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Season Ticket Sales


pressingon

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do you mean they want some, but they want too many?

 

If they didn't want any ST holder they could just get rid of them completely or make the price far less attractive compared to match by match tickets. Personally I think this idea that the football business doesn't want that lump sum up generated by STs is rubbish and just a concept put across last summer by a certain forever name changing poster now residing on the other forum.

As a ST holder of many years, I would say that there have been a number of issues that have made it less easy to buy/renew my ticket over the last two close seasons. Maybe the club is so convinced that it will be successful that it wants more seats to be available for the money-making walk-up. I would have thought that in the current financial climate, any business worth it`s salt would love to encourage it customers to pay up front, in full, for the service that it is offering.

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I would have thought that in the current financial climate, any business worth it`s salt would love to encourage it customers to pay up front, in full, for the service that it is offering.

 

The whole point of a season ticket is that it isn't the full cost. You get 6 games for "free".

Edited by Matthew Le God
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First refusal on away tickets is a good reason also.

 

A bigger reason for getting a season ticket then the "7 games free" one too, especially this season.

 

I'm still to see what's so hard about rocking up to St Mary's, asking for a S/T, showing them your driving licence (doesn't anyone else carry that in their wallet??), handing over the cash and walking away. But there we go.

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A bigger reason for getting a season ticket then the "7 games free" one too, especially this season.

 

I'm still to see what's so hard about rocking up to St Mary's, asking for a S/T, showing them your driving licence (doesn't anyone else carry that in their wallet??), handing over the cash and walking away. But there we go.

I wasn`t suggesting that it was hard. I am not denying the "free match" benefit of getting one. I am not discounting the first dibs on away ticket thing. I was commenting on the fact that the club, far from trying to sell more ST`s seem to be making it less "customer friendly" to renew or get one, leading people to ask the question as to why this may be.

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do you mean your reason not renewing is the lack of letter, or were you not renewing anyway due to the family reason?
Family, my business committments mean I miss quite a few games anyway and so I will pay by game.

If a letter had been lying on our dresser i may have been tempted as i was reminded each time i looked, and so perhaps. I can see the club must save 10k plus by just sending e-mails

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surely the overall average attendance over the year is ultimately an indicator on how well the club is currently supported...????

 

If we only manage 14,000 Season Ticket holders then the average attendance will be around the same as it was last season 20,000-22,000 which is very average in The Championship.

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I think the season ticket count underpins overall attendances and it ensures we have a level of support for that season regardless of performances.

 

If the end game is to increase season ticket sales (although of course some people don't think this is the case), then I just don't think the Club has handled the season ticket push very well (price, marketing, timings etc etc etc).

 

I think we'll be slightly ahead of last year, which given the free kiddies tickets in there will mean I think it will be similar to this year, which if that is correct will be disappointing. Given the positive news on the pitch, I would have liked to see us pushing late teens, maybe even close to 20,000, but there's still time yet to get there!!

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If we only manage 14,000 Season Ticket holders then the average attendance will be around the same as it was last season 20,000-22,000 which is very average in The Championship.

 

There will be a lot more away fans at St Mary's this year, boosting the average. Plus there are far more attractive games for a walk up than playing Yeovil, Dagenham, Walsall, Tranmere etc whilst in the Championship.

 

Home games like...

 

- Pompey

- The two over Christmas against Palace and Bristol City

- Last game of the Season against Coventry

- Brighton

- West Ham

 

Will all sell extremely well, possibly all towards or over the 30k figure. That is 6 games out of 23. You then also have games against Leicester, Forest, Birmingham, Derby, Cardiff, Leeds etc which are also likely to get good crowds.

 

Saints average in League One last season would have put them 7th in the Championship for 2010/11. Now that Saints are also in the Championship, with a Championship squad playing Championship opposition with larger away crowds, the average for Saints should take them better than merely 7th.

Edited by Matthew Le God
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If we only manage 14,000 Season Ticket holders then the average attendance will be around the same as it was last season 20,000-22,000 which is very average in The Championship.

we will not average less or even stay the same as last season..

more away fans and much..MUCH bigger games will see to that...

