Arsenal Tix '08/'09

[The Grim Returner]

Make sure to sit in the wooden stand at Brisbane Road. That way you feel a sense of adventure while watching Orient--the place could go up in flames any second! ;)

For he to-day that shares a balti pie and bovril with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition

[PsychedelicCeltic]

I can see a lot of people being disappointed for Chelsea H and ManU A; they will book flights before they find out if they're successful and they could end up without a ticket for either match. Maybe take requests for those matches in January and explicitly let people know they may not get a ticket if the demand is too high?

EDIT: Also, just a suggestion, but could people living in the UK for the season be treated like everyone else for say 3 matches and then have to settle for extras for other matches? I don't really think it would be fair to make us a lower priority for every match and two to three matches is usually the number that travelling Americans go to. I'm fine with not being able to go to every match that I want through AA, but I think my membership should allow me to be on equal footing for two or three matches of my choice.
I think the fairest system is what happened last year, basically first come first served. If you think you'll be able to show up for a game, apply for it the first chance you get, even if you haven't quite gotten the flight booked yet - we know there will be a forthright plan to back out of tickets if things don't come together and with threads admin will have a chance to cross off a name and move to the next person down. It rewards planning and doesn't penalize for location.

If people are booking flights and hotels without getting the ticket sorted, that's kind of their problem though. AA has usually been prompt about getting tickets sorted quickly, so jumping the gun shouldn't be an excuse. I know this is easier said than done since I live here, but if you're going to London primarily to watch Arsenal the ticket's even more crucial than the flight.

[goonersf]

EDIT: Also, just a suggestion, but could people living in the UK for the season be treated like everyone else for say 3 matches and then have to settle for extras for other matches? I don't really think it would be fair to make us a lower priority for every match and two to three matches is usually the number that travelling Americans go to. I'm fine with not being able to go to every match that I want through AA, but I think my membership should allow me to be on equal footing for two or three matches of my choice.[/QUOTE]

Well, maybe the council of the elders could correct me if I'm running under a misconception, but the way it was explained to me, way back in times of yor (by young master Rick methinks) was that the AA ticketing system was for accommodating the needs of American Arsenal fans living in the States, and that using AA's tickets allotted by the club for folks living in the UK was some sort of violation of the agreement.

Whether it's true or not, don't those living in the UK have a geographic advantage to those of us across the pond when it comes to sorting out tickets on their own? I mean, I've managed to suss out a few personal sources for the occasions when AA can't accommodate me, and I'm 5,000 miles away. Where's your initiative, lads! ;)

[PsychedelicCeltic]

EDIT: Also, just a suggestion, but could people living in the UK for the season be treated like everyone else for say 3 matches and then have to settle for extras for other matches? I don't really think it would be fair to make us a lower priority for every match and two to three matches is usually the number that travelling Americans go to. I'm fine with not being able to go to every match that I want through AA, but I think my membership should allow me to be on equal footing for two or three matches of my choice.

Well, maybe the council of the elders could correct me if I'm running under a misconception, but the way it was explained to me, way back in times of yor (by young master Rick methinks) was that the AA ticketing system was for accommodating the needs of American Arsenal fans living in the States, and that using AA's tickets allotted by the club for folks living in the UK was some sort of violation of the agreement.

Whether it's true or not, don't those living in the UK have a geographic advantage to those of us across the pond when it comes to sorting out tickets on their own? I mean, I've managed to suss out a few personal sources for the occasions when AA can't accommodate me, and I'm 5,000 miles away. Where's your initiative, lads! ;)[/QUOTE]

As I understood it people who were not either American citizens or residents of the US were not eligible for tickets. Otherwise I should never have gotten a ticket in the first place. But Rick and I had a long discussion about this - I asked for two tickets because I had a friend from Surrey who I met on his year abroad, and I only found out at the last minute he was NOT eligible - and as I understand it, if you can pop out a US passport, it doesn't matter where you live.

And I've got friends too, but sending in apps early on AA makes it a lot easier ;)

[goonersf]

As I understood it people who were not either American citizens or residents of the US were not eligible for tickets. Otherwise I should never have gotten a ticket in the first place. But Rick and I had a long discussion about this - I asked for two tickets because I had a friend from Surrey who I met on his year abroad, and I only found out at the last minute he was NOT eligible - and as I understand it, if you can pop out a US passport, it doesn't matter where you live.

