SBE Allen really got greedy this year!

[GoldCrown]

This thread is a good example of why I ain't investing money into any pool-related project.

My good friend Tom-Tom came out with a book that took years to write and cost a lot of dough to publish, and he got raked through the coals for the asking price by many members of mainstream pool. The seasoned players, of course, understand why it's a good book to have in your pool library and worth every penny.

I remember getting pissed off when I read my bill from the Volvo dealer that had a line item of 82 cents for turning screw. I raised the dickens with them for such an idiotic charge. Then the manager said to me, "But, ma'am, you're paying for the mechanic's wisdom to know which screw to turn." :grin-square:

Allen Hopkins Sr. is one of the most sincere pool peeps I know. He actually does care -- really care -- about the players. Most don't know how much it costs to run an event as large as the Super Billiards Expo. If they did, they'd keep their pie-hole shut and enjoy the show.

Trying to please everyone ...it never happens. But it would be nice if the negative posters simply kept it to themselves.

 

[realkingcobra]

Trying to please everyone ...it never happens. But it would be nice if the negative posters simply kept it to themselves.

If they did....where would all the negativity go then?....LOL

 

[9andout]

People have short memories.
How quickly they forget.

Back when it used to be at Valley Forge, you weren't watching any of the pro tournament unless you paid for a pro session.

For decades.

Had no problem paying then. At least we got chairs.

You are completely entitled to your opinion, sorry you don't enjoy the show. Clearly, it is not for everyone.

However, please do not spread blatant lies. Here is a sample of the only payouts that have even been posted yet, compared to 2015.

I'm glad the payouts went up to the rest of the field. I was only looking at the top money.
But that wasn't my only concern. See below.

This thread is a good example of why I ain't investing money into any pool-related project.

My good friend Tom-Tom came out with a book that took years to write and cost a lot of dough to publish, and he got raked through the coals for the asking price by many members of mainstream pool. The seasoned players, of course, understand why it's a good book to have in your pool library and worth every penny.

I remember getting pissed off when I read my bill from the Volvo dealer that had a line item of 82 cents for turning screw. I raised the dickens with them for such an idiotic charge. Then the manager said to me, "But, ma'am, you're paying for the mechanic's wisdom to know which screw to turn." :grin-square:

Allen Hopkins Sr. is one of the most sincere pool peeps I know. He actually does care -- really care -- about the players. Most don't know how much it costs to run an event as large as the Super Billiards Expo. If they did, they'd keep their pie-hole shut and enjoy the show.

My criticism of the sudden huge (%) increase is valid.

Trying to please everyone ...it never happens. But it would be nice if the negative posters simply kept it to themselves.

My criticism of the sudden huge (%) increase is valid.

 

[realkingcobra]

Had no problem paying then. At least we got chairs.


I'm glad the payouts went up to the rest of the field. I was only looking at the top money.
But that wasn't my only concern. See below.


My criticism of the sudden huge (%) increase is valid.


My criticism of the sudden huge (%) increase is valid.

You are in NO position to criticize as you are the customer, NOT the promoter, the sponsor, or the one at risk of guaranteeing anything to do with the SBE.....see, that's where you're out of line with you opinions. You have the SIMPLE task of deciding on if you are going....or staying home....that's it, period. Don't like the no chair situation.....ask Allen if you can bring your own damn fold up chair next time....then set that damn thing up where ever you're allowed to, but beware.....others just like you may think that chair is for the privileged few and decide to sit in it if you get up and leave it vacated for more than 2 seconds.

 

[9andout]

I'm very happy the payouts were increased to the rest of the field. I was only focusing on the top payouts and missed that.

Some of you are missing my main point. As I said I have paid to watch the Pros EVERY single year. Since the beginning. Even when General admission was included.

My main problem with the sudden huge increase was originally stated.

Last year a couple. (Guy and girl. Or maybe a father and son) Could pay $20 each and attend the Expo and watch both pro sessions in the general admission area.
This year it would cost the same couple $120 instead of $40!! (On a Saturday)
And that's just one day.
If you think that % increase is justified than you are just wrong sorry.


Some want to talk about how the old VF Expo was. Well one small detail that used to be a given, but now with all the new $$ coming in seems to be forgotten about is the actions (now inaction) of the TD in the Pro area.
The players used to be announced. "This is Earl Strickland HOF'er and Multiple time World Champion...........He will face Johnny Archer also a HOF'er etc....He would also mention when a match was hill hill etc. This kept the crowd engaged too.
Where's Scott the Shot when we need him??

In the day session today the woman's names were put on the lights above the table half way through the matches! "Excuse me girls while I interrupt your match to do something I should've already done."
Unacceptable.

