Membership Scheme - Fancy going to an away game next season?

[Balham]

You pay a £1 booking fee every time you purchase a ticket by card. I highly doubt the box office pay the card companies £1 to cover the cost of the transaction.

As far as I know, the EFT providers charge between 0.5% and 3% to process a card transaction, with the actual fee dependent on card type (Amex being far more expensive) and size of the business.

I doubt United will be paying more than 1.5% but they do have to post the tickets out too, which I think is included in that £1?

I might be wrong, mind!

 

[Highbury_Blade]

If it's a financial thing, then they should add a non-members fee for buying away tickets to cover the cost, then exiles who won't receive any of the benefits of the members fee, will at least have the option to either pay the non-members fee every time (which should include the cost of transaction) or stump up for full membership.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

The thing here is that if you will most likely only go to away games, there is no financial saving for buying a membership. If you go to some home games then you can recoup the cost of membership by going to enough games through the discount on tickets. I have emailed the club to ask about this and made the (perhaps somewhat theoritical) point that if the away games I want to go to all sell out before I get the chance of buying a ticket will they refund my membership? Perhaps if they are really insistent on doing this they should scrap the booking fee which Highbury mentions.

If it's a financial thing, then they should add a non-members fee for buying away tickets to cover the cost, then exiles who won't receive any of the benefits of the members fee, will at least have the option to either pay the non-members fee every time (which should include the cost of transaction) or stump up for full membership.

Precisely, there has to be some benefit for buying a membership. As has been pointed out, the ability to purchase away tickets is not in itself any kind of guarantee that buy purchasing said membership you are more likely to get a ticket.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

The non-members fee is particularly important when you are group-buying. The fact that everybody in a potential group has to be members is a phenomenally dumb move by the club, as it means that an exiles will never take wives/girlfriends to a game, nor will they likely take kids either.

Do they not want new fans or something?

Of course, ideally this whole idea of a membership fee is dumb anyway, but i would definitely like to see some reasoning from the club. I'm not paying it if they don't think it's necessary to explain themselves.

 

[Selly]

As far as I know, the EFT providers charge between 0.5% and 3% to process a card transaction, with the actual fee dependent on card type (Amex being far more expensive) and size of the business.

I doubt United will be paying more than 1.5% but they do have to post the tickets out too, which I think is included in that £1?

I might be wrong, mind!

Card processing costs are indeed based on Card Type and the Banks relationship with the customer. A debit card normally costs 20p-30p per transaction, a Credit Card costs 2%-3%.

A charge of £1 to the customer, whilst not untypical, is a complete rip-off, especially if you are paying via a Debit Card.

Is it whenever you pay by Card, or whenever you book via "remote means" (telephone/internet)

Whilst it is easy to hide behind the charge made by the banks for Card Processing Services, I think the businesses need to consider what would happen if everyone suddenly decided to pay via Cash or Cheque. Most business accounts place limits on how many of these you can pay in on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

And as for covering the postage, a first class stamp is less than 50P, and envelopes are not going to push up teh price are they. (And I would expect that SUFC would frank the mail for the RM, and thus receive a discount on postage)

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Card processing costs are indeed based on Card Type and the Banks relationship with the customer. A debit card normally costs 20p-30p per transaction, a Credit Card costs 2%-3%.

A charge of £1 to the customer, whilst not untypical, is a complete rip-off, especially if you are paying via a Debit Card.

Is it whenever you pay by Card, or whenever you book via "remote means" (telephone/internet)

Whilst it is easy to hide behind the charge made by the banks for Card Processing Services, I think the businesses need to consider what would happen if everyone suddenly decided to pay via Cash or Cheque. Most business accounts place limits on how many of these you can pay in on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

And as for covering the postage, a first class stamp is less than 50P, and envelopes are not going to push up teh price are they. (And I would expect that SUFC would frank the mail for the RM, and thus receive a discount on postage)

SUFC don't always post tickets out, PNE and Barnsley last year for example were 'collect at the ground' only, if you couldn't pick them up before hand.

 

[Selly]

SUFC don't always post tickets out, PNE and Barnsley last year for example were 'collect at the ground' only, if you couldn't pick them up before hand.

Well then that's even worse isn`t it???

It really pisses me off that companies (and I include the likes of Ticketmaster, Birmingham NIA, Sheffield Arena, most football clubs, the Birmingham Hippodrome) have the price of the ticket at, say £30.

However for the priviledge of actually purchasing that ticket they then charge you:

- A booking fee per ticket
- a card handling charge per ticket
- a not bought on a day with a z in it fee

And a £30 ticket ends up actually costs £35. What happened to actually wanting to make things more convinient for your customers and increasing your profits from return business???