And I've got friends too, but sending in apps early on AA makes it a lot easier ;)

Good to know. Thanks for the clarification.

[Frankgarrison]

What is the problem with this system? I don't know of any other formal or official system where you don't have to pay in advance for a ticket? Even when the game is a contingency (playoffs, etc.), when your team has to progress to the next round for there to even BE a ticket, many organizations require you to submit credit card information and then your card is charged for the ticket. In full. In advance.

If you can't pay for the ticket at the time it's due, you don't get one. There's nothing patently unfair or confusing about that approach and it applies equally to all applicants. If you don't have the money to pay for a large fries, you get a small fries. That's life. I don't understand all this hand-wringing.

For those living in London, why not sign up for a red membership? Nearly all matches went to red last season. You can also, unlike Americans NOT living in London, go to the pubs before the match, mingle with supporters, buy a round, and who knows, maybe you can find a ticket informally?

Why should someone who's traveling over just to see a match or 2 have to forego a ticket just so that someone who lives in London, has been (or could have been) to many matches already doesn't have to pay for the whole ticket in advance? That doesn't seem just to me and it doesn't seem to fit the purpose of Arsenal America.

[Ziegler1988]

Well, maybe the council of the elders could correct me if I'm running under a misconception, but the way it was explained to me, way back in times of yor (by young master Rick methinks) was that the AA ticketing system was for accommodating the needs of American Arsenal fans living in the States, and that using AA's tickets allotted by the club for folks living in the UK was some sort of violation of the agreement.

Whether it's true or not, don't those living in the UK have a geographic advantage to those of us across the pond when it comes to sorting out tickets on their own? I mean, I've managed to suss out a few personal sources for the occasions when AA can't accommodate me, and I'm 5,000 miles away. Where's your initiative, lads! ;)
I'm only over for this season (study abroad), so I don't have any contacts. Specifically, I'm talking about a match like Tottnumb A. I would like to think that if I got my request in early enough for that match, I could get a ticket since I have no chance any other way. I don't expect that to happen for every match since I have an advantage already, I'm just asking for two or three where I could be treated equally.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

What is the problem with this system? I don't know of any other formal or official system where you don't have to pay in advance for a ticket? Even when the game is a contingency (playoffs, etc.), when your team has to progress to the next round for there to even BE a ticket, many organizations require you to submit credit card information and then your card is charged for the ticket. In full. In advance.

If you can't pay for the ticket at the time it's due, you don't get one. There's nothing patently unfair or confusing about that approach and it applies equally to all applicants. If you don't have the money to pay for a large fries, you get a small fries. That's life. I don't understand all this hand-wringing.

For those living in London, why not sign up for a red membership? Nearly all matches went to red last season. You can also, unlike Americans NOT living in London, go to the pubs before the match, mingle with supporters, buy a round, and who knows, maybe you can find a ticket informally?

Why should someone who's traveling over just to see a match or 2 have to forego a ticket just so that someone who lives in London, has been (or could have been) to many matches already doesn't have to pay for the whole ticket in advance? That doesn't seem just to me and it doesn't seem to fit the purpose of Arsenal America.
Well you're kind of late since the problem's already been resolved, but, here goes.

1) That kind of WAS the system last year. Some matches I paid a few weeks before (but months after I ordered), a lot of matches I paid day of. But, as one of the ticket admins has said, nobody's going to be able to apply for tickets for matches played in May and pay for them in August, so it's effectively a moot point. If I had to pay in August, I would be paying for tickets the supporters club wouldn't even be ordering until well past the New Year. This doesn't really benefit anyone and consequently no one's saying it's happening.

You're arguing versus a strawman.

2) Why should an American who by definition is eligible to get tickets from AA per Arsenal rules (as Rick has conveyed it to me) not get tickets when the possibility of a ticket is there? I'm actually not arguing for special treatment, I'm arguing for equal treatment. If there are ten tickets available for a game, and I'm one of the first ten people to apply for them, why should I not get a ticket? I'm a member, I fulfill the requirements to be a member, I should be allowed to go.

The financial considerations which prompted my questions in the first place preclude me from going to every game, so it's not even comparable to a situation where I'm going to every game home and away through Arsenal America and effectively giving one less season ticket to the rest of the club. I think if that was even close to happening someone would step in.

