So, a $13 complaint about Season Passes

[skeptic555]

Small rant here. After quite a few years off, I got a season pass last year. Decided to renew this year. Went to the website on SATURDAY, and renewed via the online process. CHEAPEST option to send me the pass was via UPS for $13.00. No will call, no US Postal Service. ONLY UPS. Now, that rate clearly has a fair amount of profit for Six Flags built in, but I digress. I had (I thought at the time) no choice, so I agreed.

Then, yesterday, Monday, quite literally the first day of mail delivery after my online order, I get the bulk mailing "here is your pass, call to activate" package. GRRRR.

Now, why wouldnt Six Flags NOTE somewhere on their web page dedicated SPECIFICALLY to renewals that passes were already mailed out - and save me the trouble and cost of this process? Why would they lead me down this primrose path - all for $13.00?

It would seem to be either greed or incompetence. Not sure which, but neither is a particularly attractive trait...

OK, rant mode off. Whew. I feel better. And hopefully others can avoid this trap.

SN

[Galvan]

Because chances are that that bulk mail that you got was sent a week or so ago, and even if SF could have taken your name off the list, It still wouldnt have matter since it was only 24 hours after you made the order.

BTW that 13.00 is of the UPS Shipping charge, i highly doubt that SF is making any money off the shipping.

I did some approximate figureing.

Using Dallas TX, and Plainfield IL (where i live) and i came up with this figure.

UPS 2nd Day Air®
Guaranteed by: By End of Day
Thursday April 13, 2006
Billable Weight: 1.0 lbs.
$12.60*

I wouldnt consider 40 cents a huge profit as you so elequently put it.

Dallas Texas i beleive is where the season pass processing center is, if not its in Houston and the difference was 12.74.

This isnt a trap, not in the slightest. If anything UPS is the one trapping you, by having to pay one pound shipping for 2 peices of paper and your season pass.

[skeptic555]

Appreciate the reply, but I didnt expect to personally be taken off the bulk mail list - rather, I would have hoped that, if SF Corporate was planning this broad-based mailing, they might have mentioned it on the web page... perhaps something like "All Seasons Pass holders from last year will receive a mailing with details and a special offer soon. If you lost that offer or have not otherwise received it by May 1 - here is how to renew online." Or something of the sort to save on the hassle.

Without it, it simply appears that the left hand (direct marketing) does not know what the right hand (online presence) is doing. Not exactly unheard of in Corporate America I suppose.

I've got some experience with UPS - in fact, i've been to their HQ in Kentucky on business. Yes, it *is* ridiculous to have a 1 lb limit on a mailer. But that is well within their right to set those terms for their business. The larger issue - and frustrating thing for me - is that there weren't other options beyond UPS - such as will call, fedex, or the good old U.S.P.S. Of course, that is also well within SF's right to simplify and do business with just one carrier. Not good for their CUSTOMERS of course...which ultimately is my point.

Indeed, I *am* rather eloquent, but I do note that a "fair amount" of profit is not the same as "huge" profit. But that is splitting hairs I suppose.

Finally, yeah, the term "trap" suggests malice aforethought - which I do not believe is the case here. Much more likely a sin of omission than commission on Six Flags part. Still frustrating though...and still something that if others know about, they can avoid....

[Aero737]

I don't think Six Flags is shipping these 2nd day air. Probably UPS ground.

[pennyroyalest]

Small rant here. After quite a few years off, I got a season pass last year. Decided to renew this year. Went to the website on SATURDAY, and renewed via the online process. CHEAPEST option to send me the pass was via UPS for $13.00. No will call, no US Postal Service. ONLY UPS. Now, that rate clearly has a fair amount of profit for Six Flags built in, but I digress. I had (I thought at the time) no choice, so I agreed.

Then, yesterday, Monday, quite literally the first day of mail delivery after my online order, I get the bulk mailing "here is your pass, call to activate" package. GRRRR.

Now, why wouldnt Six Flags NOTE somewhere on their web page dedicated SPECIFICALLY to renewals that passes were already mailed out - and save me the trouble and cost of this process? Why would they lead me down this primrose path - all for $13.00?

It would seem to be either greed or incompetence. Not sure which, but neither is a particularly attractive trait...

OK, rant mode off. Whew. I feel better. And hopefully others can avoid this trap.

SN

That happened to me last year. Just call and complain -- they gave me two 10 dollar meal tickets and a fast lane pass for my troubles.

[Carlo]

Six Flags want you to buy the Season Pass ASAP. They do not want to you to wait for the mailer to come in the mail. Also, there is no guarantee that you will get a mailer in the first place. They don’t want to tell people that they are going to get one and never get it. There are many factors that go into if you will get one or not. Only select parks send out de activated season passes. SFGAM is one of them.

[newjedi]

That happened to me last year. Just call and complain -- they gave me two 10 dollar meal tickets and a fast lane pass for my troubles.

That is what I would suggest as well.

And regarding charging local residents $13 for shipping is ridiculous. They could easily use regular USPS for 70 cents. If they need a delivery confirmation or proof of delivery USPS can provide that as well for around $6.

[mallclerks]

I was kinda shocked (and happy) when I got them in the mail yesterday, as I was planning on buying them today and knew I was going to have to pay that crappy fee you mentioned, but now I won't have to

I usually buy them in January when prices are a little cheaper (I think?) but since I always buy them for all of my friends in the 4-pack, none of them had the money available until this week :/ Ohwell, glad to have gotten them in the mail like this!

[FParker185]

dont they offer the print at home option? I know I used that for my $43.99 SFKK pass this year. They dont even charge tax on the print at home option (unless it's already rolled into the price).

Heading down there this Sat to process.

[TwistedSTEEL666]

$13 for shipping, that's not bad...however I have another question, How much did it cost you for the renewel itself?
Is it pay $13, get the package in the mail, call and, boom that's it? Activated for a second year?

[skeptic555]

How much did it cost you for the renewel itself?
Is it pay $13, get the package in the mail, call and, boom that's it? Activated for a second year?

Good heavens of course not - it was $84.99, plus the shipping. And to clear up an earlier question, it was UPS ground, not Air. So yeah, clearly a little profit taking on the 'shipping" charge.