It should be illegal to charge more for food at amusement parks, airports, etc.

[Rabrrrrrr]

That would be one of my platforms if I were to run for president.

Any place that has you, in a sense, trapped - like airports, amusement parks, Disney, and so on - should be required by law to charge no more than any normal outside establishment.

Which would mean that the McDonald's at the airport HAS TO offer the dollar menu, AND the Big Mac value meal has to be the same $5.00 or whatever that it is in some Omaha suburb.

AND that a hamburger at a Disney eatery should be the same price at an equivalent place outside of Disney.

Same with bottled water in the airport - if that bottle of Poland Spring goes for $1 at every other fucking store in the country, it better not be $2.50 at the magazine rack in the waiting area.

[Bucky]

1. I don't think Congress has the power to repeal the law of supply and demand

Centrally planned economies don't work. If we took your suggestions seriously, you'd basically be turning every airport in the country into some sort of big brotherish, highly intrusive microcosm of a police state with constant surveillance of innocent citizens, routine "random" strip searches, and people getting arrested just for saying the wrong things.


Um...

[madeline_con]

9. I seriesly doubt if setting the price of a burger would lead to strip search!

For crying out loud. That's a little alarmist, isn't it? :eyes:

spell edit

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Police state? Strip searches? Arrested for speech?

I don't think that's gonna happen just by telling places that they can't overcharge for foodstuffs.

But, you know, whatever. If you enjoy whatever world you're living in, then keep living in it.

[PVnRT]

2. How else will the Dells rip off the dumbass FIBs, though?

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Ah, but you see, therein lies the opportunity for the always-treasured loophole.

We make it illegal to charge ALL people that extra money, but offer a concession that FIBs don't count, especially if they're in Door County, the Dells, or anywhere else in Wisconsin.

[PVnRT]

4. Very well. Carry on.

[Nickster]

20. Hey, hey, hey. Just wait one minute there you fascist! I resemble that remark!

[KitchenWitch]

8. LOL!

damned flatlanders.

[pitohui]

5. who is trapped at disneyland?

the fools go there voluntarily, i promise you, whenever i travel in europe, i am constantly stopped by folk who "i have never been to america yet except for orlando" or "except for disneyland"

what can you say?

there is nothing wrong in shearing sheep

on the other hand, yes, if you are trapped in a transport hub (airport or bus station or train station) i too would make it illegal to charge $3 for a bottle of water costing 25 cents at the grocery store -- i would proceed under price-gouging laws and put the offender in jail -- they are at best interfering with interstate/international commerce -- and of course the reality is worse, they know they are thieves and outright frauds

[gmoney]

6. you think they'd lower the prices at the airport then?

No, they'd just raise prices universally.

Perhaps allowing people to bring in "outside" beverages, within reason, would be the answer. If I don't think ahead to bring a bottle of pop to the movies, then a "convenience charge" is reasonable. But when they tell me I CAN'T bring in my own, because they want to sell me a $5 bucket'o'pop, that's what sucks. If outside food and beverages were allowed, it would force theaters, etc, to be a little more price competitive.

But again, the food and drink is a major profit center for these places... without concession stand gouging, movie tickets would be $20 a piece probably.

Perhaps a better thing to fight for is neighborhood parity. Why does everything in an urban drugstore cost 20% more than in the lily white suburbs? Is it higher operating costs because of greater shoplifting and security costs? Or is it simply exploiting the poor who can't get to any other store easily?

[JeffR]

7. !

[mwooldri]

10. About them airports...

... last time I flew into EWR and into LGW the prices were typical of those in "main street". That includes the food, but I don't remember if the McD in EWR Terminal 3 offered the Dollar Menu, but they weren't rip off.

Now movie theatres - they're the real rip off merchants. When I went to the movies as a kid we had only a one-screen cinema, and a concession stand out front. Popcorn was never the snack of choice in UK cinemas, it was ice cream, and they were reasonably priced, as were the sweets (sorry: candy bars) and crisps. At one point my dad went to the cinema to get his smokes because they were the cheapest place to get them (yes at one point there was smoking in the cinema). They did stop the smoking in the cinema, but continued to sell the cigarettes.

Now: go to a cinema, get admission for $5.00 for a matinee, or $7.00 for an evening performance. Popcorn costs $6 for a tub, $4 for a giant sized soda, but it's free refills so we'd get this and share between 3 of us. Popcorn flavour shakers were provided for free. A nearby movie theatre got bought out by Regal group, and they upped the prices - now $13 for the same deal, and the popcorn flavour shakers are no longer free, you have to buy your own personal size one for $1.50

No wonder when we're broke and want to go to the movies we smuggle in stuff in our son's medical supply bag. (generally water bottles and some sweeties (sorry: candy))

Mark.

[Wapsie B]

11. Abolish those exclusive contracts at places like Disney, Six Flags

and allow good old-fashioned competition in the market place. Funny thing, I thought this was America. Not if I go to an amusement park or sporting event.

[HEyHEY]

13. I certainly agree on the water.

Water inside should be the same as outside, man. What really pisses me off now is when establishments won't give you a fucking glass of water and make you pay for a bottle of it. Back when I turned 19, so many places offered free non-alcoholic drinks to people because it was a way to say thank you to designated drivers. Now they don't give fuck, just like everything else.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Concessionaires at the Portland (Oregon) airport are legally prohibited from

charging more in their airport shop than in their non-airport shops.

I wish more airport commissions would adopt this sensible policy.

By the way, having just recently attended a convention in Orlando, I have reinforced my distaste for the whole Disney empire. "The Happiest Place on Earth?" Huh! More like the most self-referential place on earth.

[hippywife]

21. I don't know about now but

that was the same regulation when they put in the new airport outside Pittsburgh. I think it was about 15 years ago.

[DS1]

15. Right. Rabrrrrrr in an amusement park. Who are you trying to fool?

[JVS]

17. Matcom told him it was a good place to meet women.

[JVS]

16. May the blood of the non-compliant flood the streets!

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. I shall not rest until each one of them lies slain on the field of dishonor!

[Initech]

19. Oh god airport prices are fucking ridiculous.

Yesterday I was flying Ontario - Phoenix and the Carl's Jr. at the airport was charged me $8 for a breakfast sandwich and drink, and it's normally $4 at the regular restaurant.