Season Ticket Sales

[spyinthesky]

Is it too soon to establish if sales have been affected by the lack of an instalment plan and the diversion of the World Cup?

 

Normally I would pay for mine on receipt of a renewal reminder.

 

As none arrived this year I could have easily forgotten but fortunately one of my mates renewed for me (I did the same for him last year!!)

 

I guess if the club does make some more good signings then interest may increase but can't see us selling more than last year.

 

Very happy to be proved wrong though

[bungle]

Only meaningful stats are figure on 30th June (when ST holders lose their seat) and then when season kicks off.

[saintwarwick]

Is it too soon to establish if sales have been affected by the lack of an instalment plan and the diversion of the World Cup?

 

Normally I would pay for mine on receipt of a renewal reminder.

 

As none arrived this year I could have easily forgotten but fortunately one of my mates renewed for me (I did the same for him last year!!)

 

I guess if the club does make some more good signings then interest may increase but can't see us selling more than last year.

 

Very happy to be proved wrong though

 

Time will tell, I don't need renewal notice as i know when the season is over but I see your point. I do think it is an own goal though when you can't have half season tickets, some are not sure so if we start of well then a lot might take this option normally but cannot now.

[aintforever]

Are they sending out the renewal forms?

[saints_is_the_south]

Are they sending out the renewal forms?

 

Don't think so, sure I saw a email from Luker posted on here saying they wouldn't be because of the short time scale (!!!).

 

I still haven't renewed mine, will get round to it by the 30th I'm sure but in no real hurry atm, the money is better off earning interest in my account rather than theirs.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

I think we should have a sweepstake.

 

I will start with 9,350

[saints_is_the_south]

8,736

[Saint_Jonny]

11,383

[Pennyred]

Just for info - renewed mine on 4th, money didn't come out til a week later - June 11th.

So maybe a bit of leeway towards end of the month?

[SO16_Saint]

how can you forget to renew a ST, out of interest?

[jabber]

just renewed mine and my two lads.man on the phone said they were selling fairly well know after a slow start.

[beatlesaint]

how can you forget to renew a ST, out of interest?

 

Well, for one not everybody, especially a fair number of older people use a computer, so without looking on here or mores to the point the OS how would they know about the renewal arrangements ?

Now before you say "the Echo you dumb f**k" what about the people who do not live in Southampton and dont get the paper ?

Please tell me how, without a renewal form being posted to them, these people are supposed to know ?

 

The renewal form acts as a reminder as one poster has already stated. It is also the only form of communication those who live outside the Southampton area and do not have a computer would have.

 

How can a company who want to attract as many customers as they can be so bloody incompetent in getting their product out not only to the mass market but perhaps more importantly to those who have stuck by them year after year ?

 

Not sending out renewal reminders ?

Absolutely ridiculous.

[NickG]

not done mine yet, usually use installment plan - not heard anything about it - are they doing it this year?

[SO16_Saint]

Well, for one not everybody, especially a fair number of older people use a computer, so without looking on here or mores to the point the OS how would they know about the renewal arrangements ?

Now before you say "the Echo you dumb f**k" what about the people who do not live in Southampton and dont get the paper ?

Please tell me how, without a renewal form being posted to them, these people are supposed to know ?

 

The renewal form acts as a reminder as one poster has already stated. It is also the only form of communication those who live outside the Southampton area and do not have a computer would have.

 

How can a company who want to attract as many customers as they can be so bloody incompetent in getting their product out not only to the mass market but perhaps more importantly to those who have stuck by them year after year ?

 

Not sending out renewal reminders ?

Absolutely ridiculous.

 

yeah, ok - fair points.

 

just thought it was funny and imagined you turning up on the first home match thinking.... shirt - check. money - check. lucky pants - check. Season Ticket - oh S**T!!

[Hedgehog]

Last year got a reply from club that postal renewal reminders couldn't be sent because they only bought/saved the club late in the day and had no way of having time to print prices etc. as the club had done in the past. Well that excuse doesn't ring true this year, and especially as they were so late in the day releasing this years controversal ticketing policy. The same thing applies, unless you get the Echo or have a computer and live outside the area, where do the club expect people to get this info. Fans are in for a shock when they arrive for a game and are told you must cough up an extra £2 for buying on the day. Online £3 charge wont affect those people, as they didn't have internet access in the first place to know this!

