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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 12, 2013 12:04:04 GMT
Other clubs have been running a similar system for a few years now. Do their fans moan about it or is it just our lot? Do these other systems turn away customers that are willing to pay? Because that's what ours does. And as ever there seems to no communication about how to sort it and different ways on how sorting it out happens (reading the posts above). And yes Lakeland it might be so easy but as lots of people have told You, not everyone is like You and it will put people off. And as long as it does we have a problem. Why You can't understand that I'll never know.  |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 12:21:31 GMT
Other clubs have been running a similar system for a few years now. Do their fans moan about it or is it just our lot? Do these other systems turn away customers that are willing to pay? Because that's what ours does. And as ever there seems to no communication about how to sort it and different ways on how sorting it out happens (reading the posts above). And yes Lakeland it might be so easy but as lots of people have told You, not everyone is like You and it will put people off. And as long as it does we have a problem. Why You can't understand that I'll never know. I understand it, Bayern, where have I said that I don't understand it? That doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on those people who don't seem to be able to make the small effort to sort their cards out - and make getting tickets EASIER from that point onwards. If someone can't be arsed to JUST ONCE get themselves a free membership card, that's fine by me. But don't come on here and moan about it if you can't get a ticket. Some people spend more time moaning about being unable to get a ticket than it would have taken to get their arses into gear to sort out a membership card. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 12, 2013 12:27:36 GMT
Do these other systems turn away customers that are willing to pay? Because that's what ours does. And as ever there seems to no communication about how to sort it and different ways on how sorting it out happens (reading the posts above). And yes Lakeland it might be so easy but as lots of people have told You, not everyone is like You and it will put people off. And as long as it does we have a problem. Why You can't understand that I'll never know. I understand it, Bayern, where have I said that I don't understand it? That doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on those people who don't seem to be able to make the small effort to sort their cards out - and make getting tickets EASIER from that point onwards. If someone can't be arsed to JUST ONCE get themselves a free membership card, that's fine by me. But don't come on here and moan about it if you can't get a ticket. Some people spend more time moaning about being unable to get a ticket than it would have taken to get their arses into gear to sort out a membership card. Your "all right Jack" air of arrogance hides the understanding sorry.  And people won't be arsed to do it, that's why I think it's such a bad idea and it's why despite being fine myself I won't revel in it. |
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Post by foster on Sept 12, 2013 12:38:26 GMT
In other news I just had a job interview and it looks likely that they're going to invite me back for a 2nd one.
Good news in that I'll hopefully get offered more money.
Bad news in that my 1/2 days reading the oatcake might soon be over.
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Post by biganddaft on Sept 12, 2013 12:43:19 GMT
Not all fans are computer literate and will find the hassle of applying for a card off-putting, they will just watch in the pub or not bother at all.
Can't see the problem with pay on the gate. How hard is it to print off the surplus tickets on the morning of the game and when they are all gone, at the designated pay-on-the-day turnstile, the turnstile closes. We would see an end to empty seats, i'm convinced. This would also help for low attendance cup games.
The club should be catering for the casual fan more, as they are the icing on the cake.
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Post by foster on Sept 12, 2013 12:49:51 GMT
Not all fans are computer literate and will find the hassle of applying for a card off-putting, they will just watch in the pub or not bother at all. Can't see the problem with pay on the gate. How hard is it to print off the surplus tickets on the morning of the game and when they are all gone, at the designated pay-on-the-day turnstile, the turnstile closes. We would see an end to empty seats, i'm convinced. This would also help for low attendance cup games. The club should be catering for the casual fan more, as they are the icing on the cake. Surely it must be a really small minority of fans who aren't able to do it online through having no internet or being PC illiterate. Though I do agree that on the day sales are a must. Can't be difficult to have one or two staff members doing this for a few hours once a week. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 12:54:58 GMT
Not all fans are computer literate and will find the hassle of applying for a card off-putting, they will just watch in the pub or not bother at all. Can't see the problem with pay on the gate. How hard is it to print off the surplus tickets on the morning of the game and when they are all gone, at the designated pay-on-the-day turnstile, the turnstile closes. We would see an end to empty seats, i'm convinced. This would also help for low attendance cup games. The club should be catering for the casual fan more, as they are the icing on the cake. You don't need to be computer literate to pick up a phone! Personally, if find it easier to do this sort of thing online but anyone who isn't comfortable doing that can order their membership card on the phone or, in person, at the ticket office. ONCE THEY HAVE GOT THEIR CARD the buying of tickets is just the same as it always was - except that their "ticket" is not posted or handed over, it is just electronically added to the customer account. All you have to do from then on is to remember to take your card to the game and hand it to the turnstile operator. it is an overused cliché - but it really isn't rocket science, is it? |
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Sept 12, 2013 14:46:00 GMT
Here's an idea (based on the original post). Why not allow the shop staff the ability to set people up with a member account and card when they pay for goods at the till - or even just go in expressly for that purpose?
