Memberships

[dune]

I read somewhere that Cortese is planning to re-introduce memberships - another sneaky way of ripping off fans just like the £3 tax on tickets. Does anyone know when this is happening?

[goneawol]

July

[Saint_Jonny]

Get over it dune you mong.

[Judge_B]

If it's a ploy to rip mug punters like me off that I can only imagine you won't be taking part in, why do you care when they are available?

[eurosaint]

I read somewhere that Cortese is

planning to re-introduce memberships

- another sneaky way of ripping off fans just like the £3 tax on tickets. Does anyone know when this is happening?

I seem to remember an outcry when they were scrapped !

Guess they can't win either way ?

[Thedelldays]

fuk off dune..

 

so many on here wanted memberships back last season.....that, is a fact

[crouchi]

Memberships were useful when the games were selling out. Not much chance of that for a while yet. Might be useful if members don't have to pay the ticket tax

[Saint_clark]

Erm, sorry? Ripping people off?

I can remember a lot of people stamping their feet about no memberships when games like MK Dons in the JPT, Pompey in the cup and Carlisle at Wembley came around.

[Gorgiesaint]

Ah brilliant - after several dozen threads about installment plans & season tickets, here's another thread to polarize opinion and give the WUM's in both camps something else to moan about.

 

Yes loads of people moaned when memberships were scrapped so maybe it is a good thing to re-introduce them. But it depends how they are re-introduced, they could be used to 'rip off' the fans further but then if there is no real benefit then no-one will buy so lets all wait & see what they give before we start moaning.

[Badger]

I am perfectly happy with the return of a membership scheme as I expect many others are.

 

Season tickets for three of us would not be a good option living some distance from Southampton so the membership scheme is ideal.

[Nexstar]

How can you sneakily be ripped off by something that is optional?!

[hypochondriac]

I am happy for memberships to be introduced. Depends on the price though.

[stmusicdude]

fuk off dune..

 

so many on here wanted memberships back last season.....that, is a fact

 

Your right the dell days they did and many still do but why not then let ppl make an informed choice and know the advantages of a membership before the deadline of season tickets . . Why not release the info same time or before re new dead line . . Because they prefer ppl dont so they will then buy the membership . . Having said all that . . Can we really fault the club for trying to max the income. Would be same out cry if they didn't. The rules re ownership are in middle of changing. The real question for me was this all could of been planned and handled better. And lets hope its not a misjudgement re attendances hey

[StuRomseySaint]

Memberships should come back if they are used in the right way and are to enable people to get further up the queue to buy tickets and not to earn the club more money.

[djharvey]

I am happy for memberships to be introduced. Depends on the price though.

 

What price would you suggest is reasonable!

[Saint Fan CaM]

Funny, I thought membership of a football club was about getting a range of benefits in order to help sustain the team you are passionate about. How about we debate the inherent benefits of membership before we condemn NC once again?

 

For example, before I bought a ST I bought a membership to feel like I belonged to and was part of the club, plus it gave me the benefit of getting matchday tickets easily. Of course I paid for this 'privelage', so the club (unde Lowe) gained - but so what? It was my choice and not once did I consider that the club were fleecing me or whatever. So perhaps someone could be kind enough to list here what all the benefits of membership bring? Then we'll have something worthy to discuss. Who knows, perhaps membership might offer 'free' handling fees on ticket sales?!

Edited 20 June, 2010 by Saint Fan CaM
slight adjustment for the hard of thinking...

[hypochondriac]

Memberships should come back if they are used in the right way and are to enable people to get further up the queue to buy tickets and not to earn the club more money.

 

Agreed. With regards to price I shall wait and see what the club are proposing before passing comment.

[djharvey]

Agreed. With regards to price I shall wait and see what the club are proposing before passing comment.

 

Suggest a reasonable price that would be acceptable!

[krissyboy31]

Suggest a reasonable price that would be acceptable!

 

Don't know about Hypo but a reasonable price to me, would be to cover the cost of administration and card issue etc, for straight membership (£5-10). Or if it is some sort of benefits card that gives discount on tickets/merchandising, slightly higher (£20-£25).

[hypochondriac]

It is impossible to suggest a reasonable price without any knowledge of what the membership will entitle you to. Not sure why I'm even responding to you.