[Draino76]

I am struggling to read this thread so hopefully I should get a free one in a couple of days.

[SaintRichmond]

Well, for one not everybody, especially a fair number of older people use a computer, so without looking on here or mores to the point the OS how would they know about the renewal arrangements ?

Now before you say "the Echo you dumb f**k" what about the people who do not live in Southampton and dont get the paper ?

Please tell me how, without a renewal form being posted to them, these people are supposed to know ?

 

The renewal form acts as a reminder as one poster has already stated. It is also the only form of communication those who live outside the Southampton area and do not have a computer would have.

 

How can a company who want to attract as many customers as they can be so bloody incompetent in getting their product out not only to the mass market but perhaps more importantly to those who have stuck by them year after year ?

 

Not sending out renewal reminders ?

Absolutely ridiculous.

 

WHY is there any need to send out Remunders ??

 

The LESS ST's that are sold, the MORE MONEY comes in when us punters pay FULL WHACK on the day

Astute Business Management by Mr Cortese

 

Simples

[Dave Benson Phillips]

WHY is there any need to send out Remunders ??

 

The LESS ST's that are sold, the MORE MONEY comes in when us punters pay FULL WHACK on the day

Astute Business Management by Mr Cortese

 

Simples

 

It is only astute business if.

 

a) The supporter whom would have normally purchased a season ticket, decides to go to more individual games than the cost of a season ticket. ( I believe the number is around 14 )

 

and

 

b) The fixture list is kind to us.

 

and

 

c) The team has a very succesful season, at the top from the start, having said that... this does not guarantee any higher gates than what we were getting last season.

 

It is my opinion that gates will be lower next season, for that reason, I wouldn't call Mr Cortese's business decision for it astute

 

It is all speculation until we see what the season ticket figures are and the average attendance figures at the end of the season though. One thing that cannot be denied, the new business model has been done with little or no consideration to the supporter. Whether this is acceptable is up to the individual to decide, which will determine the footfall through the turnstiles.

[trousers]

It is my opinion that gates will be lower next season

 

IMHO, this will ultimately depend on our league position rather than the cost of entry to the ground. If we are flying high then attendances will be comparable, if not higher, to last season (i.e. 20k - 30k). If, on the other hand, we get off to a mediocre start then attendances will fall back into the teens.

 

Supply and demand

[Dave Benson Phillips]

IMHO, this will ultimately depend on our league position rather than the cost of entry to the ground. If we are flying high then attendances will be comparable, if not higher, to last season (i.e. 20k - 30k). If, on the other hand, we get off to a mediocre start then attendances will fall back into the teens.

 

Supply and demand

 

Supply and demand indeed. Indeed if we do get off to a good start and are top, I believe our gates will be comparible. I don't believe if we are top from start to finish next season that we will get many 30k crowds. Bournemouth and possibly a Boxing Day game as well as the final game of the season.

 

In a strange way, our average attendance will probably be improved if we have a slower first half ( play-off position ) then make a surge in the second half.

 

It is all if's and buts until the season starts, I think one thing that we call all be certain of, is that if there was a more customer focused ticketing structure, then we would have had a considerable amount more season ticket holders, anything up to double the amount in my opinion.

[rooney]

There has been no publicity on the OS regarding number sold as was last year. I guess therefore ST sales have been rather slow thus far.

[Toomer]

Anyone had a confirmation of purchase letter from the club yet?

[Barry the Badger]

Whilst I know some people who can't renew due to the installment plan, I also know at least as many people getting a Season Ticket who didn't have one last season. I think the numbers will hold up.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Whilst I know some people who can't renew due to the installment plan, I also know at least as many people getting a Season Ticket who didn't have one last season. I think the numbers will hold up.

 

I would tend to dissagree. I also think if we were heading for anywhere near as many season tickets as last year then the club would have announced it. This would have been an indirect way of them answering the complaints about Installment plans, kind of like saying " listen, everyone else must be fine with it, because they are renewing "

 

I believe the club would use this tactic as opposed to coming out and answering the fans direct or even apologizing . Being compassionate towards our support is not something which you can expect from Mr Cortese.

