pilferkMaster of UnlockingCTRegistered Userregular
edited November 2014
It's a little more debateable, at least. Last year, if you could only go on Fri and Sat....or even Sat and Sunday...you still definitely tried for the 3 day, because you were saving $5. Now, I agree...the $5 MIGHT be worth the flexibility if you also have some in your potential schedule.
But if not (say, you HAVE to work Friday), now you're just throwing $5 out the window with a 3 day. I don't think it will have a HUGE effect..but I think it will have some effect.
Yes, it's "only" $5 more this year..but it was "only" a $5 savings last year, too.
There is also a value in the collectability of the pass itself, even if I were only going on Sat/Sun I would like to able to add the 3-day to my collection. Don't get me wrong, if I'm able to secure a 3-day I will move mountains...well, meetings...to attend all three days! Just don't under estimate the collectible value which is more than $5.
Also...scalpers will be out and about looking to get as many 3-days as they can...jerks.
Unfortunately with supply and demand, as the sellout time gets closer and closer to 0, something else has to raise up, and that will be scalpers and scalper prices. But like a lot of people say every year, scalper price sort of reflects market value better than pax site prices.
There is also a value in the collectability of the pass itself, even if I were only going on Sat/Sun I would like to able to add the 3-day to my collection. Don't get me wrong, if I'm able to secure a 3-day I will move mountains...well, meetings...to attend all three days! Just don't under estimate the collectible value which is more than $5.
Also...scalpers will be out and about looking to get as many 3-days as they can...jerks.
Agree, to some.
Again, I'm not saying NOBODY only going 2 days, or having some flex in their schedule, won't try for a 3 day, now. But..that being said, there is ONE less reason, now, to do so.
It won't mitigate a TON, I agree. But something is better than nothing. The "underpricing" last year was one of the things people pointed out as an issue. And I think the PA folks even admitted that was a mistake in the pricing that they didn't catch.
As someone who works in the secondary ticketing industry, the scalpers really are a minimal amount of the problem. The scalpers you see aren't professional scalpers. They are people like you and me who see an opportunity to make a profit. But I can tell you that they aren't the big brokerages. I checked the inventory at my workplace last year and we had no one selling pax east tickets. That's why they are all on Ebay. Stubhub and the other secondary market exchanges don't have these tickets, because that's where the large brokerages/scalpers are. Are there people who sell tickets for crazy prices? Yes, but there are always only a few listings. The best thing you can do as a consumer, is not buy these tickets. Reddit has r/PaxPassExchange where many people who can no longer attend sell their passes at face value, if not a little above.
Either way, I'm super pumped about this year. If we are vigilant and follow the twitter we will do well. I've done this every year and it has worked.
I have heard a lot of people have luck with the mobile app. Definitely follow the official pax twitter and have it send text alerts to your phone. Do you have access to a computer at work? Historical data shows that tickets have gone on sale between 9am and 1pm. So I would try to keep those hours free.
What's the mobile app? Is it specific or do you mean the mobile page?
But yeah, I would try a smartphone. Or ask one of your friends that you know will be available during business hours to get the ticket for you. Buy them pizza or something as a bribe.
Sorry I said Mobile App when I meant to say on their phones! I was able to snag hotels via smartphone last year and landed with the Westin. So it definitely works. On the pax subreddit, some people seem to think it was faster. I think the best thing everyone can do is try to keep a cool head. We're all nervous (and freaking out. Trust me, I have to interview a lot of people this week and finding out its during "prime time" ticket sales times was not fun) but if we have a plan and stick to it, things will work out. The PAX community is awesome too. I've never met a more helpful and welcoming bunch.
Hey there, I'm "the new guy." I just got done signing up and thought I'd ask: do you need to reserve a hotel room for PAX East, or is that optional? I live not too far from Boston, so I can just drive there and back again, so that's why I ask.
Hey there, I'm "the new guy." I just got done signing up and thought I'd ask: do you need to reserve a hotel room for PAX East, or is that optional? I live not too far from Boston, so I can just drive there and back again, so that's why I ask.
Hotel is completely optional, although I know some locals book a hotel anyway simply because PAX is exhausting (in a good way) and it's a lot easier crashing close than having to drive back home at some crazy hour. That said, it may or may not be worth it to you.
Hey there, I'm "the new guy." I just got done signing up and thought I'd ask: do you need to reserve a hotel room for PAX East, or is that optional? I live not too far from Boston, so I can just drive there and back again, so that's why I ask.