 

[SESKU Blade]

SUFC don't always post tickets out, PNE and Barnsley last year for example were 'collect at the ground' only, if you couldn't pick them up before hand.

On that note, it would be nice if they could offer to post tickets in those instances where duplicates are not available by special delivery - I don't think special delivery items tend to go missing but if they do at least you're guaranteed you're money back.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

On that note, it would be nice if they could offer to post tickets in those instances where duplicates are not available by special delivery - I don't think special delivery items tend to go missing but if they do at least you're guaranteed you're money back.

Using SEB's ticket example, as extortionate as their charges are, you're right, at least they offer the facility to send special delivery if you want.

As a slight aside, I just bought three £26 tickets from Ticketmaster and the total cost was £96, £18 to process one transaction and post out three tickets in one envelope via normal post !!

 

[raul]

Precisely, there has to be some benefit for buying a membership. As has been pointed out, the ability to purchase away tickets is not in itself any kind of guarantee that buy purchasing said membership you are more likely to get a ticket.

You get 10% discount off the quality products in the shop. So, lash out £160.00 on tat and you're quid in.

 

[axel smeets]

Well then that's even worse isn`t it???

It really pisses me off that companies (and I include the likes of Ticketmaster, Birmingham NIA, Sheffield Arena, most football clubs, the Birmingham Hippodrome) have the price of the ticket at, say £30.

However for the priviledge of actually purchasing that ticket they then charge you:

- A booking fee per ticket
- a card handling charge per ticket
- a not bought on a day with a z in it fee

And a £30 ticket ends up actually costs £35. What happened to actually wanting to make things more convinient for your customers and increasing your profits from return business???

The 02 Academy on Arundel Gate is a classic example. For Ocean Colour Scence in December, tickets are £24.50. To buy on line or from the arena, they want 10% booking fee per ticket, then £3.70 p&p. Something that should cost £98 costs £111.50.

When I went to the 02 academy itself, to the cash only box office, the tickets cost me..........£98. What a racket these people are allowed to operate.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

The 02 Academy on Arundel Gate is a classic example. For Ocean Colour Scence in December, tickets are £24.50. To buy on line or from the arena, they want 10% booking fee per ticket, then £3.70 p&p. Something that should cost £98 costs £111.50.

When I went to the 02 academy itself, to the cash only box office, the tickets cost me..........£98. What a racket these people are allowed to operate.

Yep, in reality, I could have driven to Manchester to buy my tickets and it would have cost me less.

 

[axel smeets]

Yep, in reality, I could have driven to Manchester to buy my tickets and it would have cost me less.

Also JC when I order things like clothes on line, such as Luke, GStar etc, they never charge me for P&P, and that's usually on items around £50-60.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Also JC when I order things like clothes on line, such as Luke, GStar etc, they never charge me for P&P, and that's usually on items around £50-60.

I think the problem with the likes of Ticketmaster is that they buy from somebody who has bought from somebody who has bought from the originator so there's lots of costs to claw back along the way. Could be worse, we could have to buy SUFC tickets from Ticketmaster as some clubs do.

 

[axel smeets]

I think the problem with the likes of Ticketmaster is that they buy from somebody who has bought from somebody who has bought from the originator so there's lots of costs to claw back along the way. Could be worse, we could have to buy SUFC tickets from Ticketmaster as some clubs do.

That's true. I remember looking at Reading's website last month when they reached the play off final, and all their tickets were being sold via ticketmaster. There were all sorts of extra's being added here and there.

 

[Linz]

I have to deal with Ticketmaster in a professional capacity and that's all kinds of fun, I can assure you!

The extra they charge the punters seems to be to fund their extremely complex back-end system which is in place so that their vendors can work out what the bloody hell is going on when they get payments through, three months after the event with no descriptions

 

[Highbury_Blade]

My top annoyance is when the likes of ticketmaster, live nation etc, charge you for the privilege of printing out your own bloody ticket!

 

[Balham]

I have to deal with Ticketmaster in a professional capacity and that's all kinds of fun, I can assure you!

The extra they charge the punters seems to be to fund their extremely complex back-end system which is in place so that their vendors can work out what the bloody hell is going on when they get payments through, three months after the event with no descriptions

My top annoyance is when the likes of ticketmaster, live nation etc, charge you for the privilege of printing out your own bloody ticket!

I'm not defending Ticketmaster and the like but their "booking fee" is the only money they get from the ticket. The face value of a gig ticket goes to the promoter, who then pays the artist and the venue etc.

Charging P&P for each and every ticket is a joke but nothing has come close to the £9 per ticket that I was charged by BMI Baby to fly back from Geneva in February. I bought 8 tickets so had to pay £72 in credit card fees!!

