One would think places like Colonial Williamsburg, Winterthur, Sturbridge,
etc. are paying very careful attention to a pricing strategy that would
maximize income without turning off the spigot.
Ross Weeks Jr.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David E. Haberstich" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 12:25 AM
Subject: Re: Studies from entertainment /amusement park industry


> A further word on admission fees vs. no admission fees for museums and the
> issue of whether free things are perceived to be of little value--
>
> My untested theory is that the vast majority of museum visitors would
prefer
> museums with free admission; this seems like a no-brainer.  Those who are
> seriously interested in what museums have to offer and know a bit about
the
> variety of attractions in museums would probably be pleased if they were
all
> free.  If there's any point to deliberately seeking out a museum with
stiff
> admission fees for a family visit, it's probably snob appeal.  Some people
> like to demonstrate their thriftiness and cleverness with how much money
they
> save, while others at the opposite extreme enjoy reporting how much they
> spend.
>
> It occurs to me that if there's anything to the notion that free or
> inexpensive museums are sometimes perceived as being of little value, it
> might be detected by polling the people who spend considerable sums for
theme
> parks and other expensive entertainments.  Do they also visit museums,
free
> or not?  Or do they assume that spending more money will yield a
> higher-quality experience?  Although I wouldn't know how to devise a
survey
> with scientific or statistical validity, I think it would be enlightening
to
> quiz people standing in line to pony up their Disneyland or Disney World
> admissions about their museum-going habits and attitudes.  Conversely, how
do
> visitors to free museums compare that experience to expensive diversions
such
> as theme parks, concerts, etc.?  Although the interests of large segments
of
> each group might exclude the interests of the other group (i.e.,
museumgoers
> who wouldn't be caught dead in a theme park, regardless of price, and
theme
> park fun-seekers who disdain any kind of museum at any price), it seems to
me
> that some indications of the perceived value of free cultural attractions
> might emerge.
>
> Just a thought.  Do any of the studies from the entertainment industry
> include this kind of comparative information?  It may sound like comparing
> apples and oranges, but after all, you can compare them in some respects,
> especially with regard to price and perceived value.
>
> David Haberstich
>
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