Who's getting tickets? Predictions, Results, and Reasons

[gngrasso]

I absolutely think it is unfair. There certainly is not an even chance of getting through for everybody. Some had the freedom to stand by the fax machine for hours trying to get through. Others had their lunch hour. Some people tried hundreds of times. Some only a dozen.

What especially irks me is the FAQ that stated USSF was ready to handle the large influxes of faxes. Fact is--they weren't.

I see your point.

The only thing this reminds me of is when, when I was younger (before the days of Ticketmaster online sales), the only people that would get tickets to hot concerts were those who could sleep out to be first in line at Madison Square Garden. Which I could never do.

Is it fair that only people with time on their hands got concert tickets? I don't know.

Same deal with the fax machines. What about the guy that stood by his fax machine on 12/12 and dialed non-stop for 4 hours until he finally got through? Is he more deserving of tickets than a guy who didn't have time? I don't know, maybe not.

What about the guy who got lucky and got through after 1 or 2 attempts? Should he get tickets over the guy who gave up after 3 hours and fedexed? Maybe not.

Bottom line, I think only truly fair way is a total lottery, equal chance to everybody, like FIFA.

[nowherenova]

I posted the following a while ago on another thread. The thing is, I now believe there were a lot more faxes going through than I originally thought: recently, someone posted that they had a 19xx confirmation number for a fax going through the first day. Things aren't looking good for those of us who overnighted it on the first day.


Fellow ticket-hungry desperates:
******** I've read compelling arguments over the last two
days regarding the logic behind the confirmation
numbers sent to us by email, and this is what I've
surmised: (and forgive me if I'm repeating some of
you-- I've found some of your observations to be
astute)
********** I'm making several basic assumptions (which have
been relatively proven over the emails I've read):
1) 6-7 fax machines were used, and the confirmation
numbers given to those who sent in faxes start at
either 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, etc., and on each
fax machine, no more than 100 faxes got through
2) Overnight deliveries start at 8000 and are in
alphabetical order-- these number some 1300.
3) USSoccer will be giving out roughly 2800 tickets
per game.** (If we're lucky).** Hopefully, 2500 if we're
not
4) While each person can order up to 4 tickets per
game, the average will roughly be two.
******** So, USSoccer could handle it in 2 ways, either:
A) Give out tickets to those orders coming over the
fax on 12/12 first, then the next day deliveries, or:
B) Give out tickets randomly to orders coming over the
first day fax and next day deliveries.

If A is the case:
Approximately 80(number of faxes per machine) x
6(number of fax machines) x 2 (number of tickets per
order) = 960 tickets given to orders through fax
machine on day #1.** This leaves about 2500-1000= 1500
tickets to be given to 1300 overnight orders.
So: 1300 (overnight orders) x 2 (ticket requests per
order) = 2600 - 1500 (tickets still available) = 1100
S.O.L. unhappy people.** This would give a 1500/2600 =
60% success rate for next day delivery orders.

If B is the case:
960 + 2600 = 3600 tickets ordered over the first day
fax + next day delivery, giving a 2500/3600 = 70%
success rate.

Of course, this is wishful thinking on my part.** Any
other thoughts?


You have made a lot of assumptions. The biggest of which is that the confirmation numbers represent orders. This has already been refuted by the USSF and our crack statistical analysts (I'll leave it to you to determine the meaning of "crack" in this case). The second is the number of fax machines. I think you are saying there were 7 machines because someone's confirmation number? Once again, not too much evidence in favor of this.


Another question on a bordering subject: Would the USSF call and ask someone the number of tickets they ordered (because of lost paperwork), if the person was already determined to be wait-listed?

If the answer is no than we know a lot of fedexers got tix.

[Galaxian]

You have made a lot of assumptions. The biggest of which is that the confirmation numbers represent orders. This has already been refuted by the USSF and our crack statistical analysts (I'll leave it to you to determine the meaning of "crack" in this case). The second is the number of fax machines. I think you are saying there were 7 machines because someone's confirmation number? Once again, not too much evidence in favor of this.


