[Rich Klein]

Scott;

More than you realize I get it:

1) I also begin running shows in DFW (I began with the Adat Chaverim show) as a way to give back to the community and run the shows the way I would want them run as a dealer.

That's why at that show, we GIVE you cards and an extra surprise in our bags with your suggested donation. That's correct for $1 -- you get over 100 cards plus an extra goodie for coming in the door. We were doing door prizes, but Texas State laws for non profits caused us to change what we do on that part of the show. I should also menti8on that when I began the non-profit show at Adat, I spent probably 2 hours total with good friend Mark Macrae on the phone who gave me great advice based on his 30+ years worth of experience on how to run a non-profit show.

2) That led to the monthly show I run. I want to run the show as a relaxed day for the dealers and for the customers and try to do something a little special each time. Even if it is something as simple as giving free cards to kids, free admission for kids and significant others and reduced table prices for vets/active service personnel or $90 in door prize scrip (We did all 3 of these last Saturday)
If we have a guest, I do become a bit stretched in terms of my time and attention but overall I hope the guest comes close to paying for himself (Unless his autograph is free with admission) and then with some items we get a low price point for items for sale. I can live with a small loss to get items signed. I.E. $100 loss on a show for 100 signed items is perfectly fine by me.

3) $5 admission cost. Now THAT is a pet peeve of mine. You yourself said you did the $5 admission to "intended the $5 admission insured that those who came, came to buy" That is why I asked about the venue cost. IMHO, if you want to limit your dealers and your collectors that is fine, but I get really frustrated here in DFW when there is a $5 or more (GTSM at $10) entry fee. For that price, you should be giving the customers something for just coming in the door. We have a promoter who does 4 shows in the DFW area each year and he has many issues. One of those issues is that he charges $5 for "early bird" and then $3 for the rest of the day. He calls that pre qualifies the customer. There was actually something last week who almost hauled off and hit him for having the gall to ask for $5 and he turned around and walked out. If the place costs you a lot of money, I get it, but if they worked with you on the price to help their cause, I would have been cheaper on both dealer tables and especially admission price.

As a person who has now run shows in DFW for nearly 3 full years now, all of this are things I feel very strongly about in terms of what I want to do for dealers and collectors

Rich