I mean, alot of retailers have loyalty cards and ask customers if they want to sign up at the checkout - especially when business is slow and they have the time to do it. The bloke Alansuddick mentions could have done this when buying the shirts and been ready to go with his cards when he went round to the ticket office. Simples.
Or is that too sensible a suggestion?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 14:46:04 GMT
Do these other systems turn away customers that are willing to pay? Because that's what ours does. And as ever there seems to no communication about how to sort it and different ways on how sorting it out happens (reading the posts above). And yes Lakeland it might be so easy but as lots of people have told You, not everyone is like You and it will put people off. And as long as it does we have a problem. Why You can't understand that I'll never know. I understand it, Bayern, where have I said that I don't understand it? That doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on those people who don't seem to be able to make the small effort to sort their cards out - and make getting tickets EASIER from that point onwards. If someone can't be arsed to JUST ONCE get themselves a free membership card, that's fine by me. But don't come on here and moan about it if you can't get a ticket. Some people spend more time moaning about being unable to get a ticket than it would have taken to get their arses into gear to sort out a membership card. to be fair though the main issue isn't that people can't be arsed to sort out cards though is it? as some have said, the club haven't made it clear that every person who wants a ticket has to have their own individual card (i.e. you can't get tickets for your mates on just your card) and then when people therefore have to go to the ground to resolve the issue they are given very little help or empathy from those who are employed by the club to give that help! mine was a pain in the arse to get....the system didn't recognise me initially and then i tool 9 attempts for the system to work properly and not just crash on me. when i finally DID get it sorted, it took over 2 weeks to arrive and then only after me rinigng up 3 times to chase it up (and the first time i was given the answer that my details weren't on the system only for them to suddenly "Find them" 20 minutes later) this system is having many teething problems and i think most accept and appreciate there WILL be teething problems in any new system but this is precisely why THE CLUB should be doing everything they possibly can to sort it out and NOT tell people to go down to the ground to sort it out themselves especially when the people at the ground are so unhelpful. it ISN'T a case of people being dense or deliberately obtuse, it's the fact that the club should have had this prepared and done a trial run out of the system rather than just go live before it was ready and without adequate notifications being made to the general public about EXACTLY how it would all work. i've mentioned before that the club always take names/addresses etc. when tickets are pruchased and keep records of purchasing history so how hard would it have been to have sent a newsletter to everyone detailing the new system and then much of this aggro would never have occurred? not everyone visits the OS or the Oatcake religiously but those people that don't have just as much interest in Stoke and right to buy tickets as anyone else. it will get there eventually but it has been a complete and utter shambles from the start |
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Post by kevkj on Sept 12, 2013 15:00:16 GMT
Basically whatever anyone says ,the CLUB has a problem here.
Its losing customers who are ready to pay.Therefore someone at the club is not doing their job.
Someone needs to print off this thread and send it to the club.
Not me mind wouldnt know how to do it or who to sent it too.
One final issue,if someone registers on my friends and family do the club atomatically send them a memebership card?
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Post by numpty40 on Sept 12, 2013 15:34:54 GMT
Now and again a band plays at The Viccy Hall that I'd like to see. Now if I had to be a member of the Viccy Hall in order to watch that band I really wouldn't arsed.
