New Tailgating Information
- Thread starter biteyoudawg
- Start date
17ing moronic. The Obamacare of tailgating.
So they waived the fees this year. Southern Tradition's fee was to be $100,000.00. Seriously. Would have put them out of business.
So next year the fees are obviously going to be passed down to the customer, making the SDS rates sky rocket or will in general put the companies out of business.
ETA: I'll almost guarantee 90%+ of the customers of these tailgate companies are out-of-towners. So they don't have the time, space, ability to get everything set up and taken down while still enjoying gameday. Not to mention the "reserved" space companies didn't even set up in the junction, which is rarely full to begin with.
So they waived the fees this year. Southern Tradition's fee was to be $100,000.00. Seriously. Would have put them out of business.
So next year the fees are obviously going to be passed down to the customer, making the SDS rates sky rocket or will in general put the companies out of business.
ETA: I'll almost guarantee 90%+ of the customers of these tailgate companies are out-of-towners. So they don't have the time, space, ability to get everything set up and taken down while still enjoying gameday. Not to mention the "reserved" space companies didn't even set up in the junction, which is rarely full to begin with.
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I've never used one of these services, but I don't like the idea of this policy, as it seems to disfavor tailgating done by out-of-town fans. Fans who live more than an hour from Starkville and have work and/or family obligations seem to be pushed out or limited by the plan. I know this says they compared the plan to other locations, but I wonder how much they took into consideration the size of the city in which the other schools are located.
I have not been able to tailgate much in the last few season due to living 2+ hours away, having young children, and the limited number of hotel rooms in the Starkville area on game days. However, as my kids are getting a little older, I've certainly considered these services, and I don't see why the school should care whether it's me who puts up a tent or a company I pay to put up a tent because I live out of town and can't take off work every Friday.
I have not been able to tailgate much in the last few season due to living 2+ hours away, having young children, and the limited number of hotel rooms in the Starkville area on game days. However, as my kids are getting a little older, I've certainly considered these services, and I don't see why the school should care whether it's me who puts up a tent or a company I pay to put up a tent because I live out of town and can't take off work every Friday.
That's lame. Where are the commercial tailgates going to be located? I'm guessing in the Amphitheatre or further up from the stadium.
I'm all for it...
I have no beef with Southern and some of the other companies that set up by the amphitheater, but the smaller independents are starting to become a real problem. They hire out to set tents out early Friday morning and hog whole sections in what normally is family and friends type tailgating areas. Choice spots are gobbled up for hire--leaving average tailgaters to fight for the leftovers.
There is a small tailgate company (I think he even posted on SPS) who has encroached into our normal area and even moved our tents to accommodate his set-up. Caught one of his employees red handed.
I don't have a problem with someone setting up tents for fans...and living 3 hours away, I may have to hire it out myself someday. What does bother me is when someone is making money on ground provided freely by MSU for enjoyment by everyday fans...and not paying the school for the privilege of doing it. Not to run them out of business, but putting a small tax and/or restricting tailgate companies to certain areas of campus insures that everyday fans can enjoy the experience as well.
I have no beef with Southern and some of the other companies that set up by the amphitheater, but the smaller independents are starting to become a real problem. They hire out to set tents out early Friday morning and hog whole sections in what normally is family and friends type tailgating areas. Choice spots are gobbled up for hire--leaving average tailgaters to fight for the leftovers.
There is a small tailgate company (I think he even posted on SPS) who has encroached into our normal area and even moved our tents to accommodate his set-up. Caught one of his employees red handed.
I don't have a problem with someone setting up tents for fans...and living 3 hours away, I may have to hire it out myself someday. What does bother me is when someone is making money on ground provided freely by MSU for enjoyment by everyday fans...and not paying the school for the privilege of doing it. Not to run them out of business, but putting a small tax and/or restricting tailgate companies to certain areas of campus insures that everyday fans can enjoy the experience as well.
One problem with your reasoning is that it assumes that all "everyday fans" can enjoy the tailgating experience without using a commercial service. For some this is true. For some it is not.
Another problem is that the new policy does not apply to any service that is paid to set up 9 or fewer tents, so your concerns about small companies aren't really even addressed by this new policy.
