Entry Fees

We all know that the Entry Fees to some Shows has been the topic of discussion the past few weeks, if not all season. I'm not going to ask you to take a poll or voice your opinion or e-mail the site, but I am going to ask you to do something else.

At the beginning of the season there was a minor controversy over whether we should pay to display our cars. Some in the Hobby think they should get in for free as it is their vehicles that draws the crowd that makes the organizers real money. These guys are right in certain respects, but should check their Egos at the door as the vehicle may not be the draw they think it is.

Many people are in the frame of mind that screams, "Whats in it for me". At some shows you get a little grab bag of goodies that usually amount to what you would give a child to put in their pencil box in 1968. At the Mid-Coast show in Bath you actually get a T-Shirt. But at most shows you get nada, that's if a day with friends, doing something you love is counted as nada.

Most shows we go to charge $5, some $8, (although these are few and far between). Some have jumped to $10 and as we all know $15. These shows come in catagories that I call "A" & "B". A will be school booster clubs, Project Graduations, Scouts and charities etc.,that actually bust their butts in an effort to make the monies they need to get through the year. B will be the service organizations like the K of C, Shriners, Chamber of Commerce and Rotary, Lions etc, that are in abundance and that get the big corprate sponsors for the frills and suck up all the money for their favorite charity.

Now this is what I want you to try as an effort to curb their desire for our money. At a "B" catagory show, ASK THEM what the money will be going to or what charity they are supporting. If they can't answer you immediately then get your money back and leave. If the answer is deemed inappropriate by you then leave. ASK THEM if you think its to high a fee. ASK THEM if you think your money goes to a national fund or organization. ASK THEM if they plan on doing another Show at these prices next year. ASK THEM if they are crazy. ASK THEM if they think you were born yesterday. PUT THEM ON THE SPOT. MAKE THEM SQUIRM.

We are making them Money and we should find out where our donation is going. This is especially true if we aren't getting enough bang for the buck.

I don't mind paying, but if it seems like highway robbery I'm going to defend myself.