DES MOINES – Apparently the Iowa State Fair thought a new “cashless system” at the fair would be taken as a great new convenience for fairgoers, until they made the announcement and read the backlash from the public.
Tuesday evening, the Iowa State Fair announced via social media that it was finalizing details for a “groundswide cashless system at the 2014 Fair” and promised fairgoers “that we are working toward a more efficient purchasing experience.”
In the announcement, the Iowa State Fair said that a groundswide cashless system will enable Fairgoers to purchase tickets in advance through the Fair website and during the Fair at over 150 locations throughout the grounds.
The tickets will be valid for food, beverage and attraction purchases groundswide and will be accepted everywhere except the Midway. The tickets will have no expiration date. Any unused tickets may be saved and used for Fair purchases the following year.
The Iowa State Fair seemed to anticipate that the announcement might not be welcomed universally, saying in the announcement that “it is understandable that changes and improvements may cause Fairgoers some apprehension.”
Within minutes of the announcement on social media, public backlash poured forth. Some of the comments read:
– “I don’t like it!! Just another line. And a monopoly of control.”
– “Not a bad idea for people that attend yearly.. but not such a good idea for the newcomers or ones that just want to experience the Iowa State Fair one time. Who would want to purchase advance tickets and have money left over at the end of their visit?”
– “Dont like it. Why is cash to the vendors no longer acceptable??”
– “I think this is a bad move! People will do it because they have to, but I think there will be an overall drop in sales. People will not make the impulse purchases like they do now. While I attend the Fair several times each year and would be able to use my tickets the next time I visit, there are many that make just one trip. Not being able to get your money back will be frustrating. This is a way for the Fair to make money at the expense of visitors. I can’t imagine the vendors like this change either.”
– “Cash should always be excepted. If I want a corn dog, I wanna hand a guy a $5 bill and get a corn dog. If I have to preplan what I’m gonna spend at the fair, I’m not going to buy much.”
– “If I have to make an additional stop and stand in another line then I will buy less. Patrons will determine the food item isn’t worth the hassle.”
– “Terrible idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are from MN and travel there every year, and it WILL impact what we spend. We already wait long enough in lines, now we will have to wait in another ticket line before we stand in line for food or something? Crazy.”
Stay home, it’s a waste of $$$
Really? You like god awful junk food and junk take apart rides set up and run by carneys? This is 2014, not 1936. I can’t understand why anyone would want to go to these things unless your a teen boy trying to laid.
Again, you mirror my thinking exactly. I will say though, getting up to on the ferris wheel for the view isn’t half bad…but cities should be offering people views anyway with area attractions, without all the junk food and toothless alcoholics.
and they are only having .50 tickets. What the hell costs only .50 at the fair? should have $1 and $5 tickets. as well as a refund on those not used.
sounds like the taxman wanted to make sure they got their cut