I am going to Piss off many in the Paranormal Community Too Bad . You have a problem come talk to me man to man about it .and don't slink away like a snake and talk behind my back.
I here plenty from those who do not like certain groups who hold free events because they want to see and hear Out of town Speaker and buy from fancy out of state vendors. Well that's fine and dandy then hold your own event . I don't care if you think the free events cheapens the Paranormal experience it does not .
There are plenty of Working Class Poor and Older Citizens on fixed incomes come to our events and Young Family's
Yes that's right Young Family's with kids who we should be encouraging to be the next paranormal enthusiasts.. How many family's do you see at higher paid events ?
Young working class family's can not afford $10 at the door a family of 5 that would be $50.00 that's half a days wages for a working poor family .Let alone cost of gas to get there and then try to even buy lunch . If the event is Free that $50.00 they would have spent can change a kids life at ours so maybe they can take a trinket or t shirt home and get a hot dog .
I have had several family's come up to me and seeing all the very expensive gear I have at my talks which I would not have if I did not do the high end troubleshooting I do and get paid well using it . Asking how they can as a family get more involved in the Paranormal experience on a working mans budget.
Its easy to say just go to this website and buy this and that . But when your having a hard time just feeding and clothing your family how do you afford extras .
I know what its like to grow up poor my dad was a mill worker and had a small Electrical business on side to provide for us . There where sometimes weeks I did not see my dad who worked swing shift Because he worked at mill then wired homes on side and not only did I have to overcome that I grew up with Learning and Physical Disabilities I also had to deal with as well and was constantly teased as a kid..
I never had brand name clothes and shoes like my class mates I wore K Mart clothes and Tokyo Toughie tennis shoes and work boots Still wear Walmart brand because brand Name clothes are just a name nothing more and few name brand clothes i do have where birthday gifts . I did not have mommy and daddy money to go to Concerts and other nice things I had to work for everything I had .
That's why unlike my class mates who did not further their education thinking they where going to work at the mill . I went into the trades I knew I could provide for myself and wife who also has disabilities . But when I came out of school the mills where going down in 70s and there where no jobs that's why I started My own business and struggled many years to make a go at it till A mobsters Son took notice of my work and helped me build up my business and how to run it properly because he liked what Electrical work I did for him and his friends
Now I understand there are expenses when running a show. There's hall rental ,banners advertising etc etc that's why you need to charge.
I also understand there are those who charge to speak that's fine I do not charge I very much enjoy what I do if i get an Honorarium payment to help with gas that's great if not no big deal
I run a business I understand overhead and why you have to charge a reasonable fee . But do not criticize those who can not afford a $10.00 or $20.00 or more fee Be glad your educated and not in their shoes .
With the way Inflation is tearing away at family budgets to feed their families I do not know how those on fixed budgets are surviving . Just look at all the homeless living in tents in downtown Pittsburgh.
I do Forensic Electrical Inspections on the side for insurance company's so I get to go to Million Dollar Homes to a poor families wooden company home in the Mon Valley with the cheapest policy they can afford I see struggles you do not. It is time to take off the Rose Colored Glasses and all work together if you do not want to see this great Hobby for many of us go away because of the infighting .
Don't like something then do something to change it and make the world a better place and stop the criticizing/