Questions on Opening weekend Tickets

[Radu the Gypsy]

So I just finished an interesting phone call with a playtron friend of mine.  As I'm sure many of you are aware, one of the more common playtron practices at Colorado is to go opening weekend and purchase their tickets for the season using the buy-one-get-one-free coupons.

The story as I have it currently is that this years opening tickets are different from all other weekend tickets, and tickets bought opening weekend will not be valid any other weekend of the season.  Additionally, there were no signs announcing this change of policy anywhere around ticket sales.  Add to that the fact that all tickets are printed with the "No Exchange/No Return" policy, and you have the makings of a very ugly situation. 

Can anyone confirm this information?

[Aernn]

That is what the lady in the ticket booth told us after we bought them.

Luckily we have taken up the practice to buy tickets in two bunches.  The ones we need for that day, and then the ones for the rest of faire if everything is looking good for that.


I did hear that not all the ticket wenches were saying that.

But I do know that they have different colored tickets, and more than one color.  Green for adults yesterday, and the old orange ones were used for kids.


The sad thing is, even though he closed up the loophole he didn't come up with a season pass.  *shrug*  Oh well, can't count on everyone doing everything right.

[Radu the Gypsy]

My concern is that he may have closed the loop hole without making it public knowledge.  As I understand it, there were no notices of this change of policy, and if all the wenches wern't telling people about it, there may be some very, very angry people next weekend discovering they paid for 7 weekends of tickets that they cant use.

[Saber]

from a business standpoint, the people that buy for many weekends at a shot have been stealing from the faire.  plain and simple. a business can not run when it loses money, and a good portion of income comes from ticket sales.  this money goes to pay for staff and entertainment (some that may have even been cut at the last minute) not to mention the increased price of tickets this season.

from a playtron standpoint, it sucks to have to pay more for what i enjoy.  but i always plan to pay for a ticket every time i attend, if i don't have to because my freebie from opening weekend is still valid, cool, i will spend that extra cash inside the gate.  if not, I don't get bent out of shape, because i planned on paying to begin with.

I second the option of a season pass.

Also, from an ethical standpoint, if the PTB knew that people bought mass tickets, and said nothing, and are taking a no return/exchange stance, and said nothing about it, then there comes a question of business ethics that *could* be construed to have legal ramifications.  Would I recommend it? no.

The bottom line is that there SHOULD have been some form of announcement or disclaimer or SOMETHING.  But there wasn't.  Is it wrong of the PTB to close off a leak in their profit? no.  Is it wrong that they have pissed off a bunch of their regular attendees that other people come to see as well as the staff? sure. 

Should they make an attempt to repair the damages? In my opinion, yes, if only from an ethical standpoint.

my two bits.

[PirateAsh]

Season passes would be great! I had a customer ask us today about that! For those of us who do like to come every weekend that would be an excellent idea!

[Jonas_MacPherson]

Yea it would. Or at least an added bonus for being regulars. As for what? I don't know.

[QueenTitania]

Just an FYI - The only policy on the "buy one get one it" is that it is for first weekend ONLY.  Thus the public did not need to be made aware of a policy that did not change.  If there was a loop hole, well many benefited for years while it lasted.  All tickets have always said "ALL SALES FINAL". 

I do agree season passes would be a wonderful idea.  Maybe that will be an option in the years to come.

If you have any questions on tickets, feel free to ask me.  Yes, I work for the festival as Group Ticket Sales Rep - selling discount tickets. I am also the Rag Lady on cast .... just speak to me off stage if needed during a festival day.

thanks

[CapnJack]

The subject of season passes has been brought up time and time again, but it seems unlikely to ever actually happen.  As long as people are still coming and paying full price every time they walk in the gates (sometimes every weekend or even all 16 days), there is no real reason from a business standpoint to give a discount for a season pass.
It is not in the best interest of a business to give discounts out of the kindness of their hearts, simply because their loyal fans, patrons, and customers wish them too.  If they don't turn a significant profit from the move, there is no reason to make it.  It's all about the numbers.
For now, tickets are still mostly inexpensive enough for this not to make that much difference.  But that's changing as time moves inexorably forward, and who knows what will happen in the future.