OK - I've been going to this show for about 6 years.. mostly as a marginally involved comic collector currently. I work full time, own house have morg and upkeep, rental property have too (and all that entails), wife, kids, etc. (busy, busy) .. but have been buying comics, toys, models, statues, die-cast cars, etc., etc., since 1973 (45 years). I'm not a hard-core comics' guy, that needs income from them or even thinks that much about them as an investment.
I have a pretty extensive collection of comics.. slabbed and loose though... 45 years worth.
This show is fun, and I dropped off 20 books to be CGC'd. I walked around, looked, and looked some more.. and was some-what interested in a few books.
Here's the thing, and I know this will raise the ire among many here, but this show seems more structured to circle-jerk the illuminati of comic book dealers.
Most, but not all, dealers there have this palatable air about them.. and I've seen and witnessed way too many dealers working deals among themselves while non-dealer customers wait patiently for said dealer to give him/her some time about an insignificant $25 dollar book they may want. And in general, most dealers treat average customers there like carneys treat "rubes" at the local county fair.. to be taken advantage of.
I wish this wasn't the case, but for many who attend this show this is the reality. And while I'm sure there's a great deal of fun to be had at this show.. I tend to think it's more skewed towards the dealers having most of it.
Anyhoo.. if anyone else has experienced this vibe about the show, then know you're not alone.
*Still love comic book collecting.