Edited 16 June, 2010 by Dave Benson Phillips

[Dave Benson Phillips]

There has been no publicity on the OS regarding number sold as was last year. I guess therefore ST sales have been rather slow thus far.

 

I would suggest that the club are trying to keep publicity of Season Tickets at a bare minimum, it certainly is convenient for them to cut ties with local media and press.

 

Any publicity regarding season tickets is bad publicity as far as the club are concerned, as Mr Cortese quite clearly does not seem to want these at the club, for whatever reasons we may speculate on.

[Wes Tender]

Thank goodness for this thread. I had read about the withdrawal of the installment plan, but cannot remember reading that the club would not be sending out reminders and application forms to renew a ST. So if this thread is correct, we have until the 30th June I presume to renew, if we want the same seat.

 

Frankly, I'm with Beatlesaint on this; I think that it is poor that the club have not contacted ST holders by post to inform them of these things.

[stmusicdude]

I would suggest that the club are trying to keep publicity of Season Tickets at a bare minimum, it certainly is convenient for them to cut ties with local media and press.

 

Any publicity regarding season tickets is bad publicity as far as the club are concerned, as Mr Cortese quite clearly does not seem to want these at the club, for whatever reasons we may speculate on.

I think you have this spot on

 

I do however think they WILL be up on season tickets .. but then you have to ask IF they would not of been up much much more but we wont know till the opening few games if this has back fired on them

my guess is they will sell bout 15 thousand ST & first few games ( depending on who we play first & form) should see att about 22 mark

[Ken Tone]

Thank goodness for this thread. I had read about the withdrawal of the installment plan, but cannot remember reading that the club would not be sending out reminders and application forms to renew a ST. So if this thread is correct, we have until the 30th June I presume to renew, if we want the same seat.

 

Frankly, I'm with Beatlesaint on this; I think that it is poor that the club have not contacted ST holders by post to inform them of these things.

 

Not only have they not written about STs and apparently will not be doing so, but there's been no information even on the web site about car parking ticket renewal.

 

I know it's done by a different lot than the STs but why is that my concern? As a customer or a supporter whichever you prefer semantically, I surely ought to be reactive to the club's marketing -- not having to be proactive to find out what the hell is going on?

 

K.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Not only have they not written about STs and apparently will not be doing so, but there's been no information even on the web site about car parking ticket renewal.

 

I know it's done by a different lot than the STs but why is that my concern? As a customer or a supporter whichever you prefer semantically, I surely ought to be reactive to the club's marketing -- not having to be proactive to find out what the hell is going on?

 

K.

 

Another example of the clubs feelings towards the supporter, which unfortunately seem to be no more than a £ sign now. Certainly the Spirit of Southampton seems to have completely dissapeared. Luckily for the club, they seem to have many a supporter, including myself who will allow ourselves to be treated this way, so unfortunately, i have no doubt that it will get worse.

 

If I wanted to know about season tickets at the moment I would have to do the following...

 

Saintsfc.co.uk > Enter site > Tickets > Season Tickets

 

There is absolutely no advertising on the homepage, nor have they conducted any advertising or marketing, nor have they contacted me direct. Ironically I have today recieved an email AND a text message promoting a text service at a premium rate to get the fixtures sent tommorow morning. It seems they have the ability to communicate with the supporters, they just don't want to for whatever reason.

[explorer saint]

Very poor show by the club in how they've dealt with ST's first no instalment plan then no correspondance from the club in regard to renewals and prices. Just if you want a ST badly enough then you will renew, smacks of RL.

Thought they wanted to 'give the club back to the fans' with their supportes charter or whatever they called it I remember receiving last summer, well that didn't last long did it

[Chez]

WHY is there any need to send out Remunders ??

 

The LESS ST's that are sold, the MORE MONEY comes in when us punters pay FULL WHACK on the day

Astute Business Management by Mr Cortese

 

Simples

only if said punters turn up 14 or 15 times.

[Chez]

Very poor show by the club in how they've dealt with ST's first no instalment plan then no correspondance from the club in regard to renewals and prices. Just if you want a ST badly enough then you will renew, smacks of RL.

Thought they wanted to 'give the club back to the fans' with their supportes charter or whatever they called it I remember receiving last summer, well that didn't last long did it

 

when the club is struggling we are fans, when its all right thank you very much, we are customers.

