Quote:
Originally Posted by MaTH716
I don't have a problem with them raising the price on a big day, that's smart business. I have a problem with them taking advantage and gouging people, which in my opinion is what they are doing. They are also using the traffic story (which is always a problem down there) as a justification for these insane prices. I don't remember it being that expensive the year Rachel was there. If they really cared about traffic and possible overcrowding, maybe they should have looked at what Belmont did and put a cap on admissions.
Not sure how other players look at it, but I personally don't correlate Horse Racing to other sporting events. Just because I'm not planning to deposit $500 into wagering pools at a football game. I feel the same way when it comes to tickets for these big days. I look at the purchase of a $100 ticket as taking away 20% of my bankroll for the day. If it reaches the point, where I feel like I'm being robbed of too much of my bankroll, I just decide to stay home.
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But you're a horseplayer, Matt. As the poster above you ( when he wasn't feeling sorry for himself ) correctly stated, many of the people coming will be first timers ( he incorrectly referred to them as horseplayers ), and these people expect to pay these prices...and likely more.
Of course horseplayers that support a product should be given deference in some situations, however, if you were running Monmouth ( and keep in mind their overall situation ), are you honestly telling me you wouldn't be looking to cash in on this HUGE day? As much as I loved Rachel...she simply had nowhere near the mainstream appeal American Pharoah now has. Surely you have been asked by a LOT of non-racing people about this horse, while I am guessing very few asked you about Rachel. Also, keep in mind, the situation at Monmouth is much different now than 2009.
The problem may well lie in just how insanely crowded that day will now be, and if this ends up leading to an enjoyable day by those in attendance. This is of FAR greater concern than $20 for parking, roughly a fee charged by pretty much every major league venue in the Northeast, from Washington to Boston. Hopefully it will be a great day, and pretty much everyone will have a terrific time, but to lower the conversation to a perception of "gouging" that actually isn't even true, makes little to no sense to me. In the grand scheme of things, the prices you may perceive as "high" are actually very much in line with what many of the attendees are used to paying, an likely expecting to pay.
Unlike the haters, you actually know me, and know that I am dedicated to doing what I can to help horseplayers. However, I don't think that is really part of this particular discussion. While I am fully behind incentivizing players loyal to your product, that play at your venue ( or through your ADW ), I don't really think that is particularly relevant to this specific situation.