Question about NFBC sign ups

[Driver Love]

I see an "events fee" charge as part of the sign up for most leagues. Is that just for live events where there is a fee for the food, room, tables, draft boards, facilitators?

[Tom Kessenich]

I see an "events fee" charge as part of the sign up for most leagues. Is that just for live events where there is a fee for the food, room, tables, draft boards, facilitators?

We have an events fee for all "Live" events even if they are done online. We believe it's fair to ask everyone to pay the same price and we also don't want to punish those drafting in a city by making them pay more to attend. So all live events, including those done online, have the same event fee.

[Driver Love]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems kind of odd to me, as I assumed the "events" fee was for all the perks those who get to attend live events get to enjoy. I thought the main entry fee was the same for everyone as it relates to contributing to the prize fund. I do not see anyone else asking about it so I assume I am the only one who is clueless.

[Tom Kessenich]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems kind of odd to me, as I assumed the "events" fee was for all the perks those who get to attend live events get to enjoy. I thought the main entry fee was the same for everyone as it relates to contributing to the prize fund. I do not see anyone else asking about it so I assume I am the only one who is clueless.

That's part of what the event fee is for but again it wouldn't be fair to ask some people in the same event to pay more than others. It's the same entry fee for everyone regardless of whether you join us live or stay at home.

[Driver Love]

Tom,

Not everyone is having the same draft experience. Those who get to go to live events are experiencing a different draft with a cool atmosphere, a live facilitator, food, a huge draftboard. Those online are hearing kids scream and the wife yelling about taking out the garbage. It is just a semantics thing. If the $50 were just added to the entry fees and there was no events fee fools like me would not be confused.

[Tom Kessenich]

Tom,

Not everyone is having the same draft experience. Those who get to go to live events are experiencing a different draft with atmosphere, a live facilitator, food, a huge draftboard. It is just a semantics thing. If the $50 were just added to the entry fees and there was no events fee fools like me would not be confused.

You can easily look at it that way already. If you want to view the Main Event as a $1,575 charge for all locations and online you can do that now. No reason to be confused. I realize not everyone is having the same experience but it is the same event. I do not believe it makes sense nor is it fair to charge Player A more than Player B to compete in the same event. Everyone should be charged equally in my opinion. The last thing we want to do is punish someone for choosing to draft live over online or vice versa.

[BK METS]

It also costs a lot of money to get to the live event, including transportation, accomodations... etc. If you look at it this way... we are choosing to support the live events and choosing to spend a lot of money to get there and be there shouldn't have to be penalized with a higher entry fee than those drafting at home. If that was the case, eventually, there would be no more live events and that would be a tragedy.

I get what you are saying regarding the food, atmosphere etc, but we are already paying a lot more for everything else, the food is just a reward for making the trip out there to the event... just my opinion, for whatever its worth.

[KJ Duke]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems kind of odd to me, as I assumed the "events" fee was for all the perks those who get to attend live events get to enjoy. I thought the main entry fee was the same for everyone as it relates to contributing to the prize fund. I do not see anyone else asking about it so I assume I am the only one who is clueless.

Simple solution, sign up for one of the package deals rather than a single league and the event fee goes away.

[Tom Kessenich]

It also costs a lot of money to get to the live event, including transportation, accomodations... etc. If you look at it this way... we are choosing to support the live events and choosing to spend a lot of money to get there and be there shouldn't have to be penalized with a higher entry fee than those drafting at home. If that was the case, eventually, there would be no more live events and that would be a tragedy.

I get what you are saying regarding the food, atmosphere etc, but we are already paying a lot more for everything else, the food is just a reward for making the trip out there to the event... just my opinion, for whatever its worth.

All good points Alan and this is what I was referring to about not punishing those who draft live.

KJ is also correct - the package deals are in place that remove all fees.

[Driver Love]

It also costs a lot of money to get to the live event, including transportation, accomodations... etc. If you look at it this way... we are choosing to support the live events and choosing to spend a lot of money to get there and be there shouldn't have to be penalized with a higher entry fee than those drafting at home. If that was the case, eventually, there would be no more live events and that would be a tragedy.

I get what you are saying regarding the food, atmosphere etc, but we are already paying a lot more for everything else, the food is just a reward for making the trip out there to the event... just my opinion, for whatever its worth.