As it is I went to seven games (out of 59) last year, two through Rick's network, and two other games in a cup competition where I likely wasn't crowding out as many people from a ticket because the games were played on short notice, and not everybody has the capability to book a flight and a hotel in that time. Since I'll probably go to even less games this year (need to save up for some rugby games) I'm not accepting your idea that I or any other members living in London are an unnecessary burden on the club. On the contrary, since I'd be more than happy to assist the ticket officers and can help members visiting London with advice if anybody asks me.

In short, I think you're wrong on both points.

[Frankgarrison]

Fair enough and perhaps I was being heavy-handed. I've said my peace and will happily abide by whatever system is implemented.

[HomeatHighbury]

For he to-day that shares a balti pie and bovril with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition

Hahaha. That was the first time I'd had bovril I think! Was cold as hell! :p

[Skizz]

You drank cold Bovril? Bleh! :p

[SLO-Gunner]

$14,400? Wow. Above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you for your unselfish commitment.

And I agree that Americans traveling over should get first priority.


He should ask Tom Clancy to sponsor ArseAm. ;)

[antifan]

I think the fairest system is what happened last year, basically first come first served. If you think you'll be able to show up for a game, apply for it the first chance you get, even if you haven't quite gotten the flight booked yet - we know there will be a forthright plan to back out of tickets if things don't come together and with threads admin will have a chance to cross off a name and move to the next person down. It rewards planning and doesn't penalize for location.

If people are booking flights and hotels without getting the ticket sorted, that's kind of their problem though. AA has usually been prompt about getting tickets sorted quickly, so jumping the gun shouldn't be an excuse. I know this is easier said than done since I live here, but if you're going to London primarily to watch Arsenal the ticket's even more crucial than the flight.

So just apply for every game you'd like to see, then back out of the tickets later if you find it isn't convenient for you to attend? Is that how you work it? :confused:

[HomeatHighbury]

You drank cold Bovril? Bleh! :p

Mmm...that would be delicious...;)

[Rick B]

Ticket requests will be rolling. We're not going to be taking requests for games in May sometime in August. It's too much of a hassle and would result in us holding money that we don't want for far too long. We also hope to be able to refund people as soon as we know whether our formal requests have been approved.

I think we may have two systems--a formal one that we work through Arsenal and our season ticket stash, and then a 'network' system in which we try to put people in touch with those who have spares, etc -- a more cash and carry system.

I should note that our system is **primarily** designed for Americans traveling over for a game. As many people need to get the tickets first confirmed before they buy airline tickets, book hotels, we like to try to sort that out formally in advanced so they have a guaranteed seat. We help Americans residing in London try to see as many games as possible, but that's not our first priority.

Andrew (a.k.a the guy who has fronted ArsenalAmerican over $14,400 for tickets at the moment).

Just a quick note so that you and Meredith can see this. One thing that can't happen is we 'put people in touch with my contacts and let them deal with it'. Those contacts will desert us in no time at all. Weneed to have control over it so the contacts know they are getting their money. Plus if we have 3 or 4 people calling Meredith every game who have set up their own meets saying they can't find the contact, it will soon mean Meredith will get sick of it.

The best way is to really try and do as few last minute tickets as possible. That was the rut I got stuck in and that started the buggering about.

On one of the other points the not taking of money beforehand was my fault. EVERY other way of buying tickets or every event demands money up front. It was a rut I got sucked into and was a big reason we lost money and also meant people got very complacent about paying and would turn up on the day with money or moan about paying by paypal.

Please all help Meredith and know she genuinely offered to do this, she has a high pressure job and giving time to do this, to help people with the same passion as her means she is giving a lot. To the regulars - please try and answer as many questions as you can and make sure you offer to help get rid of those posting stupid requests or not reading the rules.

Thanks,

Rick

So just apply for every game you'd like to see, then back out of the tickets later if you find it isn't convenient for you to attend? Is that how you work it? :confused:

[PsychedelicCeltic]

So just apply for every game you'd like to see, then back out of the tickets later if you find it isn't convenient for you to attend? Is that how you work it? :confused:
I would hope someone would use good judgment and not apply to ten games and then only go to one, but I think a fair ticket policy based on the principle of first come, first served would work like this: Say you're a student and you think you might be able to go to a game over spring break in April. Like you've saved up some money and can buy a plane ticket, or dad says he'll give you some money. There's a good chance of you going. The deadline to apply for games in April is in February. You apply quickly and get a ticket, pay your deposit, that sort of thing. Later on you find out you can't go - your car's engine blew up or something. So you give up your ticket and the ticket goes to the next person in line.

