What Is Up With CF Food Service?
Lord Gonchar said:
I agree Moosh. But I think the parks are afraid of turning people away from the gate in the first place.One or two freebies rolled into admission works for some parks. Rolling the entire visit into admission would probably make people balk at the ticket price.
$129 - everything included (parking, drinks, three meals, free lockers, even a game or two on the house)
It'd be an interesting experiment.
From what I understand those "all-inclusive" resorts down the carribean are doing pretty well. My brother went with the his girlfriend and said it was great to have "free" drinks and "free" meals and just not worry about it beyond the initial decision to go.
Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."
I think the average american would rather have so-so service and the lowest price possible than good service that comes at a higher price.I call it the Wal-Marting of America.
I disagree. I think the average American wants both low cost and good service, and complains when one or the other are missing.
The problem at Cedar Point is that you get both high cost and crappy service. As long as one of the two exist, there may be some dissent amongst the masses, but they can argue "well at least it doesnt cost as much" OR "well at least it was really, really good". I see nothing wrong with someone, or a company, not providing both; it is their discretion, and the consumers discretion to keep paying for a product there.
Two positives = Best possible result
One positive = Some satisfaction due to either appreciation of low cost or enjoyance of high service/quality
Cedar Point = Just one big mess with two negatives.
*** Edited 5/16/2008 5:44:33 PM UTC by OhioStater***
RatherGoodBear said:
Well, it's unfortunate that Wal-mart has become the scapegoat for all that's wrong in the retail and service industry. I have my own experiences, and I've heard of many others of people treated poorly in establishments with much higher prices and supposedly a much higher class of employee and clientele than the big W.
Missed my point entirely. Wal-Mart pricing has indirectly affected quality and service in that they've created an artifically low price standard that can only be met (in general) by cutting corners elsewhere - namely quality and service.
By "The Wal-Marting Of America" I mean that people want the lowest price...at any cost. I believe that price is the main factor in choosing what and where to purchase for most people these days.
That's all I'm saying in regards to the Wal-Mart effect. I'm not blaming them for poor service, I blame them for the "low prices at any cost" mentality.
As far as getting crap service at higher priced establishments, I see that as the second issue we've discussed - America becoming a service-based economy and not enough good service-based employees to fill the increasing number of positions available.
I see it as two (remotely) linked issues - you're trying to blur it into one and the same.
Funny thing is I see a lot of people I see shopping at my local Wal-mart who work for other places with higher prices. I guess the higher prices don't necessarily translate into better pay or benefits for those employees.
It's either:
1. Proof that price is all that matters to people anymore in that these people could afford more, but prefer the lowest priced items.
or
2. Proof that price is all that matters to people in that they aren't getting higher wages or more benefits because their employers (while still higher priced) are still cutting as many corners as possible to compete and the low-price battlefield.
The idea of people willing to put up with poor customer service in the name of cheap price is not the original issue in this thread.
No, you're right - and I tried to address that a few posts back. The thread sort of took that direction. It became about a price/quality comparison and that wasn't my intention. The service I got was bad regardless of the price. Price had nothing to do with my original complaint, but people took it that direction saying that if the quality and service were there, the higher price wouldn't sting so bad - which wasn't my point at all.
Amusement park food prices are the exact opposite of what you pay at your local dented can food outlet. We're paying premium prices for lousy service.
Yup. Residual problems of the increasingly service-based economy (less qualified workers) combined with the Wal-Marting of our shopping mentality (low price is all that matters). We have people who probably shouldn't be dealing with the public in the first place working under conditions that cut as many corners as possible.
Being able to slap a hotdog on a bun and shovel some fries into a paper cup in less than 15 minutes does NOT require "people skills." They're not salespeople who have to explain what features refrigerator A has that B doesn't, which LCD TV is better, or convince a customer to add some options to the car they're looking at. People in a food line know the difference between a hotdog and a hamburger, and once they're in line, they're sure they want to buy something; they don't need a sales pitch. Give it to them, take their money, give them their change and send them on their way.
Actually, if the kid doesn't understand the importance of giving others what they want in a courteous and timely manner then he probably lacks the skills to deal with people. (people skills)
If you don't care what people want or need, then you lack the people skills to deliver what they want and need.
(and that doesn't even consider the idea of people skills concerning co-workers that probably aren't necessary in an assembly line job or warehouse stocking position or similar line of employment)
All service-based jobs require people skills in some capacity.
From the business standpoint, employees are being paid who don't contribute to the company's bottom line. One person working and three standing around bring in far less money than 3 or 4 working. Customers are happier that they didn't have to wait as long, and the company rang up 3 more sales in the same amount of time.
Agreed. But doesn't that come back to the lack of quality employees in the service sector?
Do you really think an employer hires 4 kids and says, "Now three of you stand there with your finger up your ass while the fourth tries to serve everyone."
Of course they don't.
At this point I can only assume it's a lack of quality in the employee pool - and that seems to go back to the increase in the service-based jobs and decrease of other kids of jobs.
There's not enough people qualified to be dealing with customers to fill those positions and thanks to the lowest price mentality, employers don't have the resources to try to make those people qualified. (although, I don't necessarily believe you can)
It's a one-two punch as I see it.
Brian Noble said:You assume you both started at the same time.
LOL, if only this stupid job would stop interrupting my playtime... ;)
With regard to "working relationship" with my employer, it encompasses some very basic components including (but not limited to):
1. A mutual exchange of respect
2. Felt my wages were fair
3. Felt a sense of commitment/pride to the company (that is, I wanted it to succeed). In other words, my performace was a reflection on the company, and vice-versa.