[Wes Tender]

Another example of the clubs feelings towards the supporter, which unfortunately seem to be no more than a £ sign now. Certainly the Spirit of Southampton seems to have completely dissapeared. Luckily for the club, they seem to have many a supporter, including myself who will allow ourselves to be treated this way, so unfortunately, i have no doubt that it will get worse.

 

If I wanted to know about season tickets at the moment I would have to do the following...

 

Saintsfc.co.uk > Enter site > Tickets > Season Tickets

 

There is absolutely no advertising on the homepage, nor have they conducted any advertising or marketing, nor have they contacted me direct. Ironically I have today recieved an email AND a text message promoting a text service at a premium rate to get the fixtures sent tommorow morning. It seems they have the ability to communicate with the supporters, they just don't want to for whatever reason.

 

I did bother to look at the Saints OS to see what they said about it all, but I agree with you and Ken Tone that they are going about it the wrong way. Undoubtedly there will be an element who will decide to go match by match instead. Although the cost per match on a ST means that the club get less revenue than if those fans attended every match and paid on the door, it has to be reasoned that many will not attend some matches on Tuesday nights when it is wet and cold and we are playing some minnow team. Likewise they will naturally not be attending when holidays away intervene, or perhaps when a match is televised.

 

Frankly, I find this all a bit short-sighted and against the principles of the much trumpeted customer charter which seems to have been ditched. STs encourage attendance, but if attendance is not possible, the club has the money regardless. If the club wished to have a shining example of how it should be done, then they ought to study Norwich, a club of similar size, but a massive take up of STs with a policy of rewarding loyalty and encouraging the youngsters to become the fans of the future.

 

The fans' forum will be taking place as usual on Solent I hope and there is a gilt-edged opportunity to grill Cortese on the reasons why the installment plan has been dropped and why half-season tickets have also been dropped.

[SaintRichmond]

only if said punters turn up 14 or 15 times.

 

That is quite feasible

 

Wet cold Tuesday evenings

 

Krap "little" Teams as oposition

 

A slump in Form

 

Three reasons why a lot of people will not bother if they do not possess a ST

 

On this issue, Cortese HAS lost the plot, and in so doing WILL lose a lot of Fans Revenue throughout the season

[100%Red&White]

David Luker has been happy before to come on here and clear up a few misunderstandings. Could the mods encourage him to do so again?

 

It would be nice if he could give the reasons for:

 

1: Why it was left so late to announce the details and then not send out renewal forms

 

2: Why no instalment plan

 

3: Why no half-year STs and no more at all after August

 

4: Why the charge for online bookings

 

Wouldn't take long to answer and would finally put an end to all the bickering.

 

Alternatively, just do it on the OS.

 

Thanks (in anticipation)

[Dave Benson Phillips]

That is quite feasible

 

Wet cold Tuesday evenings

 

Krap "little" Teams as oposition

 

A slump in Form

 

Three reasons why a lot of people will not bother if they do not possess a ST

 

On this issue, Cortese HAS lost the plot, and in so doing WILL lose a lot of Fans Revenue throughout the season

 

Weekday Matches

Bank Holiday Matches

Other commitments such a holiday/weddings etc

Slump in form

Unnattractive Opposition

TV Games

 

When someone looks at each game they will justify the financial outlay by their individual merits. All of the above types of games are alot harder to attract the walk-up customer.

 

It won't work, even if attendances remain the same, the potential was there for much higher gates.

[View From The Top]

Maybe people are waiting to be paid at the end of the month?

 

[StuRomseySaint]

I am expecting a detailed response from the club today with regards to the removal of the instalment plan and lack of communication etc.

[sandwichsaint]

Have to agree that this appears to be a massive OG by the club. I seriously expected us to sell 20k STs this season; despite watching Saints for near on 40 years I have never ever had a ST due to a combination of finanance/family/location. Last year I attended 10 home and 10 aways and was this season seriously considering that Iwas in a position to buy what would have been my first ever STs for both my self and my son. Despite the combination of the distance to travel and the fact that I could only probably make 15 home games I would have considered 300 'reasonable' for a cheap seat to watch 3rd division football, to 'belong to the family', to guarantee tickets for cup games etc. And if I'd bought those tickets this year, I would in all probability have renewed them on into the future. Considering the add-ons of travel/food/beer/parking are probably anything up to 75 quid a game for the two of us it would also have been considerably easier to get it past my financial manager (Mrs Sandwich) on a 6 month interest free payment scheme rather than ripping north of 600 quid out of my family budget right in the middle of holiday/MOT/car insurance renewal time.

