SFoT Age based discount coupon

I got my SFoT season pass coupon book for this year and there's a coupon for an aged based discount on admission for a certain day. Specifically, your age (verified by driver's license) is your percent off.

First of all, is this not age discrimination?

Second, is it a good idea? Is it something that could be used regularly to filter the crowd in a particular way?

Is there any such thing as "age discrimination?"

...Seniors get discounts everywhere, little kids can't go to Dave and Busters alone, you can't vote or die for your country until you're 18...

So, I don't think "age discrimination" is a major threat to American society.

It's just a fun little discount somebody thought up... parents well enjoy the irony of announcing their age and kids wont even care...

If anything, the crowds would be larger on these days. It's not logical to say younger people wouldn't go simply because their discount was not as great as a middle-aged family's.

We have a similar coupon at Fiesta Texas. However, it's for any store-bought transaction.

So, a couple of use were thinking. Could we grab a 105 year old, and ask for the whole store, and they would have to pay us 5% of cost?

It's an interesting idea.

Otherwise, I think it's great. Too bad ours is limited to June 24th.

Wouldn't it be cool is Six Flags just concentrated on giving EVERYONE an equal opportunity at a FUN day?

I mean, everyone pay the same, etc.; everyone wait in a line for a ride that is run properly, safely and efficiently...

Hmmm... sounds like Holidayworld, Kennywood and similar parks.

I mean, get you in the park, then treat you like a lower class is what Six Flags does best.

Those Flash pass "why wait!!??" signs in the ques are a huge slap in the face, in my opinion.

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CoasterComet said:
Wouldn't it be cool is Six Flags just concentrated on giving EVERYONE an equal opportunity at a FUN day?

I mean, everyone pay the same, etc.; everyone wait in a line for a ride that is run properly, safely and efficiently...

I mean, get you in the park, then treat you like a lower class is what Six Flags does best.

Those Flash pass "why wait!!??" signs in the ques are a huge slap in the face, in my opinion.

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Where's my violin? :)

^Good point. I think kids should pay the full price too. I absolutely hate it. Kids read books, and they get free admission. Do I? No, I don't. I can read books, and get free admission. No, you can't. You are too young. That's not right. All the kids, and seniors are treated like royalty, and I can't take it anymore. It's not fair!

I agree with the fact that it's just life. Get over it. They want to bring the families in, and thus this is an incentive. This will get the parents to come to the park because of 40% off or higher.

I think that this will be the first time that parents tell the people selling tickets that their kids are older than they are, rather then my dad telling the lady that my 12 year old sister is 11, she is now about 25ish.

CoasterComet, The first rule of business is "Make more money than last year". For Six Flags, treating all guests fairly takes a back seat to greed (greed is good for business). Flash Pass has turned me off to the whole chain of parks. There are so many other parks that value the patronage of all their guests equally, so there's really no reason to visit a SF park. I seriously wish them no success until they stop with the blatant classism.

But don't really expect that point of view to be allowed around here. CoasterBuzz is not a friendly place.

As for the silly discount, it's unusual and a good idea for getting people to talk about the park. I like it. It's kind of funny.

The problem with whiny brats who have nothing better to do than bitch about how "SIXS FLAGSZ SUX~!!`!1", is that they're still just whiny brats.

It never seems to change, and any time someone has an argument (legitimate or otherwise) against the chain, it really makes them look bad.

I'll say it again - If Cedar Point did it, you'd think it was the greatest and coolest promotion since sliced bread. This is coming from me, a CP local/fan.

People pay different prices for the same thing all the time. Should I get pissed because my car insurance is a little more expensive than someone who is 45? Should I be pissed because I waited an extra day to fill my tank and gas went up 30 cents? (well, ok..I'm a little pissed about gas prices in general, but you get my point.)

Think kind of marketing is something we used to see from the more "smalltime" parks - Who remembers Geauga Lake's "bring a carload for $15" days? Those were awesome, but what about all those people who had small cars, and those who had minivans?