Once you get your tickets, the site itself will prompt you to reserve a hotel as the next step. Cheaper than booking it yourself as well. A tiny bit frustrating to use though.
Personally I would say book one some of my fav things last year from pax were the parties these parties your drink at and dont get back to your hotel till 230 or 3 am lol trust me you dont want to drive a hour or so home and then have to wake up extra early to drive back after a party. Just do the room share thing once it starts up as long as you dont mind rooming with people you can get a room for 3 nights for like 175 or so
It's optional. I live from CT so I definitely get a hotel room. It depends on what you're looking to do. The MBTA used to shut down at midnight, but I believe they extended the hours on weekends (someone correct me if I'm wrong!) so if you don't mind a late night drive back you can save a lot of money. Personally, I like being close to the con so that I can enjoy the parties and other events, but I know plenty of people who commute who have a great time. I also like being able to "take a break" as PAX is not only awesome, but really exhausting at times. You spend a lot of time on your feet, and the days are long (a typical PAX day for me involves getting up at 8 and going to bed at 1 or 2am)
If you're concerned about pricing, last year it was $189/night to stay in the Seaport and $185/night for the Westin (connected to the BCEC.) My group stayed from Thursday night through Sunday morning. It cost us about $650 for the hotel after tax for one room. if you have 4 people in a room, that's $162/person for the weekend. That's absurdly cheap to be right in the middle of Boston at a great hotel over the weekend.
Hey there, I'm "the new guy." I just got done signing up and thought I'd ask: do you need to reserve a hotel room for PAX East, or is that optional? I live not too far from Boston, so I can just drive there and back again, so that's why I ask.
Once you get your tickets, the site itself will prompt you to reserve a hotel as the next step. Cheaper than booking it yourself as well. A tiny bit frustrating to use though.
It's like anything else, it will prompt you "would you like to book a room" and you can say "no" and it will bring you to check out with no room booking or charges.
It's like anything else, it will prompt you "would you like to book a room" and you can say "no" and it will bring you to check out with no room booking or charges.
The hype is getting to me. I almost dropped my iPad checking the registration page today. Oh wait, my school has a crap heating system in one of the buildings. Right.
My bet is still on tomorrow or Wednesday. Who's with me?
PAX East 2015: Passes For All Days [X] -- Free Time [X] -- Pass For Girlfriend [X] -- Hype [X]
PAX EAST 2015 IS A GO!
It's like anything else, it will prompt you "would you like to book a room" and you can say "no" and it will bring you to check out with no room booking or charges.
do you need to reserve a hotel room for PAX East, or is that optional? I live not too far from Boston, so I can just drive there and back again, so that's why I ask.
Hopefully this will be my 4th East...the first two times I attended I commuted back and forth, I live in Needham, but last year I decided to make it the grand event that it is and booked a room. Yes, the rooms are EXPENSIVE, but Boston hotels are always EXPENSIVE, however it was the best time! I got to go to a bunch of the PAX parties without having to worry about driving home...plenty of free shuttles, cab it or just a quick walk back to the hotel...and it was really nice to be able to take a break during the day to drop off my swag, take a proper nap, get changed and get back out there! Book a room, you won't regret it.
do you need to reserve a hotel room for PAX East, or is that optional? I live not too far from Boston, so I can just drive there and back again, so that's why I ask.
Hopefully this will be my 4th East...the first two times I attended I commuted back and forth, I live in Needham, but last year I decided to make it the grand event that it is and booked a room. Yes, the rooms are EXPENSIVE, but Boston hotels are always EXPENSIVE, however it was the best time! I got to go to a bunch of the PAX parties without having to worry about driving home...plenty of free shuttles, cab it or just a quick walk back to the hotel...and it was really nice to be able to take a break during the day to drop off my swag, take a proper nap, get changed and get back out there! Book a room, you won't regret it.
Oh, and welcome!
From my experience with cons in Toronto, stay in the city i had to get a really early train to make sure i got a good spot in line without having to wait forever to get in. And not to mention traffic, parking and gas.
Sgt.Mays on
Gaymer, Nerd and Fan of Freeman's Mind/Half-life/GTA/Red Vs Blue
Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
Attending West 2019
You know PA...I am in the middle of playing Evolve Alpha here. It would cause me much less stress if we just got a date when the tickets go up. I would be ever so grateful.
These next couple weeks are going to kill me. I'm just glad flying to Boston is cheap since I live near DC, so it's less stress worrying about plane tickets.
