Team Big Bucks
I was planning to race the NMBS (emphasis on the BS part) up at Deer Valley this weekend. I went online to register, $50 seemed pretty steep but I figured what the hell. I click “Register Me” and then I am kicked in the junk with the “service fee” of $4.05. So let me get this staight? Team Big Bear wants me to pay for their decision to hire an online registration company. Shit why stop there? Why not charge me a percentage of the port-a-john bill, a few bucks for advertising and insurance while you are at it. Plus, I know from experience that after I register online and pay the “service fee” I will still have to get to the venue early stand in probably 2 different lines and fill out a half dozen waivers. What exactly is my “service fee” paying for anyway. Race registration is quickly becoming as efficient as a trip to the DMV.
I don’t blame the online registration companies. They are providing a service and should be paid. I blame the promoters. Hiring a registration company is an optional expense that they have chosen to add. Having the fee added on the back end is stupid and insulting to the customer. I don’t need to see an itemized breakdown of all the expenses of putting on a race so why seperate that one and pass it directly to your customer? If they would just raise the entry fee by $5 no one would see it and no ill will would be created. Doesn’t seem like rocket surgery to me.
So rather than get up at 5am to pay for the privledge of riding the absolute worst trails in Park City. I will sleep in and ride something fun with $54.05 in my pocket.
