Shop pricing questions

[Blackvista]

I'd just like to know how guests "think" about item pricing. I understand that guests have unique tastes -eg coaster intensity, but do they have price thresholds for items, or is it random how much they decide to allocate to things like hats? Do they have group budgets (ie would a group of 5 have 48 bucks for hats (out of $300) and therefore buy say 2 hats at 15 and 3 hats at 6??)?

I've had someone say they can't afford anything at the hat stall when a hat is $5 and they have over $100. I've also had people say that everything in the hat shop is way too expensive even though I set a range of pricing on the assumption that some are willing to pay more than others (I wanted to engage in some price discrimination). Is the guest reaction based on an average price, the range of prices, the sticker shock of the highest price? ...I seem to like messing with prices as much as with the rides.

Are they willing to pay more if they have higher urgency? ie.. if they're really thirsty?

Also... does signage have any impact on whether a guest will see/find a shop? If yes... does it affect their willingness to pay? :P

[phantomht1320]

the ai is whack. ive had the bathrooms set to 1.25$ and saw a guest walking away from the entrance holding his crotch. i read his comments and it said "i can afford to use bathroom 167" or something similar, i checked how much money he had on him and he had like 83$, so, ... go figure.

[bbiron]

Things I've surmised from playing a while:

1) guests willingness to pay more for gift shop items based on their happiness

2) guests are more likely to buy and pay more from shops with scenery, just like rides - not sure about finding it, but the sign does count as scenery in regards to their willingness to pay

3) energy drinks help with energy, not thirst - I have best luck placing them deep in the park for when people get tired.

4) weather impacts purchases too - winter maps sell more hot drinks than cold for example.

[Blackvista]

Thanks for replies!

Since I posted this, I've experimented a bit more with the pricing. With Looney Bloons I set one balloon at $0, with the rest at $9 except for one with a crazy price at $200. Now you'd expect to see most people just go in and score a free red balloon, but instead I still saw a mix of balloons being sold combined with people complaining that the prices were too high, and/or that they could not afford *anything.* Which is ridiculous (how can you not afford a free balloon?) but it does point towards the developers settting the guest's reaction to the average?? of a shop's prices (rather than evaluating invidual item pricing -which is a bit lazy) combined with who knows what modifiers for scenery and weather.. etc.

bbiron,

I didn't know that about the temperature, but I did notice that they will only buy souvenirs when they're happy so I keep my entertainer assigned to the shops (and atms) near the path out so as to encourage buying (and prevent/stall walk-outs). :D


phantomht1320,

I've also spent time following guests around who have almost depleted needs bars (bathroom, drink, food) and tried picking them up and placing them in front of one or more shops that address their needs... It's funny/sad how many times you have to pick them up and put them back down before they actually visit a shop that serves their needs.

"Oh you're really hungry, thirsty, and need to use the restroom... ok..."
*pick up guest and put him right smack in front of the restroom and next to food and drink*
*look at guest status... it reads -- "Heading to Wild Blue 3" --damnit.


*Pick up guest and redeposit them
"Carried around" .... "Heading to Whirly Rig 2"
*Pick up Guest and redeposit them.
"Carried around" ... "Heading to Scizzler 4"
*Pick up Gues and redeposit
*Carried Around" ... "Heading to Wild Blue 3"
etc until another 5+ attempts later when they finally decide to head to the restroom block.

[J. R. "Bob" Dobbs]

I've been playing around with the prices and I agree, happiness has every thing to do with novelty items. Hats, balloons and such all are related to if they are happy.

Scenery has a lot to do with it, but not so much the way the building looks. I had a slew of shops near the entrance with bathrooms and such all in a row. One side had buildings pre-made and on the other side ones which were blocks. They both performed just as well as the others, it didn't matter.

The two items I make free are first aid and ATM

$6 per prestige on the rides. 100% on scenery.
I usually add some fireworks along with an extra animation or more.

I charge $5 for bathrooms.

The info booth/priority pass, I usually set for $18 max

The entrance fee is usually $2

[Voice From Beyond]

I never adjusted the default pricing on shop items with no complaints beyond the occassional "I don't have enough money" messages. I have noted that after the latest patch I am now receiving messages that "guest think items are too expensive."

[VisciousFishes]

While entertainers and scenery add to the happiness of the crowds in PC, signs are a bit of a must. Awnings, or those new animated screens in the right place building product hype alongside the entertainers.

Don't neglect the training of shop staff as a better trained sales rep will sell products easier.

The drinks and ice cream shops all have different extras which can be adjusted to your preference. ATMs are a good way to gain cash with the nominal charge for use.

Hope that helps.

[Vinny the Fox]

Originally posted by phantomht1320:

the ai is whack. ive had the bathrooms set to 1.25$ and saw a guest walking away from the entrance holding his crotch. i read his comments and it said "i can afford to use bathroom 167" or something similar, i checked how much money he had on him and he had like 83$, so, ... go figure.

priorities 😆