I guess if the vendors stick to the advertised schedule of the show and stay for the advertised duration, you're right. The problems start to happen when the vendors arrive two or three days before the scheduled set-up time and then leave before the show is supposed to be over. They have done all of the buying/selling amongst themselves (and, besides, anyone who arrives when the show is SCHEDULED to start isn't going to spend any money anyway - how many times have I heard THAT from vendors while they're packing up early?) Most (not all) vendors I have met are collectors who sell extras to feed their collecting habit - myself included. They buy a vendor space to sell stuff, sure - but mostly to secure that 'early bird' status to get the good stuff, and that rarest of things at a gas show - the bargain...
That said, I have to totally disagree with the statement that vendors come first. COLLECTORS come first. Without collectors, who needs vendors?
