2018 Season Ticket Thread

Ulrich · Jun 12, 2018

dummyrun said:
Does complaining about this package serve the goal of packing the house? Seems to me the supply and demand piece will work itself out when they're trying to get us to renew.

I don’t think think it’ll work itself out when they want us to renew, because renewl is automatic and begins in August(?). I personally agree with sundance that they should revamp everything from the tickets prices to the concessions- make it so the club is envied by other teams’ fans. And make it so those that are loyal STH aren’t being undercut by these summer package deals - I don’t need to make a profit selling my tix I can’t use, but I would like there to be enough demand that I at least break even, but that’s not currently possible with the glut and stubhub isn’t even worth taking the time to engage.

Edit- I emailed my rep regarding this and gave suggestions on how to make it more worthwhile to the loyal season long customer.

Jon · Jun 12, 2018

I called offices this afternoon as soon as the tweet went out. This is what the rep told me:

Seat location varies by game so you could be in section 215 one game and 232 the next game.
Tickets will be uploaded onto your account manager 4 hours prior to the match.
Tickets are not able to be resold or transferred.
No City points, discounts on food and merchandise, or any other season ticket holder benefits

It's still bullshit and undercuts season ticket holders.

The rep asked me what benefits I would like to see and this is what I told him:

Increase discounts on food and merchandise and include alcohol in the discount (not sure if that's legally possible)
Guarantee that any ticket sold directly by nycfc will never be less than what season ticket holders (especially founding members) are paying
Offer better ratesre for City points
Stadium stadium stadium!

SanBartG · Jun 12, 2018

dummyrun said:
I'm curious, what are you asking for here? That the club not make cheap tickets available to fans? That season ticket prices be lowered? That a stadium suddenly appear?

The only ask to be made is they lower the price for season tickets to be not more than the price of single match tix sold on the secondary market, even averaged.

Season tickets have zero value now. They want to sell them, then they have the onus to make it worth our money. They haven’t done that.

SanBartG · Jun 12, 2018

dummyrun said:
Does complaining about this package serve the goal of packing the house? Seems to me the supply and demand piece will work itself out when they're trying to get us to renew.

Complaining about the package has no impact on packing the house one way or another. It may (if enough people speak up) however cause the club to rethink its asenine pricing strategy or find other ways to compensate STH’s for the premium they pay for tickets... cause that’s what it is now- we pay a premium instead of getting a discount... the exact opposite of its intent.

The Toe · Jun 12, 2018

If anything, this package tells me that $ isn't a huge issue for the FO. Granted, it's like selling a bunch of 10$ tickets every week, and you never know where you'll sit (who cares?), they obviously aren't making much on these, which would make you think that they wouldn't mind dropping season ticket prices by 10%, but we should doubt that. I think they're in for a world of hurt from supporters, and you get the sense that they think we're idiots.

I wouldn't mind paying the same price if the team got me Raul Ruidiaz or Gignac instead of Jesus Medina.

LeeNYCFC · Jun 12, 2018

The world cup is obviously a great time to promote and hopefully they'll be visible in soccer bars promoting the club to people that love soccer but don't come watch NYCFC. But it's an odd promotion because it's designed for people that have no tickets for the rest of the year and it's selling them every ticket for the rest of the year. And it's selling them cheap enough that you'd have to figure that most people that buy it might attend a few of these matches and not bother showing up for the rest because they've gotten so much value. So is this really going to put people in seats or are they trying to pad attendance numbers that are softening to make things look good for stadium proposals (fair enough). I can't see a huge uptake of people that never bothered with any ticket plan, then get a 2/3 season plan for half the price, deciding to come back and spend at twice the rate to renew for a full season.

FredMertz · Jun 12, 2018

Do you go to Macy's at the end of the summer and complain that something you bought in May is now on clearance?

They have excess inventory and they're making it down.

If they don't lower the price for next year don't buy the tickets. That's the only way they'll change their behavior.

adam · Jun 12, 2018

I’m officially done with my 103s. I’m moving down to 1 SS ticket next season. That will hold my place in line for the next 10+ years. If I want to bring a friend, I’ll buy 2 tiks anywhere and sell the SS or just eat it like I do my current seats. Anyone wanted 1st row 103, I’ll coordinate the handover w my rep when the season is over so you get them. PM me.

Ulrich · Jun 12, 2018

The Toe said:
If anything, this package tells me that $ isn't a huge issue for the FO. Granted, it's like selling a bunch of 10$ tickets every week, and you never know where you'll sit (who cares?), they obviously aren't making much on these, which would make you think that they wouldn't mind dropping season ticket prices by 10%, but we should doubt that. I think they're in for a world of hurt from supporters, and you get the sense that they think we're idiots.

I wouldn't mind paying the same price if the team got me Raul Ruidiaz or Gignac instead of Jesus Medina.