Another question on a bordering subject: Would the USSF call and ask someone the number of tickets they ordered (because of lost paperwork), if the person was already determined to be wait-listed?

If the answer is no than we know a lot of fedexers got tix.
Gawd I hope so :D 9:42 delivery , come on USSF....

[ChelseaMatt]

You have made a lot of assumptions. The biggest of which is that the confirmation numbers represent orders. This has already been refuted by the USSF and our crack statistical analysts (I'll leave it to you to determine the meaning of "crack" in this case). The second is the number of fax machines. I think you are saying there were 7 machines because someone's confirmation number? Once again, not too much evidence in favor of this.


Another question on a bordering subject: Would the USSF call and ask someone the number of tickets they ordered (because of lost paperwork), if the person was already determined to be wait-listed?

If the answer is no than we know a lot of fedexers got tix.

I'm confused by what you're saying-- are you referring to faxers being contacted or fedexers? Because I haven't heard of any fedexers being contacted yet. Show me the way.

[JBigjake]

I think only truly fair way is a total lottery, equal chance to everybody, like FIFA.
Well, I lost out in the early FIFA lottery, so with my (I hope!) low number, I'll stick with first come for now. I caught some flak previously when I opined that loyal fans should have the edge for Germany. I still feel that way, but that's hindsight as USSoccer never tried to determine who bought USMNT tickets previously. In any event, I just hope that all who get tickets have a great time & cheer their asses off; win, lose or draw!

[nowherenova]

I'm confused by what you're saying-- are you referring to faxers being contacted or fedexers? Because I haven't heard of any fedexers being contacted yet. Show me the way.

Why don't you read the thread, although from your argument I could tell you hadn't.

[chrisrun]

I seriously doubt that's how they would do it. It is first come, first served. So if you say "I want two tickets to each of the first round games," and those tickets are available, you should get them.
But how are they going to determine who was first when they got a boatload of applications at the same time from FedEx and UPS?

Let's use fake hypothetical numbers. There are 2000 tickets left for each of three games, and they got 3000 FedEx packages on Tuesday that all asked for 2 tickets to each game. Would they give each application 2 tickets to 1 game, or give 2 tickets to each game to the first 1000 envelopes they open that morning?

Sure it is first come first serve, but with so many apps on the first and second day, along with the knowledge that so many people couldn't get thru on the fax machine, they may decide to "spread the wealth" a little rather than give some people everything and others nothing. Maybe something like "Let's give everyone tickets to at least one game, and if there are still tickets left go back and try to fullfill complete orders."

[Wizhawk]

The problem with that is people already have lodging arrangements based on seeing three games. Sure, I'd have an extra two weeks to see Germany, but I'd much rather "see Germany" when the price of everything isn't jacked up so much.

[LESTER]

But how are they going to determine who was first when they got a boatload of applications at the same time from FedEx and UPS?

Let's use fake hypothetical numbers. There are 2000 tickets left for each of three games, and they got 3000 FedEx packages on Tuesday that all asked for 2 tickets to each game. Would they give each application 2 tickets to 1 game, or give 2 tickets to each game to the first 1000 envelopes they open that morning?

Sure it is first come first serve, but with so many apps on the first and second day, along with the knowledge that so many people couldn't get thru on the fax machine, they may decide to "spread the wealth" a little rather than give some people everything and others nothing. Maybe something like "Let's give everyone tickets to at least one game, and if there are still tickets left go back and try to fullfill complete orders."

Boy, I hope this isn't what they have in mind. It's hard for a lot of people to justify spending a few grand to just see one game. Most importantly, though, the USSF shouldn't be playing God with people's plans. The people who applied first should get their whole orders filled until the tickets are gone. Those who don't get tickets (and I may very well end up in that boat) just got unlucky. Better that than for everyone to get screwed.

