Not trying to stir the pot, but lately after trying to buy a ticket without luck at stores in Kingston I am disappointed to say the least...
As someone else posted and I learned, they don't have the tickets at Can. Tire's in Kingston nor do they (CTC) have ANY INFORMATION on when and how they'll be getting them according to staff. So for information sharing and coordination alone to save a potential bad impression on businesses that were listed as having them, not sure why communications wouldn't have been initiated with these places that are graciously volunteering to sell these tickets.
Myself along with many others I've been told by staff at CTC have been in looking for them to save the $15 or actually $30 cause I have to buy one for my Father who can't shop on-line, has physical limitations from recent strokes and for other reasons, can't get them himself. (not a pitty-seeking comment but can't imagine we're the only ones in this position)
So yeah...although I have now saved $15 per ticket by ordering on-line, many don't, won't or can't.
As previously posted, this will be the first time in a few years I've bought tickets because I know who my partner is, know he's willing and are committed to renting a trailer for the weekend. The past years I knew I was fishing opening weekend; never miss it, but had no commitment from any 1 particular person to fish with me and therefore would not buy one if possible my fishing partner didn't that could result in a DQ. If I was an official at this event and a solo fisher came to weigh in, I'd wonder if they left the others on shore that didn't have a ticket. BTW - A comment I've heard from many over the years that people would do and could count on my 1 hand how many times I've seen a solo fisher during opening.
I pay over $1000 a year in entry fees alone for tournaments and donate a lot of time, money and energy to helping out when I can; fishing related but more non-fishing events and causes. I am however a little disappointed that there seems to be an underlying and seemingly attitude that; "hey, it's a charity that does well for the community so you gotta pay and smile knowing you're doing a great service" when every year I hear and read more and more disheartening comments about cheating, allowing fish to be transported by vehicle and someone winning a prize that KW would not tell them what over the phone and therefore had to travel to get it as they don't ship. It turned out to be a fillet knife or something and I know personally unless it was 24k gold, would have been PO'd to go thru the effort for that!
As for ...."where else are do you have a chance at winning that great of prize for that little amount of gamble"
I look at the cost with increase of $100 per boat minimum, with the chance at winning a boat and nothing else added this year in for prizes that I can see, getting less attractive. Spending the same amount on a Heart & Stroke or Cancer lottery ticket with prizes into the hundreds of thousands to million + is sure much better odds and bang for your buck.
At the end of the day...I believe in accountability and commitment on all sides. At this point, I'm not sure where KW is on this other than what I think the thoughts of "if you build it, they will come!"
Well - I'm done my rant!
Cheers