Finally, it seems like there are better avenues to deal with people (paid or otherwise) who move tents that are already set up. If that's the concern (and it is a valid one), charging a fee to larger tailgate companies doesn't address it at all.
Another problem is that the new policy does not apply to any service that is paid to set up 9 or fewer tents, so your concerns about small companies aren't really even addressed by this new policy.
Finally, it seems like there are better avenues to deal with people (paid or otherwise) who move tents that are already set up. If that's the concern (and it is a valid one), charging a fee to larger tailgate companies doesn't address it at all.
Southern tradition should break up into subsidiaries
Each of which just sets up 9 tents, thus avoiding the arbitrary regulation and taxation.
The market will adjust to maximize efficiency.
Each of which just sets up 9 tents, thus avoiding the arbitrary regulation and taxation.
The market will adjust to maximize efficiency.
So. With my non business savvy mind all this means to me is that southern will become a broker who arranges for a company/ inddependant contractor of 9 tents or fewer to put up tents. Judging by what you guys are saying anyways i think that's what they would do to minimize their campus tax liability.
This! And if I'm coming in from a long distance, I'm gonna meet up with someone who lives closer who does the setup. And if I don't know anyone, 2 foldout chairs, a cooler, and a bucket of chicken would be my setup.
You can't be serious, the fee could not have been anywhere near 100,000.00. Who told you that?
Thanks David. We use your service, and have nothing but great things to say. Let me know what I can do to help.
I've got no problem with them regulating tailgating companies and charging a fee. However, the amount you're quoting is outrageous. A more reasonable rate would be $0.65/sq-ft of tent space per season, not per game. And I can't see any reason in the world to exempt companies with fewer than 10 customers. If anything, I would think those would be the most likely to cause problems. Good luck.
My thoughts exactly. The policy forces the legit companies to charge more, while making it more profitable for just a few clowns getting together & setting up 8 tents per game. I would think they're the ones most likely to cause the problems we want to avoid.
It's really not outrageous when you think about what southern tradition brings in each year.
3100 x 100 tents
Over 300k. So your giving 33 percent of your profit for rent.
It will just make companies make less margins or pass on the expense to the customer.
3100 x 100 tents
Over 300k. So your giving 33 percent of your profit for rent.
It will just make companies make less margins or pass on the expense to the customer.
The simplest thing would be to have tent spaces clearly marked off and numbered. Then assign tent spaces just like they do basketball seats in the Hump - according to Bulldog Club Ranking. Each tent space renter would be charged some fee or surcharge per season and commercial operators like The Tailgate Company could be limited to renting not more than 10 spaces. I know this sucks for The Tailgate Company but I think they could then be allowed to rent as many tent spaces as they want from those that are left over after the Bulldog Club Priority Members' deadline for reserving (and paying for) spaces has passed. There could even be a 3-year or 5-year cycle where, once you have chosen your tent space, you have to pay for 3 or 5 years, at the end of which all tent spaces would be re-assigned, again according to Bulldog Club ranking. Keep in mind that not all Bulldog Club Members will necessarily want a tent space in the first place since some of them (like me) have RV spots or just aren't necessarily into tailgating that much.
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If the spaces were clearly marked, it would help to put an end to the question of whether someone's tent had been moved by someone else.
Edited to add:
If the spaces were clearly marked, it would help to put an end to the question of whether someone's tent had been moved by someone else.
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Someone needs to school you on basic finance, accounting, and economics.
Ill start with-
- gross revenue does not equal profit.
- smaller margins drive companies out of business or out of markets.
- price increases drive consumers away from goods and services, which in turn reduces the company's gross revenue.
Using those 3 simple concepts, feel free to begin imagining the different scenarios where this actually is outrageous.
Maybe I support the school. I'd rather people pay the university for tailgates so at least the money goes back towards something.
Instead of private companies who are doing it to make money and give zero back to the school.
It's the same thing if let's say they made the parking lot behind dorman public parking. first come first serve starting Friday. Well Friday I barricade 20 spots and sell them on Saturday. 200 bucks a pop and just pocket the money.
Instead of private companies who are doing it to make money and give zero back to the school.
