New Rental System

Saturday, December 27, 2008

In full disclosure, The Camel and I are among the first in line at the marketing department's kool-aid counter each morning.  This being said, you have got to see this new rental system in action.

This morning, The Camel and I decided to enjoy our second cup of coffee while taking a little hoof around campus.  We started in the spanking new Discovery Center Rental Shop.  This entire facility is dedicated to first-timers.  It's unbelievable -- the fleet of new Burton LTR boards is impressive and these Stiletto binding's for the women are hot with lines like a backroad in PA.  Still, as good as it is, it's really not about the gear down there.  The techs are so knowledgeable that even The Camel learned a thing or two (not surprisingly, he's "goofy" but with these new boards he didn't even need to know that to get started; they're set up neutral so that together, the instructor and rider, can sort it all out).  Here's the icing on the proverbial cake: there are ski and snowboard instructors waiting, yes waiting, right there for you -- yup, we've got lesson's on-demand.  Plus, once you go through the experience once, you automatically become a "preferred" rental customer.  In short, this means that the next time you come to Camelback it will be even easier.  When you're at the ticket window all you'll have to do is tell the ticket-seller that you are a "preferred" rental customer and you  will automatically begin bypassing lines.

After we went through the Discovery Center Rental Shop, we headed upstairs to the Salomon Burton Rental Shop.  At first, The Camel did a double-take because without a line out the door and people walking around in circles with rental forms the size of pizza boxes he thought he was in the wrong place.   This electronic system is super slick.  Again, once you go through it all the first time all your stats are recorded so that the next time you come it will be even faster.

Here's what really blew my mind.  So, The Camel and I are standing behind the counter watching the whole paperless thing in action.  A guy from Florida gets to the counter (again, no fumbling for paper forms) and before we know it he's on his way to pick up his boots.  So, The Camel and I decide to go on the lam and shadow him through the shop.  Half-way through, a lovely young lady and her angelic daughter (yes, both mother and daughter were smiling and happy in the rental shop) asked a quick question about their Triple Ticket and if there was a time that they had to return their equipment.  Being the PR guy, I say, "No, not really, that's one of the perks of our open-to-close lift ticket.  You can stay as long as you want and return your equipment whenever you want."  Mom was stoked, apparently at some other rental shop she had to stand in line at the end of the day; bummer, so 1.0.  Back to the guy from Florida, after answering this one quick question, The Camel and I head for the exit door...who's on his way to the lift, already?  Yup, Florida guy.  That was fast.

Admittedly, The Camel and I tell a lot of stories, but they are all true.  You can dismiss this as marketing fluff, or you can come out here and check it out yourself.

Feedback is always welcome,

Ricky (and The Camel)

P.S.  KC and his Sunshine Band have an unbelievable hot roast beef sandwich as the special over in the East Side Bistro.  Better get there before The Camel catches a whiff.