I swore off Allentown multiple times. I only go if there is a reason, such as getting a game. It is not worth paying admission to get in. Parts are 20-50% higher than I can get them online.
For instance saw a rather large vendor selling USED shooter assemblies for $50. Rusted and cracked and just generally shitty. I needed a few posts and star posts and could not even find them at the show. Even if I had I am sure it would have been $8 for a single star post. Just pointless going if you are in it for parts.

From my experience you are talking about Marco. Did the guy give you a card to contact someone to help you when you couldn't find it online only to find out he was full of shit and they actually don't have the part?

It is great paying to get in to be able to pay 50% more for parts or to be told to just order the stuff online...

So if we are going for forum activity then I will talk as I am semi active. Sorry but allentown show just plain sucks. I have gone 3 years and every time it was a waste of time, prices on parts were more than had I ordered online, some cases 2-3x more. The "vendors" are going down hill and do not match, why the hell do I need companies that sell random, unrelated things?! Yeah let me go to a pinball show to talk to a gutter leaf guard...
The games in freeplay are ok enough but honestly I will just go to papa or Pinburg and have a cheaper (and not to mention better) time.

Last time I went was to get a playfield from someone I did not even bother going into the show...

Last time I was there a vendor inside was selling shooter assemblies that were rusted and cracked for $40. Used star posts were $4 or $5 each. This was not simple rounding.

$4 or $5 for used star posts in common colors or $40 for used rusty busted up shooter assemblies. Fairly sure I can do better and pay for express shipping.

Just a ridiculous example of what does not belong at a pinball show. A true example is someone selling $5,000 massage chairs (They have been at pin shows in the past). Why the hell was that at a pinball show?!

This was at Allentown a few years ago. The games on freeplay are nice but honestly I go for parts and between the vendors selling overpriced used items and not having even common parts it makes it a bit of a bummer.

Chair was an example from a previous year, I believe it was at Allentown pinfest but not entirely certain. It is like going to a home and garden show and seeing a Bentley on the floor. What the hell does that have to do with home and garden?!

I am not goofing about the price of the used parts. I can pm you and let you know the year and where they were located in the building if you'd like. I think the same seller was selling fuses for ridiculous prices as well.

Also I should clarify I have no ill will against the organizers here. It would be very hard to bring this together.

Yes I understand that, they pay for space and set the price. I am not sure how to solve the parts dilemma that I have had there. I just feel like if you are a vendor at a pinball show and you are selling parts that maybe you should stock some common parts. I realize it is unrealistic to bring every part under the sun. Like I said, no perfect solution.