Now, that said, I am certainly a "people-person", and I agree with Gonch that you cannot train people-person skills into someone; you either have it or you do not. In addition, the 3 components listed above are inter-dependant, and dont exist alone in a vaccuum; having heard about some of the working conditions at Cedar Point, it comes as zero suprise that the service is pathetic.
During our recent stay, the hotel lobby manager was talking to us about how she used to work there, and how much things have changed, and just simply how poor the working conditions were; she even noted how it used to be a point of pride to be a local kid and get a "chance" to work at the Point. Now, it is seen as a place no one wants to work.
It'd be an interesting experiment.
It's more than an experiment. It's called Discovery Cove, and while a niche market, it is very successful---at twice your stated price. So much so, that Disney is strongly rumored to be developing another gate on property to try to capitalize on this newly-developed market.
I think it would be a rough road to hoe on a large scale, but as a small offering, it works pretty well. Sort of like the indoor water park resorts in the Dells or Sandusky. They don't really compete with the hotels/motels in the area; they're a completely different market.
For around $37.50 per person/day, you get amazing amounts of delicious food, all paid in advance.
We were just there for a week, and ate like royalty. I felt like I had spent WAY more money than I actually did on food because we were doing a different sit-down meal every night. When I checked my room charges on my last day, it had totaled just over $200, including some souvenirs that I put on the key.
Obviously, since I saved all that money, I noticed that I tended to tip EXTREMELY well at all my sit down meals - We also dropped a little over $500 in shopping just on the last day, because we could.
Another thing I noticed, is that a 20 Oz. bottle of coke at Disney is $2.00 even. A medium fountain drink is $2.19 and a large is $2.69.
I love CP, but every time I take a trip to Disney, I notice more and more that just isn't "right" in Sandusky.
It works out well if you are the type of family that would ordinarily do one sit-down table service meal every day on vacation, but most don't. So, this plan is a win win for everyone: an upsell from Disney's point of view, but a way to increase the quality of experience at a modest additional cost from the customer's.
It also further reduces the opportunity to spend money with anyone but Mickey. ;)
I don't usually do the dining plan, but I did get the Dining Experience Card. For $60, I get a year's worth of free valet parking at the hotels, and a flat 20% off my table service tab at the hotels and in the parks---including the booze. I made that $60 back in a single meal that I hosted for my extended family at 'Ohana.
El Gato Coastro said:
I have a feeling Wal-Mart could offer their employees better wages, and benefits if they raised their prices of their products a little.
Or took a cut on their profit reports.
All of this talk of Wal-Mart, crap wages, crap service etc etc etc makes me want to bring up
Costco Costco Costco
after every post but I just spent 6 hours in the car on a trip that should have taken 2 sans traffic and I'm a bit fried. I might take up the cause later but I think by now everybody knows what I (and Gonch, Jeff, Gator, Noble et al) am going to say before I say it anyway.
God kill me if a Union could slip in to a Wal-Mart and get some of theses brain washed people a clue. I haven't step into a Wal-Mart for years.. I rather Pay more at Mom and Pop or A Union Supported Store!
No I don't have a kid, but I still want to ride!
Raven-Phile said:
Another thing I noticed, is that a 20 Oz. bottle of coke at Disney is $2.00 even. A medium fountain drink is $2.19 and a large is $2.69.
It was only $2.39 in February, if I remember correctly. When did they raise it $0.30?
-Sam
I think you're right, though - because they were very close in price. Either way, sure beats $4.00 at CP..
In response to Brian: This is the first time I've ever done the dining plan, and it's got me sold. I've never had so much good food over the course of one week. Boma is definitely my favorite of the whole visit, though. I'm a big fan of exotic cuisine, especially Indian and Thai, and African food seems to tie all of those flavors together.
I've also got to applaud them for offering healthy choices on their menu now. At Casey's, you can get a bag of sliced apples in place of fries, they will sub out veggies and everything. Even in fine print, it says they will accommodate any dietary needs, all you have to do it ask.
We're already planning our wedding/honeymoon return trip in December/January/ :-D
Josh
Raven-Phile said:
^ Might still be $2.39, I could very well be wrong, being that I never actually had to pay cash for a drink.I think you're right, though - because they were very close in price. Either way, sure beats $4.00 at CP...
I'm not sure it does.
$1 or $1.50 per drink difference is what we're talking. How many large drinks does one person (or family) buy in a day? Five? Ten? Fifteen? Twenty? Four thousand?
I think over the course of a day that we're looking at a difference of a few dollars per head and honestly, it goes back to the souvenir cup thing. After the second drink the cup pays off. No one in their right mind is paying $4 a drink over the course of a day. If you are, it's your own fault.
Does Disney do the souvenir cup and reduced refill deals? If so, what are the prices?
Consider the potential deals and it really is just a dollar or three a day.
Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
You're reminding me of why I liked Incredible Universe so much. Not because I particularly liked that zoo of a store, but because it was the first major electronics retailer in town that DIDN'T promise the "lowest possible price" which meant that they had a better selection of *quality merchandise* than anybody else.
Unfortunately that business model led to Chapter 7. :(
The 'Wal-Marting of America' indeed.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
CoasterMonkey said:God kill me if a Union could slip in to a Wal-Mart and get some of theses brain washed people a clue.
Wal-Mart spends over a Billion dollars a year to squash any and all attempts of their labor to go union. The amount of anti-union dollars spent could go to actually paying employees more, but its in their best interest to spend it to keep them down. It's sad, really. Watch the documenatry, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices."
Pass da' sizzrup, bro!
Just a thought.
My author website: mgrantroberts.com
Don't forget to take care of those ride operators who take care of you, and enjoy the rest of your day here at Cedar Point!"
You must be logged in to post