It's all about how much someone is willing to spend for a particular product. A discount it a discount, no matter how much "better" the guy next to you's deal was. :sigh:

edit: obviously not aimed at you, Andy.
*** Edited 3/11/2008 5:32:13 AM UTC by Raven-Phile***

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LostKause said:
CoasterComet, The first rule of business is "Make more money than last year". For Six Flags, treating all guests fairly takes a back seat to greed (greed is good for business). Flash Pass has turned me off to the whole chain of parks. There are so many other parks that value the patronage of all their guests equally, so there's really no reason to visit a SF park. I seriously wish them no success until they stop with the blatant classism.

But don't really expect that point of view to be allowed around here. CoasterBuzz is not a friendly place.

As for the silly discount, it's unusual and a good idea for getting people to talk about the park. I like it. It's kind of funny.

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I hear ya LostKause. It's too bad that as coaster enthusiasts, we can't be a little nicer to other with different opinions and those of us that actually make mistakes (doughhhhh!) Luckily for us, there are some really cool people on this site too!

I certainly hope that big companies, people and our society as a whole are going to start seeing where America is going (I live here, don't want to talk about other places). The whole capitalism run wild, greed, etc.; funny so many people that are for it worship a religion that warns against that type of stuff.

Good thing we have places like Holidayworld, etc., who have higher integrity than most 'big places'. Sure, it is a business. But burned in my mind are the words of a manager at a Six Flags park during my internship 13 years ago "we can charge whatever we want for soda, we have a captive audience."

I encourage everyone to let people and companies, managers, etc., know what they think when they visit a park. Take the time - it may seem insignificant, but you can't complain if you don't complain! Tell them what you like as well and give them/someone/something there a compliment as well - they will be more likely to think about what you are complaining about too.

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Good thing we have places like Holidayworld, etc., who have higher integrity than most 'big places'. Sure, it is a business. But burned in my mind are the words of a manager at a Six Flags park during my internship 13 years ago "we can charge whatever we want for soda, we have a captive audience."

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Holiday World has higher integrity than most big places because you overheard one manager at one Six Flags park get cocky about the captive audience reality 13 years ago?

I'm so confused.

I dunno, we've been over it a million times. I'm not sure why anyone would think it makes sense for a park in rural southern Indiana to use the same business approach as a park in the thick of the BosWash Megalopolis or a park near one of the biggest cities in the country or a park in a tourist area or a resort park or...

...well, you get the idea.

As far as greed...I just have to chuckle. I'm of the belief that capitalism by definition eliminates the possibility of greed.

It is impossible for a business to be greedy. Business exists to generate revenue. The act of doing business is the act of generating revenue. The more revenue you generate the more successful your business. It is impossible for a business to be greedy.

Where I do agree is with the last paragraph. You're exactly right there. Tell these businesses what you like or dislike. Vote with your wallet. All that good stuff. You're not going to change anything by complaining (or campaigning) on a internet message board.

^Glad we agree on something Gonch ;) (that and of course you take really good pics)

Yes, if you go by strict definitions, capitalism does omit greed. But when we start taking stuff with exact definitions, black and white, etc., I believe we also start to forget we are humans.

You can discuss it down to psychological 'core beliefs' if you wanted (I mean, it's just a coaster geek site). For me, it comes down to what is responsible for everyone, not just someone who has more money. This is where I get lost in my own words and need to shut it :) I'm sure someone will pick it up and put it out better than I would.

Damn, I need a coaster...

From my *limited perspective*, it appears that the third-rail of good business is the distinction/association between SHORT-TERM profits and longer-range thinking in terms of growing your market/market share. If you kill the golden goose but get 4-5 golden eggs in the process, you might make out in the short run, but your production capacity nosedives.

Yes and yes to both of you guys.

But here's the thing (and I'm quoting directly from Brian in this thread):

"...there is no evidence that the guests are overly price sensitive."

I agree with that assessment 100%. It's not the pricing that's making or breaking any of these parks. It seems the experience inside the gate is a much larger factor.

Speaking of which did anyone notice that SF's attendance was actually up for 2007 (ok, just a hair, but up is up, right? :) ) :

"Attendance for 2007 was 24.9 million, up 0.1 million compared to 2006 despite 40 (1.4%) fewer park operating days."