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I think the season ticket count underpins overall attendances and it ensures we have a level of support for that season regardless of performances.

 

If the end game is to increase season ticket sales (although of course some people don't think this is the case), then I just don't think the Club has handled the season ticket push very well (price, marketing, timings etc etc etc).

 

I think we'll be slightly ahead of last year, which given the free kiddies tickets in there will mean I think it will be similar to this year, which if that is correct will be disappointing. Given the positive news on the pitch, I would have liked to see us pushing late teens, maybe even close to 20,000, but there's still time yet to get there!!

 

The only time we'll properly find out is when all of the new season ticket holders are added to the renewal figure; that's where any major increase in numbers is going to be seen. Whether there are many thousands of people waiting to come out of the woodwork for regular Championship football, I don't know, but I get the feelign we'll be around the 15K mark. I guess we'll find out on 6th August what the total numbers are available.

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You cant really say that during the renewal period as obviously we cant go past last years figure. We will know if we have more due to going up when they go on general sale.

 

Fair point that I hadn't even thought about actually, we wouldn't have gained anyone over the number last season, we can only lose them at this point. It'll be interesting to see if the people of Southampton are enthused for the return of Championship football with the chance of success, which I'd argue we haven't seen since the summer of 2007, or whether they're just waiting for the Premier League to come calling.

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do you mean they want some, but they want too many?

 

If they didn't want any ST holder they could just get rid of them completely or make the price far less attractive compared to match by match tickets. Personally I think this idea that the football business doesn't want that lump sum up generated by STs is rubbish and just a concept put across last summer by a certain forever name changing poster now residing on the other forum.

 

Actually it was a concept I was putting forward, and StuDaveRomseyBensonPhillips didn't think we'd get rid of STs altogether. I didn't think so either, but I could see it as a natural progression fuelled by slight paranoia about the Cortese Tax and unheralded removal of the instalment plan at the time.

 

I think the inability to cope with 25,000 tickets on the day is the one significant factor preventing Saints dumping STs altogether, and if they do want to maximise the upfront ST revenue they're going about it in the most backwards way possible.

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With regards to Season Tickets and people asking why they were not started earlier well simple answer. The Financial year of the company starts 1st July so this way it makes it alot easier for the accounts. Although not always easy for the supporters.

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Fair point that I hadn't even thought about actually, we wouldn't have gained anyone over the number last season, we can only lose them at this point. It'll be interesting to see if the people of Southampton are enthused for the return of Championship football with the chance of success, which I'd argue we haven't seen since the summer of 2007, or whether they're just waiting for the Premier League to come calling.

 

On that note; I've just read the actual wording for renewals on the OS. It doesn't specifically state that renewals are only available until today. Here's the wording:

 

"Season Ticket renewals open from friday 1st July with priority given to existing season ticket holders until Thursday 14th July before new sales begin on Friday 15th July over the telephone or at the box office.

 

Sales of all Season Tickets will cease on friday 5th August, on the eve of the new campaign."

 

There's nothing else in the wording to suggest on there that you can't renew after the 14th July.

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On that note; I've just read the actual wording for renewals on the OS. It doesn't specifically state that renewals are only available until today. Here's the wording:

 

"Season Ticket renewals open from friday 1st July with priority given to existing season ticket holders until Thursday 14th July before new sales begin on Friday 15th July over the telephone or at the box office.

 

Sales of all Season Tickets will cease on friday 5th August, on the eve of the new campaign."

 

There's nothing else in the wording to suggest on there that you can't renew after the 14th July.

 

You're right about the wording, but wasn't it stated (or at least implied) that if you renewed after today the cost would be as it was for a new ST and there was no guarantee you'd get your seat ? i.e. it's not a renewal ? Not that it makes any difference other than to cost as we don't have any year-on-year loyalty schemes in place at the moment.

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You're right about the wording, but wasn't it stated (or at least implied) that if you renewed after today the cost would be as it was for a new ST and there was no guarantee you'd get your seat ? i.e. it's not a renewal ? Not that it makes any difference other than to cost as we don't have any year-on-year loyalty schemes in place at the moment.

