Huge problem at Michigan Haunts

[Twin Locusts]

Howie, look at the nights games were. The Rangers killed us the past two years. Even if the games are over they still drank during the game or want to talk about it. I bet it is the games. The Cardinals kicked Larry's but last year too.

this.

Time doesn't much matter, money was spent, beers were swilled, if they stopped anywhere on the way home it was a sportsbar.

Follow up because I would wager that the remaining Friday and Saturdays without games will outpace last years same date comparison. People who have it on their "agenda" to come see you will still do it. At least I hope this is the case, hope you make up for the sputter.

[MDKing]

Allan, you are not alone. Giants 30 miles west, A's 30 miles north. Gotta thank the Halloween gods the A's were eliminated last night! I had terrible visions of '89 with a Giants/A's World Series

I stand corrected Karl I forgot about your market having two teams. I feel your pain. The O's just lost but its probably to late tonight. Now I need the Nats out! Good luck Karl!

Allan

[freak 'n' stein]

We're in a college town. I'm SURE the game impacted us + the state fair got here this past week. We're down in comparison too so I'm hoping with our loss the other night, future game times being in our favor, and payday being today that the next two weekends freaking rock!! Sad to hear the industry is down, but glad to know it's not just us!!

[Haunt tech]

I know I'm going a bit off topic... I thought I was up on my MI haunts, but I can't figure out who the "haunt with the gimmick" is? Anyone want to PM me?

Lets just say there is only haunt in Pontiac MI that says you can win double your money back if you defeat the wizard (HA HA HA HA HA HA HA) oh did I say that?

Good luck finding the wizard

[Howie Slobber Erlich]

Well, as the season nears it's end, nothing has improved very much. This will by far be our worst year attendance wise. With 5 days left I predict being down 35% from last year which was not great either. Last night was one our worst Friday's ever! If any Michigan haunt says that they are having a good season, I would say they are lying! I have talked to several local haunts who have all said the same thing. We had many customers on different nights tell us that this haunt or that haunt was already closed when they arrived including one of the best known haunts in the area tonight.

I was willing to blame a lot of this year on the Tigers run and the weather which has rained at least one day every weekend so far. But tonight the temp was in the upper 40's with no rain and the Tigers were not playing. I expected to do close to 900 people tonight which would have been about average for us on the last Friday of the month based on the last 9 years. We did way less than that. Steady all night but never busy.

It will take a miracle for me to even break even this year. We have always made a decent profit.

How is it with any other Michigan haunts? Will anyone claim to be having a good year? What about the rest of the country? I am truly afraid that it may be the end for many haunts in my state after this year as two have already contacted me asking if I would be interested in buying their haunts or any of their props.

Is it just the economy? That is my only explanation. Is this the beginning of the end for haunted attractions? I have never seen anything like this in 26 years and I am very concerned about our industry as a whole after this year.

[son-of-sam]

I at first did not see this post do to my frantic hustle to try to make ends meat''LOL''. My year has been an atom bomb to the head. I had ''killer'' marketing and most of that ended up being nothing. I still have not made the marketing money back. I know my website hurt me but most of my costumers find me in the westword off there map in the paper. I am the one who sells tickets so I ask questions when people come to my booth. It also looks like my website is not doing to bad because most of my sales have come from pre sold tickets[but in the booth most of the costumers say they found me on the map in westword]. I have spread over 10000 flyers on my off time. People like my show but it just seems like its not my time yet and maybe I should wait till things pick up. I really feel your pain and I feel the vets deserve the big numbers because you have spent the years of sacrifice to make it happen. P.S. I have also noticed the decor for halloween crazy low like some of the support is lacking.

[Greg Chrise]

There has been a definite pause in all businesses and I think it is some weird uncertainty with who is going to be president. That isn't propably going to make much of a difference in the end but, who is going to be taxed more or who is going to lose free benefits and who is going to have to all of a sudden pay for health care for employees has any luxury and entertainment spending on hold. Everyone is going to need that last $20 for when they come out of their bunkers in November. At least if you go with all the things the talk radio and TV news are going on about.

The old dudes seem to thing this happens every 4 years.

[Howie Slobber Erlich]

I placed a very frank poll on our web site. I am interested to see what our customers and other industry people think is the reason.

[Capt.Chaos]

I have tripled my advertising, reviews are AWESOME, Facebook likes are 5 times what I was at last year, we expanded, I'm down 40%. I have gone through numerous emotions and I have 3 nights left. What am I going to do....I'm going to enjoy my last 3 nights and remember why I built this place in the beginning. I will refocus my energy after the season, strive forward, and get wasted at Transworld and the Legendary Haunt Tour. Am I going to lose money? A shit load. But, in my eyes it is a business. And any business is a risk. I have made money and I have lost money. But I am proud of the fact that I am willing to role the dice. I believe most people on this forum feel the same. I will tell you what I am not going to do...Quit. What it all comes down to for me is 10:30 am today a guy and his family walked up to me and said; " Hey Buck. You run hat haunted house right? We thought it was absolutely amazing. We can't wait to see what you come up with next year. Thanks for a Great evening. You guys are awesome!"

Relax. It's only a movie.

Love ,
Buck