$90 to park at a baseball game

[Crowpointer]

From the Boston Herald. This guy should have his permit pulled. what a scumbag.

$90 to park - Not including peanuts, Cracker Jack
By Jesse Noyes
Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - Updated: 09:55 AM EST

The cost of driving to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox play has skyrocketed higher than a David Ortiz moonshot.

Fans headed by car to Fenway for today’s home opener are in for a rude awakening, with at least one lot charging $90 for a parking space.

It’s just the latest slam to the wallet of the average Sox fan, who already is faced with the highest average ticket prices in baseball.

Leahy’s Mobil station, located on Boylston Street, yesterday advertised a rate of $90 for a parking space for today’s big game.

“That’s crazy,” Rob Matson, of Syracuse, N.Y. “Do they throw in a tank of gas?”

The owner of Leahy’s Mobil couldn’t be reached for comment but an employee at the gas station confirmed the rate.

At $90 a space, the Mobil station is charging twice the price of a right field box seat at Fenway Park. Other lots near Fenway plan to charge between $40 and $60 for a space today, according to signs posted outside the gas stations.

Boston City Councilor John Tobin called the rates “criminal.”

“I’m all for free enterprise but when you’re gouging families like that you should be ashamed of yourself,” he said. “You see prices like that and it almost makes you ill,” Tobin added. “I’d pay $90 if they let me bat in the ninth.”

Rocketing rates for parking spots has been a continuous problem at Fenway in recent years. Last year it was enough to outrage Mayor Thomas M. Menino, a Sox season ticket holder. The mayor said he would seek to install a price cap on private lots around the historic ballpark.

But Joe Kelly, executive officer of the off-street parking facilities board for the Boston Transportation Department, said the city doesn’t have the authority to crack down on high prices. “We can’t institute price controls,” he said. “They can basically charge whatever they want.”

City officials said outraged commuters can avoid the high price trap by parking futher away from the ballpark or by taking the T.

“I would suggest people use other lots even if you have to park half a mile away,” Tobin said.

It’s a method Boxford resident Jeremy Benson might try. When asked if he’d pay $90 for a parking spot, the Sox fan said, “I’d drive back out (of the city) and take the T.”

[Archie]

Seems like a lot of people these days just don't understand supply and demand. We live in a free country. If someone wants to charge $90 to park in their driveway and someone else is willing to pay then go for it.

I'd like my own jet airplane but the friggen bastards charge a couple million dollars for those. There ought to be a law!

[anthonypacino]

That is a damn shame. But a sign of the times. I'm sure that in our liftime ALL sports will be a pay-per-view thing, almost the price of a ticket to watch at home. I would think the city could get some kind of zoning law established either allowing these guys to charge or not, then possible a cap on prices, or they have to pay a higher tax fee or something.

[55CrushEm]

Originally Posted by Archie

Seems like a lot of people these days just don't understand supply and demand. We live in a free country. If someone wants to charge $90 to park in their driveway and someone else is willing to pay then go for it.

I'd like my own jet airplane but the friggen bastards charge a couple million dollars for those. There ought to be a law!

....very well said.

[Crowpointer]

Originally Posted by Archie

Seems like a lot of people these days just don't understand supply and demand. We live in a free country. If someone wants to charge $90 to park in their driveway and someone else is willing to pay then go for it.

I'd like my own jet airplane but the friggen bastards charge a couple million dollars for those. There ought to be a law!

Kinda think I understand supply and demand since I'm a Stockbroker. If some guy drives down from New Hamphire for 2 hours with his little kid and is running late and shows up at Fenway he has to get gouged by this clown. I promise you the Mayor will pull this guys permit.

[spdirty]

If the guy is brave enough to charge 90 bucks for parking, and some retards will pay, both deserve what they get. Its like Bronco games. I choose not to park close the the stadium and pay the 25-40 bucks, whatever it is, when I can park at Auraria for 10 bucks, and we get in and out of that stadium pretty easily. You know, get there sooner and find cheaper parking a half mile away and have yourself a nice little walk. Just because he's charging 90 bucks doesnt mean he can force you to pay.

[55CrushEm]

Originally Posted by Crowpointer

Kinda think I understand supply and demand since I'm a Stockbroker. If some guy drives down from New Hamphire for 2 hours with his little kid and is running late and shows up at Fenway he has to get gouged by this clown. I promise you the Mayor will pull this guys permit.

If Mumbles Menino does this, then its too bad......I for one agree that $90 is rediculous to pay or charge....but the bottom line is that it is this guy's decision what price to set.

I personally would choose not to pay it, and if his price is too high then he would know because NOBODY would pay it....then he would lower. But if some fool is willing to pay.....all the power to the guy charging the $90.

