Mt Zion, IL
Hi all,
Figure I would make a post about some of my thoughts and suggestions
Overall, once again, I had a great time. Although the attendance was down, I think. I really didn't care, meant shorter lines, less drama, and didn't take away from any of my fun.
Freeplay room: There was a great assortment of games, and some people really took the time to bring quality games. However, there were several, shall we same dumbasses, that should have stayed home. I say at least 10 machines that were never on, with several of them never even being set up. Why, well probably because the wanted to just get in free. Could there have been more machines, sure, but then again, in the past when it was full of games, people complained about being cramped, long line, the temperature, , etc In other words, you can never please everyone. So myself, I was fine with the number of games
Freeplay Room Suggestions: I know that this was Lonnie's first time running it solo, and he is a super nice guy. But in my opinion, it was overall poor. Not trying to get on Lonnie, just make a few suggestions for the next time since he might not have known or thought of some scenarios. I was really impressed with checking in Thursday morning. The wanted to know everything name, address, phone, etc. So I thought, hey, great start. But that's about were it ended. There were no tags on machines like years past to know who brought what machine. And although, I occasionally saw Lonnie and his wife at the table, when it was important, there was no one there. I removed 6 machines from the show 5 that sold, and one that didn't. and did this at various times Saturday and sunday. Not once was there anyone attending the table, so anyone could have walked out with any game. Had one of my games disappeared, I would have made them pay for it. I don't assume the risk if they don't take measures to prevent theft.
Also, I think that they should have walked the room some, and taken notes of what machines were down/not set up. to have known who stole from the show. And if they would have required owners to have a tag affixed with a phone number. then the assholes that brought games that didn't even get set up could have at least had hundreds of calls from people that wondered why.
Repair Room, I think that this was pointless. I know that clay was there just Thursday and Friday, but I know that I walked by the room at least 50 times those two day since its right by a bathroom, and I can count on my hands how often the doors were open. I'm sure Rob Berk was happy as when the door was open, I could see Robs games being worked on, id guess that was the key part for them to scramble to get a repair person there
Vendor hall. Lets see where to start. First, I was a vendor, and it took me 5 minutes to get into the door because Mike was busy talking with people in the middle of the doorway with his scooter, so I couldn't even push my cart. I asked him to and he just said for me to wait a minute. Then I had to wait another 10 minutes for him to finish his conversation to hand me the packet for my info. He hands me the info and leaves, not even telling me where my location was.
Other issues I had. Although I know the family, why oh why is a calligraphy pen seller the first thing you see when walking into a pinball expo. seriously, the highest traffic area, and it has nothing to do with why any of us are there. I don't have a problem with them being there, but really think that there should be an area for "other" vendors at a lower traffic area, or have a row of them together, but not at the front door
Also, I did have an issue with a vendor that needed low lighting and me that needed bright lighting. So maybe suggest that the lighting vendors be at an area like the back so that they can shut off the lights there to enhance the product. but I should not have had to be in a darker area because of that. Other vendors like VP cabs brought the prop up tent to prevent glare and such, which is what the other lighting people should have done. I did voice my opinion, and then walked away. however, there were several other vendors that wanted to say something but didn't want to upset others. but they came and thanked me for saying something. The vendor said that Rob told him it was ok and that we can talk to Rob, so we did, and he said nothing like that, infact, he really only said one thing, for us to talk to Pacak. So we then did that, who as you can imagine, said talk to Berk. So we actually just decided to walk away, let the guy have his lights off, and just shut our area down early and started to enjoy the night
And If I see Pacak's scooter literally blocking the bathroom door because he was to lazy to walk the extra 5 feet, I'm gonna hop on it and turn it in to lost and found. He can walk and is seen walking, so the extra 5 steps wont kill him. He is the most inconsiderate person ive ever seen with a scooter, parking it sideways in hallys while he talks to people, and expecting everyone to walk around him instead of him at least being on a side instead of the middle
Even with my suggestions/ complaints. Honestly, if nothing was done about any of them, it wouldn't stop me from coming. I don't go for the drama, chaos, organization, disorganization, etc. I go for the people, and 95% of them are great people