There's another thread on here that states something like only 8% of the area attend Stoke games. Therefore potentially there are thousands of football supporters in the area that on a particular weekend fancy watching their local team that just won't bother. Yes, many of them may not even be Stoke supporters but one certainty is that there is no chance of them ever being converted!!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 15:39:52 GMT
So as an exile and reading this thread my conclusion is
'the best thing to do to get a ticket to watch stoke is to lie'
TWD
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 15:51:54 GMT
I understand it, Bayern, where have I said that I don't understand it? That doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on those people who don't seem to be able to make the small effort to sort their cards out - and make getting tickets EASIER from that point onwards. If someone can't be arsed to JUST ONCE get themselves a free membership card, that's fine by me. But don't come on here and moan about it if you can't get a ticket. Some people spend more time moaning about being unable to get a ticket than it would have taken to get their arses into gear to sort out a membership card. to be fair though the main issue isn't that people can't be arsed to sort out cards though is it? as some have said, the club haven't made it clear that every person who wants a ticket has to have their own individual card (i.e. you can't get tickets for your mates on just your card) and then when people therefore have to go to the ground to resolve the issue they are given very little help or empathy from those who are employed by the club to give that help! mine was a pain in the arse to get....the system didn't recognise me initially and then i tool 9 attempts for the system to work properly and not just crash on me. when i finally DID get it sorted, it took over 2 weeks to arrive and then only after me rinigng up 3 times to chase it up (and the first time i was given the answer that my details weren't on the system only for them to suddenly "Find them" 20 minutes later) this system is having many teething problems and i think most accept and appreciate there WILL be teething problems in any new system but this is precisely why THE CLUB should be doing everything they possibly can to sort it out and NOT tell people to go down to the ground to sort it out themselves especially when the people at the ground are so unhelpful. it ISN'T a case of people being dense or deliberately obtuse, it's the fact that the club should have had this prepared and done a trial run out of the system rather than just go live before it was ready and without adequate notifications being made to the general public about EXACTLY how it would all work. i've mentioned before that the club always take names/addresses etc. when tickets are pruchased and keep records of purchasing history so how hard would it have been to have sent a newsletter to everyone detailing the new system and then much of this aggro would never have occurred? not everyone visits the OS or the Oatcake religiously but those people that don't have just as much interest in Stoke and right to buy tickets as anyone else. it will get there eventually but it has been a complete and utter shambles from the start I'm handing out no medals to the club for the way they have handled it, Mick Mills. Most of the problems could have been avoided if the early bird the season ticket holders had been sorted out with cards months ago. Then the pay on the day fans with a purchase history could have been emailed in, say June, and advised of the system and invited to apply ASAP for a card. That would have meant that July could have been spent sorting out problems and inviting card holders to add friends and family to their accounts and provide their names & DOB etc. so cards could have been issued. That would have meant that by the time the season started ONLY brand new "clients" would be in need of cards and the process could have been hassle free. Or, as many hoped, a system of paper tickets could have been retained for those with no purchase history - possibly a card could have been sent to cover future purchases. But, we are where we are, and far too many people who do read this board seem to be reacting as if the whole thing is massively complicated. In essence it is simple - 1) Give the club your details, 2) get a card, 3) add "tickets" to your account in person, by phone or online as and when you need to. Instead of moaning about the system people could/should be getting cards for friends and family who they feel MAY PERHAPS want to go to matches in future. Got a brother who lives abroad? Get him or her a card. Got a daughter who might want to go if they get fed up of ballet lessons? Get them a card. NOW!  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 16:58:51 GMT
Not all fans are computer literate and will find the hassle of applying for a card off-putting, they will just watch in the pub or not bother at all. They seem to manage OK using a computer when it comes to whingeing on here. They could probably register quicker for a card than start a thread moaning. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 17:01:37 GMT
There's another thread on here that states something like only 8% of the area attend Stoke games. Therefore potentially there are thousands of football supporters in the area that on a particular weekend fancy watching their local team that just won't bother. Yes, many of them may not even be Stoke supporters but one certainty is that there is no chance of them ever being converted!! It was 8% before the card scheme so the card scheme is not to blame. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 17:16:30 GMT
There's another thread on here that states something like only 8% of the area attend Stoke games. Therefore potentially there are thousands of football supporters in the area that on a particular weekend fancy watching their local team that just won't bother. Yes, many of them may not even be Stoke supporters but one certainty is that there is no chance of them ever being converted!! It was 8% before the card scheme so the card scheme is not to blame. If Numpty40 had bothered to read the thread he would have seen that only the original poster thinks that only 8% of the catchment attends games. Most of the rest of us think that in addition to season ticket holders a far higher percentage of the catchment attend a few games a season. To suggest that the same 24k or 25k of fans go to each home game is quite frankly ridiculous. |