[StuRomseySaint]

I reckon the memberships will be £30-£50 and there will be reasons why most fans would HAVE to get one.

 

For example, you HAVE to be a member to purchase tickets for away games ( like Stoke and Cardiff have done ),the club will use the excuse it's for security reasons due to the uprise in trouble, but in reality it will just be a way of squeezing a bit more cash out.

 

All in my honest opinion, of course. :-)

[djharvey]

It is impossible to suggest a reasonable price without any knowledge of what the membership will entitle you to. Not sure why I'm even responding to you.

 

Yes, without the full knowledge of exactly what you get and what the full costs to the club are it is impossible to suggest a reasonable price!

 

I am sure though that if and when a price is announced you will make endless presumptions about administration costs etc etc and that we are all being ripped off! (without full knowledge of the facts)

[dune]

I assume it'll cost £20 like it did before. Any more than that and what is already a sneaky money grab will turn into another issue to add to the ever increasing number of issues that are beginning to cloud Nicola Cortese's tenure. That said I will buy one because the club have me, and everyone else, over a barrel and if you do not have a membership you can be screwed for getting tickets at the business end of the season. The fact remains though that memberships are a rip off because all you're getting for you money is a queue jumping pass.

[Judge_B]

I assume it'll cost £20 like it did before. Any more than that and what is already a sneaky money grab will turn into another issue to add to the ever increasing number of issues that are beginning to cloud Nicola Cortese's tenure. That said I will buy one because the club have me, and everyone else, over a barrel and if you do not have a membership you can be screwed for getting tickets at the business end of the season. The fact remains though that memberships are a rip off because all you're getting for you money is a queue jumping pass.

 

Don't let not knowing how much they cost, what they entitle you to or even when they come about stop you from complaining about them, will you?

[dune]

Don't let not knowing how much they cost, what they entitle you to or even when they come about stop you from complaining about them, will you?

 

It's not like memberships are a new thing to us. They've always been a rip off scam. It's like paying extra at Alton Towers to jump the queue to get on the big dipper before others. Of course the club will market them as a discount card and will tie in with some local businesses, e.g 10% off a pizza wen you spend £50 or more at pizza hut, but essentially all they are is another way of squeezing more money out of fans for nothing. The £3 booking tax is the same.

[Thedelldays]

It's not like memberships are a new thing to us. They've always been a rip off scam. It's like paying extra at Alton Towers to jump the queue to get on the big dipper before others. Of course the club will market them as a discount card and will tie in with some local businesses, e.g 10% off a pizza wen you spend £50 or more at pizza hut, but essentially all they are is another way of squeezing more money out of fans for nothing. The £3 booking tax is the same.

 

 

dont get one then...simple as that really

[hypochondriac]

Yes, without the full knowledge of exactly what you get and what the full costs to the club are it is impossible to suggest a reasonable price!

 

I am sure though that if and when a price is announced you will make endless presumptions about administration costs etc etc and that we are all being ripped off! (without full knowledge of the facts)

 

What a pathetic assumption. If the membership is reasonable and consistent with the cost of past membership schemes then I will have no problem. I don't look for problems for the sake of it, I simply comment on each individual issue.

[Judge_B]

It's not like memberships are a new thing to us. They've always been a rip off scam. It's like paying extra at Alton Towers to jump the queue to get on the big dipper before others. Of course the club will market them as a discount card and will tie in with some local businesses, e.g 10% off a pizza wen you spend £50 or more at pizza hut, but essentially all they are is another way of squeezing more money out of fans for nothing. The £3 booking tax is the same.

 

Then don't get one. If my morals had been stung in the same way that yours seem to have been, I wouldn't even entertain it. Which is strange, because I think it's a positive thing, and something I'm looking forward to signing up to. I realise that supporting the club in what they are doing right now is akin to to expressing your support for the BNP but I'll take a flaming for it...

