Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

bsmitherson — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:25:18 GMT

dave york, your comment talks about the PAST this is the FIRST year they are ripping us off.

Second, the $50 to process is one thing, but $50 even if you DONT get a ticket is a sham!

I want to know if anyone has contacted a lawyer or knows a lawyer to do a group litigation. CHD should be made an example of because they are taking advantage of the consumer!

20% to have a chance at getting tickets OR lose $50 because it's EASY to just have CHD say "NO" you didnt get tickets so we are keep $50.

please pass a phone number of an attorney.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Drlaw — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:55:39 GMT

Any favorable comment towards this absurdity is obviously from a CD employee. Embarrassment to the Louisville, the state of Ky and to thoroughbred racing.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Drlaw — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:36:52 GMT

The thing that is most disturbing about this debacle is...There is box to check to pay "20% up charge to have your order prioritized" That 20% above the cost of the tickets....Thats 20% above face value!! By every imaginable definition...Thats TICKET SCALPING! Ticket scalping is illegal in Ky. Every order they process and take in 20% over the cost of the tickets...they break the law. And, since its against the law, they don't pay taxes!!

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

furlongs — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:59:53 GMT

Churchill Downs is the worse run business in America it always has been, I live in Louisville and the place is a absolute joke. Why this suprises anyone is beyond me. Horseracing is in decline not because of fans interest but because of the people who run racing in America. It doesn't take much to make a fan find another "game" when they want some action because of bonehead things such as this. Horseracing was the only legal "game" in town in 95% of this country for a number of years and now it is not. Looks like they still think they are the only game in town the way they continue to treat there fans.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Bellwether — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:03:22 GMT

THINK ITS A JOKE???...CDI & STRONACH CROWD R A JOKE TOO!!!...ty...

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

BN — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:09:44 GMT

While I can understand the reasoning behind what CD is doing... it looks like my dream of going to the Kentucky is going to remain a dream. Lump me in with all the rest of the people who just can't afford to throw away $50 and not get anything back for it. Drive to KY with a friend and find the cheapest hotel available for a few nights yes... but flush $50 down the toilet? Sorry. I just don't make that much.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Catbird — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:47:56 GMT

I understand the business reasons of Churchill Downs' actions, but there is also the public relations impact of what is being done. TERRIBLE PR. Not worth it. Find another way to defeat the hawkers.

The more I think of it, the more I just shake my head at the blindness of it. With 'friends' like that promoting racing, we don't need enemies.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Susan from VA — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:17:37 GMT

The only time when I throw money away on horse racing is when I bet! And I do that only because I think I might get a payoff! I've never wanted to be part of the drunken infield party, but I've always wanted to attend the Derby and sit in the grandstand. I guess I'll never go to the Kentucky Derby, because I really resent having to pay $50 for the privilege of not getting tickets. Anyway, I can see the finish better on my television at home.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

200 lb. Jockey — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:02:44 GMT

$50 for nothing? That is absurd. If you are denied tickets then CD should guarantee you tickets for the next year or another future derby. That might not make everyone happy, but it is at least fair. If they are unwilling to do that then it is obvious that this is just a money grab. How many people who are denied tickets would be willing to go through that process again? Very few, if any.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Crickett Hoffman — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:26:17 GMT

Well, this voids the Derby off my bucket list.

There are ways to keep tickets out of the hands of scalpers, but stiffing legitimate fans is not one of them.

I feel that there could be a lawsuit here since there is no value for the money for those who do not get tickets. Stiff one good lawyer and it could cost them more defending their decision than it's worth.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

depalma13 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:52:50 GMT

Since Churchill Downs knows exactly how many seats they have available for the event, there is no reason anyone should lose $50 by attempting to purchase tickets. The moment the number of alloted seats available is reached, Churchill Downs should immediately stop accepting applications for tickets. By not doing so they are breaking Kentucky law.

According to Kentucky law, it is illegal for a private company to hold a lottery. As Dave pointed out Churchill Downs is not a government entity. Since they are not, Churchill Downs is breaking Kentucky law by holding a lottery for their tickets.

Churchill Downs can spin it anyway they like, but the moment they take in even one application over the alloted number of tickets available, that $50 becomes nothing more than a very expensive lottery ticket.

