And the confusion was where exactly?

[Mango]

Where I work, we periodically hold seminars. To minimize administrative work the night of the seminar, there is a discount for people that purchase their tickets in advance. This results in 90+% of the tickets being sold before we even open the doors and makes everything run faster for everyone. Well...everyone except the people who actually pay at the door...

SC: I'd like a ticket please.
Me: Sure, that'll be $20.
SC: But I'm pre-registered!
Me: Okay, what's your confirmation number?
SC: ...
Me: That WILL be $20.

SC: I'd like a ticket please.
Me: Sure, that'll be $20.
SC: Would it be possible to give me the pre-registration price?
Me: No, the pre-registration price is only for people who pre-register.
SC: The pre-registration price is $10. Could I pay $20 and get a $10 gift card?
Me: No. No, you couldn't.

SC: I'd like a ticket please.
Me: Sure, that'll be $20.
SC: I really think you should give me the pre-registration price.
Me: [One eyebrow raises]
SC: I WANTED to be pre-registered!

Some of the people that actually do pre-register aren't much better.

SC: I'm trying to pre-register on your website and it's not working! Completely broken!
Me: [Knowing full well there's nothing wrong with the website] Well, I'm sorry to hear that, but I can definitely take your registration over the phone. All I need is a credit card number.
SC: I don't have a credit card. I cut it up. That was the only way I could think of never to use it again.
Me: ...
SC: Can't I just pre-register and not pay?
Me: No. No, you can't.

SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay after the event is over?
Me: ??! ...er, no. No, you can't.
SC: So I have to pay before the event starts?
Me: Yes. Yes, you do.
SC: Well, I've never heard of such a thing!

SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay at the door?
Me: Sure, but it's cheaper if you pay in advance.
SC: Okay, thank you. [hangs up.]
[phone rings 2 sec later]
SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay at the door?
Me: Sure, but it's cheaper if you pay in advance.
SC: Okay, thank you. [hangs up.]
[phone rings 2 sec later]
SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay at the door?
Me: Lady, I am the only one here today. I am going to keep telling you the same thing.

[One-Fang]

Wow. And are you just making up numbers for the story or are these really over a $10 difference?

[CrazedClerk]

Wow. And are you just making up numbers for the story or are these really over a $10 difference?

He's probably not. Many places that host events do this as a way to encourage advance sales so they can get an idea of what attendance will be like and also to lessen administration headaches along the way...or so I thought but after reading this post...

[Gurndigarn]

Wow. And are you just making up numbers for the story or are these really over a $10 difference?

Probably not. The way it works is the admission is ten bucks... with a ten buck "nuisance fee" if you decide to pay at the door.

[Casino Jockey]

Wow. And are you just making up numbers for the story or are these really over a $10 difference?

My church hosts a national youth conferance in 3 citys across australia. we have differant prices as such (bear in mind conferances are in January):

register at previous years conferance: $40
Super Early Bird (April - 30 sept): $50
Early Bird Registration (1 Oct – 30 Nov): $70
Full Registration (1 Dec - Jan): 90
Day Pass (Day Passes are available during Conferance & subject to seating availability) (Note this is a 4 night, 3 day conferance) $40

Also note these are online prices. Phone, Fax, Mail, In Person prices (excluding day pass) add $10 due to paperwork.
one of the reasons we like people to register early is because we use the registerarions to book airfares (usully at least 2 speakers come from USA with partners), and venues and accomidation.

[XCashier]

SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay after the event is over?
Me: ??! ...er, no. No, you can't.
SC: So I have to pay before the event starts?
Me: Yes. Yes, you do.
SC: Well, I've never heard of such a thing!

Somebody obviously doesn't get out much...

[Becks]

SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay at the door?
Me: Sure, but it's cheaper if you pay in advance.
SC: Okay, thank you. [hangs up.]
[phone rings 2 sec later]
SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay at the door?
Me: Sure, but it's cheaper if you pay in advance.
SC: Okay, thank you. [hangs up.]
[phone rings 2 sec later]
SC: I'd like to pre-register please.
Me: Okay, I just need a credit card number.
SC: Can I pay at the door?
Me: Lady, I am the only one here today. I am going to keep telling you the same thing.

Please tell me she either apologized for calling so much and got a clue, or called you another 5 times...

[phillippbo]

I think I see the flaw here, Mango. You were using your head as something other than a hat rack. You see, when you use incomprehensible things like logic, common sense, and written rules, you confuse the customer and provide "bad service". Forshame.