Well articulated Ian. We have been conditioned to see Home Show Exhibitions as entertainment not as, what it is, another sales pitch or advertising strategy. And then to pay for the privilege.

The thing is if the punters refused to attend the fees would go. Consumers can be the biggest nongs sometimes.

We stopped going to antique shoes, home shows and shows many years ago because of the (usually) government fees placed on getting into the exhibition centres. Imaging the horror shoud DJs or Big W start charging to come in to shop (on top of the increasing trend of self serve checkouts).

While, some of the entry fees are for charities this should be a voluntary fee not a condition of entry. Many, like us already donate chunks of income through direct debit to various charities and should be able to choose whom to donate.

Another trick on television is shows like Idol and others where your vote actually costs you some money - the channel not only gets the advertising revenue from the prime time airing but from the voters who call in. Madness - and yet people get sucked in.

Again, it is only the consumers who have the power to change this. Don't be a nong - don't attend and the fees will go.

There is nothing more invisible,to many.than the obvious.
Thanks Ian for descaling eyes.

As advertising is tax deductible then perhaps it should no longer be.

Then we could see a return to actual promoting information and it would reduce the costs of goods as we end up having to pay for what we do not want or need.