Toy and train fair admission prices

Duncan83 · December 04, 2011, 01:34:59 PM

Went to the toy and train fair at QE school in dorset this morning and once i got there i found that i had to pay for my children

. I dont mind paying to get in but when children are so young like mine 4 and 7 i think this is really wrong. They wont be buying anything and tobe fair dont really pay much attention to what is going on. what are people`s thoughts on this.

Duncan

H · December 04, 2011, 01:47:55 PM

I can see both sides here, but to be fair (fare

) it's not unusual for children to be charged, although usually at a reduced rate, for entry to commercial events. And a toy and train fare is basically a commercial event; about selling things and making money rather than displaying modelling or other altruistic obectives.

Children are still potential customers after all, and will reduce the number of full fee paying adults allowed in, as most halls and the like will have a maximum number (fire and safety regs and so on) that can be accommodated. And if they are unlikely to be interested and will not be purchasing (at what is basically a shop) then perhaps it might be better not to take them along.

H.

Duncan83 · December 04, 2011, 01:52:08 PM

I can understand that. And im sure hall hire is not cheap but still you dont see shops charging adults to take there children in, if they did im sure people would turn away like i nearly did. I have been to many fairs with my kids and never been charged so thats what i was amazed at when told to pay for them.

MinZaPint · December 04, 2011, 02:03:01 PM

That fair was supposed to be open 'till 4pm, got there at 13.20 to find they'd decided to close @ 13.00, should charge them for wasting my time! off to the angry thread!

H · December 04, 2011, 02:06:01 PM

A selling fare is not really the same as a shop and they have to pay for the hall hire, insurances, advertising, etc., which would be substantially more (on a pro rate basis for the period) than the rent and rates on a shop. Shops might not charge for admission but you certainly pay for the rent and rates in their prices and you're less able to haggle over prices like you can with stall holders at a fare.

I certainly wouldn't have been amazed at being asked to pay for kids to enter such a commercial event. Perhaps you've been lucky in the past and that has spoilt you somewhat.

H.

Fifer · December 04, 2011, 02:36:53 PM

Quote from: Duncan83 on December 04, 2011, 01:34:59 PM
Went to the toy and train fair at QE school in dorset this morning and once i got there i found that i had to pay for my children . I dont mind paying to get in but when children are so young like mine 4 and 7 i think this is really wrong. They wont be buying anything and tobe fair dont really pay much attention to what is going on. what are people`s thoughts on this.

Duncan

I am by no means saying your kids are , but maybe they charge for kids because they do not want unruley children there to contend with. I know that some businesses here are that way.

Mike

Tank · December 04, 2011, 03:17:11 PM

I would have thought that 5's and under would be free. $:-\$

poliss · December 04, 2011, 03:21:38 PM

What did it say on the advert about admission prices?

scotsoft · December 04, 2011, 03:39:48 PM

Quote from: Tank on December 04, 2011, 03:17:11 PM
I would have thought that 5's and under would be free. $:-\$

That is what I usually find and a token gesture for children over five.

John.

poliss · December 04, 2011, 03:41:27 PM

I missed the Gateshead fair again!!

Duncan83 · December 04, 2011, 04:03:08 PM

Agree on under 5`s go free and my kids are not unruley thats for sure but I can see your point on that one. And in railway modeller its only says about adults paying nothing about children paying unlike other adds. But still got some good buys so happy with that

Sprintex · December 04, 2011, 10:43:29 PM

You're probably not going to like this, but you did ask . . .

Quote from: Duncan83 on December 04, 2011, 01:34:59 PM
what are people`s thoughts on this.

. . . so,

Generally speaking a lot of people with kids these days expect concessions and special treatment simply because they have made a lifestyle choice by having children - free/cheap entry, separate parking spaces for their ridiculously-oversized vehicles, special facilities, priority treatment, etc. Not everyone is like this but quite a few are, expecting everyone else to fall over themselves to accommodate their offspring.

Well I'm sorry, for those of us who simply chose not to have them it really gets on your nerves when parents think they have the god-given right to special treatment over and above the rest of us. Those who have children should accept that they will cost them money, involve inconvenience, and generally require a lot of changes to their lifestyle. They shouldn't expect/demand that shops, events, and other members of the public jump through hoops to please their beloved little darlings (or annoying little sh*ts depending on your point of view).

Having said that I am not accusing you in any way of being a demanding type

The above is purely my personal point of view, and quite likely it won't sit well with those on here who have children, but then if we all thought the same life would be boring eh?

Glad you found some bargains, last couple I've been to there was nothing worth having $:-\$

Paul

4x2 · December 05, 2011, 12:07:45 AM

Quote from: Sprintex on December 04, 2011, 10:43:29 PM
You're probably not going to like this, but you did ask . . .

Quote from: Duncan83 on December 04, 2011, 01:34:59 PM
what are people`s thoughts on this.

. . . so,

Generally speaking a lot of people with kids these days expect concessions and special treatment simply because they have made a lifestyle choice by having children - free/cheap entry, separate parking spaces for their ridiculously-oversized vehicles, special facilities, priority treatment, etc. Not everyone is like this but quite a few are, expecting everyone else to fall over themselves to accommodate their offspring.

Well I'm sorry, for those of us who simply chose not to have them it really gets on your nerves when parents think they have the god-given right to special treatment over and above the rest of us. Those who have children should accept that they will cost them money, involve inconvenience, and generally require a lot of changes to their lifestyle. They shouldn't expect/demand that shops, events, and other members of the public jump through hoops to please their beloved little darlings (or annoying little sh*ts depending on your point of view).

Having said that I am not accusing you in any way of being a demanding type The above is purely my personal point of view, and quite likely it won't sit well with those on here who have children, but then if we all thought the same life would be boring eh?

Glad you found some bargains, last couple I've been to there was nothing worth having $:-\$

Paul

Hi paul ! I agree to a point, most parents demand discounts and then drag their screaming children around the site, barking sarky comments at anyone who get's in their way... Sounds harsh, but i work in tourism and i see this everyday ! However this does ruin it for the good parents who try really hard to make a great day out for their well behaved kids. I don't have kids and when my sisters come round with their kids I can't wait to hand them back even though they are fairly well behaved, so I think it's a tough call... Kids should pay over 5 years old in my opinion, anyone who demands a discount - should be CHARGED DOUBLE !

longbridge · December 05, 2011, 03:32:52 AM

Crikey we were all kids once, there has been a report made on this thread so before things get totally out of hand we are locking it.

Duncan83 · December 05, 2011, 09:18:40 AM

Sprintex you really are out of order with your comments. I simply posted this as i feel it is harsh to charge £1 for entry i dont mind paying 50p or somthing thats fine i have no trouble with that. The other comments you have made should be made on another forum and not this one.

Yes we make choices to have children and im very proud of them same as many other about the children on this forum. Yes we get car parking spaces but i choice not to park in them so people with much younger kids can take the space. But im sure your one of those people that park in them but we wont go there. Oh and i dont expect concessions thank you and i dont have a large car.