Nothing else at Dragon*Con summarizes the entire experience quite like walking into Dealer and Exhibitor rooms. It's full of things that make your geeky little heart fill with glee. You will probably blow your budget on things that are completely unnecessary. You will be exposed to all sorts of germs while you're in a confined area. You will be shoved around by hundreds of people who have no clue about how queue up and/or handle being in a crowd. It's often a not-so-positive experience, but you just can't help but go back and do it again and again.
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Courtesy Dragon*Con Photography (c) 2010 Dragon*Con/ACE |
Location
Starting in 2013, the Dealer room and Exhibtors Halls have been moved to the AmericasMart, across the street from Hyatt. They were in the Marriott for many years, but crowding was becoming an issue.
"It Costs HOW Much?" - Tips for the Consumer
- If you have a general idea what you might buy before you go, research online to find out the general going rate for them, so you don't get screwed over.
- Only buy items you absolutely can't live without early in the Con.
- Sellers often do not want to haul stuff back home with them. You can get great deals late Sunday night and on Monday if you hold off on the bulk of your shopping.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes that also are good for protecting your toes.
- Carry cash. Some sellers are not equipped to handle cards and will only take cash. Make sure it's twenties or smaller, please.
- Tempting as it is to be the first person in the the Dealer Room, everyone else is feeling the same way. If you hold off until later in the Con or later in the day, you will likely have a better experience.
- Be aware of how the room movement works. The general flow of the rooms is that of driving. Move forward on the right side of an aisle. Don't suddenly stop where everyone else is trying to walk. Don't block the aisle if you can help it. Actually be aware of the bigger picture and remember this does not revolve around YOU.
- Similarly, have the sense to not wear anything that will impede foot traffic around you. Leave your giant costume, props, and backpack back at your room, please. Otherwise, you will be considered "that jerk who caused a traffic jam/knocked over somebody/cleared a table full of goods and was forced to pay a few hundred dollars to compensate the fine glass dealer who had half her booth wiped out".
- If you're going in with a group of friends, plan on being separated from each other, and have a plan to meet up later after your shopping is done.
- If you missed getting something you wanted, you can almost always find the exact same thing or something very similar online.
"It Costs This Much." - Tips for the Seller
- Make sure you read the Dealer/Exhibitor Packet before you sign up for a booth. Keep in mind the rules, policies, and costs. If you have very specific needs for your booth, contact the Dragon*Con staff very early before next Con, to make sure they can accommodate your needs and to make sure they actually have space for you. Space tends to sell out incredibly quickly.
- Be reasonable about your prices. The average Dragon*Con goer is well versed in using the internet and probably knows it when you're trying to fleece them. There's no shame in making a little profit, but if you're completely unreasonable in your costs, you're not going to do well. Similarly, there will likely be other booths who are selling the exact same things you are. Be reasonable.
- Original work that you've created is going to be a lot more rare than mass produced things. That being said, it tends to cost more. It's a fine balance of quality/cost ratios. Some people will be able to pay for some fairly expensive items, but the vast majority of people at Con aren't really financially well off. Just keep it in mind.
- Make sure you have plenty of small bills for making change. You're doing this over a weekend and a holiday. This means that going to the bank is likely going to be a serious problem. Plan ahead.
- Be very intelligent about your money handling. The last thing you need is to be robbed. Be smart.
- Enlist plenty of help. You want to be sure that you can assist as many customers as possible, and still make sure your merchandise doesn't magically walk off on it's own.
- Make sure your staff is also somewhat knowledgeable about what they're selling. An ability to answer questions about the product is a major bonus.
Conclusion
While the Dealer/Exhibition rooms are a popular venue at the con, if everyone would think it through a little, the entire experience could improve for all. Just try to keep these things in the back of your head, and we will all appreciate it.
Work in Progress