I've got no sympathy for anyone struggling to get an allocation...

I've got no sympathy for anyone struggling to get an allocation in good IPOs that has a proven record of being a dumper on day 1 or even week 1 of an IPO . The best IPOs are normally allocated to solid long term investors, not people looking to just flick out stock and move on the next trade.
If you're a new client you can't expect to get decent allocations given some other existing clients have had relationships with certain broking firms for years and often decades. I myself have taken positions in IPOs I know will be shyte but because the broker has struggled to fill it I elect to support it. Good karma comes back in multiples.