Hell after almost 5 years of this, I've decided to go with singles and not a half season next year. The benifits might be better and the treatment will improve. On a side note... C-Firm and CVI have had discussions about how the supporters groups benifit from being a block of season ticket holders, but this just isn't true. KSE panders to the single game buyer and has no clue how to treat season ticket holders. What I don't get is how the philo can change so drastically from the Crush, Avs, Nuggs, and Mammoth to us? We get crap-tastic season ticket holder gifts - assuming we get one - we get passed over for promos and we have minimal contact with the team. But we should all be happy that we have a stadium right? I'm so over this org. I have begun to wonder how serious KSE is with the Rapids. I really hope that KSE doesn't get a takeover of MAn. U. because they will shortly be bastardized by this Corp. that is only concerned with the bottom line at any expense -including the fans. Sorry for the rant.
It would be nice to see a list of the benefits for each of those organization you used to reach that conclusion. Like others here, I'm questioning continuing my season tickets and I wondered both how we compare to other teams and what the various differences are between buying season tickets and doing single game tickets. It sounds like you have the answer to my first question, can you post what you've found?
Would any of you be willing to call into the radio show tonight and ask Jeff Plush the questions and bring up the issues that are in this thread. I have a soccer game tonight at 645 and cannot call in after that. I will be recording the show so I can hear what he has to say.
I agree, I begin to wonder why I bothered buying season tickets if I get no incentive, a regular game ticket has more value than my ticket, and the only thing I look forward to at this moment is the MLS ALL STAR GAME. I just hate that none of us is gettin the respect we deserve as fans, SORRY FOR GOIN ON ANOTHER RANT...
Let's not get carried away. 1, The per game price of season tickets is less then the single game price (not counting those single game promotions who some might qualify for). 2. You mention the All Star game 3. There are 3 additional tickets included in the season ticket package. One of them is for the China game. I'm pretty sure the other two will be used as well. 4. There have been a couple of preseason events for season ticket holders 5. There is the post season party as well for season ticket holders (free food, players present, etc.) 6. You can still exchange some tickets 7. There may be value for some in the convenience of not having to worry about getting tickets each game or paying any ticket fees or getting a seat in the area of your choice. That's hardly "no incentive". Is it enough is a valid question, one which I'm trying to figure out as well.
DavidJames says... 1, The per game price of season tickets is less then the single game price (not counting those single game promotions who some might qualify for). BilFish says: every game, including the home opener, has had significant single game promotions, both for price and for giveaways. Two of the 3 home games have had 2-for-1 pricing already, now for the 4th game a 2-ticket discount including a huge value in glasses and beers. That means that I'm paying more for my tickets at this point as a 1/2 season holder. AND, because of weather, it's iffy as to whether I'll end up using all my tix (I didn't bring my little kid to Saturday's disaster vs Houston, for example). DavidJames says: There are 3 additional tickets included in the season ticket package. One of them is for the China game. I'm pretty sure the other two will be used as well. BilFish says: It would be the first time in a while, methinks. In the past, those extra tickets served as great freebie tickets for playoff games and nothing more. I have to say... I hate feeling screwed, and this makes me feel screwed. And thirsty. So, next year it's again an open question as to what sort of seats I purchase.... full season, 1/2 season, or single game. Which isn't good marketing by the Rapids. Of course, that means some great elbow room when I'm enjoying the game. Cheers, BilFish
I'm sure your right, I really haven't paid much attention. Were they simply 2 for 1, no age restriction, other qualifiers and did you have a choice of sections? You want the extra tickets to be worth more then a seat at a game? I know tickethorse has service charges, I'm pretty sure the box office doesn't and suspect Dick's may not either. The first year I started going I was able to get tickets at work, no service charges. But then it's a crap shoot for where I sit. It certainly wouldn't be in row 6 in Class VI every game. I suspect without season tickets, I would stay home a few times (last Saturday would have been one of them). I'm not sure if that's a positive or negative . Having said all that, not renewing is something I'm considering for the reason you and other have mentioned. I have to admit, one driver for me is the convenience of season tickets (#7 in my list), something I value more and more. I think this is a good discussion and I hope the RFO is reading and seeing the concerns many of their loyal customers are expressing.
