Season ticket purchases a nightmare

[Loramski]

Your defence of the indefensible is excruciating. Your cap doffing replies get more cringeworthy day by day.

Interesting thread this. I may be farting in church here but I've got some sympathy with DML. I'm sure the club could do more to improve customer service but I don't understand the 'indefensible' bit.

I'd received a couple of e mails off the club explaining how this process was going to work and it was on the club site too. People had until last Friday to reserve their existing seats. Online and phone until the Monday, then the ticket office was open each day until the Friday. Three options to renew last week; online, telephone or in person. There would then be a week's suspension of sales to allow people in the Upper Ninian to relocate. From this Monday general sales will resume, at early bird prices, until June 1st via online or telephone. It doesn't seem too obtuse to me, I don't understand why people are getting so angry.

I had a very quick look at how other clubs are doing it. Unless I misread, Bristol City and Reading are having no in-person sales at all (and Swansea's early-bird offer ended on January 31st) and the suspension of sales to allow relocation seems a common thing. I'm not saying we couldn't be doing it better but it doesn't seem radically different to others and it was all explained clearly in advance.

I went to the ticket office last Thursday to renew tickets for me and my two boys and it was all sorted in a few minutes. The girl who dealt with me was very helpful and seemed happy to accept my money. I'd prefer the ticket office to be open more often but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I'm certainly not looking for an argument but what has the club done here that's indefensible?

[Armitage Shanks]

Interesting thread this. I may be farting in church here but I've got some sympathy with DML. I'm sure the club could do more to improve customer service but I don't understand the 'indefensible' bit.

I'd received a couple of e mails off the club explaining how this process was going to work and it was on the club site too. People had until last Friday to reserve their existing seats. Online and phone until the Monday, then the ticket office was open each day until the Friday. Three options to renew last week; online, telephone or in person. There would then be a week's suspension of sales to allow people in the Upper Ninian to relocate. From this Monday general sales will resume, at early bird prices, until June 1st via online or telephone. It doesn't seem too obtuse to me, I don't understand why people are getting so angry.

I had a very quick look at how other clubs are doing it. Unless I misread, Bristol City and Reading are having no in-person sales at all (and Swansea's early-bird offer ended on January 31st) and the suspension of sales to allow relocation seems a common thing. I'm not saying we couldn't be doing it better but it doesn't seem radically different to others and it was all explained clearly in advance.

I went to the ticket office last Thursday to renew tickets for me and my two boys and it was all sorted in a few minutes. The girl who dealt with me was very helpful and seemed happy to accept my money. I'd prefer the ticket office to be open more often but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I'm certainly not looking for an argument but what has the club done here that's indefensible?

Thank God they have seen sense and have allowed face to face transactions.
See it wasn't hard

[splott parker]

Interesting thread this. I may be farting in church here but I've got some sympathy with DML. I'm sure the club could do more to improve customer service but I don't understand the 'indefensible' bit.

I'd received a couple of e mails off the club explaining how this process was going to work and it was on the club site too. People had until last Friday to reserve their existing seats. Online and phone until the Monday, then the ticket office was open each day until the Friday. Three options to renew last week; online, telephone or in person. There would then be a week's suspension of sales to allow people in the Upper Ninian to relocate. From this Monday general sales will resume, at early bird prices, until June 1st via online or telephone. It doesn't seem too obtuse to me, I don't understand why people are getting so angry.

I had a very quick look at how other clubs are doing it. Unless I misread, Bristol City and Reading are having no in-person sales at all (and Swansea's early-bird offer ended on January 31st) and the suspension of sales to allow relocation seems a common thing. I'm not saying we couldn't be doing it better but it doesn't seem radically different to others and it was all explained clearly in advance.

I went to the ticket office last Thursday to renew tickets for me and my two boys and it was all sorted in a few minutes. The girl who dealt with me was very helpful and seemed happy to accept my money. I'd prefer the ticket office to be open more often but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I'm certainly not looking for an argument but what has the club done here that's indefensible?

Reading between the lines the reason for the closure or reduced hours opening of the ticket office and club shop is down to a thinning out of staff policy. We’ve learned from this thread that this is a huge inconvenience for many fans, fans who are more than willing to put money into the club but a multi million pound concern (which Cardiff City are) culling minimum wage staff, who are instrumental in bringing in this money, while figures of a £14,000 a week cap are being bandied about re. players is a bit of a kick in the teeth for these ‘reduced hours’ or laid off of minimum wagers.

You very often read, when clubs have success, that everyone, even down to the ‘tea lady’, has played their part. Cardiff City seem to drop their ‘tea ladies’ like a shit house seat. That’s indefensible.

[Loramski]

Reading between the lines the reason for the closure or reduced hours opening of the ticket office and club shop is down to a thinning out of staff policy. We’ve learned from this thread that this is a huge inconvenience for many fans, fans who are more than willing to put money into the club but a multi million pound concern (which Cardiff City are) culling minimum wage staff, who are instrumental in bringing in this money, while figures of a £14,000 a week cap are being bandied about re. players is a bit of a kick in the teeth for these ‘reduced hours’ or laid off of minimum wagers.

