Things that are not bootleg.
Things that are not badly made.

Things that you like.

That said, my favorite to buy are artist prints

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Gota buy at least a pokeball
pokeballs are so cash

>spending money in the dealer's room
>spending money in the artists' alley

I don't do this anymore

I've recently made it my new thing to buy a print or a thing from a new artist every con if I can. I love looking around artist alley, but often am too shy to talk to the artists. If I buy somehting though, it breaks the ice a little and I can try to have a chat!
Other things I like buying are those little secret boxes with small figurines inside.
Tip: always keep emergency money in a seperate part of your purse/wallet and only use if it you find yourself stranded/in desperate need of substantial food

Dealers room... things that are exclusive to the convention. Most stores will have rape prices, especially on things like figures. The official stores/industry stores will have prices that are standard.

AA... things you like. Personally I don't buy anything from the AA because 90% of it is prints. While they are the most economical for artists they aren't exactly unique. Sketches/commissions are good if you like an artist's art style and the price isn't crazy. At anime conventions they are actually kind of cheap.

Preparing for a con you should have a checklist and mark things off as you pack them. Start writing it a week in advance just so you can add things that you think of along the way. I don't actually pack til a day or three before the convention.

If you've got the space, bring a couple of bottles of water and some snack foods like trail mix, protein bars, etc. The snack foods are NOT your primary meals but are there for when you're at a convention and get hungry but don't have the time or opportunity to actually go and eat. You should still have at least one or two actual meals. One for breakfast/brunch/lunch, one for dinner. Try to know what is offsite but still close enough to the convention. You do not want to eat at the convention center because they will charge you out the ass. If you've got a car you might as well hit up the local supermarket sometime in the evening on one of the days just to stock up on supplies, actually. If your only options nearby are fast food or cheapo sandwich shops like Subway, so be it. Better than nothing and a few days of it won't kill you. I try to keep a little bit of leftovers from my evening meals just to eat for breakfast.

And bring cash. Even if you don't use it at least you'll have it available and won't have to use the ATMs which will charge you fees. I usually bring a few hundred and use maybe $50 at most. This does require willpower so you don't buy everything shiny in the dealer's hall.

>>6971481
That is to say additional cash on top of whatever you're using to pay for room/transportation/badge. It's more like a reserve.

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>>6971421 (OP)
Going to cons on your own, or with a few friends is actually a pretty good way to learn how to be an adult all at once. At least, it can be, if you are sensible enough to understand that what you're doing isn't a mountain dew and pocky fueled 3-day long party where you are wild and free to do whatever you want.

You've got to manage your money. Badge and Hotel paid for first. Don't wait until the last day to collect everyone's piece of the hotel cost. First day, when everyone arrives, or they can't stay with you, simple as that. No one stays in your hotel room unless they are paying, either.

Partition your cash into portions for food, some for swag and other wacky shit, and some for emergencies, like having to run out and buy batteries when your camera dies, or needing to pay for parking.

Other than that, treat the whole damn thing like a business trip. Get to at a reasonable hour. Wake up with time to shower, clean up, and prepare yourself. Have a schedule of events you want to attend and make time so you can get in line or travel there before hand. Make a back up schedule, in case any events fill up. Eat fruit. Drink water. Keep in mind that you need to pay for 3 meals a day, if you get the time, not just a snack from McDonalds in the middle of the day.

As for buying stuff at the dealer's hall, do shop around. You may immediately find the thing you're looking for, but don't buy it til you've made your rounds. Someone might have it cheaper. Additionally, you might find an official shop peddling it, as opposed to a 'Jimmy's Anime Imports' marking it up 50$

Oh, and use your damn smartphone to check prices online. The mark up some stores put on their goods is ridiculous, and even with shipping, an item won't be worth the extra 20-40$ just because you can get it right now.

(contd.)

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>>6971519
An additional thing to consider when it comes to swag is transportation and space. If you're going to buy a dozen swords, or some enormous statuette, or some ornate, fancy piece of costuming, keep in mind that you have to take that shit home with you. More importantly, you need to put it in your hotel room and have it survive the weekend with the rest of your friends rooming with you.

If you absolutely stuffed your car on the way in, how the hell are you going to bring that shit back with you, on top of bringing back everyone else's stuff too?

And one last thing that comes to mind: Pay attention to your damn phone.