 

Needless to say I won't be buying one on 'principle'; the club have treated their existing STs absolutely abysmally since the end of the season, no information released, very limited window to buy at discount, no reminders and virtually no publicity, and very limited incentive for 'new' STs to join - all covering up increased prices (for what is essentially the same product).

 

The other side of this is that regular match-day punters (like me!) have been mugged with both price rises and booking taxes. Not everybody has a ST (for a multitude of very valid reasons) but literally thousands of people watch between 1 and say 12 games a season, all these will be paying more (for the same product).

 

What other firms are hiking their prices 10%-20% in a recession and alienating a proportion of their existing customer base?

 

Have to say Mr Cortese is either very brave or very foolish - this has the potential to really come back and bite him.

 

FROM 3 months ago looking forward to getting my first ever pair of ST's and turning my 10 homes and 10 aways into 15 homes and 5 aways, I'm now in a position where I am quite likely to do 5 homes and 15 aways!

 

Can we fit the sylables of 'Nicola Cortese - customer service genius' into the the Paul Wotton chant?

[Wes Tender]

I am expecting a detailed response from the club today with regards to the removal of the instalment plan and lack of communication etc.

 

Did you email Dave Luker then?

[rallyboy]

can someone let me have David Luker's email address? I know it's on the forum somewhere among a million pages but can't find it on the OS site easily either. ta.

[StuRomseySaint]

Did you email Dave Luker then?

 

Dave Luker and Nicola Cortese yes, 3 times... the first one 16 days ago.

[StuRomseySaint]

can someone let me have David Luker's email address? I know it's on the forum somewhere among a million pages but can't find it on the OS site easily either. ta.

 

dluker@saintsfc.co.uk

[saintwarwick]

I logged on, got the info, phoned and renewed my season ticket and bought a new one as well, all within about 10 minutes, don't see what the problem is ffs. Btw our attendences will be higher this coming season when we walk this league

[saintwarwick]

Have to agree that this appears to be a massive OG by the club. I seriously expected us to sell 20k STs this season; despite watching Saints for near on 40 years I have never ever had a ST due to a combination of finanance/family/location. Last year I attended 10 home and 10 aways and was this season seriously considering that Iwas in a position to buy what would have been my first ever STs for both my self and my son. Despite the combination of the distance to travel and the fact that I could only probably make 15 home games I would have considered 300 'reasonable' for a cheap seat to watch 3rd division football, to 'belong to the family', to guarantee tickets for cup games etc. And if I'd bought those tickets this year, I would in all probability have renewed them on into the future. Considering the add-ons of travel/food/beer/parking are probably anything up to 75 quid a game for the two of us it would also have been considerably easier to get it past my financial manager (Mrs Sandwich) on a 6 month interest free payment scheme rather than ripping north of 600 quid out of my family budget right in the middle of holiday/MOT/car insurance renewal time.

 

Needless to say I won't be buying one on 'principle'; the club have treated their existing STs absolutely abysmally since the end of the season, no information released, very limited window to buy at discount, no reminders and virtually no publicity, and very limited incentive for 'new' STs to join - all covering up increased prices (for what is essentially the same product).

 

The other side of this is that regular match-day punters (like me!) have been mugged with both price rises and booking taxes. Not everybody has a ST (for a multitude of very valid reasons) but literally thousands of people watch between 1 and say 12 games a season, all these will be paying more (for the same product).

 

What other firms are hiking their prices 10%-20% in a recession and alienating a proportion of their existing customer base?

 

Have to say Mr Cortese is either very brave or very foolish - this has the potential to really come back and bite him.

 

FROM 3 months ago looking forward to getting my first ever pair of ST's and turning my 10 homes and 10 aways into 15 homes and 5 aways, I'm now in a position where I am quite likely to do 5 homes and 15 aways!