TopherRocksRockstar Beard GrowerKent, OH or Long Island, NYRegistered Userregular
Amtrak between Penn Station NYC and South Station Boston takes about as long as it does driving there from the few times I took it there. I think there's one that's faster but about 2-3x more expensive.
Bus takes probably 4.5 hours, half the price. Car probably 4 with no traffic price depends on the car, parking. Parking alone is probably as much as the bus.
I guess in this case it's all a matter of preference. It seems like the train is more likely to have other PAX-goers on it (pax east train trip), so it may be the way to go if you want to do that.
*cannot think clearly because hype*
PAX East 2015: Passes For All Days [X] -- Free Time [X] -- Pass For Girlfriend [X] -- Hype [X]
PAX EAST 2015 IS A GO!
For travel, I took the bus and it was good. It was a little louder than want and after the fast food stop it was a really greasy smell but it was cheaper than the train by a lot. Tip: Pack food for this lunch. It is currently $20 round trip from New York to Boston and takes 4.5 hours with Greyhound. Additionally you can look at megabus and bolt bus for their $1 ticket if you want to (usually just one or two seat)
Also you can look for ride sharing if either you plan to drive and have an extra seat or want to be in a car for travel. A forum post is usually up as soon as tickets are available.
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But if not (say, you HAVE to work Friday), now you're just throwing $5 out the window with a 3 day. I don't think it will have a HUGE effect..but I think it will have some effect.
Yes, it's "only" $5 more this year..but it was "only" a $5 savings last year, too.
Also...scalpers will be out and about looking to get as many 3-days as they can...jerks.
Agree, to some.
Again, I'm not saying NOBODY only going 2 days, or having some flex in their schedule, won't try for a 3 day, now. But..that being said, there is ONE less reason, now, to do so.
It won't mitigate a TON, I agree. But something is better than nothing. The "underpricing" last year was one of the things people pointed out as an issue. And I think the PA folks even admitted that was a mistake in the pricing that they didn't catch.
And 100% agree on the scalpers. Yuck.
Either way, I'm super pumped about this year. If we are vigilant and follow the twitter we will do well. I've done this every year and it has worked.
But yeah, I would try a smartphone. Or ask one of your friends that you know will be available during business hours to get the ticket for you. Buy them pizza or something as a bribe.
Hotel is completely optional, although I know some locals book a hotel anyway simply because PAX is exhausting (in a good way) and it's a lot easier crashing close than having to drive back home at some crazy hour. That said, it may or may not be worth it to you.
Once you get your tickets, the site itself will prompt you to reserve a hotel as the next step. Cheaper than booking it yourself as well. A tiny bit frustrating to use though.
If you're concerned about pricing, last year it was $189/night to stay in the Seaport and $185/night for the Westin (connected to the BCEC.) My group stayed from Thursday night through Sunday morning. It cost us about $650 for the hotel after tax for one room. if you have 4 people in a room, that's $162/person for the weekend. That's absurdly cheap to be right in the middle of Boston at a great hotel over the weekend.
Can you skip that step, though?
Ahh, I see. Thanks for the clarification, doods!
My bet is still on tomorrow or Wednesday. Who's with me?
PAX EAST 2015 IS A GO!
not a dude
Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
Attending West 2019
Hopefully this will be my 4th East...the first two times I attended I commuted back and forth, I live in Needham, but last year I decided to make it the grand event that it is and booked a room. Yes, the rooms are EXPENSIVE, but Boston hotels are always EXPENSIVE, however it was the best time! I got to go to a bunch of the PAX parties without having to worry about driving home...plenty of free shuttles, cab it or just a quick walk back to the hotel...and it was really nice to be able to take a break during the day to drop off my swag, take a proper nap, get changed and get back out there! Book a room, you won't regret it.
Oh, and welcome!
From my experience with cons in Toronto, stay in the city i had to get a really early train to make sure i got a good spot in line without having to wait forever to get in. And not to mention traffic, parking and gas.
Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
Attending West 2019
Highly disappointing. I wish airfare was (by default) refundable. This waiting is driving costs up.
PAX East 2018: Passes [X], Hotel [X], Airfare [], coin []
I bought my plane tickets about a month ago... so fingers crossed!
Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
Attending West 2019
https://allmylinks.com/topherxbeads
*cannot think clearly because hype*
PAX EAST 2015 IS A GO!
Also you can look for ride sharing if either you plan to drive and have an extra seat or want to be in a car for travel. A forum post is usually up as soon as tickets are available.