[FC Tallavana]

Boy, I hope this isn't what they have in mind. It's hard for a lot of people to justify spending a few grand to just see one game. Most importantly, though, the USSF shouldn't be playing God with people's plans. The people who applied first should get their whole orders filled until the tickets are gone. Those who don't get tickets (and I may very well end up in that boat) just got unlucky. Better that than for everyone to get screwed.

You can do the trip for less than one grand if you only catch one game and you leave from the East Coast. If you want to burn two grand you could easily spend a week or two in a less expensive European destination...and still watch one USA game in person. I'm all for sharing the wealth. Of course, I only asked for tix to the Italy game anyway.:)

[chrisrun]

Boy, I hope this isn't what they have in mind. It's hard for a lot of people to justify spending a few grand to just see one game. Most importantly, though, the USSF shouldn't be playing God with people's plans. The people who applied first should get their whole orders filled until the tickets are gone. Those who don't get tickets (and I may very well end up in that boat) just got unlucky. Better that than for everyone to get screwed.
When I applied thru FIFA (before I knew who was playing where), I applied for 3 games. I got one. But there was an option of accepting partial orders. I don't remember that being on the form from USSF.

BTW, it's hard for a lot of people to justify a few grand for only 3 games as well.

[ChelseaMatt]

Why don't you read the thread, although from your argument I could tell you hadn't.
I've read the thread. It's a legitimate question. It would be less a waste of your time to just answer my question, but that would require a level of decorum that is often absent from BS posters.
The reason I post on this forum is to gather insight from other posters, not to win some grand pissing contest, as seems to be the goal.
Forgive me, but I feel like these things need to be said. Anybody with me on this?

[H]

We're too sophisticated to have pissing contests on these boards. Instead we have masturbatory contests. The results are posted in one of the sections but I forget which. People were rated on speed, distance and quantity. Feel free to speculate on who the champs were for the different categories.

[The Wisdom Cube]

I have no doubt that USSF will lose, fail to properly enter or otherwise screw up at least 2-3% of apps for each time period.

They totally screwed up the spelling of my last name on my confirmation email and I had to correct them two times.

[USAin2006]

Kinda off topic, but my heart skipped a beat this AM when I saw that I had an email from US Soccer in my in box...but alas it was about the Guatemala friendly, NOT WC tickets :(

I got my fax in Monday around 3:00, and have a confirmation # of 20xx so I am feeling confident about tix, but then again, you never know.

[nowherenova]

I've read the thread. It's a legitimate question. It would be less a waste of your time to just answer my question, but that would require a level of decorum that is often absent from BS posters.
The reason I post on this forum is to gather insight from other posters, not to win some grand pissing contest, as seems to be the goal.
Forgive me, but I feel like these things need to be said. Anybody with me on this?


Ok. Here's some insight. Your theoery is WAY off base and plenty of fedexers will be getting tickets.

[Galaxian]

Ok. Here's some insight. Your theoery is WAY off base and plenty of fedexers will be getting tickets.
:) I sure hope so... well know soon enough

[Magpie Maniac]

The email should arrive any hour now. I ordered a pair of tickets for the Czech Rep and Italy matches. Here's my prediction for what I'll get:

I'll get a pair for the Czech Rep, but I'll be placed in the waiting list for Italy.

I'm cutting the trip fairly short anyway with just two matches. One pair will be pretty pointless.

[gngrasso]

The email should arrive any hour now. I ordered a pair of tickets for the Czech Rep and Italy matches. Here's my prediction for what I'll get:

I'll get a pair for the Czech Rep, but I'll be placed in the waiting list for Italy.

I'm cutting the trip fairly short anyway with just two matches. One pair will be pretty pointless.

When did you send your application in? Fax, fedex?

[Sportman77]

I only ordered tickets to the Ghana game? Am I off base (and I certainly may be) by assuming that a lot of people did NOT order tickets for the Ghana game, and instead chose the Italy and Chech?? Any thoughts?