getting past field paint rules?

[Vendetta]

Two words.

Stock class

[cledford]

I WISH local fields had stock class games. One did once a month, but they've given up. Even if they did - it would probably suck because I doubt they're make the fields larger then the standard size used now. When I started (paintball as a whole WAS stock class) games were played on fields acres in size, stealth was required and 100 rounds lasted all day and then some. Now adays you can see (and darn near shoot across) most field from the flag station. IMHO the money-grubbing field owners reduced the field size and game length to pump up volume of paint shot to increase their volume of paint sold.

-Calvin

[aaron_mag]

I have no problem paying field prices at most fields (especially if I like the field). If the prices are $60 to $85 depending on grade of paint I am happy. Like someone said I don't see these field owners driving up in a Mercedes. I don't think they are cleaning up.

At the same time I have to look out for my own pocket book. A field has to find the balance between the expense of attracting business (nice setups, good reffing, plenty of refs, and finally affordable field fees/prices) and making a living. Some are strangling themselves because they don't realize the volume the could produce if their rates were a little more reasonable.

Now lets get to internet retail. It is a fact and it is going to grow. That is just the way it is. Local field owners are going to have get creative and focus on income from the field rather than equipment sales.

This begs the question of what is the most profitable for a field. Do they make money hosting tournaments? Do big games make them a bunch of dough? I don't think that regular rec play gives them that much of a lift except maybe large groups that rent markers. Can any field owners give us any insight?

[Smokee_2_7]

Cledford: Im sorry, but it looks like you have had some bad run ins from time to time. Im not really even going to comment on that, except for mentioning that Im the assistant manager of a pro-shop/ field. Im also a college student. I live in a one bedroom apartment (which i share), and do not have a regular land phone line. I am currently in debt to a good extent, and have literally been living off ramen noodles and bagels for the past week. My car is about 6 years old. I got it as a graduation present.

Im also starting another job next week.

I hope you can believe me when I say that All paintball field owners/ people fit this stereotype of the 'money grubbing moneybags'. It simply not true.

Additionally, We never have (nor never will) substitute ANYTHING in place of what we are claiming to sell you. Our most common field paint is sever hurricane: We get shipments of about a pallett once a month during the summer, and once every week or two in the fall/winter. The paint is stored according to temp./ humidity instructions on the box. I know of only one field that has been caught selling somthing other than advertised- - they were taking the zap seconds from a mass retailer and putting the bags into diablo boxes. ya want to know whats really funny? THEY ARE BYOP!!!

Additionally, some of us re-discovered stock class play about 6 months ago. Due to lack of interest, we've only been able to arrange about 3 'stock days' so far. We are currently pushing this as a fun, cheaper way to play, and are hoping to get this going on at least a once a month basis when the weather cools down a little bit more.


Now,

Aaron_mag,

Trust me, I understand completely about looking out for your own pocket book. I basicly spent beyond my means with my x-mag purchase, and now I cannot afford to play, nor do I see myself being able to in the near future.

You are COMPLETELY right about the balance of what a field offers its customers. nice field setups, professional refing, and affordablity. Of course, this does have to happen in sync with making a living. Its a very slow process to expand field operations - - due to the money involved, often there's no way to do it all at once. Continued customer support and suggestions are THE ONLY way that improvements will ever happen.

I also agree with your views on internet retail- - Most fields are doing the best they can to focus their income from somewhere else. Most places try to 'encourage' local business by giving free labor on items purchased from them. Discounts on accessories for guns purchased from them. Free field memberships, which decrease the amount you pay in field fees.

Most people refuse to take advantage of them. The get the gun for 20bux cheaper on the net, get upset when it breaks and the parts and labor cost 25bux, and moan and complain that they have to pay $10field fees, when the other guy that bought local only has to pay $5.

Tournamnents do not bring in alot of money. Tourney players generally expect everything to be free/ discounted. The expect discounts on paint, free air, very nice expensive prizes, and still dont want to pay any more than 100bux per team for a local event.

I have no personal experience with big games or scenario games, so i really cant comment.

The most profitable aspect of the field generally comes from private parties renting equipment. They are actual customers- - not immediately looking for half off on everything. Not complaining because they can get paint on the internet for 10bux less a case. They come out, pay for equipment use and paint, and we do everything in our power to ensure they have a good safe time and want to come back. The majority of the cash brought in from a party is due to the paint they buy though. . .A group of 20 comes out for 3 hours and shoots 4 or 5 cases (often times).

Underneath ALL of this lies the fact (and the orginal point of this discussion) that the Paintballs are the only thing that a field can realisticlly enforce as somthing that must be bought - - not brought. Thats what keeps the doors open at places where they depend on that business as their sole source of income.

Got to go to class now - - will add a little bit more later (on adam shannon's 'do it yourself' idea)



Carl

[MarkM]

Originally posted by MDethCKR
Country Club Paintball by me (IL) damn!

used to be $120 for a case of Premies!
they finally dropped to 100
but theres the 20 entry fee
and nitro fills are 3perpsi or something simular!

so lets see....130 or so?
fun day!

Well those are the same prices I got charged at a tournament they held there 4 years ago so by inflation rates that is a good deal if thats what they are charging now

[runningman]

I think fields vary from area to area. There have to be good fields around. However, for me, I've just had bad experience after bad experience with fields in the Mid NJ area. The stores and fields don't give the service that some people have spoken about. Let's see, selling me broken parts that were supposed to be new, not controlling poorly behaved players. It happens time after time to the point I was so frustrated I just started playing at a semi-private field of a friend of mine. Works out good! Pooled money for an air compressor (1000) and scuba tanks. Got some junk from junk yard, ie cars, barrels, tanks, scrap and there is a field to play on. Paint is bought en masse. So prices are low. We use $40 pmi prem, $55 evil/marb/el tigre. Everyone is satified to the point I dont feel compelled to go back to a field to have another bad experience.

If anyone has any suggestions on good fields in NJ, I would give it a shot. Going to need somewhere to showoff the Xmag I am awaiting.

runningman

[Nachos]

My field charges $10 for a full day of play. I buy BigBall for $30 at the local shop and I pay $4 to fill my scuba tank.

I would not play at a rip off field like that. $100 for a case of paint? So admission and air is free.. they are still ripping you off. And I tech my own gun thank you very much, yer not touching it.

My buddy owns and runs the field I play at and he makes a profit. He is a long time baller and does it for the players as well as making enough to support himself. Theses fields only care about ripping you off, plain and simple. He makes a large sum of his profit by throwing cheap tournaments and the snack bar. 75 cents for a hot dog and 50 cents for a bag of chips, he buys in bulk and makes almost double and everyone buys it up since it's still so damn cheap. Paint is $40 a case at the field and he pays his refs with free passes and paint.

After gas it costs me $50 to play a day of paintball, charging a $100 for a case of paint is plain retarded. I wouldn't play at that field or just rip them off since two wrongs do make a right no matter what any cliche hippie tells you.