@EricTrainMan posted:I debated on whether or not to comment on this thread but I’ll share my thoughts.
As someone on the younger side of this hobby I’ll say this, York is an incredible experience and I believe it’s critical to the future. That said, the current format doesn’t work for those that represent the future. Thursday is the best day to find that rare item and get the best product before it’s gone. But the future of the hobby is working or in school. The half day Thursday isn’t really enough to soak it all in, so you must go 2 days. That’s now 4 vacation days a year we have to take (figure 20% of most people’s allotted vacation time) to attend York 2x a year. Especially for those of us with children and hectic lives, it becomes a barrier to attendance.
Going to a Friday & Saturday show seems like it makes the most sense to me. Friday members only and Saturday open to the public.
You took the words out of my mouth, Eric. Thursday is currently the best day because the best products aren't gone yet. But the number of hoops I have to jump through to make that happen is insane. Take an entire Wednesday afternoon/evening driving out there. So Two and a half days of vacation burned, 5 days if I go October and April (that's 33% of my annual vacation time). Not to mention I've been doing MBA the past two years, so have to make sure that's taken care of too. And I don't even have kids yet!
I'm a die hard O-Gauger, so I'm willing to jump through those hoops. But to someone who's perhaps newer to the hobby? Forget about it.
I get that those of us in our 20s and 30s may not be the primary demographic, but it is a growing group. A Friday start day would certainly make things more manageable.
Do I sound like a grumpy curmudgeon yet?
- Jason