Nothing is worse than trying to contact a friend during a con, only to find that it died 2 days ago and they haven't been returning your calls, when you desperately need them to, because they haven't looked at their damn phone at all.

If at all possible, make a space in your costume where you can put your phone and feel it when it vibrates. You'll save yourself and so many other people a ton of grief and stress if you can stay in touch, instead of going entire days without contact.

>>6971455

Same here. I don't spend money at the convention, just to get to the convention.

Personally, if I'm going to buy anything, I try and put functionality above anything else.

Mugs, cups, and keychains (I personally use them to attach to flashdrives so I don't lose them) all will be used, and won't sit around and collect dust as much as a figure will.

Imported comics can be fun, but if you can't read them, they just become a collector's item, really.

As far as AA goes, I only buy things that I'd be willing to put up in my room, or pins if you feel like a generous friend who gets gifts for friends who didn't get to go.

Don't be the person who buys gratuitous amounts of merch (100+) before paying for rooming or other debts, like wigs and cosplay materials. That shit isn't acceptable, you need to own up to the money you owe or not go.

Eat lots of snacks throughout the day, if you don't want to stop to eat (granola bars, fruit like apples etc) and drink water! Sports drinks are okay too, but make sure you don't stain your outfit. NO ENERGY DRINKS! Ever!!! It will dehydrate you more and will work your body harder than it is already. Put special money aside for food, and don't touch it for anything else!

In fact, start drinking water two days before a con so you don't get dehydrated.

I almost blacked out in a merch hall because of overstimulation and dehydration, and that scared me to death. Please take care of yourself!

Always bathe and remember to just sit down and people watch or see a movie to just get a rest in every so often.

Choose one or two events you KNOW you want to go to and base your day around that.

Don't be the guy cosplaying an asshole and make your friend carry all your shit. Bring a backpack that is small enough for your water, phone, money and camera, at the very least.

As I get older, I find I only want to spend money on practical shit in the dealers room

last con I spent a whole $15 on something and that was it

I never really understood why people spent so much money on t-shirts, plushies, DVD's and wall scrolls.That is literally what makes the most money at cons, and its extremely overpriced compared to other stores or ebay.

One thing to remember, if you see something you really like, but don't have the money for it remember you can always find it on ebay later on.

I like to buy things like wallets, knives, pendants/necklaces, backpacks/tote bags
im a sucker for pillows, like big Pompompurin pillows, and fluffy blankets, even though they are not practical (because I already have so many)

and not that I see it often, but if I could find imported Japanese things I would buy them.
like if J-list had more things from their website I would be spending allot of money on that
but instead they have giant $80 Totoro's and undersized shimapan , when all I want is weird shit like green tea kit-kats and Tiger print tabi socks, but I dono, thats just my preference I guess

If you have allot of money on you, separate it, like take out half the money in your wallet and put it in another pocket or have another friend/ sibling hold it
that way if you lose your wallet, or someone snags it, you wont be left with completely nothing.

As far as your friends screwing you over goes...
I like to separate from my friends when I go to buy shit, thats a good way to keep other people from knowing how much money you have, then when they need money for food, say you don't have any, then watch them come up with the money somehow

> Friends show up night before con, say they need a ride
>Yeah ill take you, but that means we have to take two cars, so everyone please chip in for gas money and parking
>Take two cars to AX for two days, Pay for gas and parking
>go out to dinner at the end of the con
>I count out the money for gas and parking on the table of the restaurant in front of them
>after they bought their dinner then didnt have any cash left on them
> I guess they never pulled out very much money after waiting in the ATM line for half an hour at the begining of the con, and they just barely had enough cash to eat
>no one says anything
> never paid me back
>end up paying two days worth of gas and parking all by myself

>>6972546
Message them right now. Seriously. That is such cheap bullshit. Send them a message right now telling them to never ask for rides again since they never paid you back. They took advantage of you, and that's sleazy as fuck

>>6972532
There's something seriously wrong with anime con vendors. Even moreso, now that the little mom-n-pop flea market stores are showing up to peddle their old He-Man and Star Wars action figures (because, y'know, someone told them that action figures would be worth big bux some day!)

I want rare, quirky, unique shit I can't find anywhere else. Don't try and sell me the same fucking t-shirt I can find at nearly every other booth. Especially not the same quirky, nerdy "Lol d20!" bullshit you've been selling for the past 10 years that I can get at the dozen other t-shirt booths.