Pay $50 to enter to win a chance to purchase tickets to the Kentucky Derby.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Tattenham — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:01:24 GMT

While I appreciate the costs of ticket administration, the enforcement of the "maximum of six tickets-per-household" should reduce greatly, if not eliminate, the broker issues Churchill claims its attempting to curb with the fee. Given the technology available today, especially now that all ticket sales are electronic, limiting the number of tickets-per-household is far more simple than charge a fee and refund half when tickets are not allocated.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

CinciMurph — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:30:36 GMT

Just read your opinion and as a consumer I am doing something about it. I've been to the last 15 oaks/derbys, I go to Keeneland 8 times a year. I go on an away trip to Fla Derby and one other annually to include Travers day or Breeders Cup. I live in Cinci and for this years Breeders Cup I'm going down today to RIVER DOWNS and book a table for 8 for Friday and Saturday. Oh yea and my cousin has a place for me to stay in Louisville.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Sir Barton — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:41:39 GMT

I've never tried to get advance tickets to the Derby. Now I never will. I'll just watch it at the local OTB.

But speaking of tickets, I have two extras for the BC, if anyone is interested.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Stellar Jayne — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:19:46 GMT

Sounds like they are picking up tricks of the trade from Bank of America and its debit card fee! Scalpers will not be deterred and people who have purchased from scalpers in the past will continue to do so next year and into the future.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Saratoga Fan — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:48:45 GMT

At first I thought this was a joke. It sounds like something the "Occupy Wall Street" group should hear about. Perhaps there should be a "Occupy the Downs" movement.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Cris — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:20:04 GMT

I don't like it but I understand it. I have been behind the ticket sellers in line and they hog all the best seats and sell them for an upcharge. You can pay the track or pay the third party seller. I would rather pay the track and put these guy out of business.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

dave york — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:46:27 GMT

Noisy bunch of comments. i am guessing none of those commenting owns a business. The costs of handling and processing tens of thousands of requests is staggering. Keeping tickets direct to fans and out of the hands of scalpers is a challenge that costs a fortune.

The cost of building the facilities at CD was a couple hundred million. CD is a business and not a government run give away program. They are supposed to try and make money. Those of you who have the answers for a better plan please layout the plan in writing and submit it to CD. I am sure they would pay you nicely for a better program to handle the distribution of tickets.

If you have noticed racing is not going down. Attendance is up, TV ratings on the big events is up, handle on big events is up and the gross dollars spent at horse sales is up. Quit bitchin and handicap the reality of getting DERBY tickets in the hands of fans. Reading the responses a couple of times makes a person wonder if some of these folks think they are entitled to DERBY tickets for reasons that are unclear to me.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Convene — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:07:21 GMT

Sounds as if the Downs is beginning to think it's a bigger cog on the wheel than it is. I know it's a super track and it hosts many of the best races - including, of course, the Derby - but in this day, when our game is struggling, this is a pretty deadly thing to try. I'll be interested to see what the attendance figures are for the 2012 Derby Day. If they're down, maybe it's just that some people have to be hit over the head before they can see the logic of things!

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

deb — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:13:24 GMT

No wonder racing is going down.

Without the fans, there would be no sport. Once again, only the elite will be able to attend an event.

Racing should be for everyone to come and see, first come, first serve with a price tag that everyone can afford.

Are you trying to keep regular people away? and the young? This will do it! Sadly, it does me.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

the artist — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:55:16 GMT

well friend I'll be getting my derby tickets from ebay, I guess or stubhub

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

derblin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:40:22 GMT

I simply will not go along with this policy. My derby going days at Churchill are over. Maybe I will go to Keeneland and watch it on a big screen. Still, it wont be the same.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

LcCorey33 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:09:41 GMT

Hey, so we are 1st timers at the derby next year and appllied for tickets a few months back ..I'm wondering if it would be better to just buy tickets at the gate ?? does anyone have any advice ??

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

GoldenBroom — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:25:24 GMT

Thanks for crossing the derby off my life to do list with my 65 year old mother. She has always wanted to go...but throwing away money in this economy is out of the question. Shame on you Churchill! We are upper middle class too and you are cutting out the legs of your last remaining fans from under them. Can we swing it? Yes? But compare to a week at the beach, 5 days in Vegas...heck, a monthly trip to the hairdresser and manicurist for some quality time with mom...you loose. We've been lifelong horse addicts, owners, riders, and I had my stint at the track as an owner and groom. I've thrown a derby party 3 yrs in a row and have been longing to go back for the real event in person since I've gone 2x in the 90s...though not wanting infield crazy seats or the $80 crappy bleacher seats...This is Disgusting.

re: Money for Nothing - by Eric Mitchell

Alicia McQuilkin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:06:12 GMT

Honestly, props for trying to out-maneuver the scalpers, but if I was a casual fan and I had to pay $100 just to apply for tickets, I wouldn't even do it. And as a fan that follows racing, this really makes me want to put it off since I know how much of a crap-shoot it is anyway.