As someone who ran the convention for 4 years, let me assure Mr. Sloan that his "Dealer's Unfair Advantage" post is off the mark. Do the dealers buy and sell stuff to each other prior to the show opening? Sure they do! Is is one huge chip swap meet going on before you get in? NO.

The table fees pay for most of the convention expenses. The dealers find this stuff, buy it, catalog it, price it, haul it around, set it up and deal with us crazy ass members for 6-8 hrs every day! In some cases, it takes some of these folks HOURS just to set up.*See CT Rodgers' tables and figure how long it takes him and 3-4 members of his family to set that stuff up! And it is not like ALL the dealers show up on the floor at 8am! Some of them don't even make it to the hotel TO set up until Thursday morning.

And come Friday and Saturday morn, most all them come dragging in at 9:30, after chipping all week!
Very few, if ANY, of these folks make a full time occupation out of this. They are collectors and they like to wheel and deal, just like the rest of us. They hope to cover expenses and maybe make a profit, so they can buy more chips!! Most, but not all of them are tied to the tables during the show. So when are they suppose to shop?

Every member has the opportunity to purchase a table and be "on the floor early", so become a "dealer" and buy a table and you can get in on those great deals! I spent many hours with most of these folks before, during and after the show over that 4 year span. Saw a lot of hard work, great friendships being renewed, new ones begin and a lot of chip conversation! But on the whole, most of "good buys" were done in private rooms, in the hall and at the bar!

I can assure you that you are not missing out as much as you may think you are. Just so you know from which side of the table I speak from, I have never had a table at this or any other show!

The "best deal" I ever got at one of these shows was the opportunity to work with and get to know some very exceptional people! May everyone have a wonderful time at the 2002 Convention, no matter what time you get on the show floor!