Le Papa de Chili will be in town for this game, so I thought, well, maybe I would trade in my ticket for the game for some future game and then I'd buy a pint pack for the two of us. I even went so far as to go to the tickethorse screen and figure out how to place my order, and I was all ready to go until I saw (I believe it was) $8 in service charges tacked on. Never mind. I will use one of the five vouchers I bought back in December.
To me, its a little concerning that the RFO hasn't said anything on this thread. Its obvious their most dedicated fanbase is poniting out that they feel used, and they say nothing?
Feel used? ARE used. But the sad part is some of us are so hooked that we can't help but keep coming back for more. They know they have us by the (proverbial) balls---why should they come on this thread and make nice? They never caved in on the Oktoberfest steins last year, so I doubt they will with the pint glasses either.
I agree 100%, we are being used, but I can't stop attending games because there fun to watch and I believe soccer can be big in America. When soccer becomes big and all the people I know are beggin for tix I won't give them up. My heart lies with four teams the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rapids, Aresnal, and USMNT. SO I believe this can work, but the RFO needs to change some things for me to renew my full-season ticket.
Ok so Everyone wants the glasses...But I pose this question to everyone. If you purchase airline tickets then the next week find out that if you would have booked it this week becuse it was spring break and they wanted to target it to college students to encourage them to buy...the ticket was reduced and came with a free cocktail shaker with the airline's name on it and two free drinks...would you call the airlines and demand that they give you that deal too? just a thought... I think better deals always come along when you purchase something. I think that the Rapids do what they can to drum up business...if that means slashing single game tickets and give an incentive to single game buyers...you deal with it. Since the benifits of always having the same seat and the stuff that does come with being a full season ticket holder far out weigh the single game experience.
I don't feel used by the RFO. Our Season ticket deal is a good deal in my opinion. Most importantly, I would rather them do discounted tickets to every game (even if that might be a better deal then my season tix deal; although I doubt it) to try to drum up local interest and for us to have a full stadium on national TV. The MLS is going places and we need the local fan base to go with it. So, as any marketing student will tell you, doing a FIRE sale on tickets isn't the best way to go about building support or appreciating the current supporters, but if it puts 2000 more fans in seats per game than I am all for it. P.S. Mods, I think it would be appropriate to change the thread title to something more indicative of this discussion.
If I had bought a ticket on every flight that airline had offered for the past six years, you bet I would want the deal. If they can't cough up a cheap cocktail shaker and two free drinks when I've been so loyal for so long---if they won't even make the cocktail shaker available for me to purchase at cost---I might question why they feel the need to withhold that and why I had been so loyal.
I wouldnt mind this if they were to be made available to people in the club shop and we were to get our discount or something like that. Also, wonder about the wisdom in providing glass objects to people (some of whom may very well be RSL fans) before the game. Just saying.... Jeff
I feel bad for all the season ticket holders and not being able to cash on the pint thing, therefore I'll sponsor half keg of Paulaner Hefe-Wizen for the tailgate. Hopefully Class VI won't mind the extra keg See you guys out there and GO RAPIDS!
Two points: Season tickets are the lifeblood of a sports organization. Teams put a great deal of effort into increasing their season ticket holder base. Teams without a consistent and loyal season ticket holder base also put a great deal of effort into targeting markets that are not currently going to games. This is done with the hopes that when new people come to a game, some will eventually become season ticket holders. If someone wants to be a true supporter of a sports team, they will be a season ticket holder. And they will turn a blind eye to attempts to bring in new blood. These attempts create more season tickets holders, which eventually improves the atmosphere of the game, which improves the value of each ticket. If you want to be a true supporter, buy season tickets, buy the Pint Pack, keep the pint glasses and give the tickets to someone that has never been to game. Second point: If you want to avoid convenience fees, call your rep directly.
That's all fine and dandy for people with excess money. What do you propose for those who don't have money to waste?
or are being priced out of the season tix range? I want all the perks I can get right now, becasue next season I can' afford to get season tickets in the area I want. Wa-wah, I know, but.... The argument that you must be loyal in dollars is padantic. The only proof of a supporter is in the passion, not the dollars you spend at the stadium.