Mailbag: Adding Keuchel, Opening Day Rotation, Angry Fans

We're definitely in the weeds now.

 

But don't you also have a choice to give feedback? Why is that choice pointless to you, but telling someone to find an alternative activity, or even move or shop away from Hennepin County, is valid? Especially when the choice to give feedback is not mutually exclusive from choosing not to buy either.

 

Businesses get customer feedback all the time. And that feedback is not necessarily invalid simply because the service is "nonessential" or the feedback suggests a price lower than the current price. Heck, that feedback could actually be considered part of the equation for determining the market price -- I imagine setting optimal prices for concessions and tickets is rather complex. "Voting with your wallet" is important, but often unclear if it could be caused by a multitude of factors (concession prices, ticket prices, team quality, accessibility, weather, etc.).

 

Especially for a business with a *direct* public subsidy (not just tax breaks), I think it's also fair to expect they'd consider public feedback, even if it runs contrary to maximizing profits.

 

At some point, I'd agree with you -- asking for free Amazon Prime is definitely pointless. But is it pointless to ask for $2 hot dogs or sodas during events at a publicly owned facility? It's possible that feedback was even a factor in this new concessions pricing too. (Although I suspect the larger factor was testing this new kiosk ordering system.)

I agree, except that complaining on Twins Daily isn't providing feedback to the business.

Yes, people should give feedback directly to the company when/if the prices are high enough to dissuade their patronage.

But, the reality, and my point, is that complaining/feedback will not affect prices.

Prices are set based on supply/demand and other market factors. If everyone complains that the prices are too high, but still continue to purchase the product, what do you think will happen to prices?

The prices are high but it's not the end of the world to drop $100. Big deal. It's a fun experience.

Why do you assume that people complaining are still buying the concessions? Or at least buying them at the same rate they would if the prices were lower?

 

Not only are my concession purchases limited, sometimes the concession prices discourage me from attending altogether.

 

I also wouldn't assume that people are only complaining here and not directly to the Twins. (Although the Twins are high profile enough that I don't believe feedback necessarily has to be private and direct to the business. I suspect they can easily hear and consider general public feedback here as well as on social media.)

All fair points. And, it's a free country, my opinion certainly doesn't have to mean anything.

I just don't believe that feedback does much. The team and vendors know the sale totals. If they go down enough, prices will fall, even without a peep of feedback. If they don't fall, prices will stay the same or go up, regardless of any amount of feedback.

I choose not to attend big league games in part because of price gouging, but one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that sometimes the prices on concessions are just a big middle finger to fans.

 

Yeah, the clubs can get away with it. Doesn't make it any less obnoxious.

What is obnoxious about it?

It's a business, not a charity. Charging less than the market is willing to pay would be awful business.

The people who pay those prices are the obnoxious ones, not the business who is doing exactly what they should be doing.

All of that can be true and it can still be obnoxious to pay $6 for a hot dog.

And I agree it is obnoxious to pay $6 for a hot dog. Those lining up to shill out their hard earned $6 for a hot dog are the problem. Only a fool would refuse to take their money.

As PT Barnum said, there is a sucker born every minute.