen complete with working oven in the ICC’s elegant foyer. “We are baking cookies for our visitors,” said Dave Roux.
Your Home Expo organiser Rodwell Sims said the “ready-made” ICC venue had saved him having to contract in exhibition stand and carpeting installers.
“The ICC is walk-in and ready-to-go and people love its upmarket-ness and outdoor areas. It will probably be the home of the expo for the future.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
PHOTO GALLERY: Load-shedding assistance hot sellers at expo
“We sold out of our inverters that keep the TV and lights on for two hours,” said Brian Heuer of Micro Vision, who sold 250 units.
“We had to take lists of orders. It uses no fuel and makes no noise and is what everyone wants for load-shedding. It is the hottest seller of this show.”
Ironically, Heuer’s back-up solar power stand was situated alongside the Eskom stall, which became the target of a few hot-headed expo visitors.
One came close to pushing the table over, while others used family-unfriendly language directed at the power utility.
“It is very important that we are here,” said the woman, who sat beneath the Eskom banner and asked not to be named because she is not authorised to speak to the media.
“We are trying to give people advice to save power. But some people took their frustrations out on us. One man said ‘you bliksems’ and acted like he would tip the table over.”
George inventor Henri Tesner brought his diverse inventions to the expo, including a toilet odour removing system, an egg cracker kit and a spinning biltong dryer.
However, he also said visitors had shown the most interest in his power back-up system.
“About 70% of people who walked past wanted to know how it works and can’t believe you can get electrical power out of a box.”
Visitors were also clustered around stalls exhibiting burglar proofing installations.
“I’ve had a phenomenal response,” said Carl Stagg of Clear Bars who, by yesterday morning, had reeled in 80 quotes for his products.
“I've already got staff out there installing our clear burglar bars.”
Most traders the Daily Dispatch spoke to said this year's expo had been a bumper one.
“The response this year has been the best,” said Rhett Pendock of Inovar Floors, whose spacious stand featuring laminate and wood-look flooring was named the best-looking stand by the organisers. “We’re really delighted with the response.”
Clara Gwesu agreed, saying people had snapped up her body massagers with their seven noduled stress-relieving attachments.
“We sold out on Monday and had to get new stock from Johannesburg.”
But Jowannie Moolman of Pretoria, who was selling biodegradable fire lighters in an outdoor tent, said many visitors had by-passed this venue and headed straight to the indoor exhibition halls.
“We made a killing last year at Hemingways.”
Some stands, like Easy Life Kitchens, went the extra mile and installed a sleek built-in kitchen complete with working oven in the ICC’s elegant foyer. “We are baking cookies for our visitors,” said Dave Roux.
Your Home Expo organiser Rodwell Sims said the “ready-made” ICC venue had saved him having to contract in exhibition stand and carpeting installers.
“The ICC is walk-in and ready-to-go and people love its upmarket-ness and outdoor areas. It will probably be the home of the expo for the future.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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