All-Star Since When Does Jam Charge A Spectator Fee?

Oh d@mn.

This is what happens when I text Just-a-Mom...

6 dollars tho...

$10 for SuperNationals

Having to pay also means having to stand in line. I really enjoyed just having the freedom to walk in the venue...no hassle.

KikiD22 said:

This is what happens when I text Just-a-Mom...

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Hey. All I said was "See you tomorrow. It's free right? Because it's Jam?"

I know most charge, but that's kinda the point. That was one of the things that made Jam great. You didn't feel like they were trying to "get" you coming and going. And I like getting inside the event and not already being broke. Leaves money for t-shirts and stuff. It's still the same amount of money - just get it in the comp fee. That way when people get in they're like "Where's the stuff to buy???" not " I hope there's a drinking fountain somewhere."

It seems like everywhere I turn these companies are trying to price cheerleading out of the average person's budget.

RileyJ said:

6 dollars tho...

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(Like I said, I know $6 isn't much - trust me, I have $6 , but if we pay that, I assure you next year it'll be $10. And these are 2 day comps if you want to see all the teams or if you have 2 kids competing). So for a family of 4, you're looking at $48. That's a lot different than free. And they raised to competition fee for the kids to compete too.

And to be clear, I'm supposed to pay $10 per person per day for SuperNationals AND pay for the Majors? Plus travel and hotel. I'm not 100% sure, but I thought the Majors was $25? So for The Majors and Supernationals for the weekend it would be $45 per person? So for a family $180? correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just going on memory. ASCheerMan how much is NCA for the weekend? Close? Because the caliber of teams is easily comparable, probably better. I'd rather go to that for that kind of money.

NOTE -----> I'm just a spectator now - my cp graduated and the other one is dancing, so we're just going to watch for love of the sport and to see friends. What does this mean? It means I get to choooooooose where we go. If the powers that be want spectators and non cheerleaders to come see this sport, stop pricing us out of it.

Really, I'm fine with a spectator fee (I've paid HUNDREDS of dollars in them over the years. What I'm NOT fine with a company who has rammed "No spectator fee" down my throat for years suddenly posting on their website:

Spectators $10 for SuperNationals.

SuperNationals and the majors have lots of great teams. Woot. So does NCA - even more, in fact. Since my SuperNationals trip is getting more expensive by the second, give me one good reason I shouldn't take my money to NCA?

There's no Jammy at NCA.

I just asked Dan Kessler about it on his Facebook wall. He probably has to "approve" my post first so it may not see the light of day but I hope he answers my question anyway.

cupieqt said:

I just asked Dan Kessler about it on his Facebook wall. He probably has to "approve" my post first so it may not see the light of day but I hope he answers my question anyway.

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I posted on the JamBrands wall. I'm sure i'll never see a reply. But hey...Dallas is close to Louisiana!


So RileyJ it really is just principle. I can pay $6 and I probably will just because I want to see my friends. But if Jam wanted to continue on their path of trying to become the leader of Allstar, then they should have stuck with what was working. You know the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, this was a system that was successful for them - it made them stand out and people liked it. They could EASILY have stuck that $6 somewhere else and no one would have known.


Oh well. Just my 2 cents. I've seen a LOT on here recently about how it seems like the powers that be seem intent on pricing people out of cheer and looks like it'll work soon. $6 is nothing. I guarantee you next year it will NOT be $6. And for most families, "free" means "Woot, we can bring the whole family. Love Jam!" Any kind of spectator fee means "Well, just you go honey. I'll stay home with the rest of the kids."

Maybe it'll work out for them. I won't be going, just because I don't have to. Perhaps I'll go to something different. Like I said - the free entrance fee was what sold me.

Mamarazzi said:

There's no Jammy at NCA.

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ASCheerMan ought to give you a commission just for that sentence alone. I'm sold!

Just-a-Mom said:

I posted on the JamBrands wall. I'm sure i'll never see a reply. But hey...Dallas is close to Louisiana!


So RileyJ it really is just principle. I can pay $6 and I probably will just because I want to see my friends. But if Jam wanted to continue on their path of trying to become the leader of Allstar, then they should have stuck with what was working. You know the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, this was a system that was successful for them - it made them stand out and people liked it. They could EASILY have stuck that $6 somewhere else and no one would have known.


Oh well. Just my 2 cents. I've seen a LOT on here recently about how it seems like the powers that be seem intent on pricing people out of cheer and looks like it'll work soon. $6 is nothing. I guarantee you next year it will NOT be $6. And for most families, "free" means "Woot, we can bring the whole family. Love Jam!" Any kind of spectator fee means "Well, just you go honey. I'll stay home with the rest of the kids."