It's the same thing if let's say they made the parking lot behind dorman public parking. first come first serve starting Friday. Well Friday I barricade 20 spots and sell them on Saturday. 200 bucks a pop and just pocket the money.
Use your brain.
The money they charge is not 100% profit. They have to pay employees. They have to buy/store/transport all the crap they rent out for tailgaters. Plus, there is not a monopoly. If someone were arbitrarily jacking up prices, they would get cleaned out by the competition.
Also, this is not MSU fan vs corporation. These businesses spring up due to a need - MSU fans are the ones who want/need/pay for this. And they're probably ones that are giving more to the university than you.
It's not like they barricade off half the tailgating grounds, and if people want to tailgate, the have to use those companies, like in your example.
The money they charge is not 100% profit. They have to pay employees. They have to buy/store/transport all the crap they rent out for tailgaters. Plus, there is not a monopoly. If someone were arbitrarily jacking up prices, they would get cleaned out by the competition.
Also, this is not MSU fan vs corporation. These businesses spring up due to a need - MSU fans are the ones who want/need/pay for this. And they're probably ones that are giving more to the university than you.
It's not like they barricade off half the tailgating grounds, and if people want to tailgate, the have to use those companies, like in your example.
If the school offered this service, then you might have a point. But, as far as I know, this isn't an option.
Also, you analogy is terrible because these services offer a lot more than just barricading a spot, and it's not as if there are a shortage of available areas for tents on campus. If there were no more room for tents on campus, and all these services did was block off spaces for people to put their own tents, your analogy would work.
NOBODY is going to reply to this?
Dear SoaS,
Please give all your money, for the rest of your life, to MSU.
Thank you.
(we'll give him points and whatever kinda sticker, because he has no clue how business works. He probably thinks that his paycheck magically appears from his employer. He has "ZERO" idea where money comes from...)
While all this sounds good in theory, IT DON'T PAY THE BILLS!
This guy simply stated that he had a tailgating business. In any business, you pass on any additional costs to the customer. If you find it unfair and think he should do it for free, I'm pretty sure he is open to any reasonable offer.
Do I get a commission?
Dear SoaS,
Please give all your money, for the rest of your life, to MSU.
Thank you.
(we'll give him points and whatever kinda sticker, because he has no clue how business works. He probably thinks that his paycheck magically appears from his employer. He has "ZERO" idea where money comes from...)
While all this sounds good in theory, IT DON'T PAY THE BILLS!
This guy simply stated that he had a tailgating business. In any business, you pass on any additional costs to the customer. If you find it unfair and think he should do it for free, I'm pretty sure he is open to any reasonable offer.
Do I get a commission?
I would encourage your customers to become very vocal to the athletic department against this policy. I for one live in Georgia and it could have a huge effect on me coming to campus for games. HDTV at home will be real nice if I have to shell our more dough. I may even pull my bulldog club donation.
I understand your frustration but I like the policy of first come first serve...
anywhere on campus. Public funds pay for the university and the grounds etc... Everyone should have the option to tailgate wherever they chose if they get to the spot first. I know several people at Ole Miss pay college students each game to store, put up and take down their tailgate gear. Just my opinion...
anywhere on campus. Public funds pay for the university and the grounds etc... Everyone should have the option to tailgate wherever they chose if they get to the spot first. I know several people at Ole Miss pay college students each game to store, put up and take down their tailgate gear. Just my opinion...
Exactly. We have to use the tent companies because no one in our tailgate lives closer than Jackson. We don't have. Anyone to set up Friday or anywhere to keep all the stuff. It's just easy to pay someone else to do it. They're not setting them up in areas people fight for like the middle of the junction. I really don't see any problem if there's a demand for it. Good for those people who thought of the idea. Living the American dream and ****.
A better example would be if you set up the lemonade stand in a city park, would the city want a piece of the action.
And if you had a permit that registers your business with the city, and complied with whatever food sanitation laws there are for mobile food stands, then the city shouldnt get any of the action. You should be all set.
And just like here, there should be a nominal fee to register your business with the university so it has information on who is performing this work. There is then some accountability.
$900 per tent per season though? Thatd be like charging you $.50 per cup of lemonade you sold- its absurdly high.