[saintwarwick]

dont get one then...simple as that really

 

Absolutely agree, why can people not understand that you are not forced to buy and all other clubs adopt a policy of club membership. Funny how those moaning about this are the same ones as those moaning about season tickets

[dune]

Absolutely agree, why can people not understand that you are not forced to buy and all other clubs adopt a policy of club membership. Funny how those moaning about this are the same ones as those moaning about season tickets

 

I think the way Cortese has treated some fans over season tickets is arrogant and uncompassionate, but my real beef with him is the booking fee. The current system of not having memberships is fine because most of us have a customer number. The reality is that with memberships the only difference will be that people like Delldays (who hardly go - and clearly his job means he can't go regularly) have a pass to jump the queue. Essentially all memberships are is reward card that rewards the ability to pay for one, not the loyalty of attendance.

[Thedelldays]

I think the way Cortese has treated some fans over season tickets is arrogant and uncompassionate, but my real beef with him is the booking fee. The current system of not having memberships is fine because most of us have a customer number. The reality is that with memberships the only difference will be that people like Delldays (who hardly go - and clearly his job means he can't go regularly) have a pass to jump the queue. Essentially all memberships are is reward card that rewards the ability to pay for one, not the loyalty of attendance.

 

dune dune dune...

how would I jump the queue when we dont really sell out...

 

im sure you never had a problem for the JPT final whilst others who did not go as much could not get a ticket..im sure that you had a problem with the club then...im sure you did..im sure you had a problem with the posters on here bragging about themselves getting more tickets than they were supposed to get...im SURE you had a problem with the clubs ticketing arrangements then

 

again dune...dont get one....simple. as. that.

 

maybe you should stop putting £100 on a france win in the world cup and put it towards the membership scheme..or..THE dreaded TICKET TAX

[dune]

dune dune dune...

how would I jump the queue when we dont really sell out...

 

im sure you never had a problem for the JPT final whilst others who did not go as much could not get a ticket..im sure that you had a problem with the club then...im sure you did..im sure you had a problem with the posters on here bragging about themselves getting more tickets than they were supposed to get...im SURE you had a problem with the clubs ticketing arrangements then

 

again dune...dont get one....simple. as. that.

 

maybe you should stop putting £100 on a france win in the world cup and put it towards the membership scheme..or..THE dreaded TICKET TAX

 

I'll get a membership, but only because i'll need one for just in case we reach Wembley etc. Without one people like you would get a ticket first depsite the fact I will have attended more games.

[Thedelldays]

I'll get a membership, but only because i'll need one for just in case we reach Wembley etc. Without one people like you would get a ticket first depsite the fact I will have attended more games.

 

what a waste.....like everything else in the past...you will have to build up tickets on your database....

 

 

again dune..I notice you never had a problem with the **** up by the club about the JPT final tickets...classic case of "im alright jack"

i take it you are not getting a ST....just how many games do you think you will need to go to before you are entitled to tickets..?

Edited 20 June, 2010 by Thedelldays

[NickG]

I seem to remember an outcry when they were scrapped !

Guess they can't win either way ?

 

not with people determined to slag off the club at every opportunity

[saintwarwick]

I'll get a membership, but only because i'll need one for just in case we reach Wembley etc. Without one people like you would get a ticket first depsite the fact I will have attended more games.

 

Well done super duper fan, don't blame delldays because he is serving in the forces, maybe you should try it and then be respected, until then don't think he will get priority over tickets. He is a fan like the rest of us but also hasn't a problem with how the membership works. Perhaps you should work out what he was saying in the first place, we won't sell out on games but only when we get to places like wembley will people like you be in meltdown.

[Andy_Porter]

For the first time in 15 years I'm going to jack in my season ticket, I will probably get a membership just to make it slightly easier to pick up away tickets altough I'll probably just use my uncles ST for that anyway since he never does away games.

 

Hopefully they do give us some sort of insentive to buy the membership, maybe no booking fee on tickets bought with a membership or a percentage off the cost of match day tickets that rises after every five tickets bought or something.

 

If it's just a card which allows us to buy away tickets I'll be seriously ****ed off, I don't think Cortese is that stupid tbh.

[Saint George]

Question is....Are the Club re introducing memberships so that NC can line his and Markus Liebherr's pockets with the profits?.......or are they doing it to help the 'promotion' fighting fund and also have a way to prioritize tickets later in the season when we're top of the table and winning every game?

 

You decide!