We also had the Thursday night charity event Pro Am at VF. That was wonderful.:grin:

I have always supported this event. I have brought many others who never heard of it before into the fold too over the years.
You may have seen me today with my 2yr. old nephew taking some shots from a chair.
He's hooked.
Maybe you got some pics like many others. He's part of the future.

So please don't paint me as one who doesn't care, doesn't enjoy or appreciate the Expo. I sure do. That was the reason for my post in the first place.
I was pissed sure. Calmer now but it still isn't right.

I can afford it. I'm still paying the same as every year at the Expo. But without a chair now.
Between travel, tickets, (US Open etc) and many PPV's.... in the past year we have spent a couple thousand dollars going and supporting pool.
Including also being Make it Happen 10 Ball supporters.

I care about the many others who may now not be able to afford to watch any matches in the pro arena anymore.
At least make it free for kids 15 and under or something along those lines.

And.... I want my chair back!!!

 

[GoldCrown]

My criticism of the sudden huge (%) increase is valid.

You are entitled to complain however most people did not mind paying. I didn't. How much is good fun worth. There is not a lot of negative feedback on the fees. Let Allan know ...I'm sure he wants everyones feedback.

 

[9andout]

You are in NO position to criticize as you are the customer, NOT the promoter, the sponsor, or the one at risk of guaranteeing anything to do with the SBE.....see, that's where you're out of line with you opinions. You have the SIMPLE task of deciding on if you are going....or staying home....that's it, period. Don't like the no chair situation.....ask Allen if you can bring your own damn fold up chair next time....then set that damn thing up where ever you're allowed to, but beware.....others just like you may think that chair is for the privileged few and decide to sit in it if you get up and leave it vacated for more than 2 seconds.

Oh I can sure offer criticism as the customer. Just finished the last post while you wrote this.

 

[Pushout]

If you don't like it DON'T GO AGAIN, ALREADY!!!! Just friggin' amazing

 

[allen_jr]

You are in NO position to criticize as you are the customer, NOT the promoter, the sponsor, or the one at risk of guaranteeing anything to do with the SBE.....see, that's where you're out of line with you opinions. You have the SIMPLE task of deciding on if you are going....or staying home....that's it, period. Don't like the no chair situation.....ask Allen if you can bring your own damn fold up chair next time....then set that damn thing up where ever you're allowed to, but beware.....others just like you may think that chair is for the privileged few and decide to sit in it if you get up and leave it vacated for more than 2 seconds.

In all fairness, he is allowed to criticize. We do listen to feedback and constantly try to improve the show.

What I don't like, and what really serves no useful purpose, is the blatant lies that get posted. These spur me to post in order to prove that the poster is just lying.

There is a clear difference between opinions and lies. Everyone is entitled to express their opinion - but everyone is not entitled to spread mistruths and lies in an attempt to mislead others.

 

[9andout]

You are entitled to complain however most people did not mind paying. I didn't. How much is good fun worth. There is not a lot of negative feedback on the fees.

More fees but less for it in the Pro arena.
TD stinks. (Lazy)
Brackets always way behind or non-existent. (Women's wasn't even up before they started)
All easy things to fix. And should be no problem to begin with.

 

[9andout]

In all fairness, he is allowed to criticize. We do listen to feedback and constantly try to improve the show.

What I don't like, and what really serves no useful purpose, is the blatant lies that get posted. These spur me to post in order to prove that the poster is just lying.

There is a clear difference between opinions and lies. Everyone is entitled to express their opinion - but everyone is not entitled to spread mistruths and lies in an attempt to mislead others.

I hope you address the TD concerns.
It really used to be MUCH better. Has fallen way off in the past few years.

 

[9andout]

Have fun tomorrow everyone. My first time missing Sunday ever.
But I'm going looking for Roland Acosta! Early flight.
First one to figure that riddle out wins......... ah just bragging rights.

Hoping to get Expo PPV from Hotel. Go Earl!!

 

[PocketPooler]

Yeah, I agree. I think Allen should have came here on AZB and asked everyone who has an opinion, how he should run his business and how much he should charge for every aspect of the SBE' as to NOT piss anyone off.....for fear of them being a no show at the event, therefore putting him in a position of going broke. In fact, I think anyone who posts on AZB....should at least be required to discuss their next pay raise so that it can be determined if the person deserves it or not....and should be willing to give full disclosure as to their cost of living so that we can all figure out the persons NET income.....so that it can be voted on by the AZB members as it may be to much income....as some of us may not earn that much money.....and no that just wouldn't be fair now would it

Lmao!!!!!!

 

[SUPERSTAR]

More fees but less for it in the Pro arena.
TD stinks. (Lazy)
Brackets always way behind or non-existent. (Women's wasn't even up before they started)
All easy things to fix. And should be no problem to begin with.

Wow.
Talk about complaining.

