I can't speak for vendors and the price they pay for table space, but I don't think 20 bucks is unreasonable for what is offered to the public. Compare it to a movie ticket,concert ticket,dinner,or a few good micro brewed beers and price doesn't seem to bad. If newby is just getting into doubles ,I think the guns and prices he sees once in the tents will probably scare him alot more than the $20.00 entrance fee.
Just my thoughts, Dave
I think that points to another major problem with the Vintage Cup these days.
There used to be a number of vendors who sold relatively affordable small items such as books, cartridge bags, gun cases, Orvis clothes and gear, sporting prints, collectibles, etc. Some were collectors, some made their own items, some were doing resale. They added a lot to the character of the event, and left many people happy that they found something unusual or even got a bargain.
I think there were only a couple of vendors selling primarily small, inexpensive items this year, and I can't imagine they made any money doing it.
No doubt, high vendor fees and low attendance have a lot to do with that. At the same time, if new people attending the event have only the opportunity to buy big ticket items such as guns, that makes it hard for them to participate as buyers as well.
I saw dealers of small items who were at both the Southern and Great Northeast (quite a ways from each other) who were not set up at the Vintage Cup. I think its safe to assume they were priced out of the event.