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I'm not defending Ticketmaster and the like but their "booking fee" is the only money they get from the ticket. The face value of a gig ticket goes to the promoter, who then pays the artist and the venue etc.

Charging P&P for each and every ticket is a joke but nothing has come close to the £9 per ticket that I was charged by BMI Baby to fly back from Geneva in February. I bought 8 tickets so had to pay £72 in credit card fees!!

Making money from a service charge i can agree with. Making money from a customer saving Ticketmaster money by printing their own tickets at home is not something that i can get down with.

 

[super_pig]

> Its pretty obvious that the demand for away tickets next season will be bigger than most grounds can cater for
we're a big club you know

 

[bladesadviser]

Last season there were if I remember correctly 480 blades at Ipswich. While I accept we were having an awful time it was still a good turn out for a long trip for most Blades. Using Linz's capacity post earlier in the thread it seems that Colchester can hold 2000 away supporters. Does anyone think there will be an extra 1500 supporters prepared to travel a further 50 miles (round trip) in a lower division or am I missing something???

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I can't imagine us selling out any grounds capacity next season. The only reason we'll sell out is if we aren't offered the entire stand or something, which could quite conceivably happen if smaller clubs don't want to pay for the extra policing costs incurred.

 

[Kenilworth]

This bloke seems to have a plan Guesty

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/04/peter-ridsdale-plymouth-argyle-owner

Looks like his nose is about to grow and grow and grow.

He must the reason that Snow White was chucked out of Disney - when she sat on his face and yelled, lie you b'tard, lie.

---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:37 PM ----------

I already have customer numbers for me, Kenilworth Junior. Mrs Kenilworth and Miss Kenilworth.
Usually just me and the lad attend matches, especially now we are in the shit league again.

I have two Blades Revivial / Superdraw numbers (had since 1981 whne it started)

So my question is - Why the hell should I need a membership card as well?

Looks like they can bollox. Pay on the day at grounds and stand on terraces again - fkcu em!

 

[Rattly Noise]

I'm not defending Ticketmaster and the like but their "booking fee" is the only money they get from the ticket. The face value of a gig ticket goes to the promoter, who then pays the artist and the venue etc.

If the promoter wants to use Ticketmaster to flog their tickets then surely it's a matter between the two of them. The promoter should pay Ticketmaster for doing the donkey work.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

There's this on BM tonight

Rung ticket office today and was told that season ticket holders with the most loyalty points would get first go. Then after all those with points had a go it would be members then general sale.

Really could do with this one clearing up once and for all.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

There's this on BM tonight



Really could do with this one clearing up once and for all.

General sale for away tickets can't exist under the membership system surely.

 

[BusheyBlade]

I emailed the club yesterday and recieved the following helpful reply this morning:

"Thank you for your recent email.

It has been forwarded to the relevant department.

Kind Regards,

Ticket Office"

Edit - I just noticed an email from Richard Batho in my junk folder, he wants me to give him a call to discuss as he's interested to hear fans' feedback.

 

[essex blade]

Looks like his nose is about to grow and grow and grow.

He must the reason that Snow White was chucked out of Disney - when she sat on his face and yelled, lie you b'tard, lie.

---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:37 PM ----------

I already have customer numbers for me, Kenilworth Junior. Mrs Kenilworth and Miss Kenilworth.
Usually just me and the lad attend matches, especially now we are in the shit league again.

I have two Blades Revivial / Superdraw numbers (had since 1981 whne it started) blades revival didnt start untill 1986 Kenilworth

 

[BusheyBlade]

So essentially there's a concern about how many away games will go on general sale next season anyway due to the (perceived) small away end capacities in League 1. However, based on Linz's earlier post with regards to capacities, I can't see us selling out every single away game before general sale, unless we have an absolute stormer of a season.

If I don't want to buy a membership to boost my chances of getting a ticket for an away match and am happy to effectively take a gamble on there still being tickets available for general sale, then so be it. Surely that is my tough luck then if they sell out before, but surely I should still have the option either way?

 

[Selly]

So essentially there's a concern about how many away games will go on general sale next season anyway due to the (perceived) small away end capacities in League 1. However, based on Linz's earlier post with regards to capacities, I can't see us selling out every single away game before general sale, unless we have an absolute stormer of a season.

If I don't want to buy a membership to boost my chances of getting a ticket for an away match and am happy to effectively take a gamble on there still being tickets available for general sale, then so be it. Surely that is my tough luck then if they sell out before, but surely I should still have the option either way?

The issue is that, as far as the comms from the club goes so far, the situation is:

• There is no General Sale
• You have to be a member to buy an away ticket
• being a member offer no guarantee whatsoever that you will get an away ticket

In other words, it is conceivable that I lash out £15 for the sum total of fuck all.