You very often read, when clubs have success, that everyone, even down to the ‘tea lady’, has played their part. Cardiff City seem to drop their ‘tea ladies’ like a shit house seat. That’s indefensible.

Surely that's not what this thread was about though? You slammed the club for 'doing it's utmost to put obstacles in people's way' and mocked DML for defending the indefensible. Now it's been pointed out to you that there was a well advertised timetable for this process, that we're doing broadly the same as other clubs and that the ticket office was open all last week you've moved the goalposts and are now trying to make out it was all about something else. Which, judging by your use of the word seem in the last paragraph, you're not sure about anyway.

I totally agree with you about funding the ticket office by the way, you'd think it would be a drop in the ocean compared with player's wages, and it hurts my head to think about how a football club operates it's budget in general (imagine how many minimum wage staff we could've employed if we hadn't signed Isaac Vassell, for example) but other clubs seem to be going the same way and, like I said, I don't think it's what this thread was about.

You're one of the best posters on here, TOBW the same. I've no interest in arguing with either of you but the endless anger and club bashing on here is exhausting enough as it is so it's a bit sad to see the pair of you piling in without any apparent justification. There's always things to criticise, of course, and I don't want a board full of DMLs but hammering the club for expecting the majority of people to be able to use the internet in 2022 is pretty toe-curling.

[the other bob wilson]

Surely that's not what this thread was about though? You slammed the club for 'doing it's utmost to put obstacles in people's way' and mocked DML for defending the indefensible. Now it's been pointed out to you that there was a well advertised timetable for this process, that we're doing broadly the same as other clubs and that the ticket office was open all last week you've moved the goalposts and are now trying to make out it was all about something else. Which, judging by your use of the word seem in the last paragraph, you're not sure about anyway.

I totally agree with you about funding the ticket office by the way, you'd think it would be a drop in the ocean compared with player's wages, and it hurts my head to think about how a football club operates it's budget in general (imagine how many minimum wage staff we could've employed if we hadn't signed Isaac Vassell, for example) but other clubs seem to be going the same way and, like I said, I don't think it's what this thread was about.

You're one of the best posters on here, TOBW the same. I've no interest in arguing with either of you but the endless anger and club bashing on here is exhausting enough as it is so it's a bit sad to see the pair of you piling in without any apparent justification. There's always things to criticise, of course, and I don't want a board full of DMLs but hammering the club for expecting the majority of people to be able to use the internet in 2022 is pretty toe-curling.

“Endless anger”? I’ve set out why this does make me angry and the way we’ve played for the last few seasons doesn’t please me either, but I can’t think of much else that angers me about the club. I cannot agree that offering a markedly worse service now than they did in pre Covid days does not offer justification for us piling in as you put it. You say a majority are able to use the internet, which is an admission that there is a minority who cannot or choose not to.

Last summer, those who fell into that category were left with no way of contacting the club and, with the excuse offered by Covid lockdowns not applicable this time, the situation is still not as sympathetic to such people as you would expect it to be. Finally, I can’t agree that others are doing the same is a good enough excuse to try and justify the sub standard service on offer this year.

[Loramski]

“Endless anger”? I’ve set out why this does make me angry and the way we’ve played for the last few seasons doesn’t please me either, but I can’t think of much else that angers me about the club. I cannot agree that offering a markedly worse service now than they did in pre Covid days does not offer justification for us piling in as you put it. You say a majority are able to use the internet, which is an admission that there is a minority who cannot or choose not to.

Last summer, those who fell into that category were left with no way of contacting the club and, with the excuse offered by Covid lockdowns not applicable this time, the situation is still not as sympathetic to such people as you would expect it to be. Finally, I can’t agree that others are doing the same is a good enough excuse to try and justify the sub standard service on offer this year.

The endless anger and club bashing thing was aimed at the board in general not you and Splott. Either you misread it or I didn't phrase it as well as I could have, apologies if so.

Funnily enough, I was originally going to say that a majority prefer to use the internet but realised I couldn't back that up so put 'are able to use' instead. Then Dembe put up his message about McDonalds which is a good bit of evidence that I was right in the first place.

In terms of the City, why on earth wouldn't most people want to renew online? Available 24/7 and done in minutes, or phone if there's a problem. Instead of working your way across town to a remote car park, waiting in a queue then finding yourself two feet away from another customer who's shouting down his phone trying to find out his nephew's date of birth. It's a no-brainer for most, surely?

You're right, of course, some people can't use the internet and I'm aware that there can be serious implications in that case, in terms of accessing certain benefits and services for example. However, the club seemed to cover all bases here. Three weeks to renew, if you couldn't do it online or didn't have friends or family who could do it for you then there was a phone option, then the ticket office opened every day last week. What more do you want the club to do? Send staff round to people's houses?

Again I agree with you that just because A and B do something then that doesn't justify C doing it, I was making the point that it seems to be a general trend regarding ticket offices and I'd assume that applies to other sports and venues as online sales increase. I went to Sophia Gardens last week to buy a 20/20 'season ticket'. The receptionist rang the office, passed the phone to me and I purchased it over the phone even though I was standing there. Funny really, it seemed a nonsense to me but the receptionist probably thought I was some kind of dinosaur for turning up in person.

