Arsenal Tix '08/'09

[mcstumpe]

Thanks for taking over Meredith,

I am new to this, but looking to request tickets. How and when do I go about doing this. We will have proof of airfare as well. I am throwing myself at the mercy of the thread so go easy on me guys. Just need to know what the next step would be. We are expecting the game to be moved around a bit, but we will be there for the entire weekend, so I am hoping we would be covered.

Thanks for your time,

Mike

[Bluto11]

alright, i went off on this a bit in NYC but everyone who had to listen didn't need to hear it.

basically, pay when you are told to, whether it before before you have the tickets don't worry about it since you will be refunded if you don't get them. And if you don't pay and you don't have a ticket, don't take it personally.

my advice to simon and meredith, if they are reading, you have evey right to be a jerk/mean/demanding to people. You are going out of your way to help us Americans and people should go on your schedule. And for people who are getting tickets and don't like whatever guidelines/rules they have to follow, TOUGH. It's nothing personal, that is just how it has to be.

[KirbyNYC]

alright, i went off on this a bit in NYC but everyone who had to listen didn't need to hear it.

basically, pay when you are told to, whether it before before you have the tickets don't worry about it since you will be refunded if you don't get them. And if you don't pay and you don't have a ticket, don't take it personally.

my advice to simon and meredith, if they are reading, you have evey right to be a jerk/mean/demanding to people. You are going out of your way to help us Americans and people should go on your schedule. And for people who are getting tickets and don't like whatever guidelines/rules they have to follow, TOUGH. It's nothing personal, that is just how it has to be.

Yeah, I think Pre-Pay was definitely a supported idea. We could also chip in for money collectors / enforcers. I think we should hire this guy. He does great work:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z91/5P4D35/stewie2.gif

[idiparker]

Pre-pay at time of ordering will almost certainly be part of the new system, at least to start, due to the 'crunch' that comes at the beginning of each season in which we have to order months worth of tickets before any person every sets foot in London. In previous years I've advanced (and others) ArsenalAmerica several thousand to cover the expenses but this year we would prefer to try some payment when ordering option with refunds sent if we're unsuccessful at finding tickets. It helps weed out bogus requests and guards against no-shows (of which we seem to have every season).

[Ziegler1988]

Will the Arsenal America membership drive be in mid-July again?

[Martin Daoust]

July/August

[Martin Daoust]

Pre-pay at time of ordering will almost certainly be part of the new system, at least to start, due to the 'crunch' that comes at the beginning of each season in which we have to order months worth of tickets before any person every sets foot in London. In previous years I've advanced (and others) ArsenalAmerica several thousand to cover the expenses but this year we would prefer to try some payment when ordering option with refunds sent if we're unsuccessful at finding tickets. It helps weed out bogus requests and guards against no-shows (of which we seem to have every season).

I have to say I agree fully - Rick put himself out there for us for those tickets and got as lot of crap for doing so, and that was before the problems with no-shows even, and then he got even more crap that was completely unjustified - at least for him. Rick came through for us over and over again(and not just with tickets, either, I can tell you)all because of his love for Arsenal and his affection ( don't go there) for people who love Arsenal, which is why the no shows were simply unnacceptable, never mind that they jeopardized our opportunites to continue attending matches through Arsenal America.

We owe it to Rick as much as to Simon and Meredith now and to Arsenal America always to be absolutely responsible about this, at least to the point where Simon's, Meredith's and Arsenal America's reputation are absolutely impeccable in the eyes of the club.

[antifan]

Pre-pay at time of ordering will almost certainly be part of the new system, at least to start, due to the 'crunch' that comes at the beginning of each season in which we have to order months worth of tickets before any person every sets foot in London. In previous years I've advanced (and others) ArsenalAmerica several thousand to cover the expenses but this year we would prefer to try some payment when ordering option with refunds sent if we're unsuccessful at finding tickets. It helps weed out bogus requests and guards against no-shows (of which we seem to have every season).
At the very least you should charge a fee when the ticket requests are made or confirmed. Even if it's just a 20 dollar non refundable down payment. At least that will make people think twice about requesting tickets unless they're sure about it. A big problem with the no shows is they never put a nickel down and could walk away with absolutely no penalty, leaving Rick and AA holding the bag.

[GetEmGooners]

I'd really like to go over and see a game. I've never been to a game overseas. I'd like to experience the atmosphere, because i bet its more intense than the D.C. United games i go to. Do you have to sign up on AA to be eligible to buy the tickets, not sure how it works.:o

[antifan]

I'd really like to go over and see a game. I've never been to a game overseas. I'd like to experience the atmosphere, because i bet its more intense than the D.C. United games i go to. Do you have to sign up on AA to be eligible to buy the tickets, not sure how it works.:o
Yes, you have to be a member of AA. Membership costs 20 bucks a year. Once your a member you can request tickets through ArsenalAmerica. As long as you request well ahead of time and aren't looking for a ticket to a big 4 match its usually not a problem. Then again with Rick gone now, i'm sure it won't be as easy as it used to be. Just wait for the AA membership drive to start, then look at the schedule and start planning a trip to the UK.

[HomeatHighbury]

At the very least you should charge a fee when the ticket requests are made or confirmed. Even if it's just a 20 dollar non refundable down payment. At least that will make people think twice about requesting tickets unless they're sure about it. A big problem with the no shows is they never put a nickel down and could walk away with absolutely no penalty, leaving Rick and AA holding the bag.