I don’t think (up to a certain point) money is a big deal to them either. Dropping STH prices would make for a higher front-end/committed demand that would lead to filling the stadium more often. A filled stadium offers a better atmosphere and creates instant grassroots marketing via the attendees - every New Yorker is looking for affordable entertainment. That’s what they should be going for. Leave single-ticket prices where they’re at, but drop STH prices by 50% and move the needle towards getting sellouts every match (cap the number of seats a person can buy so scalpers can’t buy in bulk).

Ulrich · Jun 12, 2018

FredMertz said:
Do you go to Macy's at the end of the summer and complain that something you bought in May is now on clearance?

They have excess inventory and they're making it down.

If they don't lower the price for next year don't buy the tickets. That's the only way they'll change their behavior.

No, because at the end of the season the item has a diminishing return on when it can be worn. If I buy at the beginning of the summer, I expect to be able to wear it all season but if I buy on sale at the end, I may only get a few opportunities before the weather changes.

Your scenario would be like if the club sold a $10 ticket and randomly let you watch 15min of the match before kicking you out of the stadium. You get to enjoy those 15 minutes and miss out on the other 75minutes. I’d have no problem if they did that except for the amount of walking along the aisles during play.

adam · Jun 12, 2018

Ulrich said:
No, because at the end of the season the item has a diminishing return on when it can be worn. If I buy at the beginning of the summer, I expect to be able to wear it all season but if I buy on sale at the end, I may only get a few opportunities before the weather changes.

Your scenario would be like if the club sold a $10 ticket and randomly let you watch 15min of the match before kicking you out of the stadium. You get to enjoy those 15 minutes and miss out on the other 75minutes. I’d have no problem if they did that except for the amount of walking along the aisles during play.

I’ll take it a step further. The last 10 home games are actually the best part of the schedule. We just had to sit through 7 matches of freezing cold, snow and rain. Now the weather turns, the playoff, CCL, & SS race heats up and those tickets can be had for $10 each???

It’s like a sweater going on the rack in summer. You buy it for full price. Then come fall it’s gets dropped to 75% off and someone gets the full use through fall and winter.

LeeNYCFC · Jun 12, 2018

It's more like Macy's telling me I'm a preferred customer and get a discount if I buy a shirt twice a month march-october, and then starting in june they sell me and a new group of people the same shirt every two weeks but charge them half what I pay.

Ultimately I get that who cares because I want to go to the games and I was fine with the price I signed up for, but it still doesn’t look great.

dummyrun · Jun 12, 2018

sundance said:
1. No. Doesn’t serve any purpose, really. I actually like and support the package deal.

2. Agreed.

My only request, a tiny one, really, is that the club overhaul its entire pricing/revenue strategy from the ground up to prioritize turnout—more than these sales and package deals. Tickets like Cincinnati. Concessions like Atlanta. Whether or not that’s a good strategy for a football club as such (and I think it is), you’d *think* it would be a good strategy for an oil-state’s soft-power front. Whatever the club really is, it’s not, to my eye, doing this thing as well as it might be done.

I suspect, although I haven't fact checked this post or looked further into any of this, that MLS's overpriced ticket problem may have something to do with the limited ways clubs can make money: https://medium.com/@isaac_krasny/unpacking-the-major-league-soccer-business-model-827f4b784bcd

Whether or not that's true, NYCFC faces a tough choice right now. They can piss off season ticketholders by selling off cheap tickets and trying to make money on concessions and gear, or they can preserve the "value" of tickets but bum everybody out with a half empty stadium. Either one seems like it could depress season ticket sales next year, but I'm glad they chose the option that will make games more fun and might grow the club in the long run.

Ulrich · Jun 12, 2018

dummyrun said:
I suspect, although I haven't fact checked this post or looked further into any of this, that MLS's overpriced ticket problem may have something to do with the limited ways clubs can make money: https://medium.com/@isaac_krasny/unpacking-the-major-league-soccer-business-model-827f4b784bcd

Whether or not that's true, NYCFC faces a tough choice right now. They can piss off season ticketholders by selling off cheap tickets and trying to make money on concessions and gear, or they can preserve the "value" of tickets but bum everybody out with a half empty stadium. Either one seems like it could depress season ticket sales next year, but I'm glad they chose the option that will make games more fun and might grow the club in the long run.

If they want to make games more fun and grow the club in the long run, they’re doing it backwards. Leave ticket prices where they’re at for single matches. Cut prices by half for STH packages. That will fill the stadium every match and make it a premium to get in early as a committed fan for the discount. A filled stadium will lead to more concessions and merchandise sales. It also has a grassroots marketing effect via word of mouth among friends that this is an affordable form of entertainment. Why create a better atmosphere by rewarding the one-off fan when they can get increased commitments from the full-season fan while rewarding them for being committed???

SanBartG · Jun 12, 2018

FredMertz said:
Do you go to Macy's at the end of the summer and complain that something you bought in May is now on clearance?

They have excess inventory and they're making it down.