 

That's why I brought it up. I always assumed (and I guess many others have done too) that renewals were only available to today. It would seem from the actual terms on the OS that that may not be the case after all.

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To all you doom mongers saying the club isn't actively encouraging the purchase of season tickets I would ask - does the club have an email address for you ? If not, there is your answer as to why you have not been contacted or sent promotional material.

Snail mail is the past and expensive, email is quicker and CHEAPER.

Even I, the arch antidiluvian (look it up), have had to embrace century 21.

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To all you doom mongers saying the club isn't actively encouraging the purchase of season tickets I would ask - does the club have an email address for you ? If not, there is your answer as to why you have not been contacted or sent promotional material.

Snail mail is the past and expensive, email is quicker and CHEAPER.

Even I, the arch antidiluvian (look it up), have had to embrace century 21.

 

Can you point me in the direction of any direct external marketing the club have done to sell season tickets please?

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I have had emails about once a week offering me allsorts of deals from coporate hospitality to ST sales....

 

Technically that's not external, your name is on the database. In any case, I've had none of those emails (and I'm on the database), so its up for debate how many of those emails are actually getting out there.

 

The club does the complete bare minimum of marketing for the sale of season tickets. There is zero external advertising as far as I can see, and the Echo are far less inclined to market the sale of season tickets as they have been in previous years. I can even remember seeing billboards around the city advertising the club and ticket sales, which I don't see any more.

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To all you doom mongers saying the club isn't actively encouraging the purchase of season tickets I would ask - does the club have an email address for you ? If not, there is your answer as to why you have not been contacted or sent promotional material.

Snail mail is the past and expensive, email is quicker and CHEAPER.

Even I, the arch antidiluvian (look it up), have had to embrace century 21.

 

Dear Antediluvian - But emails are notoriously inaccurate with a significant proprotion never reaching the intended recipient!

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Technically that's not external, your name is on the database. In any case, I've had none of those emails (and I'm on the database), so its up for debate how many of those emails are actually getting out there.

 

The club does the complete bare minimum of marketing for the sale of season tickets. There is zero external advertising as far as I can see, and the Echo are far less inclined to market the sale of season tickets as they have been in previous years. I can even remember seeing billboards around the city advertising the club and ticket sales, which I don't see any more.

 

and...eer, so...?

if the club want to go down the route of not as many ST by hardly advertising them....then so what...?

if you have one...great

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That's why I brought it up. I always assumed (and I guess many others have done too) that renewals were only available to today. It would seem from the actual terms on the OS that that may not be the case after all.

 

Definitely is the case today. A chap at work tol me he was going to renew next week as he's waiting on some cash. I told him to contact the club today to make sure, they confirmed that after today it's full price.

 

He's decided not to renew. I guess he's one of those people are talking about. He's been on the edge the whole time unsure whether to renew, the fact that it turned into a bit of a pain in the arse put him off in the end.

 

I am coming around to the argument that it's a bit of a worry the way things are going, having previously been fairly unconcerned.

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and...eer, so...?

if the club want to go down the route of not as many ST by hardly advertising them....then so what...?

if you have one...great

 

I've already stated on this thread that I believe that is what the club is trying to do (post 140) so I'm not sure what you're on about now. On this point I was answering Jimmy Gabirel's Halo's assertion that the club are actively encouraging sales by pointing out that, compared to previous years, the club is doing far less external marketing. I'm not sure why you're trying to hijack that point to reinforce a different point I've already made.

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I've already stated on this thread that I believe that is what the club is trying to do (post 140) so I'm not sure what you're on about now. On this point I was answering Jimmy Gabirel's Halo's assertion that the club are actively encouraging sales by pointing out that, compared to previous years, the club is doing far less external marketing. I'm not sure why you're trying to hijack that point to reinforce a different point I've already made.

 

alright, calm down.. sorry if I dont read a whole thread of people moaning....