And as far as the poor guy from New Hampshire in your story.....I would suggest to him that if he's going to fork over big bucks for tickets.....then try to get to the park early so that he can grab one of the many numberous spots for $20 or $25.....even $15.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by Crowpointer

Kinda think I understand supply and demand since I'm a Stockbroker. If some guy drives down from New Hamphire for 2 hours with his little kid and is running late and shows up at Fenway he has to get gouged by this clown. I promise you the Mayor will pull this guys permit.

Well - you can't have it both ways here.... either the guy will be charging $90 and it will be available for the person willing to pay the price when they show up or you force them to lower the price to some "reasonable level" as determined by the "master planners" and demand will increase dramatically.

Now - when the guy who drives two hours with his kids and is running late shows up - there won't be a place close in to park because it will be completely full... He'll be hoofing it from a mile a way with the kids because the Mayor felt is was unfare to gouge the fans. He may have chosen to do that anyway but at least as things stand now he has a choice.

[anthonypacino]

It all boils down to that age old question...How much is enough?
Oil companies are already the richest companies in the world, they now see that we are willing to shell out $2.50+ a gallon, do you honestly think they will ever charge less now?
Sports guys play the same amount of games they did 10 years ago they are not doing more work, why have their salaries gone up so much?
The same for ticket prices...the minimum wage hasn't been increased since 1998. And the argument that "you don't have to go to game" and "it's your choice nobody is forcing you" doesn't wash with me. Sports in general are for everybody. There is something ethical wrong with the fact that a guy who wants to take his kids to a game somewhere could spend a whole paycheck doing so.
How much is enough?

[Crowpointer]

Originally Posted by Archie

Well - you can't have it both ways here.... either the guy will be charging $90 and it will be available for the person willing to pay the price when they show up or you force them to lower the price to some "reasonable level" as determined by the "master planners" and demand will increase dramatically.

Now - when the guy who drives two hours with his kids and is running late shows up - there won't be a place close in to park because it will be completely full... He'll be hoofing it from a mile a way with the kids because the Mayor felt is was unfare to gouge the fans. He may have chosen to do that anyway but at least as things stand now he has a choice.

Even if the guy charged $50 enough people would say no that there would be some availability for late arrivals.

[Crowpointer]

Originally Posted by 55CrushEm

If Mumbles Menino does this, then its too bad......I for one agree that $90 is rediculous to pay or charge....but the bottom line is that it is this guy's decision what price to set.

I personally would choose not to pay it, and if his price is too high then he would know because NOBODY would pay it....then he would lower. But if some fool is willing to pay.....all the power to the guy charging the $90.

And as far as the poor guy from New Hampshire in your story.....I would suggest to him that if he's going to fork over big bucks for tickets.....then try to get to the park early so that he can grab one of the many numberous spots for $20 or $25.....even $15.

The Pru is $13 and that's a good walk. Most lots are $35/$40. I never paid a scapler for Sox tickets in my life. Office tickets !!!

[GonzoLays]

Originally Posted by Crowpointer

Kinda think I understand supply and demand since I'm a Stockbroker. If some guy drives down from New Hamphire for 2 hours with his little kid and is running late and shows up at Fenway he has to get gouged by this clown. I promise you the Mayor will pull this guys permit.

Its that guys fault for arriving late and having to pay the 90 bucks to park. Plan ahead! Take public transportation next time.

And have you seen the absurd prices for a hot dog and a coke at a ballgame? 12 bucks for something that costs only .75 cents to make. What about that poor guy from who drove down 2 hours with his little kid and had to pay 90 bucks for parking then he has to shell out 30 bucks for a couple of cokes and hot dog! That is grand larceny. We need the government to get involved in the pricing of hot dogs and cokes at games.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by anthonypacino

It all boils down to that age old question...How much is enough?
Oil companies are already the richest companies in the world, they now see that we are willing to shell out $2.50+ a gallon, do you honestly think they will ever charge less now?
Sports guys play the same amount of games they did 10 years ago they are not doing more work, why have their salaries gone up so much?
The same for ticket prices...the minimum wage hasn't been increased since 1998. And the argument that "you don't have to go to game" and "it's your choice nobody is forcing you" doesn't wash with me. Sports in general are for everybody. There is something ethical wrong with the fact that a guy who wants to take his kids to a game somewhere could spend a whole paycheck doing so.
How much is enough?

I'm willing to let the market decide how much enough is... There are lots of sporting events - Mammoth, Crush, Eagles Hockey (in Loveland), DU Hockey, Rapids, Skysox, etc... that remain very reasonable. Your argument strikes me very much of "I would like a jet airplane but don't want to pay a couple million for it".

As bad as it may be that someone makes out better then they should (which is of course a very subjective thing anyway) it is way way way worse for everyone when we decide to manage the economy to ensure those at the top don't get too much. Every attempt at a managed economy has left its people miserable and poor. But maybe they are happy that everyone else is poor too - so it must be ok.

[BMF Bronco]

Last year at the Denver game I parked for a whopping $5 and only a 5 minute walk to the stadium. It was in the lot next to the Children's museum. About a block closer, people were charging $50 to park.