I want to be clear. I am fine with how it is so I am not politicking for some change. As I said, maybe it is a semantics thing. But the talk that people drafting live or online are paying "different entries" doesn't seen true. You have the "entry" listed (which everyone pays the same, so no one is penalized with a higher entry fee) and then the "events fee" listed that clearly is separate from the entry fee. I think most people interpret 'events fee' as the cost for being at the live event. For venue, atmosphere, food, draft boards, facilitators, drinks, etc. Those drafting live are getting a much better experience so paying some for that experience seems reasonable. When the events fees were first started I am pretty sure that is what they were for. Those who choose to draft live (or can afford to) are welcome to and I agree the live events are much better.

[Money]

I think the question asked here is a fair and valid. I would be shocked and or concerned if it didn't surface each and every season as new members join the fun. The best way to look at it is, all of the "Major" live events cost the same, in the case of the Main Event, that would be $1,575. If you choose to play in multiple "Major" live events weather live or online you would receive a $75 discount off of each team. The NFBC chooses to say each entry is $1,500 with an event fee of $75 which is waived with multiple entries.

Either way you look at it 's the same. I totally understand the question and think it's fair. The NFBC has always been upfront and not tried to hide anything. Go to Live venue and have some fun. I personally do both and enjoy each experience, just in a different way.

[Tom Kessenich]

It is a fair question and it's one asked of us in both the NFBC and NFFC every year. I still believe it makes sense to charge everyone equally. The last thing we want to do is have people upset that Player A is being forced to pay more than Player B even though they are competing in the same events. Those are not the phone calls and emails I want to deal with because honestly I couldn't come up with a good reason why we would be doing it that way.

[ALL-IN JD]

Tom,

I totally agree with you. I think the solution might be to just roll those Events Fees into the price, so as Joe said the ME is $1575 so whether drafting on line or in person the price is the same. Everyone also knows, as KJ said, that their are discounts available for owners with multiple events. I think that would eliminate those questions being asked every year, in my humble opinion of course.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Why are most opinions, 'humble' ?

Let's try it again...

Tom, I believe next year we should just round it up to $1600 with no fee and give a $100 discount for each event when entering multiple events.
Of course that is in my you know I'm right and don't give a rat's ass about what others say opinion.

Ok, I get why humble fits now.

[King of Queens]

Tom,

I totally agree with you. I think the solution might be to just roll those Events Fees into the price, so as Joe said the ME is $1575 so whether drafting on line or in person the price is the same. Everyone also knows, as KJ said, that their are discounts available for owners with multiple events. I think that would eliminate those questions being asked every year, in my humble opinion of course.

Agree that the Pay-One-Price model is much more palatable. However, it's becoming increasingly tough to approach the customer with an all-inclusive cost when the "industry standard" -- particularly in football -- is to charge an events fee.

When customers compare multiple events, this add-on is often overlooked. For competitive reasons, I completely understand why the NFBC/NFFC started charging it.

[Scared $ Dont Make $]

Or how about this for the online people who think the event fee should not apply.

How about the cost it takes to run online drafts... build the software, pay the costs of hosting the sites, making changes to the software, having live support in case of issues JUST for online drafting. There is overheard there as well.

None of those costs apply to us live event junkies so it all comes out the same in the end. So maybe next year they can say online events have a $75 event / online site fee which covers software / site costs / upgrades / support.

[Driver Love]

It is a fair question and it's one asked of us in both the NFBC and NFFC every year. I still believe it makes sense to charge everyone equally. The last thing we want to do is have people upset that Player A is being forced to pay more than Player B even though they are competing in the same events. Those are not the phone calls and emails I want to deal with because honestly I couldn't come up with a good reason why we would be doing it that way.

First I want to say I am happy I am not being attacked for asking the question. I think everyone buying the same experience should pay the same amount. A live draft and online draft are not the same experience. It all gets back to semantics. When I originally posed the question a few said everyone should pay the same "entry fee"... I think everyone is paying the same entry fee. The "events fee" is obviously something other than the "entry" and is listed as such. So it was a bit confusing as someone who is not able to draft at the live event would have to be paying for the event fee.

[ALL-IN JD]

Why keep going on and on about it? I think Tom answered the question for you but you are still questioning the answer. Why not take the conversation off-line if you really want to continue it.

[DOUGHBOYS]

I'm cheap too.
And don't respond that you're not cheap.... you're cheap.
Some of us cheap guys hide behind principle. But, the truth of the matter is...we are cheap.
Now, there's nothing wrong with being cheap.
Hell, I take pride in it.
I am participating in two Main Events. If the fee bugs you, then this is what you ought to do. No fees at all with the discount.

