Cintas Center Game Staff Is Not Having a Good Season

[nuts4xu]

The credit card only policy has thrown a wrench in things. None of the concessions stands have been properly prepared for the sell out crowds we have had so far. It isn’t just the IU game, it’s been all the games so far. It takes 15 minutes to get through the beer lines and there is always a line.

IU game was a complete shit show in all aspects. It was a 6pm tip, right at happy hour on a Friday, and the food stands were overwhelmed. Quatman had a 20 minute wait for a hamburger because they ran out. Another stand ran out of hot dogs for cheese coneys. Pizzas were in short supply.

The crowds will continue to be SRO this season, I really hope the Cintas operations staff can get it together. They have to add more credit card scanners if it’s a cashless arena. I figured credit card only would speed things up, but it has had the complete opposite affect.

[JTG]

The credit card only policy has thrown a wrench in things. None of the concessions stands have been properly prepared for the sell out crowds we have had so far. It isn’t just the IU game, it’s been all the games so far. It takes 15 minutes to get through the beer lines and there is always a line.

IU game was a complete shit show in all aspects. It was a 6pm tip, right at happy hour on a Friday, and the food stands were overwhelmed. Quatman had a 20 minute wait for a hamburger because they ran out. Another stand ran out of hot dogs for cheese coneys. Pizzas were in short supply.

The crowds will continue to be SRO this season, I really hope the Cintas operations staff can get it together. They have to add more credit card scanners if it’s a cashless arena. I figured credit card only would speed things up, but it has had the complete opposite affect.

Cash is king, credit cards NEVER speed things up.

[X-band '01]

I had a similar issue the first game of the year just trying to find a line that was actually taking the payments - there was confusion as to cash lines and distrubution lines then.

It was better from my vantage point Friday - I got there an hour ahead of time and was able to get one of the pizzas behind 108 without any issue. They probably could use more cashless terminals, but you'd better get there early (or even during a media timeout) if you want a smaller line. 30 minutes before pregame and halftime, forget it.

[MADXSTER]

What I saw were too many people ordering and then standing in front of the machine waiting for the items instead of moving off to the side and letting the next person order. IMO this is what slowed things down. In addition, personnel is not set up right. Ex. One person needed to be by the popcorn machine making and boxing the popcorn non stop. Instead they had a person by the machine do it as each order came up.

[X-band '01]

Pretty sure there's also a lot of volunteer workers who do the concession stands - I'm not gonna gripe too loud if that's the case.

That said, wasn't this the first year that GABP was completely cashless at the concessions as well? Might want to get a few pointers on how they were handling things this year. Of course, the Reds weren't exactly swamped with huge crowds this year.

[paulxu]

This reminds me of an article I read not too long ago about a large part of Chinese society moving to be totally cashless.
I still like to pay cash at restaurants, because I've had my credit card compromised a couple of times. They take it away to run the charge, and somebody writes down the number and the 3 digit deal...and presto, I've gotta go through the hassle of getting a new card. BIG PAIN.

In Europe they seem to have a system where the card is run at your table with a handheld reader, so at least it's in sight.
Suppose we'll all be cashless someday.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Pretty sure there's also a lot of volunteer workers who do the concession stands - I'm not gonna gripe too loud if that's the case.

That said, wasn't this the first year that GABP was completely cashless at the concessions as well? Might want to get a few pointers on how they were handling things this year. Of course, the Reds weren't exactly swamped with huge crowds this year.

Yeah but that makes me gripe more....not at the volunteers but at whoever decides that this level of basketball with this amount of fans should have concessions staffed by confused volunteers instead of hired employees. I am sure it is a big cost savings to X but I don't get it. Maybe there is a good reason? I get they get to make some money for their organization or youth team or whatever but it doesnt help half the people were underage kids who werent allowed to pour beer.

Also, on an off topic, why is it that year after year they can't figure out a way to have functioning wifi in the Cintas? I don't get that at all. Does anyone successfully connect to it?

[X-band '01]

This reminds me of an article I read not too long ago about a large part of Chinese society moving to be totally cashless.
I still like to pay cash at restaurants, because I've had my credit card compromised a couple of times. They take it away to run the charge, and somebody writes down the number and the 3 digit deal...and presto, I've gotta go through the hassle of getting a new card. BIG PAIN.

In Europe they seem to have a system where the card is run at your table with a handheld reader, so at least it's in sight.
Suppose we'll all be cashless someday.

