[szazzy]

Originally Posted by Felixx219

How quickly people seem to forget....

who the poster is...

[SamPierron]

Actually, the Swiss Re usage was plenty good. It appeared that more of them elected to take the 100-103 option (that area was much fuller than usual) than the berm. An adjustment was made.

The only part of this at which I take serious umbrage is the suggestion that the Wizards "don't give a ******** about the folk in the cheap seats". The truth is, we net less on a GA season ticket holder than we do someone who walks up and buys 4 stadium seats for a single game (depending on your accounting, you could say 3, but I'll be a bit narrower).

However, precisely because that full season ticket holder does show their support by buying full season tickets, they are accorded, other than seat location, the rights and privileges of someone who buys Field Side Reserved...parking, invitation to all STH events, scarves, ticket exchange, etc. It's pretty rare that there's any distinction made between seating sections other than seat location. Occasionally, incentives may be different, but that's just a function of what can be paid for by the ticket prices.

By way of example, if you have a GA season ticket and went to the Clasico, went to the event at Swope, rode the bus, etc., the Wizards lost about $10 on you going to the game, even accounting for real marginal costs rather than the straight per-person. Season ticket holders in any area are important to us.

Obviously, I'll agree that the cordoning was put in the wrong place. We got it changed. NorthbankHighbury agrees that cordoning an area of some sort is okay (others don't). But we're talking about the operational margins, not the principle. If others disagree on principle, so be it, but that's different than the original argument raised.

[Felixx219]

Originally Posted by szazzy

who the poster is...

Good point. I still couldnt help to respond. That attitude is just irritating.

[TPBinKC]

Originally Posted by SamPierron

Obviously, I'll agree that the cordoning was put in the wrong place. We got it changed. NorthbankHighbury agrees that cordoning an area of some sort is okay (others don't). But we're talking about the operational margins, not the principle. If others disagree on principle, so be it, but that's different than the original argument raised.

Sam, would it be fair to apply Hanlon's Razor?

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."

From the people I talked with it sounds like it was a stupid oversight vs an uncaring money grab.

Of course if I was northbank I would have been seriously ticked off as well.

[SamPierron]

Originally Posted by TPBinKC

Sam, would it be fair to apply Hanlon's Razor?

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."

From the people I talked with it sounds like it was a stupid oversight vs an uncaring money grab.

Of course if I was northbank I would have been seriously ticked off as well.

"Stupidity" is way over the top, implying a permanent condition. If anything similar comes up again, we'll do it better.

[TPBinKC]

Originally Posted by SamPierron

"Stupidity" is way over the top, implying a permanent condition. If anything similar comes up again, we'll do it better.

Okay, stupidity might be a little strong but it fit the quote much better than "minor oversight"...

[kcscsupporter]

Originally Posted by Felixx219

I just cant believe that after having this team ran by HSG for over a decade, you would make these comments about OnGoal.

How quickly people seem to forget....

well, playing the devil's advocate here, just because someone/something might be considered a much improved alternative, does that alone excuse it from criticism if it's perceived to still be below par?

[NorthbankHighbury]

I sat on this post for two full days because I was angry and I did not want to be unreasonable. And then I posted and in hindsight I am not sure I handled this as well as I should have.

The Wizards and I don't go back very far - just a couple of years during which time I have been a season ticket holder and the value and the friendly folk working for the organization had me trumpeting the Wizards as not just a team but an organization that I was proud to claim to be part of.

I say 'part of' because as a Season Ticket Holder I wasn't made to feel like just another punter. Trading in tickets was great, ticket giveaways for a group of 18 friends of mine earlier in the season didn't hurt. For my cheap ass season ticket I have gotten some significant perks. If I have complaints I responsive people to talk to and this in no way shape or form is the same with my experiences with the Royals or the Chiefs. It wasn't like this in Chicago when I used to root for the Fire (confession) and it goes without doubt that nobody at Arsenal reads my emails....

So after all the good will I kinda let the Wizards dissapoint me one time ... ONCE ... and then completely melted down and let them have it. In public. In front of a select group of people. Thats kind of lame and I wish I had sent this to the FO people directly now.

My goal wasn't to hurt the Wizards and what has been a fantastic organization. I think it is worth noting that if this one incident had not happened I would be 100% happy with the almost free ride I get on a season. When I weigh this one game against the entirety of the last two years its not nearly enough to spoil things.

I think the Wizards FO did a very shitty job of handling this group sale. I really think they did and its worth mentioning that its also not unreasonable for the Wizards fans that sit on the Berm had every right to be put out. If this happens time and time again it will obviously be a massive sour point between the FO and the fans and it will damage the relationship permanently but ....... once ..... at least in my time.

I always want the benefit of the doubt when I screw up, I guess I should extend that to others. I'll obviously renew my ticket next year sans wife in the Cauldron instead of on the Berm -- somebody needs to teach those lads how to throw (burning) streamers onto the field properly and if anybody does happen to read this who is considering a season ticket or coming to a game next year (or even late this year) .... don't let this put you off ... it was a once in a blue moon event.

Obviously this is out there now but maybe we can treat it productively and just move on. I don't feel like flogging the horse much anymore.

[AndyMead]

Originally Posted by Roush

If the Berm is indeed General Admission, then it's not fair to people who have purchased a seat with one set of rules to be told - AFTER VOIDING THEIR RIGHT TO A REFUND BY ENTERING THE STADIUM - that their expectation is no longer valid. The product that was delivered to the purchaser was not the product that was sold.

It's GA, what expectations are reasonable for them to have? People and companies screw up all the time, do we have to overreact?

"I buy the cheapest ticket in the house and I want what I want, when I want it!!!!" That's what it sounds like.

Pardon me if I don't help carry the torches and pitchforks here.

It definitely sounds like the Wizards could've done better, but I don't see anyone that was "screwed" by this.

[NorthbankHighbury]

Originally Posted by AndyMead

It's GA, what expectations are reasonable for them to have? People and companies screw up all the time, do we have to overreact?

The point was it ceased to be GA when it was fenced off - it wasn't first come first served seating, it was sequestered and this was unfortunate. The expectation is that when you purchase a ticket to sit in an area of the stadium that the area be available to be utilized when you arrive. By partitioning the Berm this was not longer the case. Dig? It wasn't like it was filled with fans but anybody was welcome in ... we were excluded. That is the problem in a nutshell.