So this morning I attended Cars and Coffee Las Vegas as I do from time to time. Usually take one of the nicest cars out there when I do attend. Great place to catch up with good friends and see what everyone is playing with lately.
However this morning was an incredibly ridiculous and disappointing experience. For years I've attended this event and this morning was the first time Solomon the event owner approached me about wanting to collect $20 for simply having a "for sale" sign on the dash of my car. I can't believe such an event has turned to corporate greed like everything else.
My discussion with the event owner this morning was nothing more than a complete embarrassment that the organizer of this event is coming to me with his hand out. I've meet countless genuine people through this event and have made some solid friendships because of it. He began by telling me it was a decision made by the owner of the development where it's held and by the time we were done discussing the issue he admitted that it was his choice. Costs him money so it should cost its patrons money was how he looked at it. Started out blaming someone else and ultimately admitting to his pocket just wasn't full enough. Mind you there are vendors there that pay good money to promote their businesses but apparently that just isn't enough. He also told me that it's posted everywhere the parking lot is a No Soliciting space. When I asked why his vendors were aloud to solicit he had no response. Obviously if you pay in his mind you don't have to respect the No Soliciting rule anymore.
I guess what I'm saying at the end of all this is we can't even have a small gathering of car enthusiasts anymore without someone trying to dive into your pocket. By the end of the conversation I was completely embarrassed for the organizer of this event standing there with his hand out. The kicker to this is he was trying to sell me the event for $25,000 once he realized I wasn't paying him his $20. Sorry man but I would be ashamed to have my name on that event.
In the end the classic statement "nothing in life is free" holds true even down to the grassroots car gatherings. I'm not saying to boycott the event but think about what is actually happening before you decide to attend.