Don't try and sell me some little Nendoroid figurine for 125$ when 5 seconds on google turns up the same damn thing on Amazon, for 40$ with free shipping.

Worse still; don't try and make me feel guilty about not paying your fucking prices, like you're my best friend and me giving you as much money as possible is the only way you'll stay in business. If that's the way you run your business, then fuck you. I don't owe you shit.

>>6972546

jesus christ what is with cheap ass friends though

>take friend to AX for the first time this year
>I'm driving there, bring money for gas + parking + food and anything else you would like to buy
>ends up spending all of her money on fucking cat ears and leather collars and other useless shit she can use to have kinky sex with her boyfriend
>never pays me back for parking or gas, i have to pay for both her breakfast and her dinner as well because she didn't plan ahead.

Every time I ask her for the gas or parking money back she ignores me or changes the subject. Don't be that one guy that puts a dent in someone else's bank account, you raging asshole.

Last con I went to, my friend and I were rushing to meet up and get there on time, we were very late because bad things kept happening: Our alarms didn't go off, the keys to the car were moved elsewhere by someone else in the house and my friend just couldn't find her wallet.

We had to leave without it to make it in time. I helped to pay for her meals, and gave her spending money that she was going to give me back once we came home.

Get home, friend gives me all the money she owed me after an hour more of searching for her wallet. No biggie.

Then I hear that some of the other club members that went along pulled the whole "Well I had money...but I needed food...but we're friends so I'll just pay you back!" drama and then refused to pay others back and just starting crying an whining about friends being backstabbers.

What.

>>6972569
taobao destroyed me, anon. whenever i go to a con i look at the vendors to see which ones have shit from taobao(all of them) then I can calculate how much I save by getting it from there. It is good to check quality though.

Do not. Room. With. Poor. People.

I'm not rich, but I can afford a decent hotel as long as I bring a couple people to pitch in. But nobody can. And nobody ever does. They can't pay more than $100/night for a hotel so we get tiny roach infested hotel rooms designed for 2 people but there's fucking 4 of us crammed in there. My boyfriend is apparently the most boring person in the world. We come from a boring town with nothing to do, and we go out of town to this amazing convention and he just wants to be more boring. Doesn't wanna dance, drink, stay up late to do shit, doesn't even wanna karaoke because he's "tired". I ended up doing a lot of things on my own, which I didn't mind too much but attending a con all on your own kinda sucks. SO BRING FUN PEOPLE. Or at least people who are willing to stay up late, if you're at a convention that has late night shit to do. (I'm thinking of anime expo here because I've gone to it ever year for about 5+ years)

>>6972604
Cont.

As for Dealer's Hall/Artist Alley, it's really up to you and what you collect. I have a rule of thumb where I don't buy anything at a convention that I can otherwise get from a store at home or on the internet unless it is an amazing deal. I never touch CDs or manga or DVDs because lol internet, and for everything else I can save up and buy at my local mall. I don't get a lot of collectibles though so if you're big on figurines or shit like that, I can't really give you advice. I end up getting toys most of the time because I'm an idiot. If you're really not sure, you CAN bargain with them but I don't know how far you can get. Also the last days of the con usually have sales (again, I'm just going off of Anime Expo). The Artist Alley is a little different because it's all unique and hand-made shit that is really amazing (well most of it is). You can't really find that shit anywhere else unless you order it online off their website or whatever. The prices are never really that bad in my opinion, so I usually get shit from there and they're more keen to bargain than in the dealer's hall I heard. I never bargain with them though because like I said, the prices aren't that bad and I can understand that they're just trying to make a living with their art - which can be hard. There was even someone selling hand made jewelry where we could literally name our own price and we'd get it for that price. Too bad all of it was terrible.

oh mah gah. First time here on /cgl/ because I always see you in /fit/ comics and decided to check it out.

first, cosplay is a pretty cool guy. If I had the money I would be dressing as cool shit like it was my job.

Second, OP your pic made me mad lol's, thanks

Third, everything is expensive as balls at any con, like shirts are pretty much the normal $20 you can expect at a comic book store for related stuff, but other things like hoodies or hats, socks n gloves can be hella expensive. Even stuffed characters are like $40-$50 each.

>>6972614
Cont.

Also, with the poor people thing I forgot to mention one particular story where I basically paid for someone's entire trip. That's badge price, hotel stay, and food. He was a brother to me so I had to do it.

