Meet and Greets (In-Stores) VS VIP?

What's up everyone. Pre-Covid, did anyone else get annoyed that most free meet and greets, like in-stores, had gone away, in favor of the pay "vip" meet and greets? It has been awhile since I was last at a show, but are the bands not even really hanging around outside as much, just meeting fans freely, due to this? I had noticed things slowed down tremendously when this trend of "VIP" began. Is there a big upside to the VIP over the traditional way, for fans?

Much Respect.

VPV