Is Overpaying a Privilege?

I thought I’d share a recent experience I had at a great downtown.  Since this downtown is a nice place to visit, I’m not going to call them out.  But I did get to thinking a lot about my visit, and how different the experience of visiting that downtown is to visiting downtown Auburn Hills.  As a supporter of the many great communities in Michigan, my brief analysis is not to bash another town, but to tout the benefits of visiting our growing little downtown. 

I arrived in this great downtown on a Friday evening with a buddy of mine and pulled up to my favorite parking structure.  I like the central location of this parking structure to everywhere I know I’m going to walk.  The best part is that the first two hours are free.  But not tonight!  $10 to park in the structure tonight.  What!  Well, I needed to park, so I did – begrudgingly.  We walked to the first place we wanted to go.  Perhaps I should be flattered that they asked for my ID.  I’m in my 50’s, so I didn’t expect that to happen.  I’m sure it must be policy to ID everyone.  We were standing on the sidewalk outside of the building, and as I reached for the door I heard, “Wait a minute, there’s a $10 cover charge to get in.”  Now is where my attitude kicked in.  I knew I was about to go in for what was going to be my definition of an overpriced cocktail, but an extra $10 just to walk in the door?  I don’t think so.  I said, “No, thanks.”  I realize that the place had entertainment, but so did the place across the street, which is where I ended up, and I didn’t have to pay to get in.  I don’t drink much, so for me, I look at alcoholic beverages with a jaded eye.  In my head, I think about a $10 beer and then realize how much more beer I could get for $10 if I just went to the store and drank it at home.  Ok, I know that I’m paying for the “experience, ” but is overpaying supposed to be part of a “good” experience?  My buddy and I drank one beer each, had what was a mediocre appetizer, received less than average service, and walked out with much lighter wallets.  If you’re in your twenties or thirties and you’re reading this, I know what you’re thinking – “Boomer.” I’m more a Gen X’er.

So, this got me thinking about downtown Auburn Hills.  Not nearly the bustling downtown I just described, but certainly a downtown on-the-rise.  Downtown Auburn Hills is clean, safe, and parking is free. Drinks and food in our downtown establishments are reasonably priced, albeit we don’t yet have a big selection of places to go.  But you can still walk on nicely maintained sidewalks that are well lit and clean and can walk to Riverside Park where you might find a concert in progress, or simply take a stroll along the Clinton River.  Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of awesome downtowns in Michigan, and I pay no disrespect to any of them.  I guess I’m just in the stage of life where overpaying for things is just not cool.  And having had this recent experience, it gave me a new appreciation for downtown Auburn Hills where I can easily park, reasonably eat and drink, and leave with money left in my pocket. 

Thomas A. Tanghe, City Manager