Didn't pay me back until 3 years later. Always went out shopping for expensive shoes in the meantime. (he's gay) Kinda my fault though. I shouldn't have been so damn generous.

My friends who don't have as much money as I am aren't really "poor" either. They're just idiots at saving money.

>>6972604
>Do not. Room. With. Poor. People.
>Do not. Room. With. Poor. People.
>Do not. Room. With. Poor. People.

Repeated for emphasis.

I've had too many bad experiences and dealt with the fallout of poor faggots who love going to cons, but hate actually giving money back to anyone, cheating some naive weeb out of their money.

If they don't pay up front, they don't get to room with you. They'll say it's only for a couple hours, or just to rest, or use your bathroom, or even just to store their stuff while their friends arrive and gey their room, but they'll fucking reap all the benefits of your hotel room, then bounce off to someone else's room the moment they're welcome is worn out.

I know people who ingratiate themselves and get buddy buddy with all kinds of con-goers, collecting contact information and the like so they can have a large pool of acquaintances to mooch off of, come con-going time. They're the sort of people who only message you the week before your local con and start asking if you have a room or what your plans are.

One faggot in particular, is infamous for spoilin himself rotten with little shopping sprees where he'll drop thousands on new games, systems, completely rebuilt PCs, and other expensive gadgets, but come Convention time, he's absolutely broke and mooching cash, rooming, rides, and food off everyone whose so much as learned his name.

>>6972622
Damn. Most of our Cosplay group is poor excluding one girl but we know how much to spend and not to get crappy places and such.

There's another group that goes with us but aren't really with us other than just from the same place and they always have money drama.

Honestly though I think if anyone new here is planning to go you need to make a plan on how much you are willing to spend. I do this for myself and for my friend since she's terrible with money.

Take a moment OP and think. You can get books, music, movies and a lot of the merchandise online or at other stores. Think about what really interests you.

Then as you make a plan on how much you are willing to spend on merch (Food and gas etc is always separate and must be done first.) look up prices of some of the things you want to keep from getting ripped off.

Just be logical in your spending. Do you REALLY need that $50 plushie or $30 print from the artist alley? I bet if you walked around you might find that plushie at $10 in another booth or find nice sales on good artwork.

>>6972676
Continuing on this.

Artist Alley is kinda 50/50 on fair prices. Most of the artwork is usually good. Take a moment and study some of the pics and crafts they have up. If it looks shitty it's not worth it. Most artists cannot usually be bargained with (That and it's a bit rude.) If you are clearly being ripped off then don't bother with them.

Some of them have things for sale. As in Get these two medium prints for $10 instead of $15 for each. Look at their sketchbooks if they allow it and really look at everything.

Crafts are harder a bit but if you are allowed, pick them up and just kinda inspect them a little. Don't be swinging it around and obviously don't be pulling on things. You should be able to tell if something is worth it or not. (Yes, if you can see the hot glue going off the sides it's bad.)

Commissions and stuff are nice. Again look at what they have up. If they say they won't draw a certain thing, animals porn whatever don't try to argue about it.

>>6972685
As for the Dealers room:

Yes near the final days of the con they tend to put up stuff for lower prices. They really want to get rid of as much as they can. Now whatever that damn expensive thing was that you really wanted will probably still be there for a lowered price.

Do research on things you KNOW you are gonna buy. Might find it cheaper online or even at the con.

Don't go over your spending limit.

Grab Bags are neither good nor bad. If you just want to get some souvenirs from the con or you just wanna blow that last bit of change on some stuff then get one. But, if the bag is priced higher than $10 then avoid them. (Mystery boxes are similar but sold for WAY higher and usually are filled with manga and random junk. Avoid this too unless you like getting a box full of random stuff.)

Some vendors can be bargained with. But please, hassling someone over an already low price or for something trivial is stupid. (3 buttons for 3 dollars? Calm down they are buttons. Just go get them somewhere else.)

If you like imported stuff (Candies food, special movies) and such go to the vendors that only sell that stuff. Not sure how to explain this but: White dude selling manga, anime and a few bottles of that awesome drink you like? $30 for 6 bottles versus the Japanese lady selling only drinks and food and a bottle is worth like a buck fifty. (Common sense really but it drives me crazy seeing first time congoers willing to drop so much on some candy.

