All-Star Paying For Admission At Competitions

[mollymags]

Im guessing you may have gotten weird looks due to being free in the past. Change is hard to adapt to, esp. if it costs money!

It's far more than weird looks... We go out of our way to put thick skinned staff members in the admissions booth because it's not especially uncommon for them to be yelled at or sworn at. Some people get very aggressive about it so I felt like maybe what we are doing is uncommon.

One days for us are almost always $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for kids 5 and under. This weekend we had a two day national with two full paid cheer bids, a partial paid dance bid, and eight total at larges... $15 for a one day pass for adults and $20 for the whole weekend if you purchased a 2 day pass on saturday. There were wrist bands for those who bought a two day pass and we had a few people get angry about having to wear the wristband all weekend...

 

[stuntaholic]

It's far more than weird looks... We go out of our way to put thick skinned staff members in the admissions booth because it's not especially uncommon for them to be yelled at or sworn at. Some people get very aggressive about it so I felt like maybe what we are doing is uncommon.

One days for us are almost always $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for kids 5 and under. This weekend we had a two day national with two full paid cheer bids, a partial paid dance bid, and eight total at larges... $15 for a one day pass for adults and $20 for the whole weekend if you purchased a 2 day pass on saturday. There were wrist bands for those who bought a two day pass and we had a few people get angry about having to wear the wristband all weekend...

I think there should be a different method developed than wristbands.

 

[cheererinIL]

Wristbands are at least a step up from a stamp, or a permanent marker.

 

[Brenner]

This weekend we had a two day national with two full paid cheer bids, a partial paid dance bid, and eight total at larges... $15 for a one day pass for adults and $20 for the whole weekend if you purchased a 2 day pass on saturday.

This seems very reasonable !

 

[mollymags]

I think there should be a different method developed than wristbands.

As far as I can think of (and admittedly I'm wiped out and not at full brain capacity), wristbands are the most efficient method when it comes to two day passes... Handstamps or permanent marker can rub off or wash off and then when day two rolls around, what proof do you have that you paid your admission yesterday? Wristbands also make it much more difficult for people to try to get around paying for everyone in their group because they're attached to your body until you cut them off. With tickets or something to that effect, you could easily send someone out to give those things to people who haven't paid.

The people who voiced complaints about the wristbands were saying that they didn't want to have to wear them when they went out later that night. I'm sure no one is going to give you dirty looks if you have a wristband on your arm when you're out to eat!

 

[WyldWon]

Thats why I love Jamfest...FREE!!!!

 

[mollymags]

And I also want to add that these costs are what keep some family members at home especially as the seasons go on.

As a parent I expect to pay at all competitions.

Unfortunately most of the family does not get to come to competitions because of the large fees (more than $10 a day). You also have to realize that between parking and food it can really add up with lots of siblings and grandparents.

I completely understand and sympathize with these points. It's only been a few years since I cheered and I know that it's hard to invite extended family or friends and tell them they have to pay to watch your child for all of 2.5 or 5 minutes, or have to absorb the cost yourself for any extra people you invite. Luckily we were at a venue with free parking and lots of restaurants and hotels nearby that had reasonable prices to hopefully offset the cost of admission a little bit.

 

[stuntaholic]

Couldn't You get a ticket for each day and get a stamp upon entering each day?

 

[mollymags]

Couldn't You get a ticket for each day and get a stamp upon entering each day?

Like I said, with tickets, you could easily send someone out to give those to people who haven't paid.

 

[ACEDAD]

Couldn't You get a ticket for each day and get a stamp upon entering each day?

Ear tags?

 

[stuntaholic]

Ear tags?

Great Idea

 

[stuntaholic]

Like I said, with tickets, you could easily send someone out to give those to people who haven't paid.

But what I am suggesting is you get two tickets one for each day. When you enter the competiton you hand in one ticket and recieve a stamp in exchange for that day.

 

[cheerKT]

Ear tags?

Branding. Like cattle!

 

[cheermom5678]

I prefer to pay extra in the athlete comp fee. I don't like asking my sisters, mom, aunts to go watch and have to pay $15. for the 2.5 minute routine. My mom and sister are there for our team only, usually staying at the venue less than 1/2 hour.

I also do not agree that a paid bid comp has a right to charge more just because it is giving paid bids. The entry fee to these comps are higher and usually more teams attend these events. I do agree that some venues cost more to rent, but shouldn't that have been factored in when deciding on the competition fee?

Wouldn't it be easier for EP to include entry fees into the comp fee? Better for budgeting, less employees to watch doors and sell wristbands, and up front payment?

 

[ohhh lindss]

I don't remember the last time I paid for admission. I usually just tell them I'm a cheerleader and have to borrow a uniform.. -___-