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Post by numpty40 on Sept 12, 2013 17:27:44 GMT
There's another thread on here that states something like only 8% of the area attend Stoke games. Therefore potentially there are thousands of football supporters in the area that on a particular weekend fancy watching their local team that just won't bother. Yes, many of them may not even be Stoke supporters but one certainty is that there is no chance of them ever being converted!! It was 8% before the card scheme so the card scheme is not to blame. The point I'm making is that a football fan who lives in the area and has a free Saturday afternoon can't just decide that he'd like to take in a football game one weekend. It seems pretty incredible that, like some sort of exclusive club where strangers aren't welcome, bizarre!! We all know Stoke supporters will get membership for themselves and family. |
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Post by biganddaft on Sept 12, 2013 17:34:36 GMT
Not all fans are computer literate and will find the hassle of applying for a card off-putting, they will just watch in the pub or not bother at all. Can't see the problem with pay on the gate. How hard is it to print off the surplus tickets on the morning of the game and when they are all gone, at the designated pay-on-the-day turnstile, the turnstile closes. We would see an end to empty seats, i'm convinced. This would also help for low attendance cup games. The club should be catering for the casual fan more, as they are the icing on the cake. You don't need to be computer literate to pick up a phone! Personally, if find it easier to do this sort of thing online but anyone who isn't comfortable doing that can order their membership card on the phone or, in person, at the ticket office. ONCE THEY HAVE GOT THEIR CARD the buying of tickets is just the same as it always was - except that their "ticket" is not posted or handed over, it is just electronically added to the customer account. All you have to do from then on is to remember to take your card to the game and hand it to the turnstile operator. it is an overused cliché - but it really isn't rocket science, is it? Lakeland. I take all your comments on board, but you cannot argue with the fact that the club have overcomplicated what should be a very simple process. In years gone by (when I had some disposable income!), me and my mates would often decide on the actual morning of a game, if we were going the match that day. This was more applicable for away games, but the same principle applies. That spontaneous decision making is now not an option and I find it bizarre that the club (and other clubs to be fair) would rather have empty seats, than allow pay on the day to utilise the spare seats. The whole bloody country want your personal information so they can bombard your phone/email address/letterbox, with complete bollox that you couldn't give a toss about, and we all put up with it because, like this situation, if you don't give them what they deem as a requirement for the membership card, you don't watch the game. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 17:44:20 GMT
You don't need to be computer literate to pick up a phone! Personally, if find it easier to do this sort of thing online but anyone who isn't comfortable doing that can order their membership card on the phone or, in person, at the ticket office. ONCE THEY HAVE GOT THEIR CARD the buying of tickets is just the same as it always was - except that their "ticket" is not posted or handed over, it is just electronically added to the customer account. All you have to do from then on is to remember to take your card to the game and hand it to the turnstile operator. it is an overused cliché - but it really isn't rocket science, is it? Lakeland. I take all your comments on board, but you cannot argue with the fact that the club have overcomplicated what should be a very simple process. In years gone by (when I had some disposable income!), me and my mates would often decide on the actual morning of a game, if we were going the match that day. This was more applicable for away games, but the same principle applies. That spontaneous decision making is now not an option and I find it bizarre that the club (and other clubs to be fair) would rather have empty seats, than allow pay on the day to utilise the spare seats. The whole bloody country want your personal information so they can bombard your phone/email address/letterbox, with complete bollox that you couldn't give a toss about, and we all put up with it because, like this situation, if you don't give them what they deem as a requirement for the membership card, you don't watch the game. BigandDaft - the option to make a decision on the morning of the game IS still an option, providing that the person making the decision has a card. Once your friends have a card it will be easier to make the decision to attend the game than it was last season when you had to have a paper ticket. With a card, you or your friends can ring up or go online and buy your seats and they will be added to your accounts automatically so no need to queue up for a paper ticket. So the ONLY burden is a (once in a lifetime) decision to get a free plastic card which is easily done if you pick a quiet time. As someone said earlier on the thread the card contains the same details that you had to give to the club to get a paper ticket last season. At least now you only have to give the details once - after that your client reference number is all you need to identify yourself. |
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Post by biganddaft on Sept 12, 2013 18:20:00 GMT
You obviously have more faith in this new system than me, pal. They take ages to answer the phone at the best of times, never mind a match day morning/lunchtime!
