How Liftopia works

[billski]

I'm not following Liftopia really closely, but I've noticed what appears to be automated price adjustment going on.

Today's example - X resort, offering tomorrow's ticket for $43, with "6 left" posted. I checked a bit later, it said "5 left". I bought a ticket for $43. It then said "4 left", same price. I went back an hour later, it had a new price listed, $50. I have no idea if the remaining 4 were sold at the lower price or not. I suspect they were, "4 left at this price." I think they would be accused of "bait and switch.

A friend told me a couple weeks ago, the same thing happened to her. The price difference in her case was $4.

It does appear Liftopia is using the supply-demand dynamic pricing model. All I can say is keep your eyes on the price timing if you plan to buy.

What have you seen?

 

[hammer]

Thought I saw something similar once except the price went down...

 

[ScottySkis]

Yes as date comes sooner their price usually prices go up.

 

[billski]

Yes as date comes sooner their price usually prices go up.

...and if noone bites, the price may go down.

Supply and demand; Economics 101.


The question I pose is that in fact how Liftopia is operating. I think initially it was strictly dump x number on the market at y price with no throttle. The throttle now seems active.

Looks like Liftopia has carved out a nice little niche.

 

[abc]

The question I pose is that in fact how Liftopia is operating. I think initially it was strictly dump x number on the market at y price with no throttle. The throttle now seems active.

I've seen this last winter, if not the one before last.

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

Something weird happened to me last week liftopia had park city mountain 3 consecutive tix for 211 which is a great price when if u walked up to the window it is 102 per day.. Before i bought them from there i just happened to check park city's website and well they also had it for 211, never being there or using liftopia i felt more comfortable buying directly from the resort.. Well when i get there i have my paperwork everything is fine they hand u a credit card looking pass that is valid for 3 days opens all the gates for the lifts and has my name on it, i look at it further and it says liftopia deal printed right on the pass which i bought directly from the resort, go figure.

 

[BenedictGomez]

^ Some mountain's websites are linking directly to Liftopia now, Plattekill does the same thing.

Some mountains are just selling reduced price tickets online themselves now too, which IMO is likely the future, and which will likely either be the end of Liftopia if everyone adopts this, or perhaps more likely pressure their margins as some threaten to do so.

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

ya heres the lift ticket i just found it , looks like a marriage to me

 

[billski]

Yeah, there's a lot of that - use Liftopia as the fulfillment service. Magic told me to use them directly regardless - it costs them less money. You decide who's pocket to stuff.

I notice you are a "temporary customer". that's not good PR on their part!

 

[BenedictGomez]

Magic told me to use them directly regardless - it costs them less money. You decide who's pocket to stuff.

Did they by any chance tell you what Liftopia's "take" on a ticket is? I've been curious about that since day 1.

Also, are you saying that Magic told you Liftopia makes more money on tickets bought on clickthroughs via Magic's own website than Liftopia makes on purchases directly on Liftopia.com? That doesn't seem sensical.

 

[darent]

always check moutain price first before liftopia pricing, I bought liftopia tickets for wildcat at $39.00, when I got to the mountain wildcat had a special that day for $19.00. Taught me to check .

 

[MidnightJester]

What I find is the Moutains want to Stick it to you at the Door most times now....Without any deals or coupons They have jacked up rates at door and reduced price some through their website. After that they want zero intrest in personal company mass selling of any reduced prices. not in their propper profit profiles... They will leave the cheaper 40 to 60% off to Liftopia and Liftopia as was is changing. The mountains still control some of of if not the end line on amounts of tickets sold but the window you could call it are smaller and faster closing. With a added price riser added in.....Liftopias prices in general havent been so amazing lijke they were few years ago. Leave that to Liftopia or Mountains...JUST PRAY Ticketmaster stays away from Liftopia. Its Bad enough as it has grown