It's always ironic how coaster enthusiasts will hop all over ERT--where they're the only ones in line--or EAT--where they stuff their faces with chow, prizes and perhaps even get to voice their (often misguided) opinions to park management, but wail that other folks willing to pay for those privileges...if not LESS than that...means that a park is 'greedy' or somehow 'lacks integrity.'

When enthusiasts stop attending those events on principle--you know, because it's wrong to recieve 'special' treatment? Perhaps they'd be in a position to complain. Perhaps. Just maybe.

But otherwise? I love ERT. I have no problem with EAT. And if Johnny Sixpack would like to pay a little extra to do that too? FANTASTIC. I know he'll like it at least as much as I do.

I'm not gonna be a two-faced hypocrite about it.

-CO

^You can have all the EAT you want. Rarely is the food that good anyway (a certain CAC sticks out as having superlative food, as well as the "Radisson Night" at Solace, and I recall a DW event with similarly excelent grub).

But pay extra to ride extra? Yeah, I'm all over that. Seems that Joe/Johnny Sixpack isn't really THAT interested, though. S'alright, more ERT for me. ;)

Gonch, you struck it RIGHT on the head. *Average* guests really only seem to mention price when the QUALITY of customer care is stuck at a certain set (low) level. Given a subpar experience, THEN the price is too high. How often do I hear someone mention price at a Disney park? Almost never.

I think where I see things different is that to ME, the "cost savings" from under-landscaping and under-staffing - those COST the park(s) more in the long run than they could possibly gain in the short-term. "Ya gotta SPEND money to make money" sort of theory...

I think there's a difference between a business being succesful and a business being just. I'm not saying pricing or profits or model has anything to do with measuring either, but there is a distinction that capitalism (and for the most part, government) does not make.

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CoastaPlaya said:
It's always ironic how coaster enthusiasts will hop all over ERT--where they're the only ones in line--or EAT--where they stuff their faces with chow, prizes and perhaps even get to voice their (often misguided) opinions to park management, but wail that other folks willing to pay for those privileges...if not LESS than that...means that a park is 'greedy' or somehow 'lacks integrity.'

When enthusiasts stop attending those events on principle--you know, because it's wrong to recieve 'special' treatment? Perhaps they'd be in a position to complain. Perhaps. Just maybe.

But otherwise? I love ERT. I have no problem with EAT. And if Johnny Sixpack would like to pay a little extra to do that too? FANTASTIC. I know he'll like it at least as much as I do.

I'm not gonna be a two-faced hypocrite about it.

-CO

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ERT is usually when the park is closed to the paying public though, right?

Who's Johnny Sixpack ? :)

I mean, if people want to rent out a park or ride (ERT) when it's not going to infringe on other's payed time in the park (or ride) what's the problem?

And even if you view ERT as hypocritical, that makes it ok for people to pay to cut in front of others that payed the same price to get in?

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And even if you view ERT as hypocritical, that makes it ok for people to pay to cut in front of others that payed the same price to get in?

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Two problems:

1. You have to believe that it is line cutting (depends on the system, perk or circumstance - sometimes it could be, most times it's certainly not)

2. Everyone has the same opportunity to pay more for the improved experience. (which greatly reduces any negative effects of #1)

^I agree with you. Now that we got all the if/then/or/and equations and rules out of the way...

How is a single mom with 2 kids that can barely pay admission going to look at this? I mean, that's all over the board. (yes, I know it's America and she has the opportunity to 'get' all the money she wants, etc., but THAT isn't reality and besides, what are the CONS of that?)

Any company can do what they want (and they do, all the way to hell aparently) - I just don't want to see places I enjoy going to go down that route. It's just not right to me (please hold the violins, sarcasm, "that's life's" and sighs...)

In a country where money is strongly (and wrongly *some are slowly finding out*) equated to happiness, this kind of thought/flash pass, etc., is no suprise. It's just sad to me. *** Edited 3/11/2008 5:36:53 PM UTC by CoasterComet***