Pretty much what everyone else said so far.
Oh but one last thing, please keep a good hold on whatever you buy. Don't leave it unattended for too long and don't keep dragging it around.

If your hotel isn't too far drop it off. Or keep a good eye on it until you return. If you are sharing a room please make sure to keep your stuff together so none of mixes or gets lost or stepped on.

>>6971519
it's good advice to get the money up front. this falls under the general heading of 'never lend money to friends".

>>6972706
speaking of grabs bags i've never had a good experience with them. I've never bought one but my brother who likes to "buy anything shiny" on the other hand has bought a few of them and the best thing he's gotten was two shitty paper fans and a "jade" bracelet.

>>6972724
I guess that's just my luck then. I go for themed bags instead of just random ones. And I found out recently that the bags that had cute drawings on them had some really nice stickers, accessories and apparently a volume or two of some old books. for so low a price and now I feel bad,

I guess avoid the bags if you really don't want to risk getting crap. (They do make handy little gifts to give to friends that didn't get to go...)

>>6972723
Correction. Don't lend money to anyone unless you know them well enough or know of their spending habits.

And just use some sense here really. That one friend who just wants a dollar or two for some water or something compared to that one friend whining about how expensive something is.

>>6972732
My mom taught to only lend money if you are ok with never getting it back, that way it doesn't ruin the friendship.

>>6972737
Smart mom you got there. Mine said the same but I'm glad to say that my best friend and I pay each other back quickly and I've dropped mooching ones rather quickly.

>>6971481
What he said about food and water.

FUCKING STASH THAT SHIT LIKE YOU'RE A SQUIRREL ON CRAZY PILLS

Also don't stash just cheetos. Protein bars, granola bars, protein and sustenance.

Oh, and if you're gonna go out and party or drink at the dance, PREGAME that shit in the hotel room.

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I know it's been said, but STAY HYDRATED. I got heat stroke at a con one year from walking around outside and not drinking enough. Heat stroke really sucks. I ended up puking in the bathroom and missing some stuff I was looking forward to, because I was too sick to go. Pay attention to the heat, too. Just because it doesn't sound hot doesn't mean it won't be with your wig and full costume on.

Like everyone else said, remember water/snacks. When I was at the AX this year I had a small backpack filled to the brim with water, lunchables and crackers and shit. When I got hungry at the convention center I feasted like a king.

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>>6972773
>lunchables
I never thought of this. My cons are going to be so awesome now. Too bad the only one I'm attending this year has a food court.

>>6972546
See, at this point I would have told them "You pay me back, or I drive home by myself." This is why horror stories get post around; nobody tells these people off properly, so they never develop any accountability.

>>6972586
>i have to pay for both her breakfast and her dinner
No, you straight up fucking did not have to.

I usually bring a small bag with my Con survival kit:

>Map, both over the con area and over nearby neighbourhood
>Schedule (with desired activities marked out)
>Make up (just basic eyeliner, mascara, that kinda jazz. If I'm in face make up then some of that too along with powder. Even if you don't need it chances are you can help a friend in your group out)
>Tiny soap
>Napkins
>Bandaids
>Extra cash stacked away
>Phone charger
>Pen
>Duct tape
>Hair and safety pins
>Bottle of water
>Snack
>Tiny notebook or digital notepad on your phone

It should be noted I don't go to american cons so my experience may differ from you guys, but in general I find this to have helped me through pretty well. Try and keep as much as possible digital, while you should still keep a pen at hand it is good to have any contact info or schedules digitally. That way it's easier to keep track off.

When it comes to spending my general rule of thumb is never buy something at first sight. Never. Ever. If you see a thing you like, then leave it be for a few hours or even a day. If you're worried it will get snatched, then ask the shopkeeper to stack it away for you. They are usually willing to do that.

>>6972788
Oh, also:

>Lens case
>Glasses case
>Glasses
>Bag to store your wig in

You never know when you have to emergency get out of a cosplay. Always bringing your glasses is also a rule of thumb but I'm sure you've already figured that out.

>>6972685
My AA tip is to go with a friend or two, make a few passes and hit up the "buy x for whatever" discounts splitting them between you and your companions.

>>6972788
you should always have a pen handy period. even if it's just one of those free ones you get at a trade show, better than nothing. never know when you'll have to scribble something down.

>>6972604
If you think your boyfriend is so boring, why are you even together?

>>6972803
maybe he is a good financial provider