If they don't lower the price for next year don't buy the tickets. That's the only way they'll change their behavior.

I am being a bit of an ass with this meme, but I can’t find a kindler, gentler way to make the point with appropriate emphasis.

Also- a one time purchase is very different than the recurring sale of a good. I’m not complaining about the price I paid for previous matches. I’m complaining about the difference in price I will pay for remaining matches that are cheaper on the secondary market and the fact my tickets in the secondary market are being devalued further by these sales.

adam · Jun 12, 2018

I just want to go on record. I’m all for cheap tickets and a packed stadium. Charge $5 a ticket. Please! But I’m not paying 10x that and committing to 17 matches when I know I can’t attend all of them and I can’t re-sell them for what I paid. I want some of that cheap ticket love. Whether that’s in the form of the secondary market or MLS/NYCFC discounts, I’ll take some too. Only thing that has me hanging on right now is my place in line. And I can secure that with the safest investment in the stadium a SS seat. Low cost, general admission, re-sells generally well (and GA allows you to undercut other sellers’ prices since the consumer isn’t making a seat choice). I love the $10 seat Offer, I just want to join in. However, the club fooled me into buying in early & committing for a whole season when it’s most expensive to do so (the opposite of what STs are supposed to do). What’s the saying? “Fool me once shame on you...”. Now we’re heading into season 5, so shame shame shame on me. No more.

COLINMOUTH · Jun 12, 2018

SanBartG said:
View attachment 8767

I am being a bit of an ass with this meme, but I can’t find a kindler, gentler way to make the point with appropriate emphasis.

Also- a one time purchase is very different than the recurring sale of a good. I’m not complaining about the price I paid for previous matches. I’m complaining about the difference in price I will pay for remaining matches that are cheaper on the secondary market and the fact my tickets in the secondary market are being devalued further by these sales.

The way that I look at it is this: I pay monthly, a very little amount compared to my families Giants season tix. I love my section (233A), and I like to know I can always sit there without any issue. I get people being bent out of shape about this, but as long as you’re on the monthly plan, is it really thag awful? Think of it this way, if the club gets some casuals out that are inspired by the World Cup, and they end up coming consistently after their first couple of matches, it only helps in the long run.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a FO apologist, far from it, they have fucked up time and time again, but if we manage to get more asses in the seats and have more involvement from people of our great city, then shit..I’m okay with it. In the meantime, the FO will continue to take their lumps and learn how to properly run things. All I know, is I’m not going anywhere. For better or worse, I don’t envision not being a STH anytime soon. I may be a fool, but goddamnit I love this club and I can’t wait to pass it down to my children when I have them, and their children after that.

adam · Jun 12, 2018

Ulrich said:
If they want to make games more fun and grow the club in the long run, they’re doing it backwards. Leave ticket prices where they’re at for single matches. Cut prices by half for STH packages. That will fill the stadium every match and make it a premium to get in early as a committed fan for the discount. A filled stadium will lead to more concessions and merchandise sales. It also has a grassroots marketing effect via word of mouth among friends that this is an affordable form of entertainment. Why create a better atmosphere by rewarding the one-off fan when they can get increased commitments from the full-season fan while rewarding them for being committed???

200% this

SanBartG · Jun 12, 2018

COLINMOUTH said:
The way that I look at it is this: I pay monthly, a very little amount compared to my families Giants season tix. I love my section (233A), and I like to know I can always sit there without any issue. I get people being bent out of shape about this, but as long as you’re on the monthly plan, is it really thag awful? Think of it this way, if the club gets some casuals out that are inspired by the World Cup, and they end up coming consistently after their first couple of matches, it only helps in the long run.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a FO apologist, far from it, they have fucked up time and time again, but if we manage to get more asses in the seats and have more involvement from people of our great city, then shit..I’m okay with it. In the meantime, the FO will continue to take their lumps and learn how to properly run things. All I know, is I’m not going anywhere. For better or worse, I don’t envision not being a STH anytime soon. I may be a fool, but goddamnit I love this club and I can’t wait to pass it down to my children when I have them, and their children after that.

I’m not saying I won’t go to the games. I’ll still go. I’m saying I’ll pay less to go... by NOT buying season tix.

COLINMOUTH · Jun 12, 2018

SanBartG said:
I’m not saying I won’t go to the games. I’ll still go. I’m saying I’ll pay less to go... by NOT buying season tix.

Oh I get that! Totally. My main point is, I love my seats, my row, my section and really don’t have any interest in sitting elsewhere save for the one or two drunken times I stumble into the supporters sections a season. I guess my point is, barring any absolutely ridiculous skyrocketing of the season ticket prices, I’m willing to sit tight for awhile. I know we joke about how we’ll be old men and women by the time we have stadium, but maybe, just maybe that won’t be the case. I would love nothing more than to bring my grandchildren to a match and show them where their grandfathers name is etched in wherever that ends up happening. Call me a hopeless romantic.

2018 Season Ticket Thread

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