With the convention coming up, and with my having gone to every single one since 2000, I thought I'd share some tips and experiences with all the people still feeling new to the event.  

-Japanese vintage toys that you are probably after cost a lot. A really big amount of a lot. Know this going in. And remember- if you really want Landcross, he got reissued as a blindpack set.

-Please shower. I don't mean this in the typical condescending way, I mean this to enhance your own con experience. It'll refresh you in the morning, and help you get right back into the action after your 2-3 hours of sleep. It'll leave you feeling rejuvinated. It'll be a service to your fellow convention attendees. And above all else, if you're staying in a swanky hotel, you probably wanna take advantage of what is likely to be a swanky shower setup.  

-Introduce yourself to people, and mingle. You'll really have more fun this way. Remember, almost everyone there is there for the same geeky stuff you're there for. I and many others would love to meet you.

-You'll find it is very rare that a typical flamefest internet discussion gets conducted in a similar manner face-to-face. Don't be afraid of hot topics like "I like Japanese toys better", just stay friendly and be cool about it. It's very rare that anyone gets into a huge fight over Transformers at the convention itself, and Twin Twist and I have long since reconciled the multiple fractures by playing lots of makeup Rock Band.

-Don't steal things from dealer room tables. It's happened more each year (from my vantage), and it sort of prevents people from wanting to make friends with you. Especially the security people. Remember, a big table of severely valuable items probably has a reaction to theft that is of similar severity.

-When people in the back of the crowd snicker when you ask "How do I break into voice acting?" at the actor Q&A panel, it's not because they hate you. It's just because they've heard the question asked at every convention, sometimes twice in the same panel.   Someone has to do it, and if it's you, then feel honored!

-Yes, that guy asks about Headmaster Arcee almost every year.

-Don't be a jerk to guests, even if they besmirched the honor of your favourite character with their voicing job or made a toy so irritating it caused you to somehow physically vomit on an infant. Ask whatever you want at the Q&A (within reason), just be constructive. You could still get a pleasing answer. Hell, Aaron Archer once even said that Armada Thrust's spinning wing gimmick did not pan out satisfactorily.

-If you're short on cash (or even if you aren't), always save some for Sunday. On Sunday, many dealers would like to put their wares into your hands so they don't have to take it home. On Sunday, deals run aplenty. On Sunday, you can get armfuls of loose non-rare BW/BM for mere dollars.

That's kinda long. If anyone wants to add to it, please feel free. I only request that you not be all like "yeaahh you FOCKIN NOOBS" about it.  

And to everyone new to the environment: The worst stories people have to share are the worst because they were never outdone, and thus not something to worry about this year.  

 

I forgot one extremely key TFW one!!!

-You don't have to drink to hang out and have fun with drinkers. This has been tested and proven.

 

My first Botcons, I barely met up with anyone (granted most of my regular hangouters didn't start coming til later ones), and while fun they were totally no the uproarious victory the later ones were.  

 

I forgot another important tip:

-Never refer to Drew Eiden as "Drew" or "Mister Eiden". It must always be a precisely pronounced "Drew Eiden".