Personally I think it is this mentality that will be the undoing of any type of event or expo.  People aren't stupid and know when things are nothing but a money grab.  Expo should be seen an introduction to pinball for newbies and an opportunity for people already in the hobby to meet and greet like minded folks, retailers and put faces to user names and pick up some great deals.  The opportunity for sales and revenue comes afterwards with repeat customers.

If the organiser/s made any money out of the event then that would be a bonus, the main aim should be to cover costs and be thankful for any profit.

What that statement says to me is that if I go I am just going to get ripped off at every opportunity.  That's not the message that should be portrayed and even put out there in a public forum of any type.  Who's to say that Joe Blow hears about an expo coming up, thinks it would be cool to own his first machine, starts hunting around on the net to find out more and then reads comments like that.  As I have already mentioned, costs need to be covered - that goes without saying, but think long term.....another person in the hobby is going to generate more income in the long run that ripping someone off so they get out of the hobby as soon as they got into it.  It's not always about making as much money as you can, every time.

......just imagine how many machines, both new stern and the usual pinnys u would sell, not to mention the parts.

i reckon u could make a heap of money off the expo, as well as geting all the other professional companys involved. every pinhead in australia and from other countries would have a blast.......