Whilst I can see the benefits for regular supporters, I think it alienates the casual supporter, not historically hooked on the club, and therefore will hamper the expansion of our supporter base, at a time when we should be doing everything possible to get bums on seats.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 18:28:35 GMT
You obviously have more faith in this new system than me, pal. They take ages to answer the phone at the best of times, never mind a match day morning/lunchtime! Whilst I can see the benefits for regular supporters, I think it alienates the casual supporter, not historically hooked on the club, and therefore will hamper the expansion of our supporter base, at a time when we should be doing everything possible to get bums on seats. You may be right about the phones on match day - but that was (presumably) also the case when we had paper tickets, so the new system hasn't made things worse in that respect has it? |
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andyr
Youth Player
Posts: 412
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Post by andyr on Sept 12, 2013 18:37:49 GMT
I have signed my wife and grandson up for team cards and added them to my friends and family on my online account but still cannot buy tickets. I went down to the ticket office to find out why to be told they have a software problem because they are running 2 systems side by side you can buy away tickets but not home tickets.you can buy home tickets buy setting up individual accounts but this does not guarantee getting seats together this is not good when you are buying tickets for a 9 year old .yet again stoke city fail the fans and wonder why they have tickets left. the card system online should stop the need to go to the ticket office not increase it what a joke Same problem , it would only let me have one ticket online even though I had 5 people on friends and family all with new plastic membership cards , I had to phone up and then no problem , it will be great when they sort this out though ,, come on Stoke get it sorted !!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 19:49:09 GMT
I have to say I have never had a problem with these two gents ,also been very helpful.
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Post by spiderpuss on Sept 12, 2013 20:13:13 GMT
Can't see why one section still can't be a bloke with paper tickets. Would allow casual supporters easy access to the games without a lot of address based nonsense. I did wonder why a lot of Palace seats went unsold (wasn't this a fiver a game thing as well?). This kinda of explains it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 20:24:16 GMT
For the palace game. i just just picked up my ticket from the tkt office and went in like normal, in fairness it was a comp ticket but still??
TEST
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 20:32:10 GMT
I cant see how the hell people are struggling, scfc direct 3 minute job done.
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Post by spiderpuss on Sept 12, 2013 20:41:12 GMT
People are just turning up at the ticket office like they have always done. They don't have addresses of their mates in Denmark/States etc.
To be told they can't proceed to just hand over money for that reason is just plain lame if true.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 20:47:25 GMT
People are just turning up at the ticket office like they have always done. They don't have addresses of their mates in Denmark/States etc. To be told they can't proceed to just hand over money for that reason is just plain lame if true.  Ayup im at the ticket office, listen they have changed things round I need your post code and address. Anybody would think its brain surgery. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 12, 2013 20:51:30 GMT
People are just turning up at the ticket office like they have always done. They don't have addresses of their mates in Denmark/States etc. To be told they can't proceed to just hand over money for that reason is just plain lame if true. Ayup im at the ticket office, listen they have changed things round I need your post code and address. Anybody would think its brain surgery. Easiest thing would be to give the name, make up the DOB and claim the person was living at your address temporarily. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 20:56:14 GMT
Lakeland, exactly its a piece of piss mate, no wonder the ticket office staff are a little brash dealing with the fucktards on here.
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