Duxford D-Day Airshow Prices – 2014

I don’t think that is entirely what this thread is about, is it?

£4000 in 1982 is £12300 now and the cost of a Sierra equivalent will be, what – £18,000 – £20,000? So well above the monetary value increase. Not sure what lies you are referring to – the figures are all there so not much to “lie” about, I should have thought.

It must be hard work being a person that never allows himself any luxury at all unless he feels he is getting maximum value for money [ how one can define that accurately?] It must be miserable to not be able to enjoy Duxford without seething all day. Its not like this is an activity that is done every week.
I wish some people would put in the same effort of objection to the ever increasing costs of the things we can’t do without but I know how we British deal with that usually a shrug of the shoulders. If you want to work out the inflation increases cost year on year its 7% [no more no less] not the lie we are always told. Work it out if you like A Ford Sierra was 4K in 1982 what is the equivalent Ford now?

How about a refund?

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Well to say I am shocked is an understatement. When I stated this post it was with the best intention of passing on the information before the event the that the pricing structure had changed. An email was also sent to IWM, which I expected would have little effect, maybe others emailed and the management obviously looked at this website. So congratulations IWM, here’s hoping for a good weekend in July.

Now with such success on the airshow prices can we please ask that they fully restore the Shackleton and Victor and use the Hangars for aircraft (and tanks, ect) not rug shows car car auctions 😀

PAUL

The IWM response is just as it should be. They made a mistake, listened to and accepted the criticism and changed their decision. Very laudable and a lesson to others in other spheres of activity.

If the people organising these events actually cared about it. They would realise the implications of there decisions.

I assume you are now happy?

Moggy

Posted on the IWM Facebook page:

Hello everyone. Thank you for your comments about carers. We have never charged carers for everyday admission to the museum and that remains the case. We did introduce a charge for carers at our air show last month but it’s now clear that we misjudged the bigger picture. We will now reverse that decision so that an accompanying carer is, once again, not charged for admission to our air shows. We appreciate the strength of emotion expressed by many of you on this point. Please accept our apologies. We continually strive to achieve the best possible balance between making IWM Duxford as accessible and enjoyable for all whilst at the same time ensuring the museum has a long term, financially-sustainable future, and hope this decision demonstrates that approach.

Brian

I’m getting a bit fed up with the “protect Duxford – They listen – The premier Museum” brigade. If the people organising these events actually cared about it. They would realise the implications of there decisions. I have had to deal with Duxford for a long long time and I will say (waiting for a beating now) it’s got worse and worse. I understand they have to make money. But not at the expense of serving or retired, veteren service personnel. They have some fantastic people on the shop floor – but where in the name of all that is righteous do the find the organisers and management. It has to change,,,

Is it me or have all the prices gone up? A programme for the event was £7 and the Flight Line walk was £6 (and hardly a “Legends” line up). There seemed to be a reasonable crowd on Sunday but that might have been that many stayed away on Saturday due to the bad weather. Having said all that, I thought the show was an excellent day especially the displays by the Typhoon, Apache and Spitfire chase.

I think the ‘carer’ thing is being somewhat overplayed ! I recall taking my wife’s grandfather to Duxford years ago – he was more than happy to stand all day in the heat with his jacket on whilst we seemed to be the ones suffering more ! I imagine that many ‘carers’ are family members who are proud to take relations to events like this without even contemplating that £27.50 is a lot of money to pay . To suggest boycotting the event seems bizarre – all that would achieve is that an old person doesn’t get a day out and a younger person thinks he has made some kind of statement !

Sadly I don’t think there will be many more events that large numbers of D-Day veterans will be able to attend in the years to come -the matter of money shouldn’t be an issue.

Let’s not knock an organisation that listens.

However bad the original decision, putting things to right is laudable.

