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Show me the money.

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.

It's a controversial subject in stamp collecting: Should our shows charge admission?

Many other hobbies' shows do require a fee, and people often line up around the block
to pay 25 dollars or more to get in to a COMPUTER show.

If those attending stamp shows are charged anything, it's no more than a couple of
bucks.

Stamp shows are usually underwritten - either mostly or entirely - by the rents the
dealers pay for their booths.

There are also different types of stamp shows, from small shows with half a dozen
dealers to big events in convention centers with dealers, exhibits and meetings.It's
unusual for the small shows to charge admission... and often  economically impractical
for the big shows... because convention center ticket takers are so expensive.

Some argue that charging admission would discourage casual collectors from attending.
Proponents say the public is accustomed to paying to attend trade shows.

And both sides are zealous about it.

But here's a tip: Even when a show charges admission, it's usually not that hard to get
a discount or free pass.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting,
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

Recent Virtual Stamp Club discussions on this subject can be found here and, with polls,
here, here, and here. (We told you it was a hot topic!)

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