[hypochondriac]

Absolutely agree, why can people not understand that you are not forced to buy and all other clubs adopt a policy of club membership. Funny how those moaning about this are the same ones as those moaning about season tickets

 

Who other than Dune on this thread has moaned about the membership?

[dune]

Well done super duper fan, don't blame delldays because he is serving in the forces, maybe you should try it and then be respected, until then don't think he will get priority over tickets. He is a fan like the rest of us but also hasn't a problem with how the membership works. Perhaps you should work out what he was saying in the first place, we won't sell out on games but only when we get to places like wembley will people like you be in meltdown.

 

As it goes I think members of the armed forces should receive preferential treatments in many areas - including football tickets. I'm not having a go at Dulldays and I did make a point of stateing he probably misses more games than he'd like due to his job. That all said it doesn't alter the fact that memberships are a con and are not necessary. All they are is another charge that the club can make for nothing other than an elevation in the pecking order for tickets. Oh and the 10% discount on pizzas etc..

[Thedelldays]

dune..apparently (I never knew this till very recently)

SFC offers armed forces discount....

 

I will ask next time I am home...

 

would be good, dont you think..?

[Tom8558]

I think a tenners probably fair for a league one side. Anything more that £15 and I would begin to question it.

[iansums]

Unlike many on here I was quite pleased when the membership was stopped last year. I will be disappointed if it is re-introduced as I'm dispappointed by the £3 booking fee. However I won't be whinging and throwing my toys out the pram,I'll just accept it.

[djharvey]

Who other than Dune on this thread has moaned about the membership?

 

You know you want to though, don't you!

[Badger]

I think a tenners probably fair for a league one side. Anything more that £15 and I would begin to question it.

 

I think it was last set at £20 two seasons ago,admittedly we were in the CCC but still not particularly attractive to watch.I anticipate likely costs now at £25/30 for membership.

[Legod Third Coming]

fuk off dune..

 

so many on here wanted memberships back last season.....that, is a fact

 

Agreed.

[hypochondriac]

Agreed.

 

No one has said otherwise apart from dune.

[dune]

No one has said otherwise apart from dune.

 

That's what astounds me about this happy clappy place. The whole "who cares if Cortese shafts us" attitude is quite bemusing. But I do know that given time the likes of Dulldays will change their tune as has always been.

[The Kraken]

I think it was last set at £20 two seasons ago,admittedly we were in the CCC but still not particularly attractive to watch.I anticipate likely costs now at £25/30 for membership.

 

You'd have to question exactly what you'd get for that much money. £20 in the PL was just about bearable as you got money off the ticket but most importantly it gave you priority for tickets for the sell-out games. In League 1 that's just not going to be an issue, so I'm not sure how they'd justify a similar membership fee unless giving £2 off the ticket price, or it means you don't pay the booking fee. £25/£30 would be a ridiculous price unless the club are going to offer something massively substantial for the privilege of being a member.

 

Anyway, this is all just wanton speculation until the full details are announced.

[saintwarwick]

That's what astounds me about this happy clappy place. The whole "who cares if Cortese shafts us" attitude is quite bemusing. But I do know that given time the likes of Dulldays will change their tune as has always been.

 

I'd rather be happy clappy than a miserable old git like you, Cortese hasn't shafted us more like trying to run a business, one we so nearly didn't have a year ago, remember? Yes some things could have been handled better but you need to have a grip on reality, wake up and see if what we had a year ago was any beter.

[dune]

You'd have to question exactly what you'd get for that much money. £20 in the PL was just about bearable as you got money off the ticket but most importantly it gave you priority for tickets for the sell-out games. In League 1 that's just not going to be an issue, so I'm not sure how they'd justify a similar membership fee unless giving £2 off the ticket price, or it means you don't pay the booking fee. £25/£30 would be a ridiculous price unless the club are going to offer something massively substantial for the privilege of being a member.

 

Anyway, this is all just wanton speculation until the full details are announced.

 

Agreed. Combine the booking tax with let's say 1/20 of let's say £20 and essentially you're potentially paying a £4 premium on top of the ticket price. If memberships are £30 then under the same equation you're looking at £4.50 extra per ticket. For fans that intend to make 10 games the cost is even higher. This whole Ryanair business model is not an ethical business model and i'm surprised at Markus Liebherr for allowing his name to be associated with such practices.