Taiwanese government says amusement parks have to give refunds for closed rides

Lord Gonchar said:
Pay-per-ride.

If only Moosh hadn't already called "dibs"... ;)

^So that explains why I have so little money.... ;)

It would certainly make some parks/chains get their act together. There is absolutely not comeback at the moment. Some parks in the UK close rides due to 'staffing issues' - it's a big problem at some parks here, not good at all.

Having a lack of staff, or a lack of trained staff on duty is not a valid excuse.

Agreed that it's not good, but doesn't the free market generally correct for this kind of thing on its own? I don't see any reason why there should be government involvement. If you don't deliver what you promise, people will stop spending their money with you.

I'm living proof that the market does indeed correct for that kind of thing. Despite the multitude of signs that Six Flags has gotten their act together I haven't visited any park in the chain in over 5 years and still have no desire to do so.

Sometimes I wish something like this was offered. I really don't think its fair if a ride goes down durring the day but to if something offered on the attractions list that you traveled to ride does not open that day A reduced rate could be warrented.

Really it wouldn't be much off the reg price. We offer 56 rides and two are closed. 2/56th off the daily isn't a big deal.

This is the only "Me too" post that I'll write for a long time. Like Moosh, I haven't visited a SF park in ages either, even though they have supposedly got their act together.

BUT, I still don't think that it's all black and white. One example that I have used before when talking against the idea of how the market corrects itself regarding SF is this; Kids, especially, will beg their parents to go to the park, even if their parents were burned the last time they took them. If someone wants a roller coaster, and finds the longer drive to another park unreasonable, then they'll suck it up.

A lot of different kinds of businesses may be in that kind of situation, like rural grocery stores, the only movie theater in town, or the mall arcade. Unique businesses can slack on the customer service, because "where else is the customer going to go"?

Seriously? I think we've talked endlessly about all of the different businesses that amusement parks compete against.

There is a lot going on here. I guess I am ver unfamiliar with this style of government. According to the report they went in and conducted a survey on a bizarre mix of criteria. Outside foods, fire equipment, architecture safety, pricing, just to name a few. One of the many interesting points of the article is where it says "The survey also found that admissions to private theme parks are too expensive." How does a government agency determine this? Isn't that more up to the consumer to decide? Seems a bit subjective to me, granted I'm not that familiar with the ticket pricing of Taiwanese private theme parks.

The logistics of providing refunds do to closed rides is just mind boggling, hope another requirement is to have thousands of employees working what will have to become the worlds largest guest services counters.

Machines break down, that should be expected. This law to me is like saying that if my car brakes down I should get a partial refund. Just a ridiculous thing to imagine. Now on the other hand if if there are downed intamins the park should be responsible for giving refunds given the fact that they knew what they were getting into when they purchased one. Sorry couldn't resist :)

If a kid want's to spend a summer day at the theme park that his parents take him to once or twice a year, no matter how crappy the park is in his parents eyes, a lot of kids will get their way. If little Billy really wants to ride some rollie coasters, the local Chuckie Cheese isn't going to cut it.

Just like if a kid wants to play arcade games, and there was only one arcade in town, he'd have to go there, or not play arcade games.

I get that entertainment businesses compete with other entertainment businesses, but to a degree, I believe that their is more of a niche costumer base that seeks out certain kinds of entertainment that a different kind of entertainment isn't going to be able to satisfy.

As far as the topic at hand goes, I am really proud to be an American. Stories like this should make us realize just how good we have it here.

I think your generalization about what kids get is anecdotal at best, but mostly wrong, especially in an era where people are being a lot more careful with their money. Furthermore, if you're using bratty kids as justification for government meddling in basic consumerism, that's weak. If what you suggested was true, then the market is still speaking for what's acceptable.

I just wanted to state that anyone found using the word Obamacare (or even the more dreaded capitalized OBAMACARE or OBAMAcare as some of you are typing) is a total tool/douche. Go watch more Fake News.

That is all.

I would like it if I was allowed to bring my own food to the park, but then the park couldn't try and charge me $10 for some crappy chicken fingers.

Amen to that. Last I checked, it was Congress who drafted and passed the legislation first.

Yeah, it's easier to just use the standard english word "mistake" that we always used. :)

But, that's how Glenn Beck does it.

I don't see why this seems so far-fetched. It's not that unlike our own Consumer Protection Laws. If the government believes the businesses are being fraudulent by purposely not opening their rides or with enough frequent downtime to suggest unfair pricing, I could see our government stepping in.

It's fair to say the free market system regulates that for the most part, but if people were continuously falling for it or the business was manipulative enough in its plan, our government may do something about it like this.

According to the Wikipedia, the economy in Taiwan is still in somewhat of a transition to a true free-market economy, so that they might regulate something like this is less surprising.

RollrCoastrCrazy said:
I just wanted to state that anyone found using the word Obamacare (or even the more dreaded capitalized OBAMACARE or OBAMAcare as some of you are typing) is a total tool/douche. Go watch more Fake News.

For the record, I only used that term quoting someone else. I work in Adult Medicaid, and actually have to know more about the Healthcare reform stuff going on than most people who complain about it do.

If the government believes the businesses are being fraudulent by purposely not opening their rides or with enough frequent downtime to suggest unfair pricing, I could see our government stepping in.

Wait, but isn't that what LK says SF does to drive up Qbot sales? ;)

I think that if a park offers multiple rides, shows, attractions, that anyone paying to get in, even at Disney's $75, has available to them enough to make their money's worth. If a ride or 2 is down due to unfortunate circumstances, that isn't the park's fault.

And there are plenty of poorly ran parks that have either taken a huge hit in attendance or even closed because the free market dictated to them that poor service=low cash flow. I'm not going to complain or want money back because one or 2 rides were down.

Having said that, if I went to Cedar Point* and half the coasters were close, shows weren't being performed, and lots of rides were down, on top of long lines? And the park took my money AND didn't tell me that there were issues (or at least have a sign posted), then that is where the better business bureau would come in for me.

*Not picking on them, just the first thing that popped into my head.