Arizona man lost Canadian vacation on ‘Price is Right’ after overbidding but gets invited by city anyway
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: An Arizona resident found himself in the spotlight after making a miscalculation on the renowned television show 'Price is Right'. He could not correctly guess the value of a vacation package to a Canadian city.
Despite this, the city highlighted in the game show extended a heartwarming invitation to him for a visit. Clearly, his miscalculation landed him an unexpected opportunity.
Who is Philip Fitzpatrick?
According to AZ Family, Phillip Fitzpatrick, an avid fan of television show 'Price is Right', eagerly participated in the August episode, hopeful to secure a free trip to New Westminster, a Canadian city he was yet to explore.
His enthusiasm for the bid, however, led him to overestimate the vacation's cost by nearly $3,000, resulting in his defeat on the show.
Nevertheless, the city of New Westminster caught wind of the viral moment and extended an invitation to Fitzpatrick, expressing their appreciation for unintentionally highlighting their city.
The tourism team from New Westminster launched the #SearchForPhillip campaign across social media platforms, seeking to connect with Fitzpatrick, and offered him the trip he had missed out on due to the overbid.
Reflecting on the unexpected turn of events, Fitzpatrick shared his initial skepticism, revealing, "I emailed 'Price is Right' and they said it’s never happened before. Nope, [it’s] never happened before. But they said it’s a legit company. They offered the trip. So it’s been a lot of fun. My friends and family are going nuts!"
The vacation package featured on the show presented an alluring stay in New Westminster, encompassing round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Vancouver and a six-night stay at the Inn at the Quay, situated along the Fraser River, offering picturesque views and convenient access to the city's attractions.
Philip Fitzpatrick on 'Price is Right'
Host Drew Carey and Fitzpatrick were both taken aback when the actual value of the vacation, $5,280 USD (equivalent to $7,289 CAD), was unveiled on the show, contrasting Fitzpatrick's bid of $8,280.
Carey expressed surprise, stating, "What? That’s it? That’s way less than I thought it was going to be."
City councillor Daniel Fontaine, while acknowledging the humorous aspect of the situation, emphasized the city's gratitude for the exposure, recognizing New Westminster's appeal as a tourist destination.
He welcomed visitors, highlighting the affordability of experiencing the city's attractions, inviting tourists to consider the former capital for a captivating yet cost-effective vacation.
Fontaine extended an open invitation to Fitzpatrick, encouraging him to explore New Westminster if he ever found himself in British Columbia, highlighting the city's myriad attractions and activities for a fulfilling six-day visit.