I think that's a fair system, with checks in place such as you get penalized 1/2 or all the fee if you don't notify the ticket admins within three weeks before the game or something so AA doesn't end up picking up the tab for the ticket. It rewards people who plan ahead and it rewards people who are prompt.

[Rick B]

I would hope someone would use good judgment and not apply to ten games and then only go to one, but I think a fair ticket policy based on the principle of first come, first served would work like this: Say you're a student and you think you might be able to go to a game over spring break in April. Like you've saved up some money and can buy a plane ticket, or dad says he'll give you some money. There's a good chance of you going. The deadline to apply for games in April is in February. You apply quickly and get a ticket, pay your deposit, that sort of thing. Later on you find out you can't go - your car's engine blew up or something. So you give up your ticket and the ticket goes to the next person in line.

I think that's a fair system, with checks in place such as you get penalized 1/2 or all the fee if you don't notify the ticket admins within three weeks before the game or something so AA doesn't end up picking up the tab for the ticket. It rewards people who plan ahead and it rewards people who are prompt.


If you 'give up your ticket' i.e. don't go you HAVE to pay in full.
End of. One other thing that really fcuked me around last year was people asking for 6 games when the fixtures came out and then changing their minds as the TV schedules came out, people really didn't get how annoying it was. Quite simply if you can't commit for whenever the game will be played, don't apply.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

If you 'give up your ticket' i.e. don't go you HAVE to pay in full.
End of. One other thing that really fcuked me around last year was people asking for 6 games when the fixtures came out and then changing their minds as the TV schedules came out, people really didn't get how annoying it was. Quite simply if you can't commit for whenever the game will be played, don't apply.
That's fine with me, it was just a suggestion. I paid for a game last year that I didn't even see because the stupid bloody Tube broke down and it was chaos!

I was just trying to work out a suggestion on the premise that despite me living in London and therefore able to go to more games, if I'm the 3rd guy to apply for a high-demand game, I'd be pissed if I was asked to give up my ticket because someone parachuted in at the last minute with a sob story that they'd already bought flights and hotel. People should apply the first second they can. If you're flying over for Arsenal it makes blinding sense to get the ticket sorted out first. Before your flights or your hotel even. FIRST. I don't mind being back of the queue because I'm in London and giving up tickets because AA got less than they asked for and people who planned out their trip six months ago deserve a ticket more than me, because they do. But not at the last second.

[idiparker]

Just a quick note so that you and Meredith can see this. One thing that can't happen is we 'put people in touch with my contacts and let them deal with it'. Those contacts will desert us in no time at all. Weneed to have control over it so the contacts know they are getting their money. Plus if we have 3 or 4 people calling Meredith every game who have set up their own meets saying they can't find the contact, it will soon mean Meredith will get sick of it.


Hi Rick!

Anyway, what Rick said is basically what I meant. We'll still have a single point of contact for those tickets (Meredith and Simon) as we don't want 100s of phone calls going back and forth to this and that, but we might not necessarily have to do it via paypal as (I still assume) some of those folks want cash on delivery and don't want to wait around for us to cash out the paypal.

We're moving toward a UK banking solution (fingers crossed) so getting cash out in London may become much easier shortly. Right now we pay ridiculous fees on nearly everything we do (ATMs, currency exchanges) so I'm hoping (come on Citibank) that something will be working shortly.

Hope all is going well down there.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

Hi Rick!

Anyway, what Rick said is basically what I meant. We'll still have a single point of contact for those tickets (Meredith and Simon) as we don't want 100s of phone calls going back and forth to this and that, but we might not necessarily have to do it via paypal as (I still assume) some of those folks want cash on delivery and don't want to wait around for us to cash out the paypal.

We're moving toward a UK banking solution (fingers crossed) so getting cash out in London may become much easier shortly. Right now we pay ridiculous fees on nearly everything we do (ATMs, currency exchanges) so I'm hoping (come on Citibank) that something will be working shortly.

Hope all is going well down there.
If you need any help towards a UK banking solution, PM me. This would help me too as one big problem for me was that PayPal sometimes wouldn't accept my British banking card, so I couldn't pay before the day even if I wanted to.

PC