THE CONVENTION BUYER'S CHEAT SHEET
12 Questions to Ask at any Haunt Convention Before You Write the Check
Exhibitors can make it easy to fall in love with a demo.
But operators don’t buy moments—they buy outcomes: guest impact, throughput, uptime, and longevity.
Use this cheat sheet at any booth, and you’ll leave the show with better decisions (and fewer expensive regrets).
WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS PURCHASE SOLVE?
Impact?
Throughput
Reliability?
Safety?
If it doesn’t clearly improve one of the four, it’s not a priority purchase.
WHAT'S THE RESET TIME IN REAL OPERATION?
Demos are clean. Your season isn’t.
Make certain that you understand what it takes to run it at speed for hours, with guests back-to-back.
WHAT BREAKS FIRST... AND HOW OFTEN?
Great vendors answer this without dodging.
You’re listening for honesty and patterns: wear points, seals, switches, sensors, belts, valves.
Make sure you understand and take that into account as part of your purchase.
WHAT MAINTENANCE WILL WE HAVE TO DO, AND HOW OFTEN?
You’re not just buying a product—you’re buying a maintenance schedule. If the upkeep is vague, the safest bet is to assume it’s heavy.
HOW SERVICEABLE IS THIS PRODUCT ON-SITE?
Can your staff fix it without specialty tools or sending it away?
If it fails on Saturday night, what happens?
WHAT'S THE REAL LEAD TIME... INCLUDING. SHIPPING?
“Ships in 6 weeks” doesn’t mean “installed in 6 weeks.”
Ask: production → freight → delivery window → install time.
WHAT'S INCLUDED VS. OPTIONAL?
Get clarity on the hidden cost items: controllers, triggers, mounts, power supplies, compressors, cables, and replacement parts.
IS THIS PRODUCT RATED FOR MY ENVIRONMENT?
State your reality:
Indoor or Outdoor
Humidity, Temperature Swings, Dust, Rain, Cold, Mud
Fog / Haze /Other Special Effects
Guest Contact vs. No-Touch
Vibration
WHAT DOES THE WARRANTY ACTUALLY COVER?
Ask directly:
Parts only, or labor too?
Who pays shipping both ways?
Peak-season turnaround time?
HOW QUICKLY CAN I ACTUALLY GET REPLACEMENT PARTS?
If a $12 part can shut it down, you need a plan.
Ask if parts are stocked and how they ship during October.
Can you afford to have replacement parts on hand for the most likely items to break?
HOW DOES THIS PRODUCT INTEGRATE INTO WHAT I ALREADY RUN?
Avoid creating a “one-off island.” Ask about: show control compatibility, power draw, audio/lighting sync, triggers, and network needs.
If I PURCHASE THIS ITEM TODAY, WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL?
The best vendors think past the sale. This question reveals whether they’ve seen real-world installs—and if they care about yours.
THE BHHA QUICK RULE
If it improves impact, throughput, or reliability… it’s worth a closer look.
If it only looks cool in a demo, make it earn its footprint.
Don’t Leave Any Convention Booth Without These 3 Answers
Reset time (real operation)
What breaks first (and how to fix it fast)
Lead time + freight reality (installed date, not ship date)
The best purchases don’t just impress—
they run clean, stay up, and make money without stealing your crew’s attention.
POCKET NOTES (copy & Paste)
Vendor / Product:
Primary Goal:
Impact / Throughput / Reliability Reset Time:
What Breaks First:
Weekly Maintenance:
Power / Control Requirements:
Lead Time (incl. shipping):
Warranty Details:
Replacement Parts Turntime:
Total Installed Cost Estimate:
My next step: Quote / Sample / Follow-up / Pass
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