Here again is a summary of the EE changes that will soon be implemented primarily to accommodate the changing dynamic of the master stake since the advent of the "limited" master, the changed MN qualifications and the MNH title.
1) Events with limited stakes will have a standard opening, on Wednesday nearest to 3 weeks prior to an event start. Opening time will be standardized at 8PM CT.
2) Events with limited stakes will have a published, visible wait list capability with waitlisted dogs automatically receiving entry in the order waitlisted when a scratch prior to closing occurs.
3) Scratches will be handled online just as entry occurred, 24/7 prior to event close. This feature will be available to all events (FT & HT) and entries, not just those with limited master stakes.
4) When clubs set up an event with a limited stake, a 24 hour period will be observed at entry opening where only a limited number (set by AKC at 15% of master limit set) of club workers can achieve entry. This process will be controlled by the club admin with unique codes supplied by EE specific to the limited stake. After the initial 24 hours, entries will be open to the general public & any unused codes will be cancelled.
These changes have been developed and are currently being tested by support staff and some club administrators. Implementation should occur with a few weeks unless major issues are identified during testing.
Also to correct another misunderstanding of EE features, the now-suspended VIP program was only an alternate payment system enacted, targeted at high volume users to avoid credit card fees & reduce overall operating costs at EE (a benefit for all users). The VIP program provided NO entry advantages to those using the program, contrary to some claims. This is evident from the fact that since the VIP program was suspended limited master stakes are still filling up within minutes & pros are still getting a large share of the entries. Also the "one-click" notion is not correct for VIP users or anyone else. VIP users did see one less screen than credit card users but through your browser choice you control whether your credit card information is auto-loaded. Further if your credit card info is auto-loaded, it is not possible for a VIP users with more than 8 dogs to achieve entry faster than a non-VIP user. We have tested this extensively, it just cannot happen if user capabilities are eliminated from the consideration. If your finger dexterity is excellent, you will always have an advantage over those with less familiarity with the entry process & poor dexterity. Multiple entries are aided by another feature available to EVERYONE. It enables a multi-dog user to choose the dogs to be entered from his dog list & complete the entry process as one payment transaction for the total of entries. This one transaction feature helps control transaction fees charged by the credit card processor & is a major convenience to any multi-dog users.
EE needs an alternate entry payment capability to reduce & control the single largest cost EE faces in its operations - credit card fees. EE is exploring adding an electronic check process, that would enable any users to pay by check, as an alternate choice to a credit or debit card. While there is still a fee, it is less than using a credit card. EE is also considering a plan to transfer to clubs the transaction fees that EE cannot control (those fees charged by the credit card processors & deducted before EE even sees the entry fees paid). If & when this takes place, you will likely see, for example, an $80 entry fee become a $82.40 entry fee on the EE website to provide the clubs the additional funds to pay the fees transferred.
EE is also working with the Retriever News (and the Master National Club indirectly) to make available to enthusiasts an improved and wide range of performance history and statistics capabilities. As envisioned, this will enable enthusiasts to make better informed breeding and puppy buying decisions, help users keep up with points and passes in a near-real time environment and provide a much improved system search capability.
Entry Express wants the same things you want as a club and an individual user - a convenient, low cost means to enter and manage events.
1) Events with limited stakes will have a standard opening, on Wednesday nearest to 3 weeks prior to an event start. Opening time will be standardized at 8PM CT.
2) Events with limited stakes will have a published, visible wait list capability with waitlisted dogs automatically receiving entry in the order waitlisted when a scratch prior to closing occurs.
3) Scratches will be handled online just as entry occurred, 24/7 prior to event close. This feature will be available to all events (FT & HT) and entries, not just those with limited master stakes.
4) When clubs set up an event with a limited stake, a 24 hour period will be observed at entry opening where only a limited number (set by AKC at 15% of master limit set) of club workers can achieve entry. This process will be controlled by the club admin with unique codes supplied by EE specific to the limited stake. After the initial 24 hours, entries will be open to the general public & any unused codes will be cancelled.
These changes have been developed and are currently being tested by support staff and some club administrators. Implementation should occur with a few weeks unless major issues are identified during testing.
Also to correct another misunderstanding of EE features, the now-suspended VIP program was only an alternate payment system enacted, targeted at high volume users to avoid credit card fees & reduce overall operating costs at EE (a benefit for all users). The VIP program provided NO entry advantages to those using the program, contrary to some claims. This is evident from the fact that since the VIP program was suspended limited master stakes are still filling up within minutes & pros are still getting a large share of the entries. Also the "one-click" notion is not correct for VIP users or anyone else. VIP users did see one less screen than credit card users but through your browser choice you control whether your credit card information is auto-loaded. Further if your credit card info is auto-loaded, it is not possible for a VIP users with more than 8 dogs to achieve entry faster than a non-VIP user. We have tested this extensively, it just cannot happen if user capabilities are eliminated from the consideration. If your finger dexterity is excellent, you will always have an advantage over those with less familiarity with the entry process & poor dexterity. Multiple entries are aided by another feature available to EVERYONE. It enables a multi-dog user to choose the dogs to be entered from his dog list & complete the entry process as one payment transaction for the total of entries. This one transaction feature helps control transaction fees charged by the credit card processor & is a major convenience to any multi-dog users.
EE needs an alternate entry payment capability to reduce & control the single largest cost EE faces in its operations - credit card fees. EE is exploring adding an electronic check process, that would enable any users to pay by check, as an alternate choice to a credit or debit card. While there is still a fee, it is less than using a credit card. EE is also considering a plan to transfer to clubs the transaction fees that EE cannot control (those fees charged by the credit card processors & deducted before EE even sees the entry fees paid). If & when this takes place, you will likely see, for example, an $80 entry fee become a $82.40 entry fee on the EE website to provide the clubs the additional funds to pay the fees transferred.
EE is also working with the Retriever News (and the Master National Club indirectly) to make available to enthusiasts an improved and wide range of performance history and statistics capabilities. As envisioned, this will enable enthusiasts to make better informed breeding and puppy buying decisions, help users keep up with points and passes in a near-real time environment and provide a much improved system search capability.
Entry Express wants the same things you want as a club and an individual user - a convenient, low cost means to enter and manage events.