After 20 years this was my last A-town.
Well actually last year was, cause after driving 7 hours to get there I never even went in the show.
This show is no longer about pinball, it's about lining the promoters pockets.
We all saw the line. The crowds. I've never experienced anything like like it. For years you could show up at 11:00 or so, even 11:30 and get right in at 12.
This was disgusting.
It's time for the people who work their assess off dragging machines to the show, setting them up, and keeping them running for a lousy $20 day to stop.
You are being used.
And yes, I used to be one of those guys.
It used to be Friday was the pinball enthusiasts day, it was low key and you could play anything you wanted.
Strike up a lot of nice conversations too.
Or Friday evening for a couple of hours when people went to dinner you might have 3 really nice hours at the show with like minded people.
NOT ANY MORE. Greedy SOB has ruined the show. Apparently he is marketing it to the locals, who find it a cheap place to bring their brats for an afternoon.
I knew it was done when Ivan took over. Just a couple of years ago I watched someone change a baby on top of a game. That's the type of people he's attracting.
So at 1:30 with a line still a 1000' long and and an hour wait we canceled our room and headed home, another 7 hour drive and never even got in.
Vendors should think about who their customers are and are they reaching them with this show.
I had $1000 play money just for parts and stuff. Didn't spend one dime.
Do you think john q. public was in there buying LEDS and stuff? Never mind not buying any games.
Bringing a machine for free play is a sucker bet. You work that hard to have your valuable collectibles mauled by a bunch of street people. You are working for $20 day and risking your expensive games.
Ivan laughs all the way to the bank cause of your generosity.
You should be getting at least $250 per day rental fee for your machine, and delivery and setup charges.
You are being used, and if you don't think so check out the accomodations made people who bring machines to other shows.
I don't know how he gets people to still do it.
This chump has ruined the show for pinball people.
First thing he did was destroy the flea market.
Now this.
We all saw what went on. Even the Farmers Market was slammed with the overflow, I heard a number of vendors freaking out over it. The bathrooms were jammed. And you it was almost impossible to get waited on.
And it was mostly pinball people that got shut out of the show, I saw many that just kept trying to get in all afternoon.
I am sure many of you will disagree and tell me it was the best ever. I am truly happy that you enjoyed it. But this is no longer A-town, it's just a money making racket at players and collectors expense.
I am done, have seen the last of A-town.