If you're looking to have fun, you will probably have fun.

Yeah, the line was probably the biggest downside for people, unfortunately. But that just shows how popular the show has become.

I always enjoy going to pinfest every year.

Unfortunately, he was unable to attend as per a post in one of the event threads.

It takes a lot of time, effort, traveling, and staffing for a vendor to attend a show with their wares--there are a lot of expenses involved that you might not be aware of, including freight shipping, transportation, hotels, booth rental, table rental, food, etc.

So yeah, some of the smaller parts/supplies might be more expensive (sometimes because of rounding a $0.89 item to $1 for ease of transactions, or other price increases just general markup), but some of the larger stuff you can get deals on (legs, playfields, backglasses, coin doors, glass, other bulky items), especially if you're saving on shipping. Shop smart, and you can get deals.

I like going for the flea market--it can be a goldmine for parts and project games.

For those of in the northeast who don't have a dedicated pinball venue anywhere near us, Pinfest, Pintastic, and now Saratoga are fun events to play games you wouldn't otherwise have access to on location. PAPA is nearly 8 hours from me. It's not practical to go there. It's great that you have that resource available to you, but I'm grateful of the events that are held in the northeast that I have available to me. I don't just go for free play--I go for the buying & selling and seeing all the people I've met within the hobby. Heck, I don't think I played more than 10 games this year, but I still had fun with other aspects of the show.

You are free to choose whichever show/establishment you want to patronize, but I appreciate all the shows that I am able to attend, those of whom who are able to organize them, and everyone who participates in them (staff, volunteers, vendors, and everyone who brings games). It takes a lot of work from a lot of people, and making a broad sweeping statement that "it sucks" is incredibly disingenuous to everyone involved. Yes, there are usually aspects that can be improved upon every year, but if you go there looking to have fun, fun is what you'll find. If you go there with the intention of being a sour grape, that's probably what you'll get out of it.

I don't recall seeing any massage chairs, gutters, gardening, or home repair stuff in the vendor hall this year or in past years.

However, I do seem to recall seeing a 1960's barber chair one year in the outdoor flea market area. Maybe that's what you were thinking of?

Also be sure to shop around. Most local glass places farm out the production of tempered glass to another facility since they don't have the furnace for it. In that case, a sheet could cost somewhere around $80.

Additionally, there is usually a minimum amount in square feet per order, so you may need to order more than one sheet at a time.

I always put a new piece of glass in games. The difference between a new sheet and and old scuffed up one is like night and day.

Always new leg levelers. Legs and bolts...depends on the condition, since you're not normally looking at the legs/bolts too much. Generally, I'll just buff them up if they're in good shape. If they're all rusty, crusty, chewed up, etc, I'll get new ones. Depending on the game, sometimes new legs just aren't available, so you have to work with what you've got.