Moggy

If they had put it right it would be laudable, but they haven’t. Firstly it only applies to D-Day veterans and there can’t be many of those around now. Also these veterans will be in their late eighties/early nineties so they will require carers who still have to pay the full entrance fee. Secondly there is still no mention of OAPs and other service veterans.

Basically this is a publicity gambit by the IWM which will have no discernible affect on their bottom line. I would hope that people stay away in protest. I will.

I guess that depends on why they listened.To me it’s the principle of the first decision,but yes at least they have changed their minds.
Anyway update ,15 miles from Duxford -peeing it down with rain.

Let’s not knock an organisation that listens.

However bad the original decision, putting things to right is laudable.

Moggy

“A spokeswoman for IWM said: “We have listened to feedback and now realise that on this special occasion it is more appropriate to make an exception for our D-Day veterans and we would be delighted to welcome them at IWM Duxford this weekend without charge.”

Read more: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/U-turn-as-D-Day-veterans-charged-2750-by-IWM-Duxford-for-this-weekends-air-show-commemorating-Normandy-landings-can-get-in-for-free-20140523180038.htm#ixzz32ZL0FIzA

They probably realised they could lose more money in the long run through bad press than a few veterans [how many? ] would cost them to let in.The PR people and the Museum operators should NEVER have allowed this decision to be made in the first place–they must be politicians-no common sense and only change their minds when it hurts them.

The IWM hasn’t changed and it never will.

I wouldn’t waste your money on a lottery ticket.

Moggy

Strong smell of burning rubber:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/U-turn-as-D-Day-veterans-charged-2750-by-IWM-Duxford-for-this-weekends-air-show-commemorating-Normandy-landings-can-get-in-for-free-20140523180038.htm

Regarding “screwing money” ….sadly that is all too often the impression one gets nowadays ….and I am not singling large airshows out ….just about any kind of event sees the ” captive” audience often charged ridiculous prices for refreshments etc.

I would hazard a guess that food concessions at major airshows are having to pay £1,000 upwards to be on site for
the weekend. That’s what some were having to pay at the Essex County show 7 -8 years ago.

Charlie…firstly I realise that the safety constraints are fairly demanding nowadays…. but in some recent shows I have been to the aircraft passes are at what might best be described as in the middle distance….very remeniscent of USAFE participation in things like the BoB days when a couple of F-86s or F-100s would make a pass over the far perimeter!

🙂

Regarding “screwing money” ….sadly that is all too often the impression one gets nowadays ….and I am not singling large airshows out ….just about any kind of event sees the ” captive” audience often charged ridiculous prices for refreshments etc. Airshow-wise the nowadays is that the number of decent shows with any kind of varied participation is getting less and less…thus removing the option of multiple choices most of the time.

I’ve spent my life in marketing and pricing is possibly the most difficult area of all to cope with.

I’m not for a second saying Duxford have got it right with their gee-gaw pricing, I have no insight into the price elasticity of their marketplace, though I am guessing it is on the low side.

Remember there is a cost for the product. The £10 baseball hat, actually £8 + tax might well be costing them £2.00 to source. Sell 100 hats and they make £600. Sell them for £7, which is £5.60 plus the tax and they are only making £3.60 per unit. Double the sales to 200 hats and the income will be £720. Looks good.

But what if the sales only go up 50%? Income is then just £540, and they are stuck with 50 hats they haven’t sold which cost them £100. Net profit £440.

Ok, I know that’s all pretty simplistic, but you see the problem?

Moggy

I know what you mean, maybe it’s just me ? I wouldn’t buy a polo shirt for £22 for instance, but I might if it were £15,
as I did at Stow Maries for one of theirs.

Dave – you can be damn sure that the organisers would hold displays as exciting as we remember them, if they were allowed to!! Gone are the days of the crowd line within sniffing distance of the runway and fast jet passes at M .95 at 50′.

As for “screwing money” out of the public why use a loaded phrase to question a perfectly legitimate commercial activity? No one is forced to attend and if the prices were too high the reduced footfall would very quickly make it obvious.