What is Cedar Points policy ....

Shades said:
Ok. I didn't realize they changed the price on the fly.

I didn't either! I thought it was a day-specific price

Shades said:

It would drive me crazy if the gas sign said $2.09 and they then charged me$2.39. If I read jayme's post correctly that is essentially what they did to her. Why would they tell her one price but then charge a different price?

Because, like many businesses, Cedar Point using some version of dynamic pricing. We use dynamic pricing at the theater. If you call on Monday to ask about prices for Saturday, and on Wednesday we see the Saturday shows have had a surge in purchases, when you arrive at the box office you'll be paying more money than the price that was quoted on Monday.

And the OP notes in her post that she was told the price would be $40, and that the prices change every night.

Advertising one price for a product you're buying immediately, such as gasoline, and charging a different price at the register is a different beast entirely.

Ok. I didn't realize they changed the price on the fly.

noggin said:

Shades said:

It would drive me crazy if the gas sign said $2.09 and they then charged me$2.39. If I read jayme's post correctly that is essentially what they did to her. Why would they tell her one price but then charge a different price?

Because, like many businesses, Cedar Point using some version of dynamic pricing. We use dynamic pricing at the theater. If you call on Monday to ask about prices for Saturday, and on Wednesday we see the Saturday shows have had a surge in purchases, when you arrive at the box office you'll be paying more money than the price that was quoted on Monday.

And the OP notes in her post that she was told the price would be $40, and that the prices change every night.

Advertising one price for a product you're buying immediately, such as gasoline, and charging a different price at the register is a different beast entirely.

I can understand the frustrations of the guests at the park with the price fluctuation. If I called the park asking about the price of Fright Lane, I don't want to hear "Well it depends on the day and then the timing of the day." I would rather hear "It's $XY amount." I could also understand where there could be complaints on a given day. "My friend bought Fright Lane today at 11:30 this morning and it was $ XY and now at 2:35 pm and it's $ XY + $10."

A) The OP says that they were told the price on Friday would be X, BUT that the price changes nightly. I'm afraid I don't see how that park is to blame.

B) Welcome to capitalism in a world that can track such matters on a second by second basis. Have you bought airline tickets recently, where prices do change on a second by second basis?

As Noggin pointed out, airline tickets do the same.

One way to solve this is to buy them online or over the phone at the time of the call. Problem solved.

XS NightClub said:

As Noggin pointed out, airline tickets do the same.

One way to solve this is to buy them online or over the phone at the time of the call. Problem solved.

One problem with this is good old Ohio weather in September / October. It could rain all day / all weekend.

And it could rain in May, and June, and July, and August. You can buy tickets and Fast Lane in advance and save money, or you can buy them at the gate, when you're sure of the weather, and pay a higher price. One of the risks of visiting an outdoor venue.

djDaemon said:

Putting gas in your car must drive you crazy.

Somewhat..I HAVE to buy premium. Lately it's been pretty stable, especially at Costco. Last year/year before, oh wallet shock did suck a few times...13 gallons, 50 bucks..ouch.

Why do you have to buy premium?

My cars require premium gasoline. 92 octane or above. Costco has 94 octane which is getting harder to come by here in Wisconsin.

Costco is usually 25 to 35 cents a gallon cheaper on premium then elsewhere.

I also try not to call ahead for prices, so as not to be dissatisfied if it's not the same price when I get there.
And I always bring an umbrella in case it's raining.

thedevariouseffect said:

djDaemon said:

Putting gas in your car must drive you crazy.

Somewhat..I HAVE to buy premium. Lately it's been pretty stable, especially at Costco. Last year/year before, oh wallet shock did suck a few times...13 gallons, 50 bucks..ouch.

Shut up.

I'm in Germany right now and petrol is 1.24€ a liter for regular. That's litre, which comes out to somewhere between 5 and 6 bucks a gallon. I'll never complain about our US gas prices again.

XS NightClub said:

My cars require premium gasoline. 92 octane or above.

Given that when people ask what car I rented for a trip, I respond with the color of the car, I'll take your word. As long as something happens when i step on the gas pedal, I'm good. I don't know much about cars :-)

noggin said:

Why do you have to buy premium?

Turbo and tuning...anything less than that causes hesitation or predet. Make a car fun, everything else gets expensive :P

Also yeah overseas prices suck period, no matter where you are, you get gouged. I'm just saying over here the last two years that price fluctuated to extreme measures.