Literally, as it were.

[ArsenalTexan3]

This is one of the things from last season which I thought might belong here:

IF ANYONE POSTS ON THIS THREAD WITHOUT GETTING A CONFIRMATION FROM ME, YOU WILL GET NO TICKETS AND BE AT THE MERCY OF THE REGULARS WHO ARE AS SICK OF THIS AS I AM. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED........THIS THREAD IS SOLELY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TICKETS THROUGH ARSENAL AMERICA. DO NOT POST MESSAGES/REQUESTS OR ANYTHING ELSE ON HERE.

Requesting tickets on this thread is commiting to paying for them. Anyone who does not pay without prior reason will be blacklisted with the Club and named and shamed on this forum

[GetEmGooners]

Yes, you have to be a member of AA. Membership costs 20 bucks a year. Once your a member you can request tickets through ArsenalAmerica. As long as you request well ahead of time and aren't looking for a ticket to a big 4 match its usually not a problem. Then again with Rick gone now, i'm sure it won't be as easy as it used to be. Just wait for the AA membership drive to start, then look at the schedule and start planning a trip to the UK.
alright thanks.

[goonersf]

I think pre-pay is a good idea, though the disclaimer about tickets not being guaranteed should be crystal clear.

I would also like to suggest something else.

I often hear from my constituents how confusing it can be to sort through the many & varied seemingly "official" threads in the Tickets & Travel section about how to get tickets.

Mostly from folks going for their first time, though when I look at it currently, it can be a lot to wade through.


I'd like to propose that if possible, the moderators create a completely separate forum called Official Ticket Requests or some such, and that only Meredith, Simon, and aatickets can start threads in.


It should be heavily moderated so that replies with irrelevant or unnecessary information are deleted, regardless of how good natured or well intentioned they are.


Also if we could clear out and delete all outdated ticket request threads.



Mind you these are only suggestions. Take them or leave them. They were written in the spirit of cooperation and a desire to make things easier for all concerned.

I look forward to any new processes put in place this season. Once they are finalized, I will print them out and distribute them to the Bay Area Gooners at our first get-together of the season.

[The Grim Returner]

Fantastic!!! 32 out of 38 games are kicking off on Saturday afternoons at 3 o'clock!

[HighburyGoon]

I think pre-pay is a good idea, though the disclaimer about tickets not being guaranteed should be crystal clear.

I would also like to suggest something else.

I often hear from my constituents how confusing it can be to sort through the many & varied seemingly "official" threads in the Tickets & Travel section about how to get tickets.

Mostly from folks going for their first time, though when I look at it currently, it can be a lot to wade through.


I'd like to propose that if possible, the moderators create a completely separate forum called Official Ticket Requests or some such, and that only Meredith, Simon, and aatickets can start threads in.


It should be heavily moderated so that replies with irrelevant or unnecessary information are deleted, regardless of how good natured or well intentioned they are.


Also if we could clear out and delete all outdated ticket request threads.



Mind you these are only suggestions. Take them or leave them. They were written in the spirit of cooperation and a desire to make things easier for all concerned.

I look forward to any new processes put in place this season. Once they are finalized, I will print them out and distribute them to the Bay Area Gooners at our first get-together of the season.

If things work the way we want in the time we want, requesting tickets on Big Soccer will be a thing of the past.

[idiparker]

I think pre-pay is a good idea, though the disclaimer about tickets not being guaranteed should be crystal clear.

I would also like to suggest something else.

Thanks for these suggestions. We're looking at a more reliable system than bigsoccer, one in which you apply for tickets and are notified of the results if/when available, and where lists will be generated for each game so our folks in the UK will have names / contact numbers / details etc all in one easy place.

We just have to work more on building it and integrating with the existing content we have on aa.com (i.e. usernames, paypal payments, etc).

[goonersf]

I'm looking forward to any and all improvements. I can't imagine how, but if I can help in anyway, just let me know.

I think I speak for all AA members when I say the efforts are genuinely appreciated.

[Frankgarrison]

Thanks for these suggestions. We're looking at a more reliable system than bigsoccer, one in which you apply for tickets and are notified of the results if/when available, and where lists will be generated for each game so our folks in the UK will have names / contact numbers / details etc all in one easy place.

We just have to work more on building it and integrating with the existing content we have on aa.com (i.e. usernames, paypal payments, etc).

Just a thought, but will there be any consideration given to seniority or time or something akin to red v. silver in the membership scheme when it comes to ordering tickets? Or, does Arsenal frown upon that?

[idiparker]

Just a thought, but will there be any consideration given to seniority or time or something akin to red v. silver in the membership scheme when it comes to ordering tickets? Or, does Arsenal frown upon that?

It's being considered, however, I think our one main goal is to get as many people as possible in to see a game without having to turn to the touts. I think when a person sees their first game at the Emirates it really makes an impression that they carry back with them and helps them enjoy and relate to the side even more. So a guy who is requesting his third or fourth trip of the season vs. a guy who is coming over for his first game ever--well, you can see where I'm going. However, a guy coming over for his first game, who has never posted a single comment on aa or bs, and who we don't know from Adam vs. a senior member who contributes comments and stories and goes to watch parties and helps aa.com out--both wanting a 'tier 1' match, well then it would probably be in our interest to consider seniority and activity.

In the end, we want to make it fair and give as many people access as possible.

I will be working on the system this weekend probably.