TD was all over everyone tonight.
Guys phone rang in the pro arena and he started to have a conversation, BOOM! TD was over there in 3 seconds to put the kibosh on it and politely tell the guy to have the conversation outside, and to turn off his ringer if he was inside the arena.

Guys crowded against the wall by the entrance were making noise, BOOM! TD was over there immediately to ask them to be quiet and if they could please sit in the appropriate seats.
Seemed to do a bang up job while we were there.

Bleachers were pretty packed as well. Especially over by the front table watching Hohmann/Deuel and that thriller ending.

Anyway, gotta get some sleep cause I gotta be back there at 11:30 to blow more money.

 

[336Robin]

If people only knew

We are probably lucky anyone cares enough about pool to try and do anything with it.

Posts like this make me ashamed to have anything to do with a lot of pool players.

They have no concept of what the costs in the Industry are. Its not supposed to be allowed that a promoter actually make more than break even on anything. I guess its his job to provide you entertainment for free.

Never mind the fact that you wanted it and could readily afford it.

In years past for the Pro Arena general admission was $10 and VIP was $20.

Then Hopkins did a great thing and included free general admission seating with your Expo ticket. VIP was extra. It's been this way for a long time.

This year it's $20 to get in. And $20 PER SESSION in the Pro Arena.
NO VIP seating. First come first serve. So you could be paying $20 to sit in the bleachers.
We always paid the extra for the VIP in the past. It was nicer than the bleachers.

But here's a comparison to last year.

Last year: $20 to get in. Watch all the Pro matches you want.
So $40 for 2 people.

This year: $20 to get in. $40 to watch both Pro Sessions on Sat or Sun.
So $120 for 2 people!!!!!!

BTW they raised the Open Amateur fee from $75 to $95 this year too.

I spoke to Allen tonight about the lack of VIP seating. He wanted to get more seats in the arena.
He was on the run so we didn't talk about the $$

I imagine he is getting some of the PPV $$ too.

Please note. The payouts to the Pros or the Amateurs have NOT INCREASED this year either!!!!:angry:

 

[GaryB]

We are probably lucky anyone cares enough about pool to try and do anything with it.

Posts like this make me ashamed to have anything to do with a lot of pool players.

They have no concept of what the costs in the Industry are. Its not supposed to be allowed that a promoter actually make more than break even on anything. I guess its his job to provide you entertainment for free.

Never mind the fact that you wanted it and could readily afford it.

None of us know the costs of the SBE, what effort and planning that takes months and many man hours. People are always trying to grind out more money from the promoter figuring he is making a ton of money since he puts it on each year. Pool world would be a much poorer entity without the SBE. I'm sure that things can be run better in certain areas but that is true in EVERY business. We are not entitled to see his books. We are however entitled to decide if we are going to the SBE--or not. That right is our only one. Unhappy? Don't go next year but don't ***** about about numbers that you are not privy to. In every business the back end numbers hold the truth and until you know them you should just appreciate what the family has been providing all these years. JMO

 

[kaznj]

Went there. Had a great time, always do. I image it is a very complicated and gruesome job. I appreciate everything Allan and Allan Jr do to put on this show.

 

[Kid Dynomite]

Never mind the fact that you wanted it and could readily afford it.

This is a good point. How many buy siminois cloth, arimith balls, diamond tables because of the support of pro pool???

These guys understand the power of professional endorsement and use in major events!

Some promoters like you said can afford it!

Players have all the risk and no reward. When a promoter does bad the purse is the first thing cut!

But, a promoter does well and still adds the same amount for 15 years straight!

I understand the players displeasure!

P.s. I am not saying this is the case with this event! Just painting pro players negatively is not 100% true. They have some justification looking at the big picture!

Kd

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[336Robin]

What?

This is a good point. How many buy siminois cloth, arimith balls, diamond tables because of the support of pro pool???

These guys understand the power of professional endorsement and use in major events!

Some promoters like you said can afford it!

Players have all the risk and no reward. When a promoter does bad the purse is the first thing cut!

But, a promoter does well and still adds the same amount for 15 years straight!

I understand the players displeasure!

P.s. I am not saying this is the case with this event! Just painting pro players negatively is not 100% true. They have some justification looking at the big picture!

Kd

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Kd,
No disrespect but you have no real understanding why and how things in business work. You have to make profit and it has to sustain you. Either the players want to play or not and no businessman owes them anything or else they could be their own promoters if its so easy.

 

[macguy]

And I doubt any of you have any idea how much money he puts out to have this event. Prices hadn't changed in years. They had to go up sooner or later. Personally I hope he takes money out if there with a dump truck for all the work he puts in to this event.

Is this is main business interest? I has told he spends most of the year working on it for the few days when he makes his money.

I had a neighbor who sold commercial Realestate. He made big bucks when he closed a deal but could go months without a sale. He told me it was tough to manage your money the paydays were so few and far between.