You mean there's a world where there's truly a free lunch, no questions
asked?  I have a record of raising admission fees to what the market will
bear.  The rationale is that a place (or a piece of merchandise) that's
cheap can't be all that worthwhile.  As museums, we confront consumer
psychology, and attract those who won't eat the free hot dogs offered at
your local used car lot during Midnight Madness sales.  By law many
government museums are not allowed to charge a fee, but they DO clearly
encourage dropping folding money into a transparent donation box, right
there where they pick up their tour brochure.
I don't think it intimidates a cheapskate or impecunious visitor to walk
right past that box.  We do deal with lots of cheapskates and see them drive
off in their Jaguars.

Ross Weeks Jr.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cori Wegener" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: Eliminating admissions fees


> I think a suggested donation is fine so long as it is TRULY suggested.
> However, when the visitor must go through the same process as for normal
> admission, ie. come face-to-face with a "ticket person" of some sort, or
> being required to get a badge to wear around the "free" museum, then the
> visitor feels compelled to pay and there is really no difference in
access.
> Those visitors who cannot afford to pay will not want to be faced with the
> dilemma of having to admit they cannot afford the "suggested donation" and
> will not want to come in.  This completely defeats the purpose of
> eliminating the fee.  Donation boxes placed strategically around exits are
> much less intimidating and people are allowed to put in what they can
truly
> afford.
>
> Cori Wegener

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