[NaptownChief]

Originally Posted by Archie

Seems like a lot of people these days just don't understand supply and demand. We live in a free country. If someone wants to charge $90 to park in their driveway and someone else is willing to pay then go for it.

I'd like my own jet airplane but the friggen bastards charge a couple million dollars for those. There ought to be a law!

Exactly...If the price is so ridiculous for what you get inexchange then it is fair to say the lot will be empty...If it is stuffed full then they aren't charging enough.

[DBroncos4life]

wow! I wonder what the prices would look like if lets say they won more then one world series in the last 60 or so years.

[RaiderH8r]

When I went to the Broncos inaugural game at Mile High 2 the Pizza Hut across the street was charging $100 to park. What's not usually mentioned is that these businesses essentially shut down for the game, especially football. So they're losing a day's revenue and that cost has to be recouped somehow. Parking fees are the way to do it. It's very simple, if the spot isn't worth $90 to you, then get your walking shoes out. There's no problem here. All that is required is a small measure of forethought and planning. Parking at stadiums bites the big one anyway. If it's available...take the Metro or a bus.

[anthonypacino]

Originally Posted by Archie

I'm willing to let the market decide how much enough is... There are lots of sporting events - Mammoth, Crush, Eagles Hockey (in Loveland), DU Hockey, Rapids, Skysox, etc... that remain very reasonable. Your argument strikes me very much of "I would like a jet airplane but don't want to pay a couple million for it".

As bad as it may be that someone makes out better then they should (which is of course a very subjective thing anyway) it is way way way worse for everyone when we decide to manage the economy to ensure those at the top don't get too much. Every attempt at a managed economy has left its people miserable and poor. But maybe they are happy that everyone else is poor too - so it must be ok.

Buying a Jet airplane and going to a game are two different things.
You missed the whole point of what I was saying. When are the people that set the market going to realize enough is enough...I'm sure if Bronco tickets became out of your financial reach you would be happy driving to the Springs every otherday to watch the Sky Sox.

[RaiderH8r]

I'd love to discuss this more, but I'm cutting out of work to go to opening day at the ball yard. 72 and sunny, a day at the yard beats 10 at work. Too bad it doesn't pay as well.

[OrangeShadow]

The thing is a lot of Sox fans(not me) will pay 90 dollars to park,mainly because its OPENING DAY. If he was charging this for every other game im willing to bet the number of people willing to pay would drastically decrease.
And it is supply and demand especially with the ticket prices. I paid 90 for my 3rd row monster seats which in my eyes is not that bad.

[Crowpointer]

Originally Posted by OrangeShadow

The thing is a lot of Sox fans(not me) will pay 90 dollars to park,mainly because its OPENING DAY. If he was charging this for every other game im willing to bet the number of people willing to pay would drastically decrease.
And it is supply and demand especially with the ticket prices. I paid 90 for my 3rd row monster seats which in my eyes is not that bad.

You won the chance to buy those seats in a lottery. Supply and demand is paying $1400 for a pair (and rising) for monster seats vs the yankees on Ebay. I have no problem with that. That is the open market. I am also not crying poormouth . I have and do have the financial ability to follow the Patriots all over the country so I'm not crying about paying the $90 if I had to pay it.

[PatsWin2002]

When I saw the title of this thread my first thought was "In Denver?? That sounds like a Boston thing."

Then, of course, I looked further to see that I was right...and not in a good way.

[yavoon]

watching sports is becoming more expensive than playing golf.

[yavoon]

Originally Posted by anthonypacino

Buying a Jet airplane and going to a game are two different things.
You missed the whole point of what I was saying. When are the people that set the market going to realize enough is enough...I'm sure if Bronco tickets became out of your financial reach you would be happy driving to the Springs every otherday to watch the Sky Sox.

enough is never enough. there is no real reason not to charge what ppl are willing to pay.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by anthonypacino

Buying a Jet airplane and going to a game are two different things.
You missed the whole point of what I was saying. When are the people that set the market going to realize enough is enough...I'm sure if Bronco tickets became out of your financial reach you would be happy driving to the Springs every otherday to watch the Sky Sox.

no.... you are totally missing the point. The "people who set the market" are essentially everyone in the market - buyers and sellers - coming to some level of equilibrium. The people who set the price "will realize enough is enough" when they don't sell what they are trying to sell. As long as they continue to generate the demand they need as they raise prices they will raise prices. Sellers have the power to set prices but buyers regulate prices by their willingness or unwillingness to pay at a particular price point.

The "airplane" analogy is just a way of exagerating it to hopefully help make the point - but I guess it didn't work here. I would definitely "demand" my own jet airplane if I could get one for $2000. So would a lot of people. But - no body will ever sell one for $2000. The price point they sell for - several million dollars - is an equilibrium point where the price generates enough suppliers to meet the demand at that price.