I'd hope we're not seeing too much more of the former - business will be facing huge fines if they're not PCI compliant in today's business climate.

[UCGRAD4X]

What I saw were too many people ordering and then standing in front of the machine waiting for the items instead of moving off to the side and letting the next person order. IMO this is what slowed things down. In addition, personnel is not set up right. Ex. One person needed to be by the popcorn machine making and boxing the popcorn non stop. Instead they had a person by the machine do it as each order came up.

At the Wood, the orders lined up on the bar waiting for the credit card. Could have given the a tenner and moved on.

[Masterofreality]

Also, on an off topic, why is it that year after year they can't figure out a way to have functioning wifi in the Cintas? I don't get that at all. Does anyone successfully connect to it?

That is still a problem. I thought that was one of the upgrades they spent money to fix last year?

I was at the Montana game and the WiFi was basically non functional. Flustrating

[Xavier]

Yep. Thought cashless would move things faster but certainly doesn’t seem that way. The folks working the concessions are volunteer but no different than years past. Get there early, or quickly at media time outs. A little before the game or at halftime and it’s crazy

[bjf123]

This reminds me of an article I read not too long ago about a large part of Chinese society moving to be totally cashless.
I still like to pay cash at restaurants, because I've had my credit card compromised a couple of times. They take it away to run the charge, and somebody writes down the number and the 3 digit deal...and presto, I've gotta go through the hassle of getting a new card. BIG PAIN.

In Europe they seem to have a system where the card is run at your table with a handheld reader, so at least it's in sight.
Suppose we'll all be cashless someday.

A friend of mine only uses her Apple Card any time the card will leave her sight. The only thing on the card is her name. No number, expiration date, or CVV code. That won’t stop anyone who has a card reader, but it will stop someone who wants to write down the information.

A lot of the rest of the world brings the reader to your table so you can swipe or scan your card. Been doing it at least 15 years. I think it’s mandated in Europe. What’s the incentive for a local restaurant to spend the money on a number of portable devices? If an employee steals someone’s card number, unless they use it to buy a meal there, the restaurant has no liability. The card holder won’t be out any money if their card is compromised since the card issuer will credit them back for any fraudulent transactions.


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[xu82]

We’ve had cards compromised at restaurants before, and as Paul said it’s a giant hassle. Especially if it’s a card on file for recurring purchases! It never occurred to me what a flawed system it is to let the card out of your site until we went to Europe and realized there is a MUCH better way, and it can’t be a huge investment required. It’s one of those revelations that what we think of as “normal” can actually be pretty stupid and unnecessary.

[xukeith]

Went to first exhibition game. Wifi was ehhhh average. It did work but barely.

[nuts4xu]

I don’t blame the volunteers working the booth at all. They seem to have enough people working, but can’t process the orders fast enough. One if the biggest issues is too few card readers at a given booth. During the Montana game there was one card reader at the beer booth. There were 2 at the IU game, and it’s still not enough. They need at least double that.

I imagine the crappy wifi in that place doesn’t help. I hope this is a work in progress and things improve. What they are doing right now ain’t working.

[xu82]

Maybe they figured with better basketball we wouldn’t drink as much. The last four years made me thirsty just to get thru it.

Hopefully they realize the situation and can fix it easily with some extra card readers. I get that it’s a nice idea if groups can volunteer for a nice cause, but if there is a competence issue that obviously needs to be addressed.

[XUGRAD80]

Buy a coke at the beginning when you get there and just keep the cup so that you can drink the bourbon you brought in that cup. Problem solved.

[STL_XUfan]

Buy a coke at the beginning when you get there and just keep the cup so that you can drink the bourbon you brought in that cup. Problem solved.
Do you just hold the bourbon above your head when you walk in? Seems like they will let you bring in anything as long as it is above your head and not in a bag larger than 10 inches.

[XUGRAD80]

Do you just hold the bourbon above your head when you walk in? Seems like they will let you bring in anything as long as it is above your head and not in a bag larger than 10 inches.

I can’t tell you all my secrets but I will say that plastic does not show up in metal detectors.

[UCGRAD4X]

I can’t tell you all my secrets but I will say that plastic does not show up in metal detectors.

Next, you're going to tell that metal does not show up on a plastic detector. You are clearly a man of many mysteries.

[XUGRAD80]

Next, you're going to tell that metal does not show up on a plastic detector. You are clearly a man of many mysteries.

I see what you did there. :headscratch: