GenCon and my budget

[Phoenix_Knightwind]

The list of books and supplies the publishers are bringing is already causing my bank account to make a sucking sound.

While I was looking through some stuff on GenCon, I noticed a suggestion to bring travelers checks. My question is what sort of payment options will be available in the Dealers' Room? Do we need cash, checks, or will all bow to the plastic god?

 

[HellHound]

By the end of the Con, most dealers have made arrangements with one of the few dealers present who have the ability to accept plastic in the field. Generally, cash is by far the prefered method of payment, as otherwise the vendor has to lead you on a merry expedition across the convention floor to the booth of another vendor who accepts plastic (and to whom he will be paying a small user fee).

My recommendation is to shop around for the first day or two, figure out what you want, then go to a bank machine on day three, pull out the cash you need with your credit card, and start buying.

 

[MEG Hal]

By the end of the Con, most dealers have made arrangements with one of the few dealers present who have the ability to accept plastic in the field. Generally, cash is by far the prefered method of payment, as otherwise the vendor has to lead you on a merry expedition across the convention floor to the booth of another vendor who accepts plastic (and to whom he will be paying a small user fee).

My recommendation is to shop around for the first day or two, figure out what you want, then go to a bank machine on day three, pull out the cash you need with your credit card, and start buying.

Hellhound has a good plan. Look around make a list, you see lots of pens and paper at GenCon . And start buying, some things may be in limited supply but most of the items will be there with enough for the whole con.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Two other benefits to this method.

1. It gives you some time to plan and think about your purchases. You'll be less likely to say something like, "what the heck was I thinking when I bought this?"

2. It will save you from two days worth of hauling a whole mess of books around in your backpack. If GenCon qualifies as serious physical activity for you, as it does for me, this will be very important.

 

[FCWesel]

Sad to say it, but unless its a book that I REALLY want to read...and I mean right then and there...I usually try and not buy at Gen Con, and wait to buy my stuff from my fav game-store (here) as I know they can always use and appreciate the loyalty and buisness.

That being said. Sometimes FLGS are hard to come buy and Gen Con is the best source for some.

Cash is best, carrying that much money in a pick-pockets wet dream come true is not a good idea, so be sure you keep that in mind and keep your money safely stowed.

Over the last few years I have noticed that there are very few booths that I purchased from that didn't accept plastic...especially since the hybrid "Bank Cards/Credit Cards" have come into power.

If I were a vendor I would rather have the CC buisness...cash is nice, but is also susceptible to loss and miscalulation and trickery...The card machine...she no count the money wrong (usually ).

Anyways. Hope to see ya all at the big GC... Is there a ENWorld User party planned out for us all to put face to name?

 

[MEG Hal]

Anyways. Hope to see ya all at the big GC... Is there a ENWorld User party planned out for us all to put face to name?

Last year it was after the ENnies and went very well, so I would assume the same thing here.

 

[Phoenix_Knightwind]

So are the plastic takers in the majority or minority?

I find it hard to believe that plastic won't be much use. Heck, even ren fairs out in big fields can take plastic now.

 

[Larry Fitz]

The only way to do CC reliably is to have both power and phone connection. Just taking a swipe can (and will) result in loss of revenue ("That card? That card was canceled 3 month ago!"). It's not always feasible for vendors to have power and phone connections at the booth. Cash works nicely, but the problem with Hellhound's suggestion is that the pickpockets know when most people do their shopping at cons too. My recommendation is to put your cash someplace unusual (shoe, interior pocket, a pouch attached to a necklace inside all of your clothing) and do your shopping on Friday, at the Living Imagination booth, and anywhere they carry 9th level games, those guys are great....

 

[pogre]

My recommendation is to put your cash someplace unusual (shoe, interior pocket, a pouch attached to a necklace inside all of your clothing) and do your shopping on Friday, at the Living Imagination booth, and anywhere they carry 9th level games, those guys are great....

Ahhh, the joys of being a dealer at GenCon - accepting cash from secret hiding places on day three from a sweaty gamer...

 

[The Antra]

Oh, I have good memories of last year´s GenCon (and a few strategies too).

I can say that Hellhound´s strategy is definitely the way to go (Hi, Jason!) and I would add Larry´s tip into that (Hi, Larry!).

I came all the way from Brazil and spent A LOT of money just to be at GenCon. At the same time, I had this big ammount of cash and was totally afraid of getting robbed.

I took a hidden pocket with all my money all the time around. I kept looking (and drooling) at everything for the first three days. I only started buying stuff on the third day and even then I only bought the "must have"s. Only on the fourth day I allowed myself to go crazy and spend the rest of the cash I had (and boy those dollars sure go out fast!).

I only made one slip in this strategy. As I was walking down the Exhibitor Hall just before they opened it on the third day (Thanks God for those special badges), I went by Decipher´s booth and saw the new LOTR RPG. It was fresh out of the box and I asked the guy: "Are these for sale?" and he said "In a few minutes. Wanna buy one now?".

And temptation was too big. I didn´t even flip the friggin´book. I´m glad I wasn´t disappointed when I did.

So, there you go. Keep your money hidden with you and reject the thought of buying everything you see.

Also, don´t count on planning too much in advance. I had a long list of stuff I wanted but when I got there I saw many others I was immediately hooked.

As Twinrose Chris would say: "This one time... at GenCon..."

Best,
Marcio Fiorito
P.S.: Won´t be able to be there this year, but who knows? Maybe next time!