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when we reached the playoffs, with a team that was expected to do well , we averaged 23500.

i think the average will be a little higher this time, if we are doing ok, but in the championship 25000 average for us would be good going.

As other have said, a really big average has to be based on really big ST sales, and this isn't going to happen, as the club clrearly aren't that keen to push ST sales.

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I'm still to see what's so hard about rocking up to St Mary's, asking for a S/T, showing them your driving licence (doesn't anyone else carry that in their wallet??), handing over the cash and walking away. But there we go.

 

Spot on.

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I'm still to see what's so hard about rocking up to St Mary's, asking for a S/T, showing them your driving licence (doesn't anyone else carry that in their wallet??), handing over the cash and walking away. But there we go.

 

Spot on.

As I replied before to the same point :- "I wasn`t suggesting that it was hard. I am not denying the "free match" benefit of getting one. I am not discounting the first dibs on away ticket thing. I was commenting on the fact that the club, far from trying to sell more ST`s seem to be making it less "customer friendly" to renew or get one, leading people to ask the question as to why this may be."

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To all you doom mongers saying the club isn't actively encouraging the purchase of season tickets I would ask - does the club have an email address for you ? If not, there is your answer as to why you have not been contacted or sent promotional material.

Snail mail is the past and expensive, email is quicker and CHEAPER.

Even I, the arch antidiluvian (look it up), have had to embrace century 21.

 

Yes they do, I got one saying "Renew your ST" which wasn't exactly selling the concept to me, and that was it. Still one more than last year. I get endless crap from them about selling Corporate or attending sharty pre-season games I have no interest in though. It's mental.

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and...eer, so...?

if the club want to go down the route of not as many ST by hardly advertising them....then so what...?

if you have one...great

 

It appears by your constant asking of very obvious questions that you are quite thick. Why is that ? If you can answer this... great.

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It appears by your constant asking of very obvious questions that you are quite thick. Why is that ? If you can answer this... great.

 

ark at you.....christ, cant post on a thread without reading it fully because of people as boring as you debate it to death...

 

 

nice one..great post and another example why this place is fuking shyt

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ark at you.....christ, cant post on a thread without reading it fully because of people as boring as you debate it to death...

 

nice one..great post and another example why this place is fuking shyt

 

I'd be more inclined to suggest your response is the problem, personally.

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really...I was talking about the subject...you threw you dummy out and got personal...

have fun talking..sorry, MOANING about season tickets and drawing football shirts

 

Were you ? Looked to me like you were moaning about people discussing something you weren't interested in.

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Were you ? Looked to me like you were moaning about people discussing something you weren't interested in.

 

either way...did I get personal..did I call anyone "thick"...

but hey, that is ok for you eh.. then look at others when they mention why this place is dire

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indicator of what..those who can afford one..?

 

I was agreeing with you that average crowds was a better indicator, but comparing ST sales doesn't do any harm. I think it if fair to say that if ST sales don't go up after a promotion then the pricing has probably been on the high side. ST sales are a good indicator of happiness of the masses. You point to it being an indicator of how many people can afford it, well yes, that's thepoint. Has the club put the prices up too much for NPC football. Average crowds will obviously indicate how well the club is done over the season but it will also show how many can afford to go each week.

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Technically that's not external, your name is on the database. In any case, I've had none of those emails (and I'm on the database), so its up for debate how many of those emails are actually getting out there.

 

The club does the complete bare minimum of marketing for the sale of season tickets. There is zero external advertising as far as I can see, and the Echo are far less inclined to market the sale of season tickets as they have been in previous years. I can even remember seeing billboards around the city advertising the club and ticket sales, which I don't see any more.

 

You could also use the same argument re the advertising about match sales to non season ticket holders.

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You could also use the same argument re the advertising about match sales to non season ticket holders.

 

I have actually considered that, and am surprised if I'm honest. Of course no-one has any clue how much a marketing campaign would cost the club (and whether the increased revenues would offset the costs involved), but I'm surprised it hasn't at least been tried. It's not as if we're selling out every week. Perhaps its an avenue of promotion that the club just don't believe is cost-effective.

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