Barry Branvold of Barry's Collectors Corner in Grand Forks, North Dakota saw the responses to his comments about the Diamond seminars (see 'Dan Barnett of Walt's Cards on Diamond Seminars') and thinks that travel time to the seminar is a valid concern:

 

It is amazing that the one person who did not understand the concerns I have for traveling to Baltimore for the Diamond seminar is from Baltimore.  Dan Barnett should not be shaking his head over comparisons I made about options getting to either seminar.  Flying to Baltimore rather than driving is my only real option.  The half-day travel means one full day of travel there and back.  If I want to save some money and drive to Ft. Wayne, the option is 12 hours of driving one way. 

 

I know Dan doesn't worry about his drive to Baltimore from Baltimore, but 12 hours to Ft. Wayne is really too far for me to drive in one day.  So that really does not become a viable option.  The flight to Ft. Wayne is no cheaper than to Baltimore, thus no change in savings, Dan.  It is fair for me to compare travel options, since I am the one who needs to take the time off from the store and pay for the travel. 

 

And, if you had really read what I said, I complemented Diamond on putting on a great seminar, but their location was not convenient for me or many others.  Obviously this does not apply to you Dan, in Baltimore. 

 

Gene Smith of Lombard, Illinois actually had a good idea with the three seminars in Baltimore, San Diego and Chicago.  Diamond already has a presence at the three conventions anyway.

 

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