 

Can we fit the sylables of 'Nicola Cortese - customer service genius' into the the Paul Wotton chant?

 

Now I know you are having a giraffe, that won't happen till we get back to the premiership, expect around 12,000 which will be good for this level of football.As for the rest of your comments I won't even go there.

[StuRomseySaint]

Now I know you are having a giraffe, that won't happen till we get back to the premiership, expect around 12,000 which will be good for this level of football.As for the rest of your comments I won't even go there.

 

I agree that we had the potential to sell up to 20,000 season tickets this season with a realistic pricing structure and a customer focused buying experience. There will not be 12k season tickets this year. The club is not even advertising them on their website anymore, let alone in the local press/media. Everything they have done is to ensure as minimal takeup of season ticket holders as possible. We could/would have had between 17 and 20k season ticket holders if they had priced accordingly.

 

Do you not agree that the club has treated their customers shocking? Do you not agree that season ticket holders deserved at least a renewal pack?

[for_heaven's_Saint]

I agree that we had the potential to sell up to 20,000 season tickets this season with a realistic pricing structure and a customer focused buying experience. There will not be 12k season tickets this year. The club is not even advertising them on their website anymore, let alone in the local press/media. Everything they have done is to ensure as minimal takeup of season ticket holders as possible. We could/would have had between 17 and 20k season ticket holders if they had priced accordingly.

 

Do you not agree that the club has treated their customers shocking? Do you not agree that season ticket holders deserved at least a renewal pack?

 

I have to say I'm inclined to agree with all of this.

[sandwichsaint]

Now I know you are having a giraffe, that won't happen till we get back to the premiership, expect around 12,000 which will be good for this level of football.As for the rest of your comments I won't even go there.

 

Genuinely don't understand your attitude (on lots of things on here to be honest).

 

Why are your ambitions limited to the club selling 12k STs? Leeds, Charlton, Norwich all sell in the high teens (Norwich into the 20's), what's so different with us?

 

Wouldn't you like to see us pricing and marketing our ST offer so as to maximise ST sales and establish a core of 20k committed supporters? And pricing our walk-up to fill between 5 and 10k of the remaining seats for as many games as possible?

 

I think there is a massive boost both to the team and to the 'match day' experience/the 'feel good' factor to play to a ground that is 90% full than to play in a ground that is half empty. You strike me as being very happy to pay the price you can afford which is your choice, but I would regard that price in my circumstances as not providing VFM, my choice. Reading betwen the lines you will gladly pay X pounds and don't much care whether you are sat in a crowd of 15k, 20k, 25k, 30k, (on your model the crowds will never come back till we are in the Prem - not true if you look at Norwich/Leeds/Charlton) again your choice but unless NC has got his sums bang on and AP delivers (both are very possible), you run the very real risk of smaller crowds and reduced revenue?

 

It seems such a shame that last year's feelgood factor and our aniversary season should start on this downbeat note; obviously for you it's not a problem but I get the feeling that for a some people (including me) it is. Anyway, keep up the good work, and let's all keep supporting Saints in our own individual ways!

[Turkish]

I agree that we had the potential to sell up to 20,000 season tickets this season with a realistic pricing structure and a customer focused buying experience. There will not be 12k season tickets this year. The club is not even advertising them on their website anymore, let alone in the local press/media. Everything they have done is to ensure as minimal takeup of season ticket holders as possible. We could/would have had between 17 and 20k season ticket holders if they had priced accordingly.

 

Do you not agree that the club has treated their customers shocking? Do you not agree that season ticket holders deserved at least a renewal pack?

 

I dont agree, for once the club and I it seems shares the view that i have held for a long time that what goes on on the pitch is more important than anything else. More important than burgers, pies, beer, radio stations, half time entertainment and pandering to the whim of every one that will always find something to moan about. Decent players, playing decent football and actually showing abit of ambition and try to win something, if we have to pay a bit more for a bit of quality then i am all for it, thats why i buy my clothes at Sakks and not primark.

[Mutt Le Tiss]

Is there a voucher booklet in the back of the season tickets? I seem to remember a few seasons ago there was a tenner off a home shirt?

Was wondering if their was a similar offer to ST holders for the new shirt this season?

Cheers