I don't understand why people would keep doing it (and for SIX YEARS) if they weren't paid. Oh, sure, I get doing it for the love of it, but if you're promised payment and it doesn't come, then you're just being exploited. Why put up with being exploited? Haunt owners/operators should have a contract that specifies when or even if workers will be paid. It wouldn't have to be fancy--just something in writing to make clear what everyone's responsibilities are. And if these workers kept doing it, knowing they weren't going to get paid--even if the owner (wink wink) promised them--then they really have no reason to complain.
"People" Have To Be..
Treated "Right!"
Recently a young man came back to see my house tour, he has been here many times. He told me his former Haunt employer only paid him once in six years!
(I have always paid my helpers-employees)
I then told him how one October a group siting in my first room also said they went un-paid for labors they had done, so they broke out the windows in the man's antique Hearse! (I can not imagine how much time and money would be spent trying to replace that glass! )
I admit, that toward the end of October, that I sometimes do become a little "Short" with some kinds of people, mostly the drunk, screaming, staggering kind.
I was also told about a man who hired a man and his wife to build , then operate the haunt, with promises to pay at the end of the season... I guess that particular "Season" goes on perpetually.. he's still waiting 15? years later! Not "Right."
I guess I pay people for at least two reasons?
Number one-It's the right thing to do!
Number Two-I was not paid often in the 15 years i had another job, and it WAS NOT FUN ! My Wife and our kids suffered too in that situation.
I have been on the "Not -Receiving" line. Life should not be that way when you were working 65 hours every week.
Recently a young man came back to see my house tour, he has been here many times. He told me his former Haunt employer only paid him once in six years!
(I have always paid my helpers-employees)
I then told him how one October a group siting in my first room also said they went un-paid for labors they had done, so they broke out the windows in the man's antique Hearse! (I can not imagine how much time and money would be spent trying to replace that glass! )
I admit, that toward the end of October, that I sometimes do become a little "Short" with some kinds of people, mostly the drunk, screaming, staggering kind.
I was also told about a man who hired a man and his wife to build , then operate the haunt, with promises to pay at the end of the season... I guess that particular "Season" goes on perpetually.. he's still waiting 15? years later! Not "Right."
I guess I pay people for at least two reasons?
Number one-It's the right thing to do!
Number Two-I was not paid often in the 15 years i had another job, and it WAS NOT FUN ! My Wife and our kids suffered too in that situation.
I have been on the "Not -Receiving" line. Life should not be that way when you were working 65 hours every week.
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
After 6 years there was no resonable expectation of getting paid. Most of us do it for fun. I understand there are a few haunters than can actually make some money, but the majority face economic hardship with this hobby.
I have made a" Living" for 29 years. I have done almost ALL of my own work here. I have never even thought of spending even a $1,000 to buy something I could make myself.
I have also been open almost every night, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons for the majority of more than 27 of those years.
I bought the cheapest property which just so happened to also be THE BEST House for a haunted house.
Some pro-haunters also told me I would fail (besides the people here in this village) "Worst possible location (No, it's THE BEST LOCATION!)
"Nobody will ever find it."
They all underestimated the desire of the haunt fans.
I run my house the way that I believe it should be run, with a ton of flexibility when it comes to what happens here to "Entertain" my patrons.
I basically "WENT" with my own ideas, and still am.
Last November I was told by a few Haunters that going through Ravens Grin is like going through my mind.
So, Please wipe your feet as you come in!
Buy a tee-shirt on your way out!
Thank you!
I have also been open almost every night, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons for the majority of more than 27 of those years.
I bought the cheapest property which just so happened to also be THE BEST House for a haunted house.
Some pro-haunters also told me I would fail (besides the people here in this village) "Worst possible location (No, it's THE BEST LOCATION!)
"Nobody will ever find it."
They all underestimated the desire of the haunt fans.
I run my house the way that I believe it should be run, with a ton of flexibility when it comes to what happens here to "Entertain" my patrons.
I basically "WENT" with my own ideas, and still am.
Last November I was told by a few Haunters that going through Ravens Grin is like going through my mind.
So, Please wipe your feet as you come in!
Buy a tee-shirt on your way out!
Thank you!
Been to your house a long, long time ago - born and raised in the Quad Cities. I should make it back out there one of these days!I have made a" Living" for 29 years. I have done almost ALL of my own work here. I have never even thought of spending even a $1,000 to buy something I could make myself.
I have also been open almost every night, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons for the majority of more than 27 of those years.
I bought the cheapest property which just so happened to also be THE BEST House for a haunted house.
Some pro-haunters also told me I would fail (besides the people here in this village) "Worst possible location (No, it's THE BEST LOCATION!)
"Nobody will ever find it."
They all underestimated the desire of the haunt fans.
I run my house the way that I believe it should be run, with a ton of flexibility when it comes to what happens here to "Entertain" my patrons.
I basically "WENT" with my own ideas, and still am.
Last November I was told by a few Haunters that going through Ravens Grin is like going through my mind.
So, Please wipe your feet as you come in!
Buy a tee-shirt on your way out!
Thank you!
The haunt I was involved with for 4 years is run by an art gallery. They pay a group of lead/core actors who have a specific number of hours they have to commit to. The first year I did as many, if not more, hours than a lead and was unpaid, so the next year, I insisted on being a lead and actually worked less, but got paid. Most people there do it for the love. But they would probably not have so many nights where they're struggling to meet minimum staffing if everyone was paid hourly... IDK. That places owns my heart, but logistical and common sense problems like that are part of why I'm not returning this year.
The corporate haunt I'm testing out this year pays everyone hourly. I'll be getting a higher rate because I auditioned for and earned a more involved role. There are things that make me sad about going corporate, but biweekly pay and well ogranized and enforced break schedules are not on that list.
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Halloween Forum
Halloween forum - Keeping the Halloween spirit alive 365 days a year. Discuss decorations, costumes and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Tasty Brains
87 Replies
ghostbust99
66 Replies
Halloween-Goddess
56 Replies
Recommended Communities
