Autosport Show - Rip off!!

[RF_Racer]

Just went to their website to book a ticket, I last went in 2007 and IIRC the tickets were like 17 or 18 pounds, few years before was about 14 pounds.

Now they price them at £29 plus 2 pound bookinbg fee!! are they having a laugh at peoples expense? Its a complete rip off and people should boycott the show and show their displeasure and email Autosport!

Do MSA licence holders get any discounts?

[BertMk2]

I think that includes the "live action arena" last year you didn't have to bother with that and it brought the price down nearer £20. MSA licence holders don't get a discount but do get to go on the Thursday and Friday.

[gary396]

MSA licence holders do get a £5 discount on weekend tickets. In order to book these discounted tickets go to www.autosport-international.com/public/msa then click on "book tickets". Enter the promo code MSAGM09 or ring 0844 579 3188.

Got this from the MSA's Motorsports Now Autumn 2008 edition so it should be accurate - if I've copied it correctly!

Looking at that website it still appears to be £29 less the above £5 (I presume) including live action arena.

Gary

[RF_Racer]

Well its still 26 once the 2 pound fee has been added! why did they have to include the live action, that does not interest me in the least!

[Tim Falce]

Say you are a trade member and you will get a ticket for £24.
Don't whinge too much as I made the mistake of letting my aged uncle book our tickets and he was conned into paying £42 each via Haymarket's phone booking service.

[BertMk2]

The £5 discount is for weekend tickets - not Thursday or Friday (and those are the best days to go as there are less people). Last year we didn't bother with the live action arena as frankly it's toss.

[Tim Falce]

For Thursday and Friday it's £24 or £32 if you want the live action thingy.
Link here

[midgetman]

>>>>>>>>Its a complete rip off and people should boycott the show and show their displeasure and email Autosport!

Feel free to start! Attendance isn't compulsory.

It's cost effective for me to meet friends, suppliers and clients there as a visitor compared to trekking round the country to see them. As a day out it's warm, dry, comfortable and actually has better priced catering than most circuits. Although I did think I'd wandered into Crufts last year.

The price stacks up compared to a day out at premiership football matches, British GP, Alton Towers, 20 minutes go-karting etc etc. Be interested in what you think would be a "fair" price for the chance to see F1 cars, rally cars and whatever else floats your boat.

Oh, and I'm nothing to do with ASI, just a realist.

[The SpeCTator]

No doubt these prices were set in better times, but this show and also other events such as the Goodwood Revival have constantly driven prices forward. Both in my opinion will have a shock unless they take a look at reality.
I will not be going to the Autosport Show for the first time.

[Tim Falce]

midgetman, the rip off is when we're told that Friday is trade only day and then Haymarket open it up to the general public albeit at an extra rip off price.

[Adam43]

That is a rip off for me, so I won't be going.
I could have sworn it was free for MSA licence holders last time I went. Have I got that right?

I went to buy stuff, thinking that it would be nice to meet people talk to them about my purchases and perhaps try some items ike seats. However I found they weren't interested in that, rather they just wanted me to buy something quickly and then leave.

The displays are alright and the interviews on stage OK. Nothing special and not that insightful, but an interesting idea. It was just a little weak.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

I could have sworn it was free for MSA licence holders last time I went. Have I got that right?

You've got that wrong, we've always had to pay as far as I know and remember.

[RF_Racer]

I dont mind paying, but paying almost 30 if I did not have a licence I would be bloody annoyed about it! How can they force the rubbish live action upon us? Its all a trick to screw money money out of us.

Even if I do decide to go, I wont be going to the live action arena!

Oh an I wonder how much parking will cost? £12? was £8 2 years ago!

For me to go from london will cost me £30 in petrol, £10 for parking, £26 for tickets, thats almost £70.. then food.. £80!

Its big rip off, I dont think I will bother to go!

[Adam43]

Only £10 on food

Originally Posted by falcemob

You've got that wrong, we've always had to pay as far as I know and remember.

Maybe I just remember it being cheap.

[GORDON STREETER]

I used to go only because one of my sponsors gave me free tickets.
However after going for a few years I found it all a bit "samey". And if you think the admission price is a "rip off" you wouldn't want to know how much is charged for a stand ! For some of the smaller guys stuck up in a corner, it just can't be cost effective even after writing it off with the tax man.

[MikeM]

It's BRSCC membership that can get you free tickets - I don't think it ever applied to licence holders.

[Al Weyman]

It was free for MSA licence holders once I am almost positive, otherwise I would never have gone!

[RF_Racer]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

Only £10 on food Maybe I just remember it being cheap.

Thats few sandwiches, snacks and drinks from Tescos

But seriously, in the past when show ticket prices were around £12-14 and £5 for parking, I could get the whole trip done for £45-50 I am only talking as far back as 2003-2004 and not the 90's!

I have already sent them an email pointing out my frustration! Those who feel the same I urge you to do the same...

[Al Weyman]

Just dont go they will soon get the message.

[leonidas]

They added the 'compulsory' live action arena just to hike up the price. It basically means the whole thing has gone up in price by about 50% in two years.

It is just abject greed. Hopefully some of the characters behind it will soon find there is a limit to how much you can rip off the public in a recession.

[Benny1664]

I havent looked at the website as am not interested in going as it is very samey and only really worthwhile if youre looking to buy something or for a new series. But, are they really only selling tickets with live action as I am surprised they can get everyone into the live action in a day?

And as for prices, when the NEC charges well over £200 (going back 5 years) per square metre for a show, no wonder its expensive! I would guess youre looking nearer £300 nowdays. The biggest rip off is the car parking which goes up year on year at an ever increasing rate.

To be fair though, I think that at whatever price, it is a bargain compared to the awful London race car show at Brands which was £12 or £14 for hardly anything in the freezing cold!! That was stupid! When you compare the 2, Autosports wins hands down.

[JamesH]

I got a letter through the post - thought - I fancy going this year. Need to get some bits, might get a bit of discount etc

Then jaw dropped when I saw the cost. (29+8parking), plus £20 petrol to get there. That is not worth it. Even with discounted stuff. Lots of stuff I am not interested in - Live Action, F1 Car displays, Rally Car displays - really not of interest.

So, not going this year.

Do the organisers not know there is a recession on?

[bella]

if you turn up on the day previously (certainly on trade days) you can get the tickets without the live action arena guff. it does reduce the ticket considerably.

the car park has gone up a quid a year. it wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't on a completely inaccessible train line :/

[ko_racer]

enter: AS04241 for buy one get one free tickets.

Still £31 for 2 tickets but it's better than £62

[ss_collins]

it wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't on a completely inaccessible train line

Pretty good from London / MK (even Croydon) on the rails. I always go by train. But the price of a london to Brum train ticket really is a rip off