Some folks spend thousands of dollars just traveling to these events. They do it because they love the comraderie, the friendships formed, and because it is in the spirit of the original contest.
These folks will get some drinks and food after spending that much money to even arrive at their destination.
Trust me, it's a small deal. Mostly saving us the trouble of leaving the draft area to get food.
You know, like when you are at home and food is readily accessible.
Until the last couple of years, the online option wan't even available. It was made available with the understanding that they too, would be paying an events fee. This bothered me at first. But this is a live event driven contest that gave us online as an option. Without a fee for those online, it would be promoting being more of an online game, right?
We don't want that. And neither do Greg or Tom.

I've drafted online before in the Main Event. I don't think about the fee. I think about all the money saved from not having to travel to that destination. I think about less hassle. I think about drafting in the solitude. You have all those advantages and you don't want to pay a fee?
I also think of it as a 'knucklehead fee'. If you've ever been to a live event or wanting to go, well, it's a knuckleheads fee for not going. You're missing out on an experience of a lifetime and possible life long bonds and friends.
Now, you can go on bemoaning about having to pay a fee, while not getting a meal at home.
But trust me, you are missing out on so much more.
Staying at home and not paying for the travel, you are saving money. It satisfies the cheap bone.
I know paying the fee goes against the cheap gene.
Once you do attend a live event, you'll know that the fee is miniscule in comparison to the event itself.
Until fully understanding what you're missing out on in a live event... Pay the knuckleheads fee.

[KJ Duke]

It is a fair question and it's one asked of us in both the NFBC and NFFC every year. I still believe it makes sense to charge everyone equally. The last thing we want to do is have people upset that Player A is being forced to pay more than Player B even though they are competing in the same events. Those are not the phone calls and emails I want to deal with because honestly I couldn't come up with a good reason why we would be doing it that way.

First I want to say I am happy I am not being attacked for asking the question. I think everyone buying the same experience should pay the same amount. A live draft and online draft are not the same experience. It all gets back to semantics. When I originally posed the question a few said everyone should pay the same "entry fee"... I think everyone is paying the same entry fee. The "events fee" is obviously something other than the "entry" and is listed as such. So it was a bit confusing as someone who is not able to draft at the live event would have to be paying for the event fee.

I agree with all of the above reasons for having the fee for online drafts, however, it is somewhat mis-labeled.

It should probably be called a technology fee, software fee, online draft room fee or a "we'd rather have you show in person" fee ... but it's easier to just call it an events fee for all.

[Glenneration X]

Just call it a contest fee and we'll all be good to go.

[Money]

I don't think it matters what you call it or if you call it anything. It's part of our game.

Driver Love asked a legitimate question and wanted to debate it a bit, that's his right. Lets not jump him for keeping it going, the Lord knows we've beaten a lot of things to death around here.

Vegas here we come baby!!!!

[Glenneration X]

the Lord knows we've beaten a lot of things to death around here.

Yeah, like the 12-team format.

See you in a couple weeks Joe.

[glenlake22]

First, let me say I love the NFBC experience and really appreciate Greg and Tom for their hands-on approach and accessibility when customers have questions/problems. Just want to offer a different voice on this subject.

Secondly, I'm an online drafter in the main with plans to attend a live main within the next few years. Unfortunately, it isn't always as easy as just wanting to go and then going.

Lastly, I couldn't care less about $75.

Let's just call it what it is: business. Greg and Tom have every right to charge what they want and people can decide if the price is worth paying. 420 x 75 = $31,500. Does it cost that much to host just the main event live drafts?

The reasons for the price differential are obvious: you're providing people with a place to participate in a live draft, a draft board, a moderator, and FOOD and DRINK. Are there really a large number of people that would complain about paying extra? Then why would they pay for a trip to Vegas or elsewhere? It just doesn't add up. Here is the kicker: the price of the competition is the same for all. We'd still be paying the same amount into the kitty. The cost of the actual contest is literally the exact same. So that doesn't hold up, either.

Like other posters are suggesting, I'd say the best way to do it is just roll it all into one price. Non-live drafters will be better off if they don't envision their $75 going to beer and tacos for people well-off enough to take a trip to Vegas for high-stakes fantasy baseball drafts. My guess is that the OP is bringing this up on principle as opposed to his cheap ass tendencies. Could be wrong. It's just best to tuck the cost into the entry because it really isn't "fair." It's business, and that's fine.

[Money]

the Lord knows we've beaten a lot of things to death around here.

Yeah, like the 12-team format.

See you in a couple weeks Joe.

You'll be thanking me when you win every 12 team event you enter Glenn.