The world is moving on, quickly too, and it's not going to waste much time waiting for people like you and me. You can yearn for the good old days as much as you want but you're howling at the moon I'm afraid.

[the other bob wilson]

The endless anger and club bashing thing was aimed at the board in general not you and Splott. Either you misread it or I didn't phrase it as well as I could have, apologies if so.

Funnily enough, I was originally going to say that a majority prefer to use the internet but realised I couldn't back that up so put 'are able to use' instead. Then Dembe put up his message about McDonalds which is a good bit of evidence that I was right in the first place.

In terms of the City, why on earth wouldn't most people want to renew online? Available 24/7 and done in minutes, or phone if there's a problem. Instead of working your way across town to a remote car park, waiting in a queue then finding yourself two feet away from another customer who's shouting down his phone trying to find out his nephew's date of birth. It's a no-brainer for most, surely?

You're right, of course, some people can't use the internet and I'm aware that there can be serious implications in that case, in terms of accessing certain benefits and services for example. However, the club seemed to cover all bases here. Three weeks to renew, if you couldn't do it online or didn't have friends or family who could do it for you then there was a phone option, then the ticket office opened every day last week. What more do you want the club to do? Send staff round to people's houses?

Again I agree with you that just because A and B do something then that doesn't justify C doing it, I was making the point that it seems to be a general trend regarding ticket offices and I'd assume that applies to other sports and venues as online sales increase. I went to Sophia Gardens last week to buy a 20/20 'season ticket'. The receptionist rang the office, passed the phone to me and I purchased it over the phone even though I was standing there. Funny really, it seemed a nonsense to me but the receptionist probably thought I was some kind of dinosaur for turning up in person.

The world is moving on, quickly too, and it's not going to waste much time waiting for people like you and me. You can yearn for the good old days as much as you want but you're howling at the moon I'm afraid.

I’m not going to get involved in an argument, but, I find myself thinking that if the club genuinely believe that there’s no need to open the club shop or ticket office to serve people mad enough to turn up wanting to spend money there, why bother with selling tickets to go to games? Everyone can buy a season ticket to watch streamed games and then they don’t need to pay hospitality staff, open food and drink outlets, pay for stewards, police etc.

[The Lone Gunman]

In terms of the City, why on earth wouldn't most people want to renew online?

You apparently didn't so perhaps you can answer your own question.

[Loramski]

You apparently didn't so perhaps you can answer your own question.

Do you get an alert every time anyone sticks up for the club on here?

I did answer my own question but you edited it out of your reply. Bizarre.

[splott parker]

Surely that's not what this thread was about though? You slammed the club for 'doing it's utmost to put obstacles in people's way' and mocked DML for defending the indefensible. Now it's been pointed out to you that there was a well advertised timetable for this process, that we're doing broadly the same as other clubs and that the ticket office was open all last week you've moved the goalposts and are now trying to make out it was all about something else. Which, judging by your use of the word seem in the last paragraph, you're not sure about anyway.

I totally agree with you about funding the ticket office by the way, you'd think it would be a drop in the ocean compared with player's wages, and it hurts my head to think about how a football club operates it's budget in general (imagine how many minimum wage staff we could've employed if we hadn't signed Isaac Vassell, for example) but other clubs seem to be going the same way and, like I said, I don't think it's what this thread was about.

You're one of the best posters on here, TOBW the same. I've no interest in arguing with either of you but the endless anger and club bashing on here is exhausting enough as it is so it's a bit sad to see the pair of you piling in without any apparent justification. There's always things to criticise, of course, and I don't want a board full of DMLs but hammering the club for expecting the majority of people to be able to use the internet in 2022 is pretty toe-curling.

I’m not knocking the club on 100% of its workings. The early transfer deals are very encouraging, ok not household names, but the club certainly aren’t letting the grass grow. But I will continue to gripe about things that piss me off, as you know the ticket office & club shop are my biggest bugbear.

I’ll give you a ‘for instance’. A while back I checked what credit I had due to Covid postponements, it was around £70. I discovered that the club shop had reopened but only on Saturdays. I wanted a new coat and there was one I fancied at the shop for about £90. Marvellous I think, I’ll go and get it, even though I was owed the £70 I went with the mindset I was getting a new coat for £20 odd. I pick the coat up, get to the till but it wouldn’t accept my credit. I was told, yes, you are owed £70 but you can only use it online?? I put the coat back and left, who would spend £90 on an item of clothing that you couldn’t try on?

Anyway, sod the coat, renewed my season ticket with the £70 discount but the club lost out on a £90 deal due to their poor way of doing business. I’m of the opinion that businesses, especially after the disastrous pandemic, should leave no stone unturned in filling the coffers. Oh, the PR and advertising wing of the club needs a kick up the arse as well, the sale of season tickets should be being trumpeted throughout the area while the truth is that potential new fans have no clue whatsoever.