Why is a cartoon pony convention so expensive anyway?
(I've never been to any kind of convention so maybe I'm missing something.)
I'm going to be honest (autistic) and crunch the numbers for you.
A 4 day regular pass is 74.86. This gives you basic access with no perks.
A 4 day "plus" pass is 150.00~. This gives you access, but with promo materials.
This "plus" pass has already sold out, and so we have just the 4 day regular.
There are other pass options but none of them are really applicable as Chris does not fit their standards (or price ranges)
It's a 4 day event, so assume a 4 night stay in Baltimore, where the average hotel goes for 112$ a night.
74.86 Pass.
448.00 (Average)-Hotel Stay.
With that, we are already at 522.86$
This is not including food, gas, souveniers etc (which Chris will most certainly need/want.)
To further add numericals to the value, the drive from Sonichu HQ to the convention is about 150 miles, so I'd estimate about...1.5-2 gas trips there and back assuming Gas Mileage at 20 Gallon Capacity (going rate for gas about 2.87 per gallon) about 86.10$- 114.80$ in gas.
The total so far is 608.96-637.66$
Food in the Baltimore area varies depending on the area where you purchase, for 4 days (not including drive up and back) this can be from 40$~160$ for 4 days.
The total so far is 648.96$~797.66$.
Merchandise sold at stands is often upcharged due to the nature of the buyer, so anything from 5~100 (Per piece) assuming Chris wants 5 things, we'll average it to be about... 20$ each, for an estimated $100.
So the complete total ranges from 748.96$ ~ 897.66$.
Ultimately, what we can take away from these calculations is that Chris essentially wants someone not to pay for the full of his experience, but to make ease of his situation. Whatever the 600$ can't cover, he'll use his own funds to cover.
Tl;dr
He can obviously get there himself, he just wants someone to make it easier on himself so he doesn't have to spend all that money on the things he desires.
He will most likely "room share" with someone [like last year] to cut the hotel cost, and likewise be that guy who eats food that is ordered for everyone, but doesn't pitch in for its cost. If he cannot find a "room share" then his back up plan is to have someone "donate" money to make it easier.
The winning situation in Chris' scenario: "He gets donated 600$, and gets a room to share. 'The money is mine to keep.'"
So please, sincerely, DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO CHRIS. He will most likely Room Share and run off with the money that you've given to "help" him.