Maybe it'll work out for them. I won't be going, just because I don't have to. Perhaps I'll go to something different. Like I said - the free entrance fee was what sold me.



ASCheerMan ought to give you a commission just for that sentence alone. I'm sold!

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Out of curiosity, if your girls were cheering and you saw the registration fee go up 6 bucks, would you feel the same way as you do now?

Just-a-Mom said:

I posted on the JamBrands wall. I'm sure i'll never see a reply. But hey...Dallas is close to Louisiana!


So RileyJ it really is just principle. I can pay $6 and I probably will just because I want to see my friends. But if Jam wanted to continue on their path of trying to become the leader of Allstar, then they should have stuck with what was working. You know the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, this was a system that was successful for them - it made them stand out and people liked it. They could EASILY have stuck that $6 somewhere else and no one would have known.


Oh well. Just my 2 cents. I've seen a LOT on here recently about how it seems like the powers that be seem intent on pricing people out of cheer and looks like it'll work soon. $6 is nothing. I guarantee you next year it will NOT be $6. And for most families, "free" means "Woot, we can bring the whole family. Love Jam!" Any kind of spectator fee means "Well, just you go honey. I'll stay home with the rest of the kids."

Maybe it'll work out for them. I won't be going, just because I don't have to. Perhaps I'll go to something different. Like I said - the free entrance fee was what sold me.



ASCheerMan ought to give you a commission just for that sentence alone. I'm sold!

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Honestly what I bolded is my biggest fear. How we are going to be able to maintain what we've been doing for 12 years for another 6 years until little bit ages out. It's scary.

BowsnBling That's a good point.

Yes. I've always, in all our years of cheering, said I wished they'd build the spectator fee into the comp fee. I've even said it on here plenty of times. I loathe spectator fees. I'd still have been paying, just spread out earlier in the year. Sometimes it's just a hard hit to pay it that day, on top of travel, hotel, and food. I have no problem paying, just at the door its sometimes a lot. (and for the record the registration fee went up as well, more than $6)

Two thoughts:
1. If you must charge a spectator fee, take credit cards! I've been to comps where with all the family it was well over $100. Using a card would have been nice. In this case, since no one was expecting to have to pay, lots of people didn't have the cash on them.
2. You raise a valid point - since my kids aren't paying comp fees anymore, maybe I *should* be paying a spectator fee. I'd be OK with me paying one, but maybe 2 free spectators per competitor? So if you pay the over $100 for your cp, your cp should get 2 wristbands for free. Then people like me should pay. I think I'd be OK with that.

I just was surprised because Jam has always been so proud of their no fee programs.

But I hear you. If I'm not paying comp fees I should cough up some money. Fair enough. This is my first time going without at least 2 kids on 3-4 teams, and so I'd never thought of it.

This was across the board though. I think the parents of competitors should not have to pay.

Just-a-Mom said:

BowsnBling That's a good point.

Yes. I've always, in all our years of cheering, said I wished they'd build the spectator fee into the comp fee. I've even said it on here plenty of times. I loathe spectator fees. I'd still have been paying, just spread out earlier in the year. Sometimes it's just a hard hit to pay it that day, on top of travel, hotel, and food. I have no problem paying, just at the door its sometimes a lot. (and for the record the registration fee went up as well, more than $6)

Two thoughts:
1. If you must charge a spectator fee, take credit cards! I've been to comps where with all the family it was well over $100. Using a card would have been nice. In this case, since no one was expecting to have to pay, lots of people didn't have the cash on them.
2. You raise a valid point - since my kids aren't paying comp fees anymore, maybe I *should* be paying a spectator fee. I'd be OK with me paying one, but maybe 2 free spectators per competitor? So if you pay the over $100 for your cp, your cp should get 2 wristbands for free. Then people like me should pay. I think I'd be OK with that.

I just was surprised because Jam has always been so proud of their no fee programs.

But I hear you. If I'm not paying comp fees I should cough up some money. Fair enough. This is my first time going without at least 2 kids on 3-4 teams, and so I'd never thought of it.

This was across the board though. I think the parents of competitors should not have to pay.

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That is a good idea with the 2 wristbands per athlete or per a specified amount of cash spent. Believe me in 15 years I have not paid to get into a comp since I coached, well I paid, but you know what I mean. So now thinking of paying seems strange. I know whoever asked for your support would love to see you so hopefully it will work out. =)

I said I'd be there and I love my friends a whole lot more than I love making a point so I'm sure I'll end up coughing up the 6 bucks. I've been looking forward to seeing them for months now. I can make my point later!