Paying for Parking

MaverickLaunch said:
Here's the problem with all PointGuru's arguments, he wants the impossible. He wants free parking, no convenience fees for online purchases, cheaper food in the park, etc. But I bet he'd be the first one screaming if the park were packed as a result of much lower prices, and he had to wait in long lines, especially since, in his perfect world, there would be no Fast Lane.

There'd also be less staff at the park (with lower revenues), fewer new attractions, etc. Then he'd be crying about that. This is why I refuse to engage him directly any longer, it's a no-win argument, but he can't see that with his liberal blinders on...

See, this is the problem. I said absolutely none of this, but no one is listening to what I am saying. Furthermore, Obama sucks. I voted for McCain and Romney. Would have voted for Herman Cain if he hadn't blown it and lost the Republican nomination.

There is a difference between good customer service and being completely ripped off. None of the things I am suggesting are impossible. I really don't know if you guys have had one too many loops on a coaster or you are brain washed by too may POV videos from the CP website. Try looking outside the box a little and you may find that there are better ways of doing things than the antiquated and unreasonable policies the park has had in the past. Ouimet may have a chance to make the park better; but, even he may have problems if the current culture persist.

I will say this, not in direct response to the above post, because I'm not going there. There are lots of things wrong at the park. Some things don't bother me, others do. I have had several in person conversations with John Hildebrandt about the latter, and extensive email correspondence about ideas that seemed obvious to me, but apparently weren't to the park, at least initially. He was even so kind as to spend a few minutes with me on media day, when he certainly had better things to do, to follow up on a couple things we had been discussing over the winter.

So, good things can happen when 1) the desired outcome benefits all parties, and 2) you approach the issue respectfully and can make a coherent presentation of your concern or idea. Simply running around saying "What a Ripoff!" and "Unethical!" is not only incorrect per the model of capitalism our society is based on, but isn't going to get you very far in realizing change, if that's important to you.

So instead of whining about a convenience fee, parking, or Fast Lane on this website, how about you do something about it, if it's really important to you? Go talk to the people who have the power to change it.

BTW, Cedar Fair is not the only chain the charges a online fee for purchasing tickets. As I wonder if he bought any tickets from Ticket Master they charge you a fees either online or buying from a ticket window.

The PointGuru said:
I really don't know if you guys have had one too many loops on a coaster or you are brain washed by too may POV videos from the CP website. Try looking outside the box a little and you may find that there are better ways of doing things than the antiquated and unreasonable policies the park has had in the past.

Look, you've made it crystal clear that everyone here is too dumb to understand what you're saying. Because, obviously, if only we could wrap our tiny brains around what you're saying, we'd totally agree with you.

So perhaps you'd be better suited to a community that's at least half as smart as you are.

Alternatively, you could just come to terms with the fact that people simply disagree because your beliefs aren't reasonable or well-supported.

At this point, I'm inclined to believe that he is in some sort of larger competition to see who can promote an indefensible position on a message board the longest.

But you all keep trying to convince him he is wrong. Why do you all keep doing that? At some point just let it go. Guess what will happen - he will stop too.

DJ - you just don't get it though. Cedar Point should roll any fees they don't charge in the first place into the original cost of the passes and tickets. This way, the consumer won't know about it, nor will they be able to avoid it at all.

Shades - I'm no longer trying to convince him he's wrong. I'm merely growing tired of him insulting anyone who disagrees with him.

Jugga - But isn't that unethical? ;)

djDaemon said:
Alternatively, you could just come to terms with the fact that people simply disagree because your beliefs aren't reasonable or well-supported.

Sounds like more than just growing tired of his insults.

If those comments insulted anybody in any way, I pray for that person so they don't grow old to be so sensitive. With that said, we all know how words can be twisted on here and sometimes it looks like some of you twist the words on purpose just to start an argument. Like Shades said...Let it go!

I don't think I have ever insulted anyone in any of my post. I have said that some people are being suckers if they think a $6 service that provides no service is reasonable; but, that is no different than what PT Barnum said. I would say I have been the subject of far harsher comments. There is no right or wrong on any of these subjects, merely opinions. Most people know the analogy between an opinion and the circular orifice at the end of the digestive tract. We all have them and they all stink. I clearly have a different perspective than a lot of people on this site. Just because someone does post something to support me, does not mean no one else agrees with me. All you have to do is look at other comments from other sources to understand that. I would suggest Facebook gives a little bit more of a real world perspective than regular posters on a site dedicated to the park.

When I post something, all I am saying is "Hey guys, check this out, this is a different view, you couldn't see this from where you have been sitting". Instead of taking a look, people want to change the entire premise of what I posted. I say "Boy, it sure would have been nice if the park was open during the week of 70 to 80 degree temperatures we had before the park opened. I bet the park could have made a lot of money. I wonder how they could make that happen". I get a response of "What a moron, he thinks people want to ride coasters in January during a blizzard."

If you are insulted because you are unwilling to open your mind to other peoples perspectives; then, I am sorry for you. It is not my intention to hurt your feelings. I viewed this site for a long time before I started posting. It is informative and I learned lots of useful information. I occasionally agree with some things that are posted, even by DJ.

TwistedWicker77 said:
Security? Roadside Assistance?

Anyway, that's why I go Platinum every year so I don't have to fork out the now $15 for parking

Locking your keys in your car
Need a jump
Car broke into
etc....

...cleaning up the parking lot after the pigs that leave their garbage every night.

tambo said:
...cleaning up the parking lot after the pigs that leave their garbage every night.

Agreed....the front lot is REALLY bad every night! Although it doesn't seem nearly as bad in the back lot (near Breakers)

What I do find curious is every time I criticize management for bad customer relations for doing something that takes zero effort on their part like raising the price of parking for no reason, charging for a service fee when no real service is provided, or charging ridiculous prices for sub par food, everyone goes crazy and says the park is just trying to make money. When I offer an idea that would raise lots of money for the park but requires the slightest bit of extra effort by park management, like giving rain checks or coupons when rides are closed or extending the parks season, everyone goes crazy and starts getting mad.

Seems to me the issue has nothing to do with money, just laziness. I guess that does along with a mindset or culture that is unhealthy for the park.

The PointGuru said:
raising the price of parking for no reason, charging for a service fee when no real service is provided, or charging ridiculous prices for sub par food, everyone goes crazy and says the park is just trying to make money.

1 - just because you don't see the reason, doesn't mean there isn't one.

2 - the park doesn't charge the fee (and as has been pointed out numerous times, it is an entirely avoidable fee)

3 - food (and the lack of quality) has been discussed here ad nauseum. You're not exactly breaking new ground on that one.

Giving out rain checks would just open up a can of worms with people reselling the rain checks, giving them to friends or even worse feed a black market operation that buys and sells rain checks similar to scalpers at a sporting event.

Cedar Point doesn't close if the weather is bad, you will have a sizable amount of people staying in the park and then profiting off the rain check through either selling it or creating good will with their friends by giving it away. Net loss for the park.

Well said, Pete. I hadn't even considered the whole black market angle to rain checks, etc. Maybe it's because I was too busy seeing all the bigger holes in PointGuru's arguments.

Are you talking about all the stockholders wondering where their money went. Parking is priced very well and there are ways of getting out of paying for it. You park there all day. Not just 4 hours for a baseball/football game. Or standard parking.

I think the problem is that young people these days are told they should think outside of the box and voice their opinions if they have an idea whether its good or bad. My advice is that you keep it to yourself until you know what's going on inside the box.

I feel "The Guru" is just misguided. He needs to explore other parts of real life to have an educated perspective on what and how companies should run their deal. Give up on roller coasters and go to the ball game or the county fair. Can I get a refund if the REDS lose. Please GOD I hope so. Or my vacation to the beach that ended for a mandatory evacuation.

It's called the internet. People do not need a license to share their opinions. For all you know I could still be in high school or I could be a Harvard Law graduate with a MBA from Yale and a PhD from MIT. (Hint, the later is a little closer to the truth), I may even be Jack Falfas or his impersonator. The fact is everyone of my suggestions are based on sound and proven business philosophies from other industries. You can choose to believe what I say or not. That doesn't make them any less factual, You will never know unless you actually educate yourself in real world economics and how companies run. Good luck to you son.

let's talk about how I'm dying to go to CP and can't wait till Saturday instead. I won't pay parking or a 6 